It’s just that now—

‘I need time to accept it.’

I’m tired.

Although she had been working silently, pretending nothing was wrong, it didn’t mean she truly felt nothing.

It had been an engagement of over ten years, for better or worse.

Even though it had been a time of covering up, covering up, and covering up for the inadequate Crown Prince……

‘It seems all useless in the face of Melli Moisa’s beauty.’

They say even a thousand years of love can change before beauty, so perhaps those mere ten years were inevitable.

‘Actually, when Cedric got angry earlier, I wanted to say, “Haven’t you also been enchanted by Princess Moisa?”‘

That harmless smile.

The pure feeling when her round eyes crinkled as she smiled.

Her face turning red, then giving side-eyes. Her expressions changed so busily that it was entertaining just to watch. People loved that vitality of Melli Moisa.

Recalling Melli Moisa’s beaming smile, I tried to pull up the corners of my mouth.

‘……With an expression like this, she would probably run away.’

Cold.

Not a trace of the warmth that Melli Moisa possessed.

From childhood, I was taught never to laugh freely or show emotions.

No matter how much I might be boiling inside, no one should notice those feelings.

Similarly, I shouldn’t laugh too much either. It would be frivolous.

“If you really want to smile, express your emotions with just a slight smile, without showing your teeth.”

“Look at His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress. Do they ever laugh loudly or run around?”

After k*lling her emotions so that no one could detect them, Lloyd dismissed her as a rigid, unexciting woman.

Was it earlier this year? When Lloyd exploded at me.

“You never show joy no matter what gift I give you! I feel like an idiot spending days preparing presents for you! If I had given this to the Princess of Moisa, she would have shown gratitude!”

When asked what gift would make me happy.

That’s obvious, isn’t it?

“If I had to wish for something, it would be for the Crown Prince to do your share of work. That’s more urgent than anything else.”

At that time, Agatha was handling not only her own Crown Princess duties, but also additional work for the New Year, plus the Crown Prince’s duties that Lloyd had postponed and passed on to her.

Gifts? I never wanted them.

A surprise event prepared in secret? Not welcome when I barely had time to breathe.

My true feelings were simply wishing he would just sit still and do his work.

Exhausted, the words came out without my realizing it.

Behind the wall, I heard someone gasp.

Who would dare eavesdrop on a conversation between the Crown Prince and a noble lady?

When I turned around, Melli Moisa was there.

“Why on earth is Melli Moisa eavesdropping on our conversation here?”

“A woman’s heart is best understood by another woman.”

When I asked the Crown Prince, he spouted nonsense and even added that the gift was recommended by Melli.

‘……Even if I had been in perfect health, wouldn’t I have had plenty of reason to hate that gift?’

As Agatha wondered if she had really been wrong then, her eyes suddenly caught sight of a stack of documents on the desk.

Agatha got up from the bed, approached the desk, and picked up the papers.

These documents……

‘This is important.’

She must have unconsciously brought them when she stormed out.

“The Grand Duke’s palace stay preparations…… This is quite a complex matter.”

Kueron Paloalto, Grand Duke.

Agatha’s eyes narrowed as she recalled that beast-like man who wore thick fur with a mane.

‘All dark, large, and somehow frightening.’

Though he held the most noble rank after the imperial family, he had no direct blood relation to them.

The title had been bestowed by distant ancestors who wanted to honor the Paloalto family for always prioritizing the Empire’s safety while guarding the north.

Since he commanded the largest military force in the Empire, the imperial family remained wary of him while treating him with extreme courtesy.

His last visit was three years ago, and even then, Agatha, as the future Crown Princess, had been in charge of his reception.

High-ranking family meetings involved many implicit meanings and considerations, requiring careful deliberation down to the decorations placed in rooms.

A small mistake that might otherwise be overlooked could return the next day at a meeting as an unexpected major grievance.

‘Since their culture differs from ordinary nobles, special attention must be paid to room assignments, and the chef should be warned about the salad served as an appetizer……’

Wait, why am I thinking about this work again?

It’s not even my job anymore.

With a thud, Agatha put down the documents she had been examining so intently back on the desk.

