Although he thought that the Bellarus Duke would not accept this marriage, the whirlwind of emotions engulfed him.

‘He’s touching Leia like this.’

He hadn’t expected it to be this way, but the taste of iron passed through his throat like a sharp dagger between his lips.

Entering Bellarus’ townhouse, he moved his steps to the reception room where Leia was.

And what he heard there was the sound of an absurd proposal from a guy he barely knew.

“Who is marrying whom?”

“…Duke?”

As Akkia entered the reception room, the expressions of the three people inside changed. When a heavy silence fell for a moment, Button broke the silence.

“Highdean Duke came to visit and wanted to talk, but…”

Butten, who was behind Akkia, was sweating profusely. He, too, seemed embarrassed as if he didn’t expect Akkia to suddenly open the door.

Dmitri, who had been silently observing the situation, gestured to Button to step back.

“What’s going on here? Or did you come because of this?”

Dmitri flicked the proposal with the Emperor’s seal.

“If you came because of this, you probably don’t need to step forward. The problem is likely to be resolved soon.”

Smiling somewhat ominously, he continued. Seeing this, Akkia’s eyebrows twitched.

Edward’s proposal wasn’t bad in Dmitri’s position. No, it was not just bad. Rather, it was welcoming.

He was a grandson-in-law who had been friends in their youth and was the son of the Earl of Alencia, so it was excellent for inheriting the Duke’s title.

‘Edward’s character is already famous.’

Famous for his upright character as expected of the Alencia family, he was also praised for his gentle temperament at the academy.

Such a person becoming Leia’s partner. It was much better than Akkia, who didn’t know when he would die.

Akkia chewed on the inside of his mouth, understanding Dmitri’s thoughts.

‘Who is he sticking with that guy?’

He had eyes to see. Having to witness another man toying with Leia after hearing her confession was like having his stomach twisted.

He had rushed here because of the Emperor’s proposal problem. To see another guy meddling in and suggesting marriage next to him.
Akkia shifted his gaze away from Edward. Then, Leia, who still had eyes widened in surprise, was looking at him.

Immediately, Akkia sent a silent message to Leia with his eyes. It was a look questioning why she hadn’t rejected that nonsense yet.

As if she read the intention in his gaze, this time Leia avoided eye contact. Then, with a nonchalant tone that seemed to ask when she had become flustered, she responded.

“Thank you for Edward’s proposal. After hearing it, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea at all. I’ll consider it positively.”

‘What?’

Unexpectedly, Leia’s response made Akkia almost lurch forward.

“Thank you for responding like that, Miss Leia. Since it seems that a guest has arrived, I will take my leave first. I’ll be waiting for your contact.”

Edward passed by Akkia like that.

“Grandfather, I’ll be going now too.”

Leia also left, seeming to have no reason to stay there any longer. Observing Leia passing by as if she were an invisible person, Akkia clenched his fist.

“Well, do you have anything to say to me?”

Dmitri, who had been staring at Akkia, asked casually. Originally, his purpose was to consult with Dmitri about the Emperor’s proposal.

However, due to Leia’s cold attitude as if dealing with a stranger, he had lost his original purpose a long time ago.

Akkia, who had been eyeing the vacant seat left by Leia, replied.

“I… I’ll excuse myself.”

Then, he followed her, chasing after Leia. After a while, he saw Leia swiftly crossing the garden.

He ran faster and grabbed Leia’s wrist.

“Are you crazy? Are you going to marry a man who has nothing to do with you just to avoid the Emperor?”

“Why do you think I have nothing to do with it? Isn’t Edward a perfect bridegroom, whether it’s his character, family, or appearance, the best in the empire?”

It wasn’t a wrong statement. In fact, many women admired Edward.

“Moreover, did you see Edward today again? Unlike others, he actively tries to protect me.”

Embarrassed by Leia’s words that struck the mark, Akkia’s body twitched.

“So, are you really going to marry that bastard?”

“What else should I do? Should I accept the Emperor’s proposal as it is? Or…”

Leia, whose focus had been wandering in the air, now focused on Akkia.

“Will the Duke marry me?”

“That’s…”

Akkia opened and closed his mouth repeatedly. Looking at the hesitant Akkia, Leia smiled wryly and shook off his hand.

“You are truly a coward, Duke.”