When he first met her, he didn’t know she was an imperial princess. The top and second-ranked students had many opportunities to spend time together, so as they stayed together, he fell in love and even thought about marriage—but it turned out she was an imperial princess.

Esran thought marriage would be difficult because she was an imperial princess. He was willing to just be her lover. He loved her so much that he couldn’t see any other woman.

But she, on the contrary, abandoned her succession rights without any regrets and came to him.

“The madam also went through a lot.”

“Right.”

Esran said that and recalled his wife.

She looked healthy, but in truth, she was a wife who didn’t have much time left to live.

Thinking of Roselia brought a bitter smile.

Because she abandoned her succession rights, Louelle also had no succession rights. Since Roselia gave up her position as imperial princess and married him, Louelle was thoroughly a person of the Asnel family.

The unexpected incident that struck Louelle, who had grown up as an ordinary noble lady, happened about a year ago.

The newly enthroned emperor restored his dead wife’s succession rights. On the grounds that it was fine since she was already dead. At the same time, he recognized Louelle as royalty and gave her succession rights.

Since the empress had only just become pregnant, Louelle had the highest succession ranking after that child.

The emperor’s niece and a lady with a wealthy territory.

The Zieten ducal house coveted these conditions.

He looked at the invitation and laughed.

“It might be better to just live quietly.”

Esran muttered this and shook his head.

It seemed many things would happen at Louelle’s birthday this time.

* * *

I handed Fazel an outfit. It was an incredibly fancy outfit with cubic stones embedded in the upper part. However, Fazel’s gaze upon seeing this outfit was unusual.

“Fazel, I think this suits you.”

“You said that just a moment ago too.”

he spoke in disbelief.

“I’ve really tried on more than enough.”

“Really?”

“If I wear this outfit, it’ll be the fifteenth one.”

Ah, I did make him try on quite a lot. And it took a long time too.

Though I felt guilty, I forcefully pushed down the apologetic feelings rising up.

“No. It’s still not enough.”

This was all because Fazel matched the clothes so well. Every single thing he wore suited him so well that my eyes were feasting. And this was my first party going out with Fazel, so naturally I had to pick good clothes!

“It’s sufficient.”

Even at Fazel’s firm words, I shook my head.

“It’s not enough.”

While saying that, I looked at the clothes I was holding with pitiful eyes. Then Fazel let out a long sigh.

“Haa, understood.”

He reluctantly put on the next outfit. Because Fazel was handsome, all the clothes suited him well, but since I had to pick just one, I pushed aside my regrets and chose the outfit I saw first.

It was formal wear embroidered with gold thread. It matched Fazel’s eye color well.

When I chose this outfit, Fazel’s gaze was a bit sharp.

I might have done the same.

“I’m sorry. The first outfit you wore was so wonderful, but I thought there might be something that suited you even better.”

At my apology, Fazel’s expression softened a bit.

It seemed he’d become a bit more honest with me. As we studied together and practiced swordsmanship, perhaps he’d grown attached—he showed his emotions more easily than before.

“What outfit should I choose?”

I forgot to pick my own outfit while choosing Fazel’s. Since I’m the birthday party’s main character, I need something that stands out.

“Miss, you absolutely must stand out!”

“I know.”

Marlene was thinking the exact same thing as me.

“I think this would be better, miss.”

The outfit Marlene chose was a silver dress. It was a dress with ribbons and jewels embedded near the chest. Because it was a cute dress, it immediately caught my eye.

It seemed like it would match Fazel’s formal wear well.

I became curious about his thoughts.

“Fazel. How about this?”

Fazel, who had been carefully examining the outfit, looked at me.

“It suits you very well.”

He alternated looking at my outfit and his own, then ultimately nodded.

Since Fazel said it was good, I should buy it quickly.

“But Fazel, you’re really handsome.”

I spoke honestly to Fazel. Dressed up in the outfit, he looked more handsome than any noble man.

“I know I’m handsome.”