‘I don’t care, the remaining people will figure it out.’

If they need these documents, they’ll surely ask for them back.

At this moment, Agatha had no idea how this work, which she had set aside with such a refreshed mind, would return to her like a boomerang.

※※※

The former Grand Duchess, Janet Paloalto, looked at the beautiful man before her.

Tall stature, a tantalizing yet dangerous aura surrounding his solid body. Even his languidly relaxed gaze seemed like a deliberately revealed trap.

His face somewhat resembled her dead husband, but compared to her husband then, he seemed to possess even more intimidating presence as a Grand Duke. At that moment, her stepson, Kueron, spoke.

“The tea tastes good.”

His well-shaped lips curved smoothly upward.

“I thought you might have poisoned the cup.”

“Oh my, but I’m drinking it too. Surely I wouldn’t put poison in the tea I’m drinking myself? You’re so suspicious.”

Janet took a sip of the tea placed before her, smiling with her eyes as if to prove her point.

The reddish brewed tea captured one’s gaze as it passed between her lips. After savoring the tea’s aroma, she slowly opened her mouth.

“I hear you’re going to the capital.”

“Yes.”

“When will you return?”

“I don’t know. It depends on His Majesty the Emperor’s whims.”

The northern territory was not close to the imperial palace.

To encourage the Grand Duke’s household for their efforts in commanding the army and repelling foreign enemies, and partly to monitor them for any signs of rebellion, the Emperor summoned the Grand Duke and his entourage to the imperial palace every few years.

The visit of the great lord to the capital was a tradition that had continued since the founding of the country.

So Janet’s question was meaningless. As the former Grand Duchess, she would certainly know.

Nevertheless, the reason she brought it up was probably……

‘Marriage.’

Just as Kueron finished his thought, Janet sighed as if reading his mind.

“When you return, let’s talk about marriage once and for all. It’s been quite a while since you inherited the position of grand duke, yet still……”

Kueron cut her off with a bored expression.

“I’ll handle that matter myself. I believe I’ve told you before.”

“Really. Don’t you think I’ll be criticized for having such a grown son who remains unmarried for so long?”

“That’s not my concern.”

“It’s not like there aren’t suitable young ladies, so why have you been so indifferent all this time? With your position and wealth.”

Janet, who had been looking at Kueron with concern, changed her expression and said:

“As it happens, my niece just came from my family home, and she’s already all grown up. She was a pretty child.”

“So you called me because you missed me, but this was your real agenda?”

Kueron smiled thinly. It was an irritated smile.

The next moment, Kueron splashed the tea he was holding onto the floor.

“What……!”

With the teacup handle dangling from his finger, he threatened:

“Come to think of it, I think there might have been poison in this tea after all. What do you say, shall we call an inspector to investigate?”

“Kueron Paloalto!”

Janet raised her voice, seemingly shocked by the rough behavior.

With the pretense of peace gone, Kueron no longer needed to maintain his picture-perfect smile.

His face, devoid of even the faint trace of a smile, was sculptural yet chilling.

“Let’s stop this ill-fitting act of being a caring mother. Since your business seems finished, I’ll take my leave now. Like you, I find acting unsuited to my temperament.”

With a scraping sound as the chair dragged across the floor, Kueron rose from his seat.

“……Charlotte Moro.”

Kueron, who had turned around to leave with purposeful strides, stopped in his tracks.

His ‘mother,’ who had been waiting for precisely this moment, smiled broadly.

For all your pretense, your thoughts are transparent. You want to bring in a woman beyond my reach as your wife.

“As befits someone you’ve chosen, she seems like a good person indeed, the lady from the Moro comital family. I was worried the residence might be lonely while you’re away, but with Charlotte, I’ll have an enjoyable time.”

But Kueron, unfortunately, I’m one step ahead of you.

Janet took another sip of her remaining tea and smiled brightly.

“Have a good trip, Kueron. I hope your long-awaited visit to the capital is pleasant.”

That face, disguising malice with goodwill, was indescribably irritating. Kueron turned his back without replying.

It was time to depart for the imperial palace.

※※※