On the day of the formal meeting.

Riley got up early and busily moved about.

Madam Blanche brought several designers she worked with to help with the preparation, and it took a full three hours to finish getting ready.

They changed into dozens of outfits and restyled their hair dozens of times. They also repeated the process of redoing the makeup several times, putting their heart and soul into achieving a flawless appearance without any room for criticism.

With that, all preparations were completed.

“Ingsinia? Of course! I wonder if they’ll have the wedding there too…? Ingsinia’s wedding hall is the most high-end wedding venue I know of. It’s also where the 2nd Princess held her wedding not too long ago.”

Hotel Ingsinia.

The place where she spent her first night with Givnen had to be the venue for the formal meeting, not only because it was the best hotel in the Empire, but also because it was currently owned by Givnen.

Richelle was as excited as if she were going to the formal meeting herself.

With a flushed voice, she was full of praise for Ingsinia.

“That place is truly magnificent. I’ve heard that the Empire’s top-notch chefs are heavily concentrated there. That’s why the formal dinner is said to be a work of art… The chefs are said to be on par with the imperial chefs. The top floor there is the royal floor, and it’s a place that only special VIPs among the hotel guests can use. I wonder what kind of place that is… There are also many amazing magical devices there. It’s incomparable to what we have here. Even here it’s so convenient, so I can only imagine how incredible it must be there. It would feel like your quality of life has drastically improved, wouldn’t it?”

Richelle brought over a full-length mirror with a satisfied smile.

“Look, Young Lady. Your hard work has paid off. You look so beautiful!”

Riley, who didn’t expect much of a change, was surprised to see her reflection in the mirror.

A appropriately sophisticated black dress that was neither too flashy nor too plain, and neatly tied-up hair. Combined with makeup she had never worn before, even to her own eyes, she looked like a completely different person to the point of being unrecognizable.

It was evident that great care had been put into every detail. It made her think that this was why professionals existed, and she could understand why many people put effort into their outward appearance. Who knew that clothing could make a person look so different?

“…All the hard work was worth it.”

“It suits you perfectly, Young Lady. It’s not too much or too little. It’s a dignified look that’s perfect for a formal meeting! As expected, professionals are on a different level.”

“Indeed.”

Since it was an important occasion, dressing appropriately for the occasion would be a matter of courtesy to the other party. With this, there would be no room for criticism from either Uncle’s side or Givnen’s family.

Riley turned around after checking her appearance with satisfaction. Richelle supported her and held out her hand.

“His Lordship should be arriving soon. Shall we go down?”

·

·

·

Unfamiliar attire was indeed awkward.

The moment she took a step, Riley felt a bit stiff. It felt uncomfortable, as if she were wearing ill-fitting clothes that creaked with her body.

If it weren’t for the etiquette training she had received earlier on how to walk, she would have taken only a few steps before making a ridiculous spectacle of herself.

As Riley struggled to descend the stairs, the door opened and Givnen entered.

Givnen was surprised to see Riley walking somewhat awkwardly. It wasn’t just surprise, but an overt surprise that would embarrass any onlooker.

At this, Riley was convinced that Givnen was shocked by her ridiculous gait.

“Sorry, the shoes are uncomfortable, so it’s hard to walk properly. Do I look very ridiculous?”

Instead of answering, Givnen held out his hand to Riley.

Riley responded by placing her hand on top of his meaningful hand offering to escort her. Givnen, grasping that hand, gently pressed his lips to the back of her hand.

Then, with a furrowed brow, he said,

“It’s serious.”

“…”

“Seriously suits you well.”

Riley, who had been tensely wound up, deflated like a balloon.

“…You startled me.”

“This look should be hidden away for only me to see.”

Givnen’s gaze slowly lowered. Then he paused.

“…What’s wrong?”

He moved behind her. In an instant, the distance closed, and his hand touched Riley’s waist.

Feeling the unfamiliar sensation on her waist, Riley flinched and came to her senses. Her body, which had loosened for a moment, stiffened again.

“It’s undone.”

Riley lowered her gaze in surprise.

The waist ribbon that served to tighten the waist was neither completely undone nor tied, but barely clinging to her body. It seemed that the ribbon had come undone while she was stumbling earlier.

“Stay still, I’ll tie it for you.”

“…”

She could feel his touch near her back.

Imagining his long fingers with protruding knuckles tying the ribbon made her feel a bit embarrassed. Riley lowered her head to hide her flushed face, but focused on his touch felt on her back.