Well, I knew from reading the novel, but he had a confident personality. He knew very well that he was handsome.

“If others hear you say that, they’ll glare at you.”

“Isn’t it the truth?”

Saying that, he swept back his hair. Then a halo shone behind him.

Ah, my eyes are truly feasting.

As expected of the man who’ll be mine.

“Should we get a portrait painted later? This is also a commemoration.”

Marlene spoke like she’d had a good idea. Then I was pleased, but Fazel frowned.

“Good.”

“I refuse.”

When he rejected it flatly, my shoulders drooped.

“Why not?”

Fazel spoke matter-of-factly.

“Portraits should only be painted among family. You’re not family, are you, my lady?”

Portraits were quite expensive to paint. Because of that, people painted them with family, but rarely with outsiders. I knew all this, but his rejection was sad.

“Will you only paint portraits with family, Fazel?”

At my question, Fazel spoke matter-of-factly.

“I’ll only paint them with my wife and children. Ah, of course with my mother too.”

“What about with friends?”

“I won’t paint them.”

This time too, he was firm, seemingly determined not to fall for my words. Because of that, I couldn’t push him any harder either.

It can’t be helped—I’ll back down here and suggest painting one later when we become family.

Because I’ll be the one who claims him in the future.

“Miss, let’s pay first and return to the mansion.”

Marlene looked at the clock. Two hours had already passed.

After this time, I had a schedule. Fazel also said he couldn’t spare much time because he had to practice swordsmanship training.

I took Fazel home by carriage and returned to the castle.

* * *

Once we were alone, Marlene looked at me and smiled brightly.

“Sir Fazel seems very guarded, miss. But don’t worry! Sir Fazel will soon fall for your charms too.”

I was feeling down from having the portrait rejected, but Marlene’s words made me laugh.

“We’ll have to see about that.”

I said that, but in my heart I was dreaming of an engagement with him.

In the original work, he accepted the engagement with Louelle to receive support for entering the academy.

But I don’t want to do that.

I should become close like friends first, then get engaged.

“I can prophesy.”

Marlene smiled kindly.

With everyone around me praising me like this, my shoulders straightened too.

But I shouldn’t become arrogant.

“Thank you, Marlene.”

Marlene smiled brightly. Was this what the warm gaze of an older sister looking at a younger sibling looked like?

My heart melted at Marlene’s warmth.

Though it’s disappointing not to paint a portrait, I just need to capture Fazel’s appearance that day in my eyes.

“But Sir Fazel really suits it well.”

“Right!”

“If he were really my man, I would have bought everything even if I had to empty all my money.”

Actually, I wanted to do that too, but I held back thinking of the budget. I couldn’t spend money on personal matters.

“Ah, you did that, right?”

“Of course!”

Among the clothes I had Fazel try on, I grabbed one more that suited summer. I paid for this with the allowance I’d saved.

It was a reward for being my partner at my birthday party. Of course, I’d also give him the outfit to wear to the party, but thinking of Fazel always wearing the same everyday clothes, I bought one outfit.

I giggled and looked out the window.

How can I make Fazel unable to refuse the clothes?

It was a rather enjoyable worry.

* * *

The carriage arrived at the castle. Marlene and I got off in good spirits. After telling the servants to carry the clothes carefully so they wouldn’t wrinkle, I let Marlene rest and walked to Father’s office.

Sunlight shone through the corridor.

‘It was truly enchanting.’

Fazel’s silver hair moved gently in the breeze. On top of that, his golden eyes shone and the outfit gave an elegant and refined feeling.

Perfect for my taste!

I thought to myself as I walked down the corridor.

The whole world seemed beautiful.

I arrived at Father’s office, and Melka came out opening the door. He was Father’s closest aide who served him by his side.

Originally, he served Mother at the imperial palace, but when Mother followed Father down to the territory, he also came here together. Even at the Count’s house, he served Mother wholeheartedly, and after Mother passed away, he assisted Father.

I looked at him and smiled brightly.

