Contrary to the concerns of Eustar and the officials, Ord’s physical condition had recovered remarkably since the night before his birthday celebration.

Not only could he get up, but he was also able to move between the dining room, bedroom, and outside without much difficulty, even without support.

The doctors who were watching him finish his meal from start to finish, although it was mostly soft foods, could not hide their surprise and whispered among themselves.

It was unbelievable that he had been unconscious just a few hours ago. If someone who didn’t know had seen him, they would have thought Ord had recovered from a serious illness and entered the recovery phase.

Meanwhile, Laila, who received this news on the morning of the birthday celebration, found it difficult to calm her unsettled mind and spent a long time sitting on her bed.

‘What happened yesterday….’

Yesterday, she ended up returning to her room without going to the library. Eustar came to visit in the evening, and they had dinner together and even took a short walk outside, but in the end, she couldn’t tell him what she had seen.

“Lady Kristrad, it’s time to start getting ready.”

Mel drew back the curtains. The white, cold sunlight of winter morning began to draw a thin line on the bed and slowly enveloped Laila. Even though she was in the light, her fingertips felt cold as if touched by ice.

“Your feet will be cold, so please wear these when you come down.”

Laila stared blankly at the fur slippers Mel had placed at her feet before getting out of bed.

The warm sensation of softly wrapping her feet and the lack of sleep made her eyes close, but before she could dawdle, Mel’s hand led her into the bathroom.

“The nobles invited to the birthday celebration are arriving one after another, Lady Kristrad.”

“I understand, Mel. I shouldn’t be lazy, right?”

Mel turned her head and laughed softly, then cleared her throat.

The gentle-handed servants carefully washed Laila’s body.

For someone who had lived most of her life alone in the mountains, her skin was extremely sensitive and soft. On days when slightly irritating ingredients were used in the oils, parts of her skin would sting all day long.

So Mel was very careful in choosing the servants to assist with Laila’s bath, and thanks to that, every time she washed, Laila felt like she was being treated as royalty from some country.

‘Well, I am actually part of the royal family now… Since I’m supposed to be married to Eustar.’

As she soaked in the bathtub, staring blankly at the rising steam, Eustar’s face vaguely came to mind.

Perhaps it was because the cream-colored light coming down from the ceiling met the white steam and became a color similar to his hair.

Unconsciously, Laila brought her hand to her ear and fiddled with it. As her fingertip, covered in oil, smoothly brushed over the bone, she vividly recalled how he had caressed her ear.

Laila, her face turning bright red, sat up from her relaxed position. As water splashed around, the nearby servants let out small cries of surprise.

“Lady Kristrad, are you alright?”

“Are you feeling dizzy?”

Mel, who had been waiting outside, rushed in, alarmed by the commotion.

“Lady Kristrad, what’s wrong?”

Laila turned her head towards Mel. But somehow, it felt awkward to meet her eyes…

It was as if Mel could see right through the thoughts that had flashed through her mind, the brief but undeniably vivid imagination. She felt weak in the knees with shame.

“…I think I’m ready to get out now, Mel.”

Mel, who had come closer, gently cupped Laila’s cheek and lifted her face. It was like a mother’s touch caring for a pouting child.

Mel said,

“Oh my, your face is so red. You must have a fever… Come out quickly.”

Mel, who had held Laila’s hand to prevent her from falling, frowned at the servants.

“What were you all doing? You should have been watching Lady Kristrad closely. What if she had fainted?”

“No, Mel. It was sudden. I was fine the whole time.”

While trying to calm the angry Mel, Laila hurriedly left the steamy bathroom. The air that hadn’t yet warmed up was cold enough to shock her senses when it touched her skin, but the heat that had risen to her face showed no signs of subsiding.

Just as she had almost finished changing her clothes, suddenly a servant outside urgently knocked on the door.

“Lady Kristrad, His Royal Highness the Prince has arrived.”

It was Mel, not Laila, who was flustered by those words. Her hands became even busier as she hurriedly fastened the numerous ribbons meticulously and attached the brooches that couldn’t be missing from the formal dress in the correct order.

“Laila, may I come in?”

Eustar’s voice flowed through the crack in the door. Laila was about to nod but instead looked at Mel. As she removed her hands after attaching the last brooch in place, Laila said,

“You can come in.”

The door opened and he entered. Today, Eustar was also in formal attire, but like Laila, he was wearing different clothes from the wedding. The black jacket with elaborate gold embroidery on the cuffs and the epaulettes decorated with dark amethysts suited him quite well.

The vest he wore underneath was also black with chain decorations crossing the buttons on both sides. But what stood out most was the rose-colored red shirt.

Laila said,

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you wear clothes of that color.”

