A few days later, I greeted the morning with puffy eyes.

I hadn’t slept a wink all night.

“Miss, are you really all right?”

Sabine had been pacing anxiously since morning.

But I had simply failed to sleep.

“Was your bed uncomfortable? Should I change the bedding?”

“Ah, no.”

“Then… was there something wrong with dinner last night? Does your stomach hurt?”

“Hmm? No, nothing like that.”

“Oh, I’m so worried you might be falling ill.”

Poor Sabine chattered like a little chick, her face looking ready to burst into tears at any moment.

“No, Sabine. I just couldn’t sleep. Does my face look too haggard?”

The day Levi and I had agreed upon arrived sooner than expected.

After that day, Levi returned to Bilmotz, and I revealed my feelings to Father and my brothers.

My family, well aware that Levi had stood by me for a long time, respected and celebrated my decision more than anyone.

Except for brother Allentain.

In truth, I hadn’t anticipated his bewildered expression at all.

I thought he would be the most supportive and happy about it.

Well, I suppose it might feel strange when your sister marries your close friend.

While lost in these thoughts, Emperor Ainberg’s face suddenly flashed in my mind.

‘What expression will he make when I tell him I’ve come to receive approval for my marriage?’

Though not entirely certain, circumstances clearly indicated the Emperor had fallen for me.

He had continued sending me endless gifts even after the pale pink dress.

Each time, my brother would hand me the boxes with an awkward expression. He must have been terribly uncomfortable stuck in the middle.

‘Brother, I’ll end your discomfort today.’

I got out of bed with a smirk.

“Sabine, I’ll eat breakfast alone today.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Sabine, who had been monitoring my complexion until then, replied.

Her lovely voice made me want to ease her burden of concern.

“I’m truly fine. It’s just… I’m a bit nervous about going to the imperial palace today.”

“……”

“That’s why I couldn’t sleep.”

Sabine seemed somewhat touched by my words and touched her face.

“You don’t need to explain everything to me, Miss. But thank you.”

Her response made something flutter in a corner of my heart. So I deliberately spoke in a cheerful voice.

“Sabine, today I want to wear the best dress I own! And make my hair look absolutely beautiful.”

Last night, the thought of entering the imperial palace had tormented me.

Having to face the Emperor again, requesting his permission to marry, using Levi whom I was still awkward with—all of it felt too difficult and overwhelming.

But I needed to make the first move. I knew Emperor Ainberg’s temperament well.

If I hesitated, I might find myself sitting beside him before I knew it.

I mustn’t forget the chill I felt when I saw his gift!

I can do this!

“Didn’t you say you were going to the imperial palace?”

Clever Sabine asked while watching my expression.

She must be wondering why I wanted to look beautiful today when I had deliberately worn terrible clothes the last time I entered the palace.

“That’s right. But today, I want to look beautiful for some reason.”

Looking at Sabine’s still puzzled face, I smiled brightly.

“Sabine, do you know what’s most beautiful in the world?”

“What is it?”

“It’s something you cannot have.”

Something beyond reach, something you want but cannot possess—nothing makes people more desperate.

And nothing is more beautiful than that.

I smirked, imagining the Emperor’s dumbfounded face.

❀❀❀

It was a nervousness I hadn’t felt in a very long time.

Standing before the massive doors, I tightened my grip on Levi’s arm.

Sensing my trembling, he looked down at me.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, of course.”

No, in truth, I wasn’t all right at all.

My lips were dry, and my breathing was becoming a bit rapid.

I was overwhelmed with thoughts of what might happen if I collapsed from excessive tension.

Levi gently covered the back of my hand with his.

“Don’t say anything.”

“……”

“Leave everything to me.”

“Levi.”

“That’s good. Just like how you called my name just now—comfortable and relaxed.”

Then he moved the corners of his mouth slightly to show a smile. It was a perfect smile that I couldn’t help but return.

At that moment, I felt fortunate that Levi was the person I could rely on.

“Come in.”

Shortly after, the audience chamber doors opened, and a firm voice rang out.

I lightly gripped the hem of my dress and entered with Levi.

The scene before my eyes was both extremely familiar and strange at the same time.

Emperor Ainberg sat with a noble posture.

His silver hair was piercingly beautiful, and his gaze penetrated like the abyss.

“Levi Merten from Bilmotz greets Your Majesty the Emperor.”

After following Levi in the proper greeting and raising my head—

My gaze turned to the cat sitting quietly beside the Emperor.

‘Miamo?’

Miamo had been my only friend who comforted my loneliness when I was Sienna.

But she was extremely sensitive and wouldn’t go near anyone except me.

‘Why is Miamo with the Emperor?’

But at that moment.

Miamo, upon meeting my eyes, suddenly rushed toward me.

“Miamo.”

It was extremely sudden. But after the initial surprise, I was overcome with emotion at the soft warmth of the creature in my arms.

‘Goodness, Miamo!’

Could Miamo possibly recognize me?

Though bewildered and surprised, my heart swelled, and I found myself hugging Miamo without thinking.

But before I could fully appreciate Miamo’s presence, an attendant hurriedly ran over and took her back.

“I apologize.”

“No… it’s fine.”

I had to bite my lip firmly. Miamo, now in the attendant’s arms, kept struggling to break free, and at that moment, I felt Ainberg’s hard gaze directed at me.

But I avoided his gaze by turning my head.

How unpleasant and uncomfortable.

“It’s been a while, Merten.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I hope you’ve been well.”

“I have, thank you. What brings you to us today?”

“I have something to tell Your Majesty.”

My heart was pounding.

But at the same time, I was curious about Ainberg’s expression.

Levi spoke without hesitation in a firm voice.

“I wish to marry Lady Leonora Chadmon here. Please grant us your approval.”

Even though I was just standing quietly beside him, my palms somehow became sweaty.

‘Hurry and approve. Quickly.’

In the midst of this, when I slightly raised my head out of curiosity about Ainberg’s expression—

His dry face hadn’t changed at all from when I first saw him.

I had hoped his dark blue eyes would waver, but he didn’t show the slightest emotion.

Tsk, how disappointing.

He should have shown a more dramatic reaction.

“Marriage.”

Ainberg’s heavy voice fell to my feet.

I raised my head again to look up at him. The Emperor was looking down at me, not at Levi with whom he was conversing.

“Yes, I wish to spend the rest of my life with Lady Leonora Chadmon.”

“I don’t know how it is in Bilmotz.”

Then he slightly turned his head to look at Oz standing beside him.

“But Ostrin’s laws are a bit stricter.”

Laws?

I wrinkled the bridge of my nose at this unexpected word.

The Emperor called to Oz in a languid voice.

“Oz, announce it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Until an Empress is selected, all marriages in Ostrin are forbidden.”