The narrowed distance was close. Due to the height difference of about two heads, his breath could be felt near her head.

His calm breathing. The rustling sound of fabric brushing against his hand. It was clearly an insignificant action, something truly trivial, yet it felt embarrassingly stimulating.

A small act of kindness. The touch of the person extending that kindness was somewhat clumsy, as if tying a knot was not very familiar to him, yet why did it feel so provocative?

Why? Had she gone crazy?

Due to unnecessarily attaching meaning and feeling her heart race, Riley was convinced that she was not in her right mind.

It’s not even from pent-up desire! What is there to get excited about from just a single touch of his hand?

“It’s done.”

Unusually large hands. Those hands she had never paid attention to.

Looking now, his hands were exceptionally large and slender. Staring intently at the protruding veins here and there, Riley thought that his hands looked unusually sexy today, and when the crazy thought occurred to her, she shook her head in shock.

“Why?”

Riley tried hard to tear her gaze away from his hands and spoke.

“It’s nothing. Let’s hurry, we’ll be late.”

As soon as they arrived at the reception venue, ‘Ingsinia’, they were greeted by Ryan and his wife, who had arrived earlier and were waiting, and Claire, who had put in great effort to dress up.

Rivne and Givnen’s father, Alton, had not yet arrived, so the seats where they were supposed to sit were empty.

“You look pretty, Riley.”

Ryan greeted her in a friendly manner. Riley stared at him blankly for a moment, then timidly nodded her head and turned away from him.

‘…Disgusting.’

She thought she would have developed immunity thanks to having meals together, but today, her aversion towards Ryan was particularly strong.

It was because this was a formal meeting. If her father were alive, she would have been sitting here holding his hand with a joyful heart. However, today, her parents were Ryan and the Marchioness.

It was a day when she had to call them father and mother, whom she could never call father and mother for the rest of her life. Their friendly smiling faces truly resembled the appearance of parents happily sending off their beloved daughter to marriage, which made her even more resentful.

Suddenly, she missed her father.

If she had come here holding her father’s hand, it would have been a truly happy day.

Is there no magic that can summon the dead? She wanted to meet her father, even if it meant doing that.

“I’m going to the restroom for a moment.”

“Come back quickly, our in-laws will be arriving soon.”

In-laws, he said. The wedding wasn’t even confirmed yet, but he was already being pretentious.

Although she had a strong desire for this formal meeting to conclude well, she was also curious about what kind of expression they would make if the meeting was ruined instead. It might be painful in her heart, but on the other hand, wouldn’t it feel refreshingly cathartic?

As she was washing her hands, Claire entered.

Seeing Claire’s reflection in the mirror, Riley thought she had come to pick a fight again. However, for some reason, she was being friendly.

“Are you nervous?”

“…”

“Anyone would be nervous in this situation. Don’t be too nervous, it’ll go well.”

What’s gotten into her, did she have indigestion from yesterday’s meal?

Until yesterday, she was being fierce, but now?

“What do you think? Do you think this formal meeting will wrap up well?”

“…I don’t know.”

“I think this formal meeting will fail.”

Spouting malice with such an innocent face and a smile.

Well, of course. It’s not the least bit surprising.

Riley flicked the water off her hands as if it was nothing new.

“Anyone looking would think that I’m not the main character of today’s formal meeting, but you are.”

“…What?”

“According to you, the atmosphere of this doomed formal meeting will be like a funeral anyway, so why did you dress up so prettily? There won’t be anyone here for you to impress.”

At Riley’s sharp remark, Claire’s face flushed red. In response, Riley smiled and looked her up and down.

“Why? Did you dress up to catch the eyes of other men frequenting Ingsinia?”

“…What?”

“You said it yourself. For a woman, marrying a good man is the ultimate goal. So I’m just asking.”

“Yeah… That’s right. Look at you. You’re enjoying all kinds of luxuries by marrying a good man, aren’t you? Can’t I do the same?”

“What’s stopping you? Sure, but… Do you think you can catch people’s attention here with just that?”

“…What?”

“It looks a bit, no, perhaps quite tacky.”

Claire shouted, provoked by Riley’s attack.

“You had professional designers work on you from head to toe!”

“Yeah, who’s denying that? I had professional designers work on me from head to toe. Have I ever denied that? I was just saying that your outfit looks tacky, that’s all.”

“…You unpleasant b*tch.”

