Upon returning to the palace, Khalid found it difficult to concentrate on state affairs. He was just absentmindedly twirling his pen, lost in thought.

‘Was the expression “seeing her” strange?’ The image of Aristie, overwhelmed with shock the moment she heard those words, wouldn’t leave his mind.

It was clearly a look of misunderstanding that he had taken a lover. Despite his insistence that it wasn’t any kind of dating relationship.

‘How should I have explained about Estelle…’

Saying she was just a companion was merely an excuse, not a proper explanation. In fact, no expression could clearly explain Estelle’s existence.

Her personality. Her behavior. Every word she uttered. How could one explain in words the strange sensation of everything she revealed seeming to mirror his own inner self?

‘Even I can’t understand this feeling.’

It was by no means an attraction as a member of the opposite s*x. From the beginning, what he saw wasn’t Estelle herself, but rather the small details she displayed.

The more he saw, the stranger the sense of déjà vu became. As if they were things he shouldn’t miss.

For so long.

What he had yearned for from only one person…

‘…Should I have told her? That I’m meeting Estelle to find out the reason for this.’

Recalling his fiancée’s awkward smile, Khalid felt conflicted again. It was all his fault.

It was because of his weakness, the price of not being able to cut ties. Even as he signed documents, his hand felt as heavy as his heart.

***

Showing emotions leads to mistakes. Mistakes seep into all sorts of places and return as arrows aimed at oneself.

Khalid…

Do you have any idea what price I’ve paid to keep my place by your side?

***

“Miss, how can your skin be so fair!”

“Every time I see you, I think you’re just too beautiful, Miss.”

“It’s almost a shame to apply makeup.”

“My goodness, look at this hair. And how bright the color is!”

Aristie listened indifferently to the maids’ praises buzzing around her. It was true that her appearance was exceptionally beautiful, as they said.

Long curved eyelashes above brilliantly shining blue eyes. Shimmering golden hair that fell in delicate waves, and skin so white and smooth it was dazzling.

What stood out most were her delicate features, from her doe-like eyes to her slender jawline, forming a perfect harmony that made her look more like a doll than a person at first glance.

No wonder the late Emperor immediately marked her as the Crown Prince’s bride the moment he saw her, just as she was leaving her baby years behind.

‘But I couldn’t capture Khalid’s heart…’

Recalling her recent meeting with the Emperor, a shadow fell over Aristie’s eyes.

Khalid, who said he had met another woman. Herself, who asked to meet that woman based on groundless suspicion.

Both seemed wrong somehow. But it had already happened.

It was impossible to take it back now. Today was the day, the day she was supposed to meet the so-called companion of the Emperor.

“That’s enough now. You can all leave.”

At Aristie’s dismissal, the maids stamped their feet in frustration.

“But Miss, today is the day you’re going to the palace. You should be dressed even more splendidly!”

“This is enough. It’s more ridiculous to dress up like a peacock every time.”

“But…! At least let us add a few hair ornaments…”

“It’s fine. I like it this way. Go out and prepare the carriage. I’ll depart as soon as I’m ready.”

Aristie sent the fussing maids out and quietly sighed.

How many times had the maids been replaced now?

Duke Yentrice would fire Aristie’s maids every time she made a mistake or became the subject of gossip. He claimed it was punishment for failing to properly serve their mistress, but in reality, it was to punish his daughter.

Because of this, at first, she would cry and give jewelry to the maids, apologizing. However, after her nanny was driven out for speaking harshly to the Duke on her behalf, she stopped showing affection to the servants.

‘Let’s focus on today.’

Aristie steeled herself while looking in the mirror. Not to tremble before the Emperor’s woman. Not to be intimidated.

…Not to make herself miserable with feelings she shouldn’t harbor.

As she was making these resolutions, she heard movement outside the door.

“Aristie. Can I, can I come… in?”

“Brother?”

Aristie opened the door happily. Her brother Aiden was standing outside, neatly dressed.

The siblings exchanged a light embrace and greeted each other with bright smiles.

