I answered with a fluttering heart, “No.”

Throughout our long engagement, there was nothing between us.

Of course, during most of the engagement period, I slightly liked the First Prince’s face. But it was somewhat awkward to claim there was something between us.

Even when engaged, there was no physical contact beyond escorting, and even now, after the annulment, there was nothing between us.

“All right, there’s nothing.”

“That’s right, isn’t there?”

But my eyes seemed a bit strange. I don’t know why I felt that the First Prince’s smiling face looked somewhat regretful.

‘Get a hold of yourself, Elodie.’

After warning myself, I tried to organize the current situation.

So, the First Prince’s argument was, even though we had annulled, there was no need to avoid each other because nothing significant happened between us.

‘Hollywood.’

Being this cool was impressive.

I admired Adenmir’s thinking, surpassing Hollywood stars who interact well even after divorce.

I could do that too.

After clenching my fist, I asked boldly, “So, let’s greet each other and get along, shall we? Without avoiding each other?”
“…Well, that’s how it is.”

Though the response was a beat late, it was somewhat strange. Nonetheless, I was relieved to hear that.

I nodded enthusiastically, “Got it!”

It was not a difficult condition to fulfill. I had faced some difficulties running away, and in the future, attending official events would inevitably require me to see his face. It wasn’t feasible to hide every time. Saying hello was easy.

I smiled brightly and greeted him politely, “Then, goodbye, Your Highness.”

“…”

“…?”

“What are you doing now?”

“It’s a farewell.”

Farewell is still a form of greeting.

However, Adenmir seemed displeased with my polite farewell. Seeing him staring at me with a lot to say, I cautiously asked, “Do you have something to say to me, by any chance?”

“I do.”

“Uh, then please.”

After a brief cough, Adenmir, with an unusual expression, opened his mouth.

“I came to thank you.”

“To me?”

It was an unexpected expression of gratitude.

“Yeah. I’ve conveyed it in the letter as well, but His Majesty’s condition has improved significantly. All thanks to the lady.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Seeing the emperor resembling a corpse made me uneasy all along, so I was relieved to hear about his improved condition.

“So, I should repay the favor.”

“What favor?”

“Well…”

Muttering something meaningful, Adenmir stared at me intently.

“I’ll decide the method; you just have to accept.”

“Yes?”

‘Is that even a favor?’

Feeling perplexed by his one-sided favor, I watched as Adenmir turned and walked away.

I continued to gaze at his back, thinking, ‘He must have definitely taken poison…’

The day Felix Hicklmayer invited me to the Cerberus Capital Mansion arrived.

I intentionally took a private carriage, as using the family carriage would attract the attention of the Duke of Ferdia.

Seated across from me, Charles looked around the private carriage, fascinated by the unfamiliar surroundings.

After a while, he exclaimed, “Lady, it’s more thorough than I thought. I didn’t expect it to be this way.”

“This much is basic. Charles, you’re a bit careless.”

“I’m fine with being a bit careless. Since I have you, Lady.”

Was he implying that I should take care of him? I raised my head with a disgusted expression.

While Charles laughed at my reaction, he suddenly turned his attention to the creature squirming on my lap.

“But are you bringing that fox too?”

“Kkyuyuk.”

“It’s weirdly crying… Is it okay?”

“Growl…”

In response to Charles’s comment, the greedy creature, whose judgment seemed distorted, began to glare as if it might bite. Afraid it might actually bite, I turned the greed toward me.

“Its name is Black. Its crying is a bit peculiar. Since it gets lonely alone, I brought it with me.”

Because it stubbornly refused to go into the sealing stone, I had no choice but to bring it along in its summoned state.
“Toying with the theme of sin, the master is quite unpredictable. There’s no separate performance.”

However, Charles looked at Greed with a vacant expression.

“I envy it…”

“What?”

“He’s with you all day. Afraid of being lonely, you take him everywhere, let him sleep on your lap, and you’ll pet him. I wish Lady would pet me too.”

“…”

“I’m envious.”

In a jealous gaze, Charles looked at Greed as if genuinely envious.

‘What a pervert.’

I guarded against Charles as much as possible, leaning towards the backrest.

In the meantime, the carriage smoothly arrived at the Cerberus Capital Mansion.

“Welcome, Lady Ferdia. We’ve been waiting for your visit.”

The butler, who seemed to be in charge of the mansion, greeted me politely.

I looked around the Cerberus Capital Mansion for the first time. However, the scenery inside the main gate was unclear, like ripples on the surface of a lake hit by stones.

“A barrier is set throughout the mansion, so you can’t see inside from the outside.”

“I see.”

I recalled hearing such rumors at some point.

However, the butler made an awkward expression as he looked at Charles, who was confidently standing next to me.

“I apologize, Lady. Lord Hicklmayer only permitted Lady Ferdia to visit.”

“I brought my escort; is that a problem?”

Although I invited only myself, I thought it wouldn’t be an issue to bring an escort or a maid, as it was common.

However, the Cerberus family seemed more conservative than I thought.

“Yes. Only those with permission can enter.”

Then, Charles, pointing to Greed in my arms, who was now looking disgruntled, asked, “Is he allowed?”

“Is it a pet? Yes, of course.”

Upon hearing this, Charles smiled as if everything went well.

“Ah, pets are allowed? Then it’s fine. He’s Lady’s pet too, right?”

“…Yes?”

Looking at the butler with a perplexed expression, Charles pointed to the head he laid on my shoulder as if to say, “Is this allowed too?”

“It’s my lady’s dog. Right, Lady?”