The important procedures of the coronation ceremony progressed and soon the banquet began.

As many delegations participated, the banquet continued calmly.

Erina also sipped champagne while observing the nobles of the Smale Kingdom.

As the glass gradually emptied, Baroon, who had been watching Erina, bent down and quietly asked.

“Do you need another glass?”

Seeing the empty champagne glass, Erina turned her head and nodded to Baroon, who had bowed to her.

Feeling drowsy from the slightly high alcohol content, Erina unknowingly leaned on Baroon, who was still holding her arm.

Baroon caught a passing servant and handed her a pretty colored champagne glass.

“I don’t think it would be good for you to have more champagne.”

As Baroon said this while handing over the champagne, Erina nodded and accepted the glass.

“What about Lord Baroon?”

“Even if I’m your partner, I’m still your guard, so that hasn’t changed.”

Baroon smiled at Erina with gentle eyes.

Meanwhile, Derek and Adela, seated far away, conversed while watching the two who looked affectionate.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Baroon care so much for someone.”

At Adela’s whisper, Derek stroked his chin and observed the two people happily conversing while looking at each other.

Derek didn’t seem to notice Sandes watching the two with an uncomfortable expression, as he moved with Adela.

“Baroon.”

Adela called out to Baroon as she approached the two with Derek.

Baroon then called out to Adela with a brighter smile than ever before.

“Elder sister.”

Then, realizing the attention drawn, he seemed to catch himself, bowing his head and correcting his form of address.

“Forgive my clumsy rudeness as I’m not yet accustomed, Your Majesty.”

“It’s alright.”

Erina could see how deep their affection was as she watched the two exchange glances.

If the former king of Smale had continued to preserve the throne, if Derek standing before her had not strived to overturn the situation, these two would not have been able to face each other like this.

Erina smiled warmly, melting at the warmth her choice had left behind.

“Countess Medelia, it’s nice to see you.”

“I’m also glad to see you, Your Majesty. I heard you gave birth to a daughter not long ago. Are you feeling alright?”

“Oh my, how did you remember that…”

Although it hadn’t been long since she gave birth to her daughter, events big enough to shake the kingdom had passed, so no one had been able to pay attention to it.

The former king had even dipped into the national treasury for the secret export of magic stones, causing financial instability, and in the process of carrying out the dethronement, there was fierce resistance resulting in many casualties.

Adela hadn’t had the leisure to take care of herself.

To survive and protect her child, she had to hide her pain and suffering.

Adela’s expression darkened.

“Thank you.”

Adela pressed her chest firmly to calm her stirring heart upon hearing words no one else had offered her.

Seeing this, Derek felt sorry and regretful, tightly squeezing the hand he held for escorting.

Adela smiled at this and approached Baroon and Erina.

Adela took Erina’s hand in one hand and Baroon’s in the other, smiling brightly as she spoke.

“You two look so good together. Please be sure to invite us when you have your wedding later.”

“Pardon?”

Baroon and Erina were startled by Adela’s innocent words.

Thinking they were embarrassed by their attitude, Derek quietly spoke as he hurriedly moved away with Adela.

“We’ll be rooting for you two.”

“No, wait just a moment…!”

Erina was dumbfounded as the two disappeared before she could correct their words.

Baroon also turned his head to look aside with a bewildered face, not knowing what to do.

As expected, he saw Sandes glaring at him with a grim face.

Baroon felt cold sweat running down his back at how sharp the glaring eyes were.

At the murderous gaze, Baroon turned his creaking neck back to look at Erina.

Erina turned her head to look at Sandes with an equally bewildered face at Baroon’s unnatural gaze.

Erina saw Sandes filled with various emotions in his eyes.

The emotion Erina felt most strongly in his eyes was none other than disappointment.

For a moment, his whispers of jealousy from that day flashed through Erina’s mind.

‘You know, I am your lover.’

‘Don’t forget that I’m jealous of even the people who just pass you by.’

‘I wish everyone knew that I am your lover.’

With each of his whispers in her ear, his affection for her boiled over, and his yearning heart was desperate.

She couldn’t help but know.

That she was always at the end of his gaze.

If she left them to imagine that she and Baroon were lovers, she felt she would surely regret it someday.

As soon as Erina finished her thought, she withdrew her hand holding Baroon’s arm and took Sandes’ hand to lead him.

