No. This is a bit ridiculous.

I whispered, stealthily hiding my body behind the wall.

“When a woman acts like that, don’t people usually let themselves get caught?”

“Unless His Grace wishes it, he never lets anyone catch him. And he generally dislikes women.”

Oh. Right, that’s true. He was so naturally affectionate with me that I completely forgot.

That man really disliked women. A lot.

When I nodded slightly, Ruben added a comment.

“Except for Lady Latieana, of course.”

At those words, I couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Then, snapping out of it under Ruben’s lifeless gaze staring down at me, I peeked out to observe the two.

Fortunately, she hadn’t fallen; the woman stood upright, gazing straight at Edan.

Her eyes seemed tinged with a hint of resentment, perhaps hurt by his attitude.

“Your Grace, Edan…”

“Don’t cross the line.”

Edan coldly cut her off, brushing off his jacket sleeve.

She only made a grabbing gesture, not actually touching him, but he acted as if a filthy bug had landednew and fallen off.

As if her attempt to approach him alone was offensive.

“That woman is Princess Ciela…”

She’s beautiful. Incredibly refined. Like the human embodiment of morning dew on grass blades?

Ciela had neatly arranged, straight blonde hair reaching down to her chest.

Incredibly delicate, with skin so fair it seemed transparent, and slender.

Even her standing pose exuded a calm aura.

Not flashy, but her finely proportioned features were strikingly attractive at first glance.

What can I say? She’s the type that stirs protective instincts.

Watching Edan’s actions, she opened her mouth again only after seeing him shove both hands into his pockets.

“You knew I was coming.”

Her tone carried a hint of grievance again.

I furrowed my brow.

Why is she so bold? So what if he knew she was coming? Was Edan supposed to throw a grand welcome?

“I was aware. That’s why I kindly sent a letter of refusal.”

Edan lowered his eyes coldly and spoke icily.

Flinching at his words, Ciela slightly lowered her voice.

“You know I couldn’t just accept that.”

Her voice trembled slightly, her shoulders drooping as if intimidated.

If an outsider saw her, they might pity her, as if Edan had done something cruel.

“And so?”

“…Pardon?”

“I don’t understand what you expect me to do by telling me this. Should I consider your position as well?”

Startled by Edan’s cold demeanor, Ciela blinked rapidly a few times before raising her voice slightly.

“Your Grace!”

Unfazed, Edan tilted his head as if annoyed, and her face grew even more distressed.

“How… how can you treat me so coldly?”

Without a word, Edan shifted his gaze, previously cast into the void, toward Ciela.

When their eyes met, Ciela mustered courage and took a step toward him.

Since Edan had stepped back with his long stride, the distance between them didn’t close much, but even that irritated me, and I furrowed my brow.

What is she trying to say?

I was narrowing my eyes, focusing, when it happened.

“Please help me.”

What?

Ciela clasped her hands tightly together and looked up at Edan.

“You signed the betrothal scroll. I came here believing that. You’re going to marry me, right?”

Continuing to speak to Edan, who maintained his icy expression, Ciela looked on the verge of tears.

Unmoved, Edan let out a faint, mocking breath.

“You believed that even after being deceived? If you thought about it even a little, you’d know I wouldn’t have signed it.”

“But…”

As Ciela’s eyes wavered, as if she hadn’t known, Edan looked down at her with an even colder gaze.

“But you thought I did it for you last time, so you assumed I would again.”

“You forgot the last thing I told you?”

“…”

“I told you to abandon everything and run away.”

Ciela’s pretty, rose-colored lips tensed as she avoided Edan’s gaze.

“And if you couldn’t do that, I told you to give up.”

She was silent. Edan slightly furrowed his brow and turned away.

“The matter of the arranged marriage will be canceled soon. You should leave.”

“What?”

Thinking she had given up, Ciela hurriedly looked up at Edan’s words and stepped closer to him again.

She reached out toward him, and with an irritated sigh and a click of his tongue, he stepped back further.

