On a warm afternoon bathed in spring sunshine, petals gently swayed in the spring breeze, floating serenely over Lake Sokanto.

In Arkhan, the capital city, Lake Sokanto, the largest lake, annually hosted an event heralding spring, primarily frequented by nobles for merrymaking.

Heads of noble families, under the pretext of fostering connections, exchanged information and subtly assessed each other’s influence at the event.

Ladies and young women continued their social activities, while noble offspring competed in shooting skills.

‘Whether in the past or now, it’s equally tedious.’

Today, Bialet, as the Crown Prince’s fiancée, had to attend this official event.

She had visited before, and the event felt like an extension of the social circle.

“Lady, what are you thinking about so deeply?”

A tall man, raising his eyebrows in curiosity, stood beside her.

“I was just thinking that true spring has finally arrived.”

Smiling at Ivan, she adjusted her expression and replied. The lakeshore was surrounded by fully bloomed flowers.

Ivan slightly nodded, with his arm linked with hers, seeming pleased. “You’re right. It does feel like true spring has come.”

Bialet sighed inwardly, feeling as if Ivan was fantasizing about a wedding that hadn’t yet happened.

She then noticed the rowboats by the lakeshore and decided to divert his attention. “The boats seem more elaborately decorated this year.”

Boating was a highlight of the Lake Sokanto event, and she hoped to get on one soon and end her participation.

“I didn’t know you had an interest in such amusements, Lady.”

Ivan looked surprised, and Bialet faintly smiled, thinking, ‘If I don’t get on that boat, you’ll never let me leave.’

After their engagement, Ivan seemed eager to show her off to other nobles. “I couldn’t get on one before because it was too crowded.”

In the past, when Bialet visited with Dension, there weren’t many boats, so she never thought about riding one.

“Well, then let’s take this opportunity to ride together.”

Ivan then playfully offered his hand to her as if it were the most natural thing.

Bialet glanced at his hand and, concealing her unease, took it.

Approaching the lakeside, a quarreling couple caught their eye.

Gaizen and his fiancée were bickering, glaring at each other. They pretended to get along in public but occasionally revealed their true feelings.

Bialet watched them silently, and her eyes briefly met Gaizen’s, but she quickly averted her gaze.

Ivan, already on the boat, extended his hand to help her aboard, and she was about to accept when:

“Crown Prince, I have a matter to discuss with you.”

Ivan’s aide approached hastily, and Bialet, catching a familiar confidant’s eye, quickly looked down.

The aide whispered something in Ivan’s ear, causing him to frown in annoyance. He then turned to Bialet with an apologetic look. “Lady, it seems I must return to the palace urgently.”

“It’s a matter of state, of course you must go,” Bialet replied understandingly.

“I know, but it’s a shame we can’t enjoy the boating you were looking forward to.”
Ivan, stroking his chin thoughtfully, glanced at the young nobles nearby with a dubious expression.

“Viscount Lu Schef will accompany my fiancée, and…”

Bialet was actually relieved that Ivan was leaving first, as it gave her an excuse to return to the manor quickly.

“Your Highness, I really am fine…”

“Ah, there’s the Duke of Verdium.”

“…”

“Remember him, Lady? He’s one of my close aides. How about you go boating with him?”

Ivan’s suggestion that Verdium was the most trustworthy left Bialet with a hint of turmoil in her blue-green eyes.

“No, I can’t impose on the Duke.”

“Oh, is that so? Duke, what do you think?”

“……It’s fine with me, Your Highness.”

“Duke agrees. Take this opportunity to enjoy boating.”

Ivan, generously allowing her to enjoy the boating event, perhaps not until next year, elicited a clenched response from Bialet.

“Understood, Your Highness.”

Ivan then turned to Dension, entrusting Bialet to his care before leaving with his aide for the palace.

Bialet, standing absentmindedly, followed Dension onto the boat.

She felt embarrassed and troubled, realizing she might be the only one concerned about that day’s events.

Dension rowed silently, and amidst the gentle breeze and rippling waves, silence prevailed.

Bialet, who had been gazing at the lake, risked a glance at his face.

Their eyes met for an instant, and he let out a derisive laugh.

“Ha―.”

“……”

Seeing his scornful expression, Bialet felt her heart sink.

The man before her clearly wanted to escape this situation as quickly as possible.

That day, she had cowardly failed to explain anything to him.

Dension’s piercing blue eyes held nothing but contempt and hostility.

‘I’ve resolved so many times…’

Bialet anticipated many more encounters with Dension, the Crown Prince’s aide, in the future.

She had planned to face him calmly, no matter how much he despised her.

But even with mental preparation, she felt unable to face his scornful gaze.