“Please excuse me for a moment, Your Majesty.”

Iren watched Lahart leave with the Emperor with anxious eyes. But her attention was soon diverted as the Empress began speaking to Rian.

Meanwhile, Lahart, who had led the Emperor to a deserted balcony, spoke coldly.

“You were about to say something unnecessary.”

“Unnecessary? I don’t know what you mean. Ah, are you talking about that? The story that the Duchess and I briefly had a marriage proposal…”

Lahart gripped the hilt of his sword. The Emperor quickly shut his mouth and raised his hands. But his face still bore an amused smile.

“Calm down. It’s because of reactions like this that I can’t stop teasing you.”

“It’s only fun the first few times.”

“I admit I went too far. But it’s the only topic that gets a reaction from you, who is usually so cold and unfeeling. Besides, I have the Empress.”

Lahart’s grip on his sword loosened slightly.

The Emperor had never taken a concubine. He had a good relationship with the Empress and had five children with her. Lahart knew better than anyone that the Emperor had no interest in Iren. If he had, the Emperor wouldn’t be alive, just as he had said.

Even so, Lahart couldn’t stand hearing about the marriage proposal. Even though it was a brief discussion between their families, which Iren knew nothing about.

“I wonder if your wife knows how jealous you are. She seemed completely unaware.”

Yes, jealousy. That was it.

Lahart remained silent. Not replying to the Emperor’s letters, not attending social gatherings, and avoiding talking about her were all because of jealousy.

Ironically, his desperate attempts had only piqued the Emperor’s interest.

“I promise this will be the last time I joke about it. So calm down.”

“I’m not angry.”

“Then why is the vein on your forehead bulging?”

Lahart almost reached for his sword again. The Emperor, chuckling, patted his shoulder.

“Now you look like a living person. I’m relieved.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Don’t pretend. Anyway, I’m relieved to see you’re healthier in body and mind. I won’t disturb you anymore. Enjoy your time. Dance a bit too.”

With that, the Emperor tried to leave. This time, Lahart grabbed his shoulder to stop him.

“Hmm? What’s the matter?”

“What about the rooms?”

“Rooms? What rooms?”

“I mentioned it in the letter. To prepare separate rooms.”

“Oh… did you?”

The Emperor tilted his head as if he didn’t remember and then gave a sly smile.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do now. You’ll just have to spend some cozy time together. Who knows? Maybe you’ll have a second child soon… Ugh!”

Lahart gripped the Emperor’s shoulder as if to crush it. The Emperor twisted his body, but there was no one to help him.

The sound of bones twisting echoed several times from the balcony.

* * *

Back in the banquet hall, Iren was having a pleasant conversation with the Empress. The kind-hearted Empress treated Iren and Rian warmly.

Thanks to the Empress’s introduction, Rian quickly made friends with the noble children he met for the first time and was chatting happily at a table set up in one corner of the banquet hall.

After some time, the gentle music in the banquet hall changed to a dance tune. The Empress asked Iren,

“Do you like dancing?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve never danced before… Does Your Majesty enjoy it?”

“Yes. His Majesty enjoys it too, so we often dance together. It’s quite fun to match each other’s steps. You should try it, Iren. It’ll be fun. Oh, it looks like their conversation is over.”

Lahart, who had come out of the balcony first, spotted Iren and walked towards her. The Emperor was staggering behind him.

“What’s wrong with him? I should go to His Majesty. We’ll talk again later, Iren.”

The Empress, who also nodded at Lahart, hurried to the Emperor’s side. Soon, Lahart stood before Iren, looking at her with an unreadable expression.

“Did something happen?”

“Iren.”

With a deep, resonant voice, Lahart bent down and extended his hand.

“Will you grant me the honor of dancing with you?”

Iren’s eyes widened. She never imagined Lahart would ask her to dance first. Had he overheard their conversation? Was he trying to be considerate?

Iren hesitated for a moment. Although she had learned to dance from a teacher when she was young, she had never actually danced, as she had told the Empress. Moreover, in such a crowded place…

Just the fact that Lahart had asked her to dance was already drawing glances from people around them.

But her hesitation didn’t last long. Iren placed her hand in Lahart’s and stood up. Lahart skillfully escorted her to a spacious area. Their dance began in time with the music.

Lahart’s lead was flawless as he guided Iren through the steps. It was Iren who occasionally stumbled and stepped on Lahart’s feet. Blushing, Iren apologized.

“I’m sorry. It’s been so long.”

“It’s alright. Don’t worry about it.”

“You’re a good dancer. Did you dance often?”

“Are you serious?”

Lahart responded gruffly. His arm around Iren’s waist tightened slightly. Iren felt embarrassed by his suddenly warmer body temperature.

