Having changed into a new outfit, Etienne extended her hand towards Ferdinand, indicating that he should not come closer. When Ferdinand curiously looked at her palm, Etienne spoke in a low voice.

“Sorry, but I have a place to go. I think I should go alone.”

That place didn’t seem suitable for Ferdinand to accompany her. Instead, it felt like it would reveal everything to him, so Etienne drew a line.

“Let’s see each other at the ball from now on.”

Etienne, who meant to convey that he should stop coming to her, swallowed a bitter smile inwardly. Originally, she had intended to gently push him away, but just now, it lacked courtesy. However, the spoken words couldn’t be taken back.

Etienne sent an apologetic gaze and turned away, trying to understand the cause of this unreasonable situation.

Ferdinand, unable to move, watched her retreating figure.

“Etienne.”

A heavy heart reflected in his voice. When she mentioned Prince Rudvi earlier, she seemed perplexed and did not take his hand.

Dressed in a hurry with a stern look, she only extended her hand when rejecting him. Her hand was only offered when she rejected him.

It was truly heartbreaking, and he couldn’t think of a good way to change this relationship. Despite knowing that she wanted him, Etienne always maintained a certain distance.
It would be better to completely turn away and ignore oneself. Yet, even if she were to do so, her eyes always looked out for him, afraid that he might get hurt. How precious and yet cruel that consideration was, would she ever know?

“Etienne. There’s not much time left now.”

As he continued to look into Etienne’s heart, he became increasingly anxious as the time approached. He would rather the day not come.

“Ferdinand.”

At that moment, he heard a voice calling him. Ferdinand’s gaze briefly shifted towards the owner of the voice, Hana, before returning to its original position.

“What’s going on here? This is where I ordered my debutante dress….”

Etienne had followed him. However, whether she knew or not, Ferdinand had no intention of explaining. At the moment, he was more concerned about where Etienne had pushed him away.

As Ferdinand tried to pass by Hana, ignoring her, he felt a strange sensation on his wrist. Unfamiliar and unpleasant.

Ferdinand looked down at the hand Hana had grabbed. He could hear her choked voice.

“Aren’t you being too much?”

“…”

It was an indignant voice, but Ferdinand remained silent.

“I like you.”

As if indicating that she wouldn’t let go, Hana firmly held his hand with both of hers.

“I like you just like how you like Etienne. From the day you saved me, I’ve only looked at you.”
As if expressing a desire to stop her one-sided love, Hana spoke. It seemed like she wanted to pour out all her feelings for him, whether it be for the two years she spent looking at Etienne or him.

“You knew that I liked you. Knowing that I wanted to receive your attention and that I love you, how could you never look at me even once?”

Hana gritted her teeth for a moment. Originally, she hadn’t planned to confess like this, as if being chased by something, in this place.

However, unable to endure her eager feelings due to Ferdinand, who couldn’t take his eyes off Etienne, she spoke.

“Look at me too, Ferdinand.”

Hana expressed her earnest wish, taking a deep breath. Somewhere between regret and refreshing feelings, Hana waited for Ferdinand’s response.

Whether Hana’s confession had some effect or not, Ferdinand, instead of ignoring her, turned his body. When he finally looked at her, Hana’s expression brightened.

As Hana raised her head to express her feelings to Ferdinand, she lost her words when she saw his expression. Ferdinand’s eyes looking at her were so cold.

“You know that I like Etienne.”

“Why…”

“How can I respond to your confession when I’m like that?”

Hana shook her head deeply. She liked it when Ferdinand looked at her. She knew he wouldn’t look at her like he looked at Etienne, but she didn’t expect his gaze to be so cold.

“I’m sorry.”
Briefly apologizing, Ferdinand turned away as if he had nothing more to say to Hana.

Left alone, Hana plugged her ears. The pounding sound of her heart and the ringing in her ears were loud due to Ferdinand’s rejection.

“Quiet.”

Hana shook her head, struggling alone to push away all the noise.

The direction Etienne headed was the imperial palace.

“I came to meet Prince Ludvi.”

When I mentioned the person I was looking for at the main gate, the knight instructed me to follow and led the way.

Following him, Etienne organized the situation in his mind several times. Ludvi never proposed to me.

Since the future had changed, he couldn’t anticipate what might happen. He thought Ludvi didn’t have feelings for him.

But now everything was confusing. Since what he knew was wrong, he wanted to meet Ludvi and hear what he felt.

Fortunately, there was a hint that Etienne might come, and the knight quickly guided him.

“Here it is.”

“Thank you.”