Annet’s desire to create a death everyone can accept became their third secret.

“That must be about her own death,” Shimoren surmised.

Such a topic was certainly unusual for a young woman with much life ahead. Shimoren remembered hearing something related to this.

“Annet Martinec has nothing to lose. In card games, it’s usually those with more to lose who end up losing.”

All of this felt oddly unsettling to Shimoren. He couldn’t pinpoint it exactly, but it was like irritating grains of sand in one’s mouth.

Hence, Shimoren found himself engaging with Annet more than usual, merely out of this concern.

The problem, however, was that Annet, contrary to Mabel’s impression, turned out to be quite sociable.

Shimoren, who only intended to make casual conversation, soon found himself deeply engaged in discussions about the steeping of tea.

How could he be bored? Inexplicably, Shimoren even found himself smiling at Annet, whom he once thought he disliked.

Observing Annet, Shimoren became certain of something.

“Based on my observations, Lady Annet lacks any desire for power. In fact, she seems to lack selfish motives in any aspect.”

At his words, Peter, who was straightening his attire, frowned slightly.

“What are you trying to say?”

“It may be a hasty judgment, but I believe Annet Martinec was pressured into the palace by René Martinec.”

“Baseless assumptions will be your responsibility.”

“There’s a maid from the Martinec household, named Devona, in the Sheyen Palace.”

Initially, Shimoren suspected Devona might have ulterior motives, but she never seemed to leave Annet’s side.

“In fact, Lady Annet seems to be trying to keep her at a distance. It’s evident that Devona reports back to René Martinec.”

“Are you suggesting she’s being monitored by the Martinec?”

“Yes.”

“But that alone isn’t sufficient proof. The fact that Annet Martinec is under surveillance doesn’t prove her innocence.”

Peter’s voice had notably lowered, signaling the gravity of Shimoren’s responsibility in this matter. Feeling the pressure, Shimoren bowed his head.

If it had been just Devona, he wouldn’t have brought it up.

However, there was that conversation with Annet, a conversation on a sidetrack.

That day, Annet had shown something that, even if false, Shimoren felt was genuine.

“She said she wanted to go back.”

The weary expression on Annet’s face was vivid in his memory.

“She didn’t specify where, but I believe her mentioning this in front of me was intentional.”

“To inform me.”

Shimoren nodded affirmatively and continued.

“Why not trade the information Annet possesses for what she wants? We can help her escape her brother, send her away, and in return, obtain her knowledge. This way, Your Highness won’t have to worry about Annet anymore, nor revisit memories of Lowell because of her presence.”
From Peter’s perspective, it was an absurdly perfect proposal. His voice slowly emerged after weighing the pros and cons.

“Rational indeed.”

It seemed like a feast set before him, ready to be indulged in. Shimoren’s suggestion was logical, and Peter himself saw it as a rational direction.

However, why did he hesitate?

“I’ll hold off on your suggestion.”

He knew it was the right answer, yet he couldn’t bring himself to act on it.

“It’s too early to decide on sending her away, especially when the Tilleman event is still pending, and there’s no concrete proof supporting your judgment.”

Maybe it was an instinctive aversion to something too tempting or skepticism towards an answer that seemed too clear. Or perhaps there was another reason.

Regardless, the rationale behind it didn’t matter.

“We’ll discuss this matter later. You can go now.”

Peter had declined Shimoren’s proposal, a decision he might regret later.

“His Highness agreed to enter the ballroom together?”

Surprised by Shimoren’s report, Lowell wondered if Peter had that much pride. Well, it didn’t matter to her.

‘It’ll be interesting to watch up close.’

Content, Lowell turned her attention to a black-haired woman busy getting ready. As Shimoren approached her, Devona’s eyes sharpened protectively.

“What are you doing here? Annet isn’t ready yet, please wait outside…”

“Just let him be, Devona.”

“Yes, Annet!”

Devona quickly softened, a familiar scene in the Sheyen Palace. Shimoren found a spot in the corner of the dressing room and asked,

“Is the preparation still not complete? It looks finished to me.”

In the mirror, Lowell appeared perfectly dressed from head to toe. Yet, Devona insisted more embellishments were needed, puzzling Shimoren.

“See? She plans to wrap me up to death.”

“That’s quite a hardship.”

Shimoren shook his head in disbelief, eliciting a small laugh from Lowell.

In just a few days, they had grown significantly closer. It was intentional on Lowell’s part, but closeness is never one-sided, even if planned.

During the dressing, Devona suddenly remembered something.

“Am I also attending the ball, Annet?”

“No, Devona. I’m going with Mabel this time.”

Disappointed, Devona returned to styling Lowell’s hair.

‘She’s too conspicuous.’

It wasn’t just about her loud voice. Devona was excessively devoted to Lowell.

‘I can’t take her to a ballroom full of people who won’t favor me.’

Seeing this, Shimoren suspected Devona was a spy for René, but Lowell had her reasons for keeping her distance.

Finally ready, Lowell stood up, marking the end of the long preparation.
In the mirror, a woman with elaborately adorned black hair from head to toe gazed back. Her expression was cynical and devoid of emotion, as if emotion had been forcefully stripped away. Despite such a demeanor, her dress and hairstyle were extravagantly done, almost as if she were ready to be laid in a coffin.

Whether rich or poor, aren’t people decorated with flowers for their funerals?

‘Even if I die anytime, my funeral will be convenient.’

With that thought, Lowell turned around.

“Let’s go. We can’t keep His Highness waiting too long.”

An eagerly awaited reunion was imminent.

Tilleman was just around the corner.

Since the day Lowell collapsed in the bathroom, meeting Peter had been a long time coming.

Of course, Lowell had previously seen Peter in the conservation garden, but since Peter hadn’t, it was even more significant from his perspective.

Footsteps echoed down the corridor. He stood motionless until the footsteps approached right in front of him, then turned around only when he felt a hand tugging at his lapel. Tactile sense is the most useful in discerning truth; while hearing and sight are easily deceived, the keen sense of touch isn’t fooled.

The woman standing before him was no imposter. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, perhaps from rushing.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. Did you wait long?”

The woman with Lowell’s face had her black hair styled in curls, covering her shoulders, and wore a headpiece with a veil.

Skillful makeup enhanced her features, giving her face more vitality and making her features more distinct. Thanks to that, she appeared quite distant from any sign of illness.

“The maids insisted on trying one more thing… They all seem excited about their first ball. I would have hurried if I knew you were waiting…”

“It’s fine. You’re not late.”

Peter’s inner turmoil grew louder as he listened to Annet’s voice. Frowning, he cut her off coldly.

“Entering together is merely to avoid scandal. Don’t forget your role.”

“Of course.”

Watching him, Lowell lifted the corners of her mouth in a bright smile.

She had never forgotten her true role.

“I won’t forget. Not even once.”