***

Count Chester pulled back the carriage curtain and took a deep breath.

Ignoring the bitter winter wind lashing against his face, he inhaled the cold air deeply.

As expected, the air in the capital felt different.

Compared to the harsh atmosphere of the Chester territory, this place felt almost intoxicatingly sweet.

Staring at the magnificent royal palace in the distance, the Count straightened his shoulders with pride.

Although he had not yet officially received the appointment, the title of Royal Administrator — personally granted to him by the Grand Duke — would open the doors to the kingdom’s most influential circles at the upcoming victory banquet.

The great noble houses would surely begin to take notice of him, while the lesser nobles would line up eagerly in hopes of gaining his favor.

Just imagining such a future made it impossible for the smile to leave his lips.

However, unlike the Count, who was overly excited, the Countess sat beside him with a stiff and troubled expression.

She had originally intended to stay in the territory, but after her husband’s relentless pestering, she had ultimately agreed to accompany him to the capital.

“My dear, we’ve come all the way to the capital after so long. At least look around a little.”

The Count addressed his wife, who was engrossed in her book and didn’t glance outside the window once.

Flip.

The Countess replied by deliberately turning the page loudly.

“What is there to see? Everywhere people live is ultimately the same.”

“What a dull thing to say. You look at these magnificent townhouses and streets filled with luxury shops and feel nothing at all?”

Unable to understand why his wife seemed so displeased with this outing, the count spoke with growing enthusiasm.

But the countess merely shot him a cold glance instead.

“You’re the one behaving like a fool whose head’s been filled with hot air.”

The look she gave him was as though she were scolding a child.

The count’s mood instantly soured.

He had finally been granted an official position by the Grand Duke, so why was there anything wrong with him being excited?

His pride slightly wounded, the count twisted his lips.

“Just wait and see. I’ll use this opportunity to become acquainted with the most powerful families in the capital. Once they realize the Grand Duke and I are close, they’ll all be desperate to befriend me.”

The Count was consumed by grand fantasies of the future.

Watching him, the Countess sighed quietly. She had only agreed to accompany him to the capital this time for one reason: She was worried that her vain and overly ambitious husband might eventually cause trouble.

Just because the Grand Duke had favored him once did not mean he should start acting recklessly.

Shaking her head with quiet anxiety, the Countess turned her gaze towards the carriage window.

At that moment, a young brother and sister emerged from a nearby bakery.

The little boy clung tightly to his older sister’s hand.

Wearing simple, modest clothing, the girl gently tore a loaf of bread in half and gave her younger brother the larger piece without hesitation.

Watching the affectionate siblings, the Countess suddenly found herself thinking of Lianna and Joel.

By now, the two of them should still be somewhere in the capital.

Had they managed to meet the physician capable of treating Joel’s illness?

Since her husband had written them a letter of introduction, the Countess wanted to believe that things had worked out, but…

The memory of that stormy night, when the Grand Duke had personally chased after Lianna, continued to trouble her.

What possible business could a man like him have with a woman who was supposed to be nothing more than a one-night stand?

Why had he pursued her so urgently?

Despite repeatedly reminding herself that they belonged to entirely different worlds and should never become entangled again, she could not shake the lingering sense of unease in her chest.

‘I only hope I’m worrying over nothing.’

The Countess of Chester let out a quiet sigh and shifted her gaze.

In the distance, the brightly illuminated palace came into view.

Her countless worries narrowed down to thoughts of the upcoming victory banquet.

Hoping sincerely that nothing troublesome would happen, she looked away.

***

The woman standing before the mirror was breathtakingly beautiful.

That was Calix’s honest opinion.

Half of Lianna’s long silver hair had been elegantly pinned up, the rest falling in soft waves below her shoulders. It had been carefully curled with heated irons.

Apparently, this was the latest style favored by noble ladies in the capital.

Just like her elaborate hairstyle, the dress she wore was anything but modest.

Adorned with delicate lace and tiny shimmering jewels, the blue gown she wore accentuated her natural elegance.

She had always been striking enough to draw attention simply by standing still, but now, having been so carefully dressed and styled, her beauty left people staring in silent fascination.

Countess Clotilde had met countless daughters from prestigious noble families throughout her life, yet she had never encountered a young woman as beautiful as Lianna.

At that moment, she reluctantly found herself admitting that Calix’s taste in women was unexpectedly refined.

Turning towards Calix, who was lounging on the drawing room sofa with a teacup in hand, the countess finally asked.

“Your Highness, what do you think?”

She was asking whether Lianna would be suitable to appear before the King and Queen at the upcoming Victory Banquet.

Sitting with one leg lazily crossed over the other, Calix lifted his gaze.

After glancing briefly at Lianna, who was waiting nervously for his answer, looking slightly pale, he responded briefly.

“Not bad.”

Countess Clotilde unconsciously twitched at the bridge of her nose.

Adjusting the monocle that had slipped slightly downward, she struggled to maintain her composure.

‘That’s all you have to say after seeing a woman this beautiful? ‘

The countess silently asked with her eyes.

‘What more needs to be said?’

Calix replied just as silently.

The countess felt utterly defeated by the Grand Duke’s indifference.