“There’s no time to dance on the battlefield. And no one to dance with.”

“Hmm…”

Iren gave a vague response and then suddenly laughed softly. Lahart narrowed his eyes. He could almost see her thoughts.

“Erase that thought.”

“You know what I was thinking?”

“You were imagining me dancing with Kaman, weren’t you?”

“That’s right.”

Iren laughed again. Lahart added defensively. The idea of dancing with Kaman was horrifying enough, but the thought of Iren dwelling on it was even worse.

“It’s just that the practice from my youth is ingrained in me. Things learned and etched into the body aren’t easily forgotten.”

“You must have practiced hard.”

“I tried my best. I cut down on sword practice to make time.”

“Really? Did you like dancing?”

It wasn’t a particularly strange question, but Lahart’s expression grew even gruffer than before. Iren couldn’t understand why.

Seeing her puzzled look, Lahart sighed and pulled her closer.

Lahart’s heavy scent brushed the tip of her nose.

“I don’t like it. Especially not enough to cut down on sword practice.”

“Then why…”

“Because I wanted to dance with you.”

Iren froze momentarily. She stumbled, and Lahart naturally pulled her into his embrace.

Lahart, who had been pouting as if to ask why she was asking such an obvious question, then smiled a savage and cynical smile.

“I couldn’t let another man take your first dance.”

“Didn’t you think I might have already had my first dance with someone else?”

“What?”

Already danced? With whom?

Lahart’s fluid movements halted. Fortunately, the dance piece was ending, so they finished naturally.

Iren released Lahart’s arm, gracefully curtsied, and placed her hand on his.

Lahart’s demeanor grew increasingly fierce as he escorted Iren.

* * *

That night.

Lahart, who had eventually moved to the room next to Iren’s, couldn’t fall asleep until late. Iren’s words during their dance at the banquet echoed in his ears.

“Didn’t you think I might have already had my first dance with someone else?”

At that time, Iren was too young to debut in society, so he had been at ease. Although she had danced with her teacher, he never considered that she might have danced with another man.

Somehow, the image of the Emperor, smirking slyly, floated into Lahart’s mind.

“Does your wife know how jealous you are?”

He should have twisted the Emperor’s mouth instead of his shoulder.

It was pathetic to be jealous of someone whose name and face he didn’t even know. But his heart was no longer his own; it belonged to Iren. So, it was only natural that things wouldn’t go his way.

Lahart, who had been sitting on the edge of the bed, suddenly stood up. His steps, as if drawn by some invisible force, led him to Iren’s room.

Rian, who had been delighted with the child’s bed, had suddenly insisted on sleeping alone, so the three of them were now using separate rooms.

Even though it was late enough for her to be asleep, the light was still on in Iren’s room.

Lahart raised his hand to knock. At that moment, the door opened slowly. Both Iren, who had opened the door from inside, and Lahart, who stood facing her, were surprised.

“Duke?”

He needed to say something, but no words came out. Iren tilted her head slightly, waiting for Lahart to speak. Seeing that he remained silent, Iren smiled gently.

“Can’t sleep?”

His tone was gentle, as if speaking to a child. Lahart momentarily flared up but quickly resigned himself. He changed the subject; he couldn’t exactly say he was awake because he was jealous of the guy who danced with her first.

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

“I can’t sleep either. I was just about to go check on Rian. Would you like to come with me?”

“Sure. Let’s go.”

Rian’s room was across the hall. Lahart carefully opened the door, and the two of them tiptoed inside.

Contrary to their worries, Rian was having a delightful time in dreamland. Next to the softly breathing Rian was a teddy bear that Jane had made.

Before Iren could say anything, Lahart tucked the blanket around Rian and gently stroked his face. Iren thought once again how much Lahart had truly changed.

The two of them stepped back into the hallway. Iren was the first to bid Lahart goodnight.

“Good night, Duke.”

She turned to close her door. Suddenly, a hand shot out and grabbed the door firmly. Lahart stood there, holding the door.

He murmured to Iren in a low voice.

“May I come in? No, let me in.”

“What?”

“I can’t sleep alone.”

Startled, Iren instinctively stepped aside. Lahart walked in as if it were his own room and asked nonchalantly,

“What do you do when Rian can’t sleep?”

“Sometimes I read to him, sometimes I tell him stories… It varies. Usually, I do what Rian asks for.”

“I see.”

“When he was younger, I would hold him, but now he’s grown, so it’s harder to do that. It’s a bit sad.”

Lahart stared intently at Iren as she spoke and smiled. As the awkward silence stretched, Iren looked away, and suddenly Lahart lifted her into his arms.

Iren was so surprised she couldn’t even scream and froze, then quickly regained her senses.

“Why all of a sudden… Put me down.”