After opening the door and nodding to the knight who stepped aside, Etienne, who entered, turned his eyes in the direction where a presence could be felt.

“Ludvi…”

Calling out the name as he came to meet Prince Ludvi, the person there was someone else.

Etienne looked around and then back ahead. At that moment, Leharht, who was reading documents, raised his hand to Etienne.

“Seems surprised.”
“Where is this? And why is Prince Ludvi here?”

Forgetting to greet him, Etienne asked. Then, Leharht, who had just stamped a document, handed it to Alex and gestured for Etienne to come closer.

“Well, first of all, this is the place I chose to handle the duties delegated by His Majesty the Emperor……. ”

It wasn’t the office of the emperor or the prince. Instead of handling duties, it was a comfortable place with a large sofa in the middle.

While Etienne looked around the room, anticipating what he might be thinking, Leharht had only one thing to say.

“I knew you would come to the imperial palace, so I told you in advance. Regardless of whom you’re looking for, bring them to me.”

“Uh… Is that okay?”

“This is my place. You can do the same in your house, can’t you?”

It was a valid point, but it also had a slight awkwardness to it. After all, although the imperial palace was where the imperial family lived, it wasn’t exactly Etienne’s home, nor was it Ludvi’s house.

“No. There’s no need to nitpick.”

As Etienne cut off unnecessary thoughts, Leharht gestured for him to take a seat.

“Now that you understand the situation, why don’t you sit down?”

With the eagerness to meet Prince Ludvi fading away due to the current circumstances, Etienne simply took a seat.

“I was just about to look for you. Do you have something to say?”
I thought Leharht hadn’t been visible because he was busy. There were events from a few days ago, and there was also the empress, but Etienne knew that Leharht was overseeing the affairs of the empire.

However, when he said it was fortunate, Etienne tilted his head and asked, “No, I just wanted to see you.”

Taking his words literally, when Etienne tensed his lips, Leharht made a pleased expression.

“It seems you’ve gotten used to my expressions of affection without being flustered.”

“It was time to get used to it.”

Considering that two years had already passed.

“Well, while we’re at it, let me ask. Do you like me, or do you like Ludvi?”

Etienne widened his eyes and made a bewildered expression. This was not a matter of liking someone as in ‘mom likes this’ or ‘dad likes this.’

“You’re not seriously asking that, are you?”

“Should I throw in Fernando as well?”

“Your Highness.”

Etienne sighed, touching his forehead, but Leharht persistently stared at him.

With a stubborn expression that seemed to say he wouldn’t move on unless someone was chosen, Etienne had to make a choice.

“I dislike Prince Ludvi the most.”

“…”

“That’s all.”

“If there’s someone you dislike the most, there must be someone you like the most.”

When Leharht bit into her words and slouched, Etienne wanted to just get up and leave.
“I can tell that something might happen since you came to find Ludvi, but let me say one thing first. Don’t go to him.”

“So, did you call me over here for this?”

“Yeah. You won’t hear anything good if you meet Ludvi. It’s not like Ludvi has feelings for you. It seems like he’s using you because of me. I was worried that he might threaten you, and you would have no choice but to accept the marriage.”

“Is that… so?”

Etienne’s words meant that she wouldn’t succumb to threats. However, Leharht seemed to interpret her words differently.

“It’s right for you to approach me because of me. Even two years ago, giving you that necklace was just an excuse to get close to me.”

“Well, this time, he did give me earrings, but I don’t think Prince Ludvi has feelings for me.”

As Etienne nodded and spoke, Leharht asked with a puzzled voice.

“Earrings?”

“Yes. I received earrings.”

When Etienne answered smoothly, Leharht abruptly stood up.

“I have to go meet Ludvi.”

Without explaining the reason, he tried to head towards the door. Etienne, momentarily lost in thought, watched him. Alex blocked his way.

“Don’t go.”

“Don’t stop me this time. How dare you give gifts to Etienne twice?”

Thinking that Leharht, who seemed to calm down when Etienne came, was getting excited again, Alex sighed deeply and restrained him.

“I haven’t finished talking yet.”
When Etienne intervened, Leharht quietly returned to his seat, as if wondering when she would do so.

“I won’t be able to come for a while.”

Etienne, who said so, glanced at Alex. Her expression seemed to ask if it was okay to speak even though he was listening. Leharht made a reassuring gesture.

“Originally, I heard rumors that His Highness had passed away. It was quite painful. I had a fever for about three days, lying down, and when I got up, His Highness… said he died. So.”

The mention of death made the atmosphere a bit heavy, but Etienne continued to speak steadfastly.

“Let’s each endure this time as best as we can. I’ll stay as I am, and His Highness will stay as His Highness.”