‘It seems I expected far too much from Your Highness…’

The Countess lowered her gaze and swallowed a quiet sigh.

Earlier, Calix had explained that his marriage to Lianna was some sort of contractual arrangement.

He had not revealed the full circumstances behind it, but regardless of the reason, Lianna would become his wife in name.

And yet, he remained astonishingly detached.

Completely unaware of the Countess’s concerns, he calmly lifted his teacup to his lips.

Really?

Lianna’s beauty was nothing new to him.

It was not as though he had only seen her once or twice.

He saw no reason to make such a fuss over it.

Of course she looked beautiful dressed like this.

But, honestly…

To him, her bare skin was far more captivating than all the elaborate layers now covering it.

The instant he thought of her exposed body, a dull heat tightened low within him.

If he were to tear away the excessive fabric wrapped around her, the sight beneath would undoubtedly be far more pleasing.

A faint laugh escaped Calix’s lips before he cut off the wandering thought.

After finishing nearly half of his tea, he finally rose to his feet.

“More importantly, is everything prepared?”

Countess Clotilde gave Lianna’s appearance one final thorough inspection.

Then she nodded in satisfaction.

“Perfect.”

At the countess’s added remark, Calix tightened the knot of the cravat hanging loosely around his neck.

“And her etiquette?”

The Countess replied that there were no problems.

For the past week, Lianna had devoted every moment she was awake, aside from mealtimes and sleep, to learning etiquette.

No matter how tedious or outdated the lessons became, she never lost focus for a moment. Once corrected, she never made the same mistake twice.

Even after the lessons ended, she continued practicing quietly on her own, without complaint.

The Countess was astonished by how quickly Lianna improved with each passing day.

Royal etiquette could not normally be mastered in such a short time.

For someone born a commoner who had never set foot near the royal palace before, her learning speed was almost unbelievable.

In fact, it was so fast that one might question whether she was truly a commoner at all.

After listening to the countess’s report in silence, Calix instructed Lianna to demonstrate everything she had learnt so far.

After all, seeing something once is far more convincing than hearing about it a hundred times.

At Calix’s signal, Lianna began her demonstration.

Gracefully gathering the hem of her dress, she lowered herself into an elegant curtsy.

Even the lengthy formal greeting required when addressing royalty flowed flawlessly from her lips.

Calix carefully observed every detail: her posture, the way she walked, her expressions and the countless intricate nuances of noble etiquette.

Surprisingly, there was very little to criticize.

The sarcastic remark he had prepared — ‘Your effort is admirable, at least’ — suddenly felt unnecessary.

Truthfully, even he had not expected her to perform so well.

“That’s enough.”

After quietly observing her the entire time, Calix finally spoke.

With her complexion slightly pale, Lianna asked carefully.

“Did I pass?”

“Yes.”

Perhaps it was because she had been so tense that a thin layer of cold sweat had gathered on her forehead.

Whatever had happened to the boldness and courage she had displayed when she had come alone to the royal palace?

When it came to her younger brother, Lianna could be recklessly brave. But deep down, she was still a timid woman.

As long as she fulfilled her role properly when it truly mattered, nothing else concerned him.

Outside the estate, the Grand Duke’s carriage waited.

Calix personally opened the door for her.

He then extended his hand to help her inside.

Her delicate hand, covered in pristine white lace gloves, rested lightly against his; it was as soft as a feather.

Up until that moment, the scene could have been described as graceful and elegant.

However, the instant Lianna stepped onto the carriage steps, her balance faltered.

She staggered dangerously.

Fortunately, Calix reacted quickly enough to catch her before she could fall.

Slowly loosening his arm from around her waist, he lowered his gaze towards her.

Her face had turned even paler than before.

Calix was just about to speak when Lianna hurriedly opened her mouth.

“I only felt dizzy for a moment. I’m fine, so let’s go.”

As Lianna tried to climb back into the carriage, Calix grabbed her arm to stop her.

A quiet sigh escaped him.

When she tried to avoid his gaze, he gently lifted her chin.

The warmth beneath his fingertips felt higher than usual.

For the past several days, Lianna had sacrificed sleep just to continue studying.

As a result, she had quickly learned noble etiquette, but perhaps it was inevitable that she would tire herself out in the process.

Calix instructed the coachman to wait a moment.

Then he turned his gaze back towards Lianna.

“You intended to attend the banquet in this condition?”

“It’s an important occasion.”

Lianna answered stubbornly.

Calix frowned slightly.

‘What an unbelievably foolish woman.’

If she was unwell, she should just say so.

“I’ll attend the banquet alone.”

“But… I really am alright.”

Lianna was not being stubborn for no reason.

Although she had overworked herself recently, ending up with a mild fever, it was not too high and she could still move around.

There had even been times in the past when she had continued to sew for money despite being seriously ill.

Compared to that, attending a banquet was hardly demanding labor.

Lianna had her own reasons for insisting, but there was no way Calix could understand them.

To him, it merely seemed like stubbornness for the sake of it.

“It seems you still don’t understand what I’m saying.”

Calix tightened his grip slightly on her chin.

“In your current condition, you’re useless to me. So stop making things troublesome and do as you’re told.”