“Is it?”

Eustar grinned as he fingered the collar of his shirt.

Laila nodded vigorously without hesitation. The ruffled collar that half covered his neck, the black jewel decorated in the middle, and the cravat made him look even more sophisticated. A satisfied smile appeared on Eustar’s face.

“Actually, I had a blue shirt too, but I deliberately chose to wear red.”

Laila nodded once again this time. But that was all.

Eustar laughed, covering his mouth with his fist, and said,

“Would you ask me why I chose red, Laila?”

Laila repeated his words with a puzzled expression.

“Why did you wear a red shirt, Eustar?”

His smile became even more distinct. As Eustar took a step closer, Laila could smell the subtle fragrance emanating from him.

The scent of honey and sandalwood, dried tobacco leaves, and musk blended together was not strong but intoxicatingly sensual.

“I wore a red shirt because it reminded me of you.”

“Me?”

Laila, who had questioned back, made an “Ah” sound.

“Because of my eyes?”

Eustar, who slowly closed and opened his eyes, answered.

“That’s right.”

Then, with a somewhat languid smile, he said this,

“Now I’ve taken care of one matter. I have one more thing to tell you.”

Laila couldn’t believe that he had come to see her to talk about his shirt. She felt that she understood Eustar’s thoughts even less.

Laila asked,

“What kind of story is it?”

“Before that, there’s something I want to ask.”

As Laila nodded, Eustar stared at her for a moment as if to confirm her intention once more.

“You have to answer honestly.”

For a moment, she recalled the terrible scene she had witnessed yesterday—in Ord’s bedroom—and clenched her fingertips without anyone noticing.

It was a gesture so small that neither Mel nor Eustar standing right in front of her could notice, but for Laila, it was an expression of unbearable tension.

“Let me hear what it is first.”

Eustar said,

“Do you know how to dance, Laila?”

Laila slightly raised her eyebrows.

“Dance?”

It wasn’t the question she had been prepared for, which was fortunate, but before she could feel relieved about that fact, a sudden ominous feeling came over her.

“No, I don’t.”

After answering concisely, Laila remained silent for a moment before asking again.

“You didn’t ask because you thought I might know, did you, Eustar?”

“Well, I was wondering if you might have danced once or twice… It’s my fault. I should have danced with you earlier. Anyway, if that’s the case, we should start quickly.”

“Start what… What on earth?”

Eustar smiled as if he had just heard a rather amusing question.

“What else? Dance practice, of course. We have to have our first dance today.”

Laila immediately shook her head and stepped back.

“No, Eustar. I really…”

Eustar’s hand gently embraced Laila’s waist.

As the situation unfolded, Mel, who hadn’t yet placed the tiara—the last accessory to be added—on Laila’s head, fidgeted anxiously before finally leaving her post.

Laila tried to push him away, but Eustar’s arms, though seemingly effortless, remained immovable.

“Unfortunately, you don’t have a choice today.”

“Eustar, I’ve never danced once in my life. Believe me.”

Eustar laughed cheerfully as he gently held Laila’s left hand.

“I always believe you, Laila. I’ll believe whatever you say. Even if you tell me that if you cut a potato and an onion in half and plant them together, a potato shaped like an onion will grow, I’ll believe it.”

“No, what on earth…”

Suddenly, Laila’s body spun as if sliding.

Without her noticing, Eustar had not only prepared himself but had also put Laila in a perfect ready position. When Laila unconsciously moved her feet in surprise, it became a step.

“You’re doing well. Just keep doing this.”

Eustar grinned as he half-embraced Laila and moved his steps slowly and elegantly.

He moved his body to let the tension release from Laila’s arms on his shoulders and waist, then moved again when Laila relaxed a little.

After one turn, the scenery of the room and Eustar’s face seemed to overlap and intersect. Laila felt dizzy.

“I’m going to step on your feet. I’m sure I will.”

“That’s what feet are for, so it’s okay. If you prefer, would you like to stand on my feet instead?”

“I don’t want… Wait, Eustar! You’re going too fast!”

Eustar, who had crossed the living room in an instant while holding Laila, burst into a pleasant laugh.

As she grew closer to him and then further away, as their arms, shoulders, and chests touched and separated moment by moment, Laila felt her cheeks getting hotter and hotter.

The sight of his upper body that she had seen at the Kiron branch—though it was a mistake—seemed to keep flickering before her eyes.

It was at that moment. Laila felt someone’s gaze flying towards her heart like a dagger and abruptly stopped moving.

“What’s wrong, Laila?”

Eustar, startled along with her, stared intently at Laila’s face. She pressed her fist firmly against her pounding heart area and looked around the empty room.