“You’re even more unpleasant for throwing cold water on a day like this.”

“Ha, I had no idea you were such a vicious and ill-mannered b*tch!”

“Yeah, I was surprised too. I should have realized long ago that you, whom I feared so much, were actually this stupid.”

“I’ll ruin this formal meeting somehow! You know that?”

Riley calmly washed her hands, regardless of whether Claire was screaming in anger or not. Then she spoke indifferently.

“Go ahead.”

“…”

“Can you handle the consequences?”

At Riley’s calm attitude, Claire snorted after huffing and puffing.

“You’re becoming just like that unpleasant bastard. They say couples start to resemble each other, but you’re only picking up the bad qualities!”

“Are you referring to my husband as that unpleasant bastard?”

“Yeah, he’s really a piece of trash with a different inside and outside.”

“…Look who’s talking, you’re no better.”

“Hey!”

Riley immediately left the scene and returned to the dining room where the formal meeting was being held.

She thought Claire would chase after her while making a big fuss, but perhaps due to the nature of the venue, Claire quietly took her seat without causing any further commotion. Of course, her face was still flushed with anger.

After waiting for some time like that.

The tightly closed door of the dining room opened wide. Someone entered, treading on the red carpet that stretched from the door entrance to the hall. Everyone rose from their seats.

‘That’s Givnen’s father… Duke Alton Ryanster.’

Although Rivne’s presence, whom she had already met, was also dazzling, the head of the Ryanster family, dressed in an all-black suit, rendered onlookers speechless.

The middle-aged man, roughly the same age as Ryan, bore a striking resemblance to Givnen. The father and son had such similar appearances and auras that one could imagine Givnen looking just like that when he grew old.

Is this the fearsome power of genetics? The saying that you reap what you sow must refer to this.

Alton Ryanster’s tall stature and build exuded a sense of inaccessibility befitting the family’s prestige.

“I’m a bit late, my apologies.”

Bear? Tiger?

A person entered, but he appeared like a beast. Perhaps due to his exceptionally low voice, even his casual words felt as intimidating as a threat.

“Did you wait long?”

“Ah, no, Duke! We also arrived just a moment ago.”

Everyone except the Ryanster family members appeared visibly tense in the presence of the Duke of Ryanster, who was also the current Emperor’s closest aide. Riley was no exception.

She felt somewhat intimidated by his unexpectedly tall stature, large build, and fierce appearance.

It might be a little, no, perhaps quite… scary.

“Take a seat.”

The families from both sides took their seats.

Only after taking his seat did Alton shift his gaze to Riley, who was seated next to Givnen.

“I heard you’re already acquainted with Rivne.”

“…Yes, I had the pleasure of meeting him before.”

“I see, so it was just this unfilial son who didn’t introduce her to me.”

At Alton’s words, Givnen briefly retorted.

“I was busy.”

“No matter how busy you are, you could have found time to arrange a meeting to introduce your bride to this father if you had the will.”

“Isn’t that why I arranged it now?”

“I’m not talking about this kind of formal occasion, am I?”

“It can’t be helped, this son of yours is very busy.”

“Unfilial bastard.”

A situation unfolded where it was unclear whether this was a formal meeting or a battle of nerves between father and son.

As Ryan, his wife, and even Claire were all keeping a close eye on the situation, Alton finally cleared his throat and corrected his posture.

“Let’s start with introductions.”

They were given time to briefly introduce their families to each other. Ryan introduced the Marchioness and Claire in turn, and then Rivne gave a brief self-introduction.

As the formal procedures ended, silence ensued once again. The atmosphere was as awkward as the relationship.

Ryan, who was usually good at flattery, for some reason, couldn’t showcase his specialty in this setting and kept his mouth firmly shut. It was hard to believe he was the same man who had been excitedly using the term ‘in-laws’ just a moment ago.

The food started to arrive one by one, and the meal began in silence.

Alton closely observed Riley and spoke in a low voice.

“Child.”

“!”

Riley stopped eating. She almost spilled all the food in her mouth.

What was that? What did she just hear? It seemed like she heard an incredible word?

Startled, Riley froze on the spot and stammered like a broken machine.

“M-me?”

When she asked just in case, Alton nodded.

“Who else here would be called child besides you?”

Riley stared at Alton with her mouth open and a foolish expression.

The considerable shock from the unexpected form of address. This seemed to apply not only to Riley herself.

As if they had all agreed upon it, everyone stopped eating and looked at Alton.