These days, Cecil felt like her blood was drying up day by day. Wherever she went, people whispered behind her back.

“It seems that the Prince of Birds has fallen deeply for the lady who recently came to the capital.”

“Lately, he’s been going to the Jade Palace every day…”

“He even postponed a court meeting because he had a meal with her.”

“Unbelievable.”

Everyone’s attention was focused on the Prince of Birds’ exploits. Suddenly, Prince Hadel moved the woman he brought with him to the Jade Palace and behaved towards her like a lover.

Thanks to that, even if she didn’t want to, Cecil unavoidably knew what the Prince of Birds had done today.

“Today, he personally took a pearl tiara with him.”

“It’s so beautiful; they say it never shows outside the palace.”

“Ah, even if it’s embarrassing, he sometimes shows his face outside the palace when he gazes out the window.”

And at the end of such gossip,

The blade of the conversation was always aimed at Cecil.

“So, what will happen to you, Miss Cecil?”

“What will happen? I’ll just become the favored consort of Viscount Forte.”

Every time she heard such a story, Cecil felt as if her breath was being cut off.

“What is this, really?”

Whoever called her Miss Cecil and pushed her forward as “Miss Cecil” when they knew she belonged to the humble Hanae clan, now, they mockingly ridiculed her as just the favored consort of Viscount Forte.

“This is all…”

She didn’t blame that woman. Even though she foresaw all this and knew she should properly organize her feelings even if there was no emotional exchange, the arrows of resentment inevitably pointed towards Marian. It was easier to blame her.

“I should ask.”

What kind of relationship she had with the Prince of Birds, whether she was really dreaming of a future with him.

Without thinking, Cecil headed to the Jade Palace where Marian was staying.

The Jade Palace was surrounded by strict security, as if a king resided there. Seeing the soldiers holding spears, her shoulders involuntarily shrunk, but Cecil forced herself to straighten her back.

“I want to meet that woman.”

The guards recognized Cecil but treated her in an extremely businesslike manner.

“His Excellency has ordered that no one should be let in.”

Since entering the royal palace, this was the first time she received such treatment. Cecil hesitated for a moment, bit her lip, and then, as if she had a close friendship with Marian, called her familiarly.

“Tell Marian. Marian will also want to meet me.”

Nevertheless, the answer was the same.

“His Excellency has ordered that no one should be let in.”
It didn’t seem like she could pass through with just one needle. In the end, unable to accomplish her intention, Cecil turned away, tilting her head.

‘What kind of situation is this again?’

Countless soldiers and a woman who never showed her face outside the palace.

‘When she stayed in the Chang Palace, she used to come out to the garden and sit. But after moving to the Jade Palace, she can’t come out?’

No matter how you looked at it, she was being confined.

However, Cecil didn’t immediately recognize the situation because the act of restraining someone was far from the image of birds she was familiar with.

‘Confinement? Would that cold-hearted man go this far?’

Generally, imprisonment is an act carried out to mentally bring in an unwanted party and tame them.

But Cecil could not imagine the scene of birds desperately seeking affection from someone.

‘If she doesn’t want this situation…’

As Cecil, who was withdrawing from the Jade Palace, stopped her steps, a feeling of justice that must have been somewhere in her heart felt heavy on her ankles.

With that, Cecil, who was about to leave the Jade Palace, turned back and headed towards it again. She intended to interrogate the guards to confirm whether the current situation was imprisonment or not.

However, it was as if it were a twist of fate. As Cecil approached the door of the Jade Palace, it eerily opened, revealing a face she knew.

“Ah.”

“Cecil?”

The man with clean silver hair and a white face was none other than Espen.

As soon as his eyes met Cecil’s face, he stiffened. He looked at Cecil with a very suspicious gaze.

“Why are you here?”

Cecil quickly lowered her head. Perhaps feeling threatened, a lie that she would not have told under normal circumstances smoothly flowed out.

“I-I heard that Miss Marian is here and came to meet her.”

“Marian? Do you know her?”

“….”

She doesn’t. She only heard the name. Moreover, since Marian left without introducing herself, Marian probably doesn’t know who Cecil is.

Espen looked down at Cecil’s back as she quickly answered.

“If you know someone, Marian’s sadness might get a little better. Be her friend as you come and go in the future.”

“It is an honor.”

Permission was granted to enter the Jade Palace. Cecil quickly replied. As if with that, Espen thought everything was over, he tried to leave without even greeting Cecil.

“Um.”

Cecil caught Espen. Impulsively, she asked.

“I beg your pardon, but who is Miss Marian to His Excellency?”