“Ah.”

Ciela’s hand lingered in the air, her face flushing with embarrassment up to her ears.

“S-sorry.”

“If you come close to me one more time, I won’t just step away.”

“…”

Confirming Edan’s hardened expression, Ciela slowly withdrew her hand.

“…How will you cancel the arranged marriage? It’s Her Majesty the Empress’s doing. Even Your Grace can’t refuse it.”

“What are you misunderstanding? I didn’t refuse it in the past because of Her Majesty. I endured it for Brother Killian’s sake.”

“…”

At the mention of Killian’s name, Ciela’s expression darkened instantly.

“I didn’t pursue the matter of you lying about me liking you because of my brother. But in the end, you broke your promise and ruined everything.”

Edan’s voice grew terrifyingly low.

His previously indifferent gaze sharpened, piercing her so intensely it was hard to continue speaking.

With a pale face, Ciela moved her lips slightly and spoke.

“That was the best I could do back then. It was the only thing I could do!”

“Sure, let’s say it was.”

Edan nodded curtly, as if it didn’t matter.

“‘Let’s say it was’? Are you saying I’m not even worth talking to now?”

Since Killian’s name came up, Ciela struggled to control her emotions.

Breathing heavily, she swallowed hard.

“No matter how much you pressure me, our marriage won’t be canceled. Her Majesty won’t allow it, and I will marry Your Grace no matter what.”

Edan let out a derisive scoff.

“The sooner you give up, the better.”

“You know your words are unreasonable, don’t you?”

“In what way?”

“Saying our marriage is impossible.”

Edan’s patience seemed to have run out.

Taking one hand out of his pocket, he frowned, sighed deeply, and tilted his head back.

Then, straightening up, he roughly ran a hand through his hair.

“Princess.”

Edan’s icy tone carried a furious edge.

Startled by the chilling voice, the princess stepped back.

“I told you clearly. That past incident was just me stepping back.”

“But…”

“Or are you deluded into thinking I actually liked you back then?”

“That’s not what I meant, Your Grace!”

“If not, I’m telling you to leave. I have plenty of ways to overturn an arranged marriage.”

Revealing his contempt openly, Edan turned his gaze away from Ciela.

His cold demeanor made it clear that clinging to him would yield nothing.

Ciela’s clasped hands were so tense that her fingertips turned pale.

“Ki-Killian…”

Ciela’s trembling voice broke the silence.

“If Your Grace marries me and forms a tie with the Eastern Empire, it will help Killian when he ascends the throne.”

Edan showed no reaction.

“If that’s your reason, you’ve chosen the wrong person. Shouldn’t you have proposed to my brother instead?”

At his blunt words, Ciela’s face contorted.

“You know that’s impossible! Why do you keep pretending not to understand? You know I can’t avoid this marriage…!”

“You’re not unable to avoid it; you’re just choosing the easier path.”

Ciela’s lips trembled.

“Please. You helped me before. Help me again, for Killian’s sake.”

“I refuse.”

“Your Grace would do anything for your brother.”

“Not anymore.”

“W-why? You said you’d dedicate your life to helping him. Why…?”

“Do I need to explain that to you? Who are you to me?”

“…”

The conversation ended with Princess Ciela’s defeat.

Unable to continue under Edan’s firm boundary, she froze like a fool.

What did that woman do in the past?

The rumors the maids at the temple spoke of were clearly nonsense.

Their conversation just now was completely off the mark. Edan never wanted marriage, nor did he ever like Ciela.

Damn it. My back hurts from leaning out to eavesdrop!

I plopped down, squatting. Pounding my back, I tilted my head and glared at Ruben.

“Sir Ruben, are you really not going to tell me?”

“Then ask His Grace directly…”

“I’m going to find out anyway. Can’t you just tell me a bit beforehand?”

“I…”

As Ruben touched his forehead, looking troubled, it happened.

A large shadow loomed over my head from behind.

“What are you doing?”