“Did you just return?”

“Yes. It’s been a, a week. I came to see… you as soon as I got… home because I missed you.”

Aristie listened without minding Aiden’s intermittent stuttering. It was her beloved brother speaking. How could she dislike it?

No matter how much people might mock him.

Their father would get angry just hearing his son’s voice and the nobles who ridiculed him behind his back. Naturally, Aiden’s words decreased, and now he hardly opened his mouth in front of others. Even when conversation was necessary for work, he would put his secretary forward instead.

Even with that secretary, he communicated mostly in writing unless it was urgent.

Given this situation, Aristie was grateful just for her brother speaking to her.

“I missed you too. Come in.”

Aristie gladly pulled Aiden’s arm inside.

“This job seems to have been tough. It took longer than expected.”

“Had to vi, visit some sites… for ad, additional nego, negotiation…”

Aiden, seemingly frustrated with himself, took a deep breath before speaking again.

“But were, were you about to go out?”

“Yes. It’s a day I have to see His Majesty.”

“No wonder. You look re, really beau… beautiful today.”

Aiden admiringly gazed at his sister, whom the maids had found too plain. The light purple dress matching her subtle makeup created a neat impression.

Aiden’s eyes were like those appreciating a precious treasure. Then, belatedly, he noticed that Aristie’s neck was bare.

“You’re not wearing a, a necklace. Shall I cho, choose one for you?”

“A necklace? …No, it’s alright. I deliberately chose not to wear one.”

Aristie gently declined her brother’s offer. She had intentionally omitted the necklace.

She didn’t want to assert her pride with accessories in front of a woman who wasn’t even a noble. Even if the other party wore a flashy necklace, it would be the same.

Why compete with His Majesty’s woman over such things? It seemed Khalid had already made up his mind to keep her by his side anyway.

That’s why she chose a deliberately simple dress today. It was a way to avoid any unspoken competition.

“I see. You’re al… always pretty even with… without anything.”

Fortunately, Aiden understood. He didn’t know who his sister was meeting today.

Aristie hadn’t told anyone. Not her brother, and certainly not her father.

Soon, rumors about the Emperor’s woman would spread, but she didn’t want to announce it with her own mouth. Intending to hide it completely, Aristie smiled brightly, as if putting on a mask.

“Thank you, brother. Just hearing that gives me strength.”

At that moment, a maid came in to announce that the carriage was ready. It was time to leave.

“I’ll be late. I should go now.”

“Let’s go out to… together. I’ll see you off.”

The siblings left the room together and parted at the entrance. As Aristie boarded the carriage, she gently rested her head against the window frame.

Her dear, reliable brother. But while he could provide emotional comfort, he couldn’t be of any real help.

She had to realize, whether she liked it or not.

In the end, she had to pave her own way forward.

***

“I apologize. His Majesty the Emperor says you should enjoy some refreshments first as he is in a meeting.”

“In a meeting…?”

Truly, why do things never go as planned in this world?

Aristie looked up at the servant with a surprised face, then lowered her gaze. In front of her, the woman who had just greeted her was smiling brightly.

Estelle. The very woman the Emperor had confessed to keeping as his companion.

She had only thought about facing Khalid together with her, not being alone with his woman like this.

What should she do? Is this perhaps for the best?

“Did he say when he might come?”

Aristie raised her head again to ask the servant.

“Well, it’s a budget meeting with the Ministry of Finance, so…”

“I see, it will take some time then.”

Aristie nodded resignedly. As the future Empress, she was familiar with the internal affairs of the imperial court.

Khalid wouldn’t have scheduled a meeting knowing he had an appointment, so she guessed the Minister of Finance had barged in with his staff. Insisting that this must be dealt with before proceeding with today’s work.

The content… probably discussing additional budget for the imperial wedding preparations and upcoming diplomatic events.

‘I really can’t help it. Even in this situation, my mind turns to work.’

A troubled look crossed Aristie’s face. Noticing this, the servant spoke as if to comfort her.