“Your Majesty!”

At Erina’s cry, people’s attention immediately turned to them.

Derek and Adela, who were about to return to the platform, also turned to look at where the sound came from.

Erina led Sandes by the hand and approached the two.

Derek and Adela looked at the clasped hands of the approaching couple with round surprised eyes.

“I thought I should tell you because you two seem to have misunderstood.”

“Countess Medelia.”

“Lord Baroon only came as my partner for the coronation ceremony. My lover is…”

Erina raised their joined hands to show as she spoke.

“This person.”

Erina smiled at Sandes’ surprised expression visible beyond their clasped hands.

Sandes’ heart pounded as he found Erina, who was holding his hand and announcing to everyone that he was her lover, unbearably lovable.

His heart beat as if it would burst at Erina’s warmth rising through his fingertips.

Sandes covered his eyes with his other hand, afraid his expression might look foolish.

Adela covered her mouth and sighed at the sight of the two dripping with honey.

“Oh my.”

Derek also apologized with an awkward smile.

“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Countess.”

“It’s alright, Your Majesty.”

“So the Countess’s lover was Duke Kerenik. I’ll be rooting for you two.”

When Adela and then Derek offered their blessings for their future, Erina smiled brightly and said.

“Thank you. In that sense, would you forgive the rudeness of us leaving first?”

“Haha! Of course. It is my wish that the Countess stays here comfortably, so do as you please.”

“It’s an honor. I wish glory for both of Your Majesties in the future as well.”

Erina left the hall amidst the cheers of many, leading Sandes by the hand.

Sandes, with his hand held, was dragged along without being able to add any words to Erina’s forceful actions.

Erina walked unhesitatingly to their quarters, still not letting go of their joined hands.

After entering the room with Sandes, Erina closed the door tightly and suddenly covered her face and sat down.

“Erina!”

Sandes called out urgently, surprised and wondering if something had happened to Erina who suddenly let go of his hand and sat down.

“Erina, are you in pain somewhere?”

He knelt on one knee to meet Erina’s eyes and asked while brushing back her fallen hair.

He fretted, wondering if Erina’s pain was serious.

Then Erina answered in a groaning voice.

“What should I do…”

“Pardon?”

“How can I face people now that I’m so embarrassed.”

Sandes looked closely at Erina, who had buried her head in her knees and couldn’t lift it.

Her ears visible through her hair were so red it seemed they would burst if touched.

She had been so forceful when bringing him out of the hall earlier, but now she was stomping her feet, not knowing what to do from embarrassment.

“Ah, I’m going crazy.”

Sandes felt he would go mad at her being not just lovable but even cute.

He couldn’t even fathom how far she would make him fall for her.

“I’m the one going crazy.”

Erina added quietly to Sandes’ words about going crazy.

It felt like her heart, fluttering in her mouth, would jump out.

She didn’t know what had possessed her, but she had lost her senses at the sight of Sandes full of disappointment.

She didn’t want to give him even a speck of negative feelings as her lover.

In that moment, she had acted impulsively without even thinking about it.

Erina was afraid that Sandes might be disappointed in her childish, immature behavior.

“Erina, lift your head.”

Sandes said in a gentle voice as he stroked her hair.

Erina peeked up at him from her bowed head.

At his gaze, happier than ever before, Erina slowly raised her head.

Sandes carefully cupped Erina’s face as she lifted her head.

The warm touch on her skin made all of Erina’s worries that had been shaking her mind evaporate.

“Erina.”

Sandes slowly traced her gradually reddening cheek with his thumb.

“Thank you. I was so happy.”

As Erina moved her lips to say something, Sandes lightly kissed her lips.

“For not forgetting my words.”

He kissed her lips lightly again as he whispered.

“For calling me your lover in front of everyone.”

This time he kissed the tip of her nose, which was scrunched up from the sweet tickling sensation felt throughout her body, as he spoke.

“Just, thank you for everything.”

“Sandes…”

“I’m grateful for everything – that someone as lovable as you is my lover, for all of you breathing before me right now.”

Erina couldn’t hold back anymore and opened her arms to embrace him.

“I love you, Erina.”

At his heartfelt confession, Erina felt like she would cry from happiness.

“I love you too.”

The two nestled in each other’s arms for a long time.