“My Lady, actually, I have a gift prepared for you.”

“Huh…?”

“If you don’t mind, would you wear this?”

It was a box far too large to have come from a boy’s pocket.

However, that detail was insignificant to Bella, whose gaze was already fixed on the gold-trimmed box. More than anything, the fact that the boy was giving it to her was what truly mattered.

‘I do want it… but I was taught that a proper lady shouldn’t just accept things from others so easily.’

As Bella hesitated, unsure whether to open the box, Lucas abruptly opened it for her.

Inside the deep purple box was a pair of earrings—gems that changed color depending on the angle at which they were viewed. Or at least, they appeared to be gems.

“Earrings?”

“Yes. Since I’m the one giving them to you, they might seem unworthy of a noble lady.”

“That’s not true! Absolutely not!”

Bella hurriedly waved her hands.

“They’re so pretty!! I’ve never seen earrings like these before. I’ll wear them to the banquet.”

“No, the duchess will likely not want you wearing them to the banquet. Would you wear them only when you meet with me?”

“I don’t mind, but… Mother would disapprove? Why?”

“Because these aren’t real gemstones.”

Lucas tapped the supposedly jeweled earrings with his index finger.

“Then what are they?”

“…Well, I suppose you could say they’re my heart, meant to protect you.”

It was a cryptic statement, but nonetheless, she was delighted.

Without thinking, Bella smacked Lucas on the back with a loud thud. Lucas groaned and curled up slightly.

“My lady, if I may, I do not have the same level of endurance as His Lordship, the knight. Moreover, you may not realize it, but you are quite strong.”

“Uh… Lucas, are you weak?”

“Not weak, exactly—just vulnerable to violence.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

She asked without any malice, but to Lucas, it felt like an attack. He grimaced and replied,

“I suppose… my body is a bit frail. Just a little. But I assure you, I’m much stronger than any knight. And, of course, I’m handsome.”

“Lucas? Stronger than the knights?”

Bella’s eyes widened in surprise.

She felt a little guilty, but at a glance, Lucas had barely any muscle. He certainly didn’t look stronger than the knights, who had solid, well-trained bodies.

But Lucas spoke with unwavering confidence.

“Of course.”

How exactly did he think he was stronger than the knights? Bella was incredibly curious but chose not to ask, lest she wound his pride.

She had once heard that men sometimes exaggerated their confidence in front of women. So instead of questioning him, she simply waited for him to continue speaking.

“Not only that, but I’m also intelligent. I only appear physically weak because I spent all my time studying. Unlike those muscle-bound brutes who only know how to wield swords.”

Another question arose in Bella’s mind.

Lucas, a stable hand, was of common birth. It was extremely rare for a commoner to receive an education.

But again, Bella held her tongue. She didn’t want to hurt him.

However, Lucas was quick-witted. He had already figured out what she wanted to ask.

“My lady, a person is not defined solely by their outward appearance.”

“Th-That’s true. I know that much.”

“…You’re a kind girl.”

Yet he did not elaborate further.

After all, even if he spoke the truth, there was no proof to support it. No one would believe it.

More than anything, if he revealed the truth, he wasn’t sure how the adorable girl in front of him would look at him afterward.

A memory of something Duke Zeroden had once said to him echoed in his ears.

—I won’t hand my daughter over to a devil like you.

***

Finally, the day of the victory banquet arrived.

Lavish carriages arrived one by one at the grand, open gates of the ducal estate.

Elicity felt dizzy from greeting the endless stream of esteemed guests. Her face was beginning to twitch from forcing a constant smile, and she was getting a headache from trying to recall the noble family lineages she had memorized over the past few nights.

Even in her past life, when she was a seasoned noblewoman, memorizing the genealogy of the aristocracy had been no easy task.

‘Damn, I invited way too many people since this is the first banquet I’m hosting after my return.’

Just as she was regretting her overambition, she finally spotted a welcome sight.

Baroness Fertel and her daughters had arrived. Elicity’s face lit up with joy.

“You’ve come! I’m so glad you could make it!”

The baroness had initially declined the invitation, citing the lack of appropriate attire. So Elicity had gifted dresses, accessories, and shoes to all five of them. Now, seeing them dressed so elegantly, she felt that her generosity had been worthwhile.

People’s thoughts tend to align. Many in attendance seemed to share her sentiment—especially the young noblemen, who kept stealing glances in their direction.

“You all look stunning! It was worth the effort.”

“I feel guilty that you spent so much money on people like us.”

“Why would you say that? You will soon be my child’s tutor, after all. Isn’t that right, Lady Fertel?”

Elicity turned her gaze toward the tallest of the sisters—Lorraine Fertel.

Though she maintained a composed expression, it was clear that she was tense. It was likely her first time attending such a grand banquet.

