Ainberg was extremely tense.

It wasn’t because today’s ball had a special purpose, nor because of the important meeting scheduled for the afternoon.

He had repeatedly told himself to maintain his composure since everything was the same as usual, but.

“Your Majesty, you don’t look well. Should we adjust your schedule?”

Judging by Oz’s comment, he didn’t appear fine at all.

Ainberg composed himself once, then walked into the banquet hall without saying anything.

As he appeared, silence fell over the hall.

When Ainberg raised his hand, the music that had momentarily stopped began again.

“We behold Your Majesty, the noble Emperor.”

Ainberg received the greetings with a dignified and elegant demeanor.

But he couldn’t hear who was greeting him or what they were saying.

His mind was completely filled with the conversation he had with Millean Hartmann the night before.

‘Your Majesty, I believe you won’t ruin what you’ve worked so hard to achieve by failing to control your emotions.’

Despite receiving such advice the night before.

He found it difficult to remain calm at the thought of meeting Sienna soon.

It was just as Ainberg was finding his seat while inwardly steadying his breathing.

His eyes met with those of an unfamiliar woman.

“……”

She was definitely a face he’d never seen before. He hadn’t even been introduced to her yet and had no information about her.

She turned her head away as soon as her eyes met Ainberg’s. Though it was just a moment, they had definitely exchanged glances, and he clearly witnessed her hand tightening around her champagne glass.

Ainberg instinctively knew.

‘Sienna.’

At that moment, Ainberg completely forgot Millean’s earnest advice and moved toward her.

Even knowing he shouldn’t take any action, he simply couldn’t stop himself.

She exchanged a few words with the woman standing beside her and hastily left the banquet hall.

“……”

Ainberg also stopped in his tracks. Oz, who couldn’t understand what was happening, carefully examined the Emperor’s expression and asked cautiously.

“Your Majesty, are you all right?”

“No.”

He answered briefly and immediately turned around.

Ainberg intended to follow her. Of course, he knew well that even if they met, there was nothing he could do, and that he shouldn’t say anything.

But he wanted to confirm whether the woman who had just left was indeed Sienna.

Though he knew Millean would scold him if he found out.

After entering the corridor, Ainberg sent away all those following him except Oz.

“Your Majesty, where are you suddenly—”

“This is a banquet to select candidates for the Empress.”

“If Your Majesty suddenly leaves, the purpose of the banquet will be diminished.”

But no one could stop Ainberg once he had made up his mind.

He calmly ignored the voices of the nobles trying to dissuade him and quietly disappeared.

The Emperor headed to a balcony with a clear view of the garden.

Ainberg gazed at the balcony from a distance.

Her long, curly hair blowing freely in the wind, holding onto the balcony railing—it was an unfamiliar sight.

“Why should I care?”

When the woman suddenly muttered to herself, Ainberg furrowed his brow.

‘What do I… care?’

When their eyes first met, Ainberg was certain she was Sienna.

He could vividly feel the anxiety and trembling that suddenly rose when she faced him.

His feelings hadn’t changed even looking at that unfamiliar back.

However, Ainberg hesitated at the words she had just muttered.

Sienna Viper rarely opposed anything and didn’t know how to refuse.

She was a kind, innocent, and delicate person.

Though he hadn’t fallen in love with her because of such submissive traits, her voice just now was somewhat unexpected.

She muttered to herself, unaware that Ainberg had come quite close.

“What becomes complete?”

When Ainberg casually spoke, she turned around with a start.

“Your Majesty.”

“You don’t seem to be enjoying the banquet.”

She curtsied, bending and straightening her knees.

“It’s nothing.”

Then she immediately tried to leave the balcony, avoiding Ainberg.

‘As expected.’

If she had been an ordinary lady, she wouldn’t have reacted this way when encountering the Emperor here.

She would never miss such a golden opportunity to be alone with the Emperor.

It was somewhat bitter to confirm she was Sienna by her attempt to avoid him.

“I’m certain I’ve never seen your face before.”

“……”

“Yet strangely, you seem familiar.”

Ainberg didn’t want to let her go like this.

He wanted to stay with Sienna, whose demeanor had subtly changed after a year.

Her clearly different appearance from before was also intriguing.

“That’s impossible. This is my first time entering the imperial palace, Your Majesty.”

Was she always this skilled at lying?

Ainberg found her current appearance quite amusing as well.

“I see.”

“……”

“But.”

“……?”

“You said this is your first time in the imperial palace, so how did you know about this place?”

I wonder how she’ll answer this time.

Ainberg enjoyed watching Sienna’s subtly changing expressions.

“I came out for some fresh air and got lost in the complex palace.”

This isn’t a place one can easily come to.

‘Besides….’

This balcony was Sienna’s favorite place.

While she was bedridden, he had forbidden anyone access to it.

‘It is indeed Sienna.’

“I believe I ordered this place to remain closed.”

“What was the reason?”

Faced with this sudden and bold question, Ainberg couldn’t answer.

He hadn’t expected her to ask him for the reason.

Ainberg stared at her intently.

‘Could she possibly know something?’

Could she be guessing what I’m thinking, what’s happening between us?

Even knowing it was an absurd thought, Ainberg opened his mouth as if entranced.

“What’s your name?”

“Leonora Chadmon.”

“I see. So you’re Leonora.”

Ainberg looked at her once more.

Though her appearance was different, the person he was conversing with was Sienna Viper.

It was quite difficult to face Sienna’s sharp gaze.

But he was glad to be able to talk with her even like this.

At that moment, Leonora opened her small lips.

“Then may I ask again? Why did you want to keep this place closed?”

Ainberg wondered why Leonora was so eager to hear this answer.

“Because it’s too beautiful.”

“That’s a strange reason. Shouldn’t something beautiful be open for more people to see?”

But seeing her continued pointed manner toward him, he vaguely understood the reason.

This was a space Sienna had loved.

Though it was too modest a place for the Empire’s Empress to favor.

Was she curious about his feelings?

“You seem somewhat angry with me.”

“I have no reason to be angry with Your Majesty.”

“Is it because I’m not being honest?”

“I don’t know what you mean, but in any case, I’ll return to the banquet hall.”

“It’s because this was a place my lover loved.”

Only after blurting it out did Ainberg recall Millean’s warning.

Though it was already too late.

Ainberg clearly saw Leonora’s eyes waver, and she faced him with an unsteady gaze that seemed about to crumble at any moment.

“I see. I didn’t know this place held meaning for Your Majesty.”

“Though we can no longer be together.”

“……”

“Perhaps that’s why it’s even more meaningful.”

“Your Majesty.”

Ainberg took one step closer.

He knew what that precarious expression meant.

He wanted to break down the dam of emotions built up over a long time. To say that his feelings had always remained constant, that he wanted to be with her for a very long time.

It was at the moment their gazes became entangled in confusion.

“Your Majesty.”

At the sound of Oz’s voice from behind, Ainberg calmly steadied his breathing.

Leonora didn’t miss the opportunity and walked past Ainberg into the corridor.

“……Your Majesty, are you all right?”

Ainberg showed no reaction to Oz’s concerned voice.

He couldn’t define his emotions, whether he was all right or not.

Just one thing.

He had finally met her again, and this was just the beginning.