Alicia’s movement instantly captured the attention of everyone gathered in the hall.

Reilly remained behind, watching her back with a worried expression, but few people noticed this fact.

What mattered now was that Alicia was walking towards Cheryl.

The beautiful imperial princess who couldn’t hide her feelings for Killian, and the Count’s daughter who was seething inside, unable to call her lover her own because of that princess.

Could there be a better story for people to chew on and savor?

Gazes filled with expectation followed Alicia.

“I greet Your Highness Alicia.”

The moment the two faced each other, it was Cheryl who moved first.

Gracefully grasping the skirt of her dress and slightly bending her knees, she finished her greeting and looked directly at Alicia without avoiding her gaze.

“It’s been a while, Lady Louis.”

“I heard you were unwell during the winter. Are you feeling better now?”

“I’m much better. Thank you for your concern, my lady.”

Alicia let out a small gasp of admiration as she watched Cheryl respond politely, her hands modestly folded in front, without revealing any personal emotions.

The age difference was only two years.

Cheryl was older.

The composure and skill possessed by a woman two years her senior was something the Alicia of her previous life could not match.

Back then, she both envied and hated her.

Because Cheryl was Killian’s lover.

And for a moment, she even felt sorry for Cheryl.

Because Alicia had stolen her lover and even married him.

The reason she could feel sorry for Cheryl then was because she was confident she could turn Killian’s heart towards herself.

‘I never thought Cheryl would feel sorry for me too’

Even after getting engaged and married… becoming the emperor’s husband and a duke with two titles, Killian did not abandon his lover.

Using the power he had gained, he changed the heir of the Louis family to Cheryl, became the biggest client of the trading company she led, and when she faced difficulties, he was the first to take her side and lend a helping hand.

Although Killian was clearly Alicia’s husband, his only lover was Cheryl Louis, and her alone.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“No, I just lost myself for a moment thinking your red hair looks even more beautiful today.”

“You flatter me. The most beautiful and noble person in Eregron is Your Highness Alicia.”

“I understand what you mean, but you should be a bit more careful with your words. The Crown Princess is not far from here.”

“I, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to belittle Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

“I know. I meant for you to be careful in the future, so there’s no need to be so alarmed.”

But it was strange.

Why did Cheryl, who had seemed so much more adult-like and composed before, now feel like a younger lady than herself?

It wasn’t just that.

She felt like she could tell what Cheryl was thinking just by looking into her eyes.

It was the ‘eye’ she had gained from looking down on countless people from the highest position with nowhere left to climb before her regression.

Alicia, who only remembered her own inadequate self, had not yet realized that she had developed such discernment.

“It’s really alright, there’s no need to make such a face.”

“Th-thank you.”

Cheryl’s lips trembled slightly as she forced a smile.

Though it wasn’t her intention, to those around them, it looked as if Alicia was tormenting Cheryl.

‘This isn’t what I meant to do…’

Alicia had intended to apologize to Cheryl today for what had happened and to let her know that she had given up her feelings for Killian.

Of course, she didn’t expect everything to go exactly as planned.

An apology from a member of the imperial family carried considerable weight, and some who received it crumbled under that weight, unable to bear it.

So even if she couldn’t offer a proper apology, Alicia thought she could at least clearly convey that her feelings had changed.

‘But with the atmosphere like this…’

Seeing Cheryl noticeably becoming more uncomfortable with her, Alicia swallowed a sigh and composed her expression, creating the gentlest smile she could.

As expected, it seemed wrong to apologize, so she decided to at least clearly convey her feelings and quickly leave this place.

“I know you’ve been suffering because of me.”

“N-no, Your Highness. That’s not true.”

“Everyone gathered here knows it too.”

Saying this, she swept her eyes around, and those who had been openly showing their curiosity towards the two hurriedly averted their gazes while clearing their throats.

How could people be so transparent…

Was it because they had endured boring times cooped up in their houses during the winter?

The nobles of Eregron became excessively curious in spring.

“From now on, you won’t have to hurt your heart anymore.”

