Leia bit her lip in deep self-loathing, shaking herself with the profound sense of guilt. She didn’t want to see Akkia from Edward.

To anyone, Alencia’s Lord was an acceptable man. A noble heir of the empire, a man that any noble lady would at least fantasize about being in a relationship with.

With a noble figure flowing through his entire body and meticulous consideration, Leia’s heart did not respond even to the seemingly affectionate smile he directed at her.

‘No.’

Even while sitting face to face with Edward, the man who made her think of Akkia, Leia was crazily and firmly insane.

Leia placed her hand near her almost motionless heart. If only she could feel a little flutter…

She would surrender to that man pretending to be unbeatable.

‘If I marry this person, can I forget the Duke?’

The man who resembled a cat and whom Leia met as a pharmacist under Duke Heidern’s assignment. Could she pretend not to know the struggling Akkia, who lived like walking on thin ice?

‘And would it be alright for me, who harbors feelings for another man, to marry Edward?’

Leia’s mind became entangled in complexity.

Since the day she faced Akkia, Leia had been contemplating countless times. She had been delaying the decision unable to come to a conclusion.

‘No. I can’t.’

To avoid the Emperor, she shouldn’t do something unforgivable to this good person. Leia’s hand clutching the hem of her skirt trembled slightly.

Edward looked at Leia’s pale face without a trace of blood, saying, “Well… Your complexion doesn’t look good. Cold sweat is flowing.”

Without hesitation, he stood up and handed Leia a handkerchief. A handkerchief embroidered with delicate mist flowers. Leia stared at the offered handkerchief for a long time.

Mist flowers symbolizing a pure heart.

Yes. Mist flowers resembled Edward. And Leia knew his heart.

Just saying that they were distant relatives didn’t cover how recently the two had known each other.

Nevertheless, he allowed Leia to develop a cure in the research lab, where he had precious data.

He frequently visited from Alencia Town House to the Belarussian Mansion, quite a distance away. And he even expressed his desire to marry her.

‘Edward must be sincere with me.’

The handkerchief he extended felt like Edward’s heart toward her. That’s why when Leia didn’t accept it and just stared, Edward smiled faintly.

When Edward gently handed Leia the handkerchief into her trembling hands, she suddenly made up her mind. She couldn’t proceed with the marriage like this.

She couldn’t bear to become someone’s wife with a heart as heavy as this, especially with thoughts of Akkia.

“Edward, I’m sorry. I think… it won’t work out. I’m really sorry.”

Leia stood up abruptly and bowed her waist toward Edward.

“What…?”

“I.”

Leia, looking at Edward, who seemed confused, struggled to speak.

“…I don’t think I can marry you, Edward.”

At first, Alencia’s eyes were filled with confusion, but they soon deepened as if she had somewhat expected Leia’s response.

“I guess it’s as I expected.”

Seeming to already know, his resigned response made Leia’s eyes waver. Did he try to marry her despite knowing her feelings toward Akkia?

“Lately, seeing Yeong-ae deep in thought, I had some expectations, but…”

“Edward.”

“Go. You have somewhere to go, right?”
Until the end, Edward maintained a warm smile. Leia, holding back the welling emotions in her throat, nodded with effort.

“I’m truly sorry.”

With those words, Leia turned away.

Parting with Edward and wandering aimlessly, Leia found herself strolling in the park. It was the same park where she first met Akkia in the capital.

Of all places, she unconsciously ended up in a location related to Akkia again. A bitter smile formed on Leia’s lips.

The park remained unchanged from when she met the Duke. Thanks to the good weather, people were bustling about on strolls. The flower carriage where the Duke had stood was still in its place.

‘The Duke was standing there.’

How happy she was to meet the Duke in that place by chance.

At that time, she was simply elated at the thought of spending time with Akkia again, just like before. She had no idea that his attitude had changed, not even in her dreams.

Leia tilted her head in her melancholy mood. Would her spirits lift a bit by looking at the flowers?

She moved towards the flower carriage. The owner warmly greeted her.

“Welcome. The flowers that came in today are very fresh.”

He began recommending various flowers while giving formal greetings. Amidst Leia enjoying the scents of the flowers presented by the owner, a white bouquet caught her eye.

“This is…”

“It’s Baby’s Breath. It has a beautiful fragrance and is quite popular among ladies. A gentleman just bought it as a gift for his lover. He said the lady loves this flower the most.”

As Leia smelled the fragrance from the white flower buds, a subtle jasmine scent bloomed pleasantly. Somehow, among countless flowers, she had come to like Baby’s Breath the most.