Yet despite her own nervousness, she still kept a watchful eye on her three younger sisters, who were chattering excitedly.

She was an exceptionally capable young lady. That only made Elicity like her even more.

Elicity stepped closer to Lorraine and gave her a warm smile.

“Lady Lorraine Fertel? Since there are four Miss Fertels at this banquet… would you allow me to call you Lorraine?”

“Huh?”

“You’re going to be my child’s teacher, right?”

Lorraine was taken aback by Elicity’s familiarity, as if they were already well acquainted. Moreover, wasn’t she the Duchess? Lorraine could never have imagined that such a high-ranking lady would smile at her so warmly, so she instinctively nodded.

“D-Duchess, please do as you wish. I don’t mind how I am addressed.”

“Thank you.”

Elicity smiled contentedly and then called Olivia.

“Olivia, please guide Baroness Fertel and the young ladies in my stead. Make sure they enjoy the banquet without any discomfort.”

“Yes, understood. Madam, this way, please.”

As Lorraine watched the Fertel family disappear into the hall under Olivia’s guidance, a familiar voice came from behind her.

“Duchess, are you not overexerting yourself?”

“Alex!?”

Startled, she turned around to see Alex smiling at Elicity.

At first, Elicity was taken aback.

Her husband, draped in a fur cloak, looked incredibly stunning. If he usually exuded the aura of a rugged knight, today he looked every bit the perfect Duke.

How could he be so handsome? His sharp, chiseled features seemed to shine even more than usual.

She found herself mesmerized, staring at him until their red eyes met. Then, memories of recent events came rushing back, making her face flush with heat.

Fortunately or unfortunately, with the victory banquet approaching, she had been busy, and nothing more had happened between them.

However, as they prepared to share the master bedroom, she couldn’t help but recall past events repeatedly. Every time she looked at him, she was reminded of what had transpired on his bed.

‘…Elicity Zeroden, don’t let your mind wander. Today, there are many distinguished guests.’

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Elicity forced an awkward smile at her husband.

“Alex, what about the guests in the hall? You’re the guest of honor.”

“It must be difficult to welcome all the guests alone. Besides, the main banquet hasn’t even started yet, so it shouldn’t matter if I help you greet them.”

“That may be true, but…”

“Actually, there is a bothersome woman inside.”

“A bothersome woman?”

She racked her brain, trying to guess who it could be, but no one came to mind.

Then Alex casually dropped a name.

“The Fourth Princess, Lucellia.”

“Goodness… Alex, if you call a princess that, even you could get in trouble.”

Though Alex was a Duke, he was still an adopted son and relatively young, without many strong political allies.

Moreover, Lucellia was the legitimate daughter of the Queen and the sister of Prince Helios, the most likely successor to the throne of Madonia.

Elicity turned pale at his reckless words, but Alex simply smiled.

“Then why didn’t you invite Princess Lucellia to this banquet?”

“…!”

“I heard everything. Her name was conspicuously missing from the guest list. Aren’t all the noblewomen of Madonia eager to invite Princess Lucellia?”

The Fourth Princess, Lucellia.

She was renowned for her breathtaking beauty, voluptuous figure, and exceptional eloquence. Called the ‘Queen of the Social Scene,’ she was invited to every party, and she herself desired such invitations.

Thus, even noblewomen who had little chance of socializing with her would still send an invitation out of formality.

Yet, Elicity had deliberately excluded her from this banquet.

Caught off guard by her husband’s remark, Elicity hurried to explain herself.

“It was a reasonable decision. Given that she was once in marriage discussions with you, wouldn’t it be inappropriate to invite her to this event? Instead, I invited Princess Yurea.”

“But she came anyway.”

“…I see.”

‘Coming uninvited—does she disregard me, or does she simply ignore Madonian etiquette? There is a limit to arrogance.’

Elicity’s eyebrows twitched with displeasure. She even clicked her tongue unconsciously, prompting Alex to chuckle heartily.

“Are you annoyed?”

“What? No, of course not.”

“You seem quite upset with the princess.”

“Absolutely not. If Her Highness has graced us with her presence, it is, of course, an honor.”

Of course, she had no desire to welcome her. However, Elicity was determined to be seen as a gracious and wise noblewoman.

Princess Lucellia was royalty and, regardless of her whims, could not be treated disrespectfully, especially since she had once been betrothed to her husband.

“…An honor, you say.”

However, Alex’s tone suddenly dropped, calm yet firm, making Elicity uneasy.

“Why…?”

“If it’s such an honor, then as the guest of honor, I suppose I should enter the banquet hall and personally escort Princess Lucellia.”

At his words, Elicity’s face stiffened.

“Well then, I shall head inside, Duchess.”