“Your Highness. What do you mean…?”

Could it be that she was going to announce her engagement to Killian?

Was she giving advice to just give up and stop hurting?

Alicia, who had smiled brightly at the nobles looking at her with curious sparkling eyes, opened her mouth.

“I’m trying to give up my feelings for Duke Diaz.”

“What?”

In an instant, the sounds around her disappeared.

It was because the nobles were so shocked by her words that they forgot to breathe.

Thanks to the silence all around, Alicia was able to convey her words more accurately. She approached Cheryl, who was looking at her with a dazed expression, took her hand, and spoke again.

“My feelings for Duke Diaz. I’ve definitely given them up, so you should fully enjoy your love.”

It was then.

As if waiting for this moment, Killian returned to the Grand Hall.

The nobles, coming to their senses at his appearance, became excited for a different reason and exchanged conversations in small voices.

The focus of the conversation was, of course, Alicia and Killian.

What on earth had happened during the winter that made Princess Alicia say such things?

Did Killian have any influence on her decision?

Or did that Lady Louis have some kind of confrontation with the princess without our knowledge?

Though they whispered quietly, some conversations reached Alicia’s ears.

She had no intention of satisfying their curiosity.

The important thing was that Alicia had announced to everyone here and now that she had given up her feelings for Killian.

It wasn’t an implicit revelation, but a confession spoken like a declaration in honest words.

They might not believe it right away, but soon they would have no choice but to believe.

‘It would be nice if Killian and Cheryl announced their engagement first…’

Just imagining it for a moment made her heart ache, but that was the path she had chosen.

Now Alicia no longer had to be hurt or pitied by stories related to her beloved husband’s lover.

From the beginning, it had been nonsensical that anyone would pity someone of noble blood.

After clearly revealing her inner thoughts like that, Alicia squeezed Cheryl’s hand tightly before letting go and turning around.

She saw Adrian smiling at her and the Emperor looking at her with eyes full of concern, not far away.

There was only one mistake left to correct now.

If she could correct that mistake perfectly, there would be nothing more to wish for.

“Interesting.”

Killian, who had been watching Alicia, muttered softly.

He seemed to find Alicia cute, smiling like a child who had perfectly finished their homework, but what was contained in his deep green eyes was ‘anger’.

What had provoked his violent temperament?

Watching Alicia deliberately ignore him and return to her family, Killian smirked as if he had witnessed something ridiculous and turned away.

If he stayed here any longer, he would have to listen to the buzzing of fly-like characters circling around him.

Rather than that, it would be better to do something more productive.

Killian’s steps, as he left the Grand Hall where the banquet was being held, led him to a garden made like a small maze.

After walking into the center of the maze made of bushes, Killian pursed his lower lip thinly and made a sharp whistling sound.

“Why did you call me when I’m busy?”

A light and frivolous voice came from within the shadows cast by the bushes.

Derek, who had followed him into the imperial palace today, emerged from the shadows.

His appearance was all crumpled and disheveled, suggesting what he had been up to while Killian was attending the banquet. He looked at Killian with his hands clasped behind his head.

“Brill should have given you a task?”

“Ah, that? I’m working hard on it even now, you know?”

“Derek Burns.”

Derek, who had been responding lightly, straightened his posture and bowed his head at Killian calling his name in a low voice.

“I’m sorry.”

“Not that.”

“I’ll complete it before the spring banquet ends.”

“Good.”

At the brief signal, Derek swiftly launched his body and the sound of him fleeing the place could be heard.

He was capable, but he was a lazy fellow who wouldn’t think of moving unless tightened up like this once in a while.

He was better than a mad dog that would bite anyone indiscriminately, so he was let loose, but it seemed he would need to tell Brill to give him some mental training soon.

Killian, left alone in the center of the maze, looked up at the moon rising in the night sky and recalled the words he had heard earlier.

Who was going to do what and how?

Recalling Alicia’s face, who had committed a rather cute and amusing act, Killian pulled up the corners of his mouth into a smile.

It was the fierce smile of a hungry beast watching its prey trying to escape.