Somehow, Etienne ended up standing between Leharht, holding hands side by side, and forcefully pulled her hand away.

“Huh?”

Leharht looked at the empty hand and then stared at Etienne, seemingly wondering what this meant.

“You two go in hand in hand. It looks better that way, so I’ll step aside.”

As if that wasn’t enough, Etienne stepped back, even taking the back seat. Then, she looked at the two men of similar height.

One had a glamorous appearance that complemented his smile well, while the other had a rugged and somewhat rebellious vibe.

Looking at the two men with different vibes, it seemed fine for the two men to stand side by side.

“Now is just perfect.”

With a satisfied smile, Etienne pushed their backs. Fernand sent a look to Etienne as if he found it too much and tried to let go of the hand he was holding with the prince.

However, the hand did not let go. When Fernand looked at the prince, he chuckled.

“True. This isn’t bad either.”

Leharht moved Fernand’s hand back and forth, shifting their steps. Thanks to that, Fernand ended up being pulled along by him. Etienne followed slowly behind.

“Let go of this.”

Fernand, who noticed that there was some distance between Etienne and him, mumbled. How could she play around like this, knowingly holding hands and walking?

“I can’t help it.”
Leharht chuckled and tightly grasped Fernand’s hand. Unlike when holding Etienne’s hand, there was no need for gentleness, so he exerted his strength mercilessly.

“You’re a rival who wants to have Etienne’s heart, but you want me to let go? If I release you, you’re bound to go to Etienne, aren’t you?”

“…The prince should close his heart.”

“I don’t want that. However, since Etienne hasn’t chosen anyone yet, you should stick with me. That way, you can pull this disadvantageous situation to my advantage even a little.”

Fernand, who was trying to pull his hand out of Leharht’s grip, momentarily stopped resisting and looked at him.

“What does that mean?”

“You don’t think I’ll just tell you willingly, do you?”

Etienne, before she died, liked you, Fernand. Even if she now claims to have abandoned those feelings, there is no guarantee that a heart once moved won’t move again. I have no intention of saying such things.

“Don’t waste time on useless things and let’s go.”

Leharht cheerfully said again. Fernand eventually stopped rebelling because it became even more difficult to refuse in front of Etienne.

“If only those two got along like that.”

Etienne sighed, watching the two men in front of her, comparing them to animals, forcibly pretending to get along, like a cat and a dog.

When they meet, they expose their true feelings and fight, so it seems like they have a bad relationship, but they meet quite often. So, she was confused about whether their relationship was good or not.

“I don’t know either.”
It would be nice if the two of them got along, but there’s nothing I can do.

Etienne dismissed a concern and followed the two with a much lighter expression. Then, she heard the sound of a carriage and turned around.

The carriage with the emblem of Viscount Pigman had just arrived. Etienne looked at Leharht again.

“I said I’m the last.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️

The atmosphere inside the hall became awkward because of Leharht holding hands amicably with Fernand as they entered.

Although it seemed okay now that the two had taken their respective seats, it was still uneasy. Etienne cautiously touched the flowers.

“Why is the atmosphere like this?”

Unable to ask anyone, she remained silent, but still curious, she muttered quietly.

“You don’t know why.”

Hana, sitting next to her, touched the flowers with a familiar touch. Without looking at Etienne, she spoke in a soft voice.

“Today is the day when Prince 2’s house arrest ends.”

“Ah.”

She thought it was around this time, and today was that day.

Now she understood. The atmosphere was not good because the families supporting Prince 2 had gathered.

“Well…”

Viscount Pigman, who arrived last and ended up sitting in a relatively secluded place, cautiously spoke.

“Well, Prince Ludwig visited.”

She didn’t need to ask where he visited; she already knew.
“I heard you came for my collection….”

She swallowed the follow-up remark that Rudvi’s provocation toward the gathering might not be far behind. When Viscount Pigman stopped speaking and closed his mouth, the atmosphere became even more tense.

“Aren’t your throats getting dry by now?”

It had only been a short time since they started arranging flowers when Leharht asked. Everyone nodded or gave some form of agreement.

“Then, let’s have a special tea today. Separate seats will be arranged for each family’s retainers.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Alex stood up, signaling others to follow. Etienne, who had been looking at the flowers until now, picked them up and stood up as well. Her mind was disturbed, and she barely managed to tidy up a single flower.