“Melka, is Father inside?”

“He is. But your face is completely bright.”

“Is it?”

“Was shopping enjoyable?”

At his question, I answered by smiling slightly. Seeing my expression, Melka chuckled and patted my head.

“I can tell the answer just by looking at your face. Seeing you these days reminds me of when I was dating my wife.”

Everyone says that.

As I treated Fazel with a fluttering heart, the world changed a lot.

My gloomy heart changed to a bright one. Today, meeting Fazel made a gentle spring breeze blow through my heart.

“But, um, never mind. Go in and talk with the Count.”

“Is something wrong?”

“There is.”

I expected an answer saying there wasn’t, but as expected. It seemed something related to me had erupted while I was away.

“The Count is waiting.”

Hearing Melka’s answer, I tensely opened the door and entered.

Inside the room was incredibly quiet. Father, sitting at his desk, was quietly drinking coffee. When I entered, Father shifted his gaze to me and smiled with a slightly sharp edge.

What was he thinking to make such an expression?

“Is it something serious?”

Father shook his head.

“It’s not serious, just a bit irritating.”

Then it is serious.

“Did you choose the outfit well?”

“I chose well. There were so many outfits that suited Fazel, it was hard to choose.”

Of course, I chose the very first outfit he tried on.

Father nodded and held out a letter to me.

“You can read this.”

I looked at the crest stamped with a sealing wax on the letter and frowned. Absurdly, the sharp sneer Father had made earlier also spread to my lips.

“They sent another one?”

“That’s right.”

“Really.”

Since I couldn’t not read the letter sent from the Zieten ducal house, I took out the letter and read it.

The content was simple.

Along with congratulations that my birthday was coming soon, they would send their son to the party.

“Nertian Zieten is finally coming.”

“Right. The son of Duke Zieten, Fazel’s biological father, is coming. He and Fazel don’t get along well.”

“I know.”

“They might clash with each other.”

Irritation surged up.

I disliked Nertian Zieten. The way he disregarded me and acted as he pleased was truly irritating. Even knowing I disliked it, Duke Zieten always pushed things according to his own will.

If only the imperial family hadn’t acknowledged me as their bloodline, this wouldn’t have happened. I suddenly wanted to get angry at the emperor, the source of all this trouble.

‘Whew.’

Of course, I only thought that.

If I did it directly, my head would fly.

It was certain that fate was changing as I interfered with the original work. Because Louelle becoming royalty wasn’t in the original content.

“But will it really be okay?”

At Father’s words, I tilted my head.

“If you get engaged to the young duke, you’ll become a duchess.”

The honor of a duchess and a count were incomparably different. What you’d have would be different too.

But I was sufficiently satisfied with now.

“I like being a Count.”

I mean, my goal was to become a Count and live lovingly with Fazel. I had no interest in anything else.

When I already had a man I liked, I’d only get angry if another man came. No matter how good his conditions were.

“Your mother said the same thing. That she’d put down things like the throne long ago. So she’d live as an ordinary Count’s wife.”

“Mother is amazing.”

She endured in that brutal imperial palace.

When I thought of Mother, my heart ached. Though she wasn’t my real mother, because I had Louelle’s memories, she didn’t feel like a stranger. And somehow, knowing her life made me feel tender toward her.

“The current Majesty also misses Roselia greatly. He said you should come up to see him once.”

Because Mother cut ties with the imperial family, I’d never met His Majesty the Emperor. I deliberately avoided it.

If I made a mistake, I could become the subject of gossip.

Excluding the emperor’s child to be born, my succession ranking was the highest. Because of that, my position and standing were more tremendous than I thought.

The ducal house knew this and persistently coveted me after I became royalty, ultimately making this notification.

I said I didn’t want to, but he didn’t listen. Meaning I wasn’t even worth that consideration. And he’s telling me to get engaged? For what! Above all, I like Fazel.

“My wife is cool, but my daughter is cool too.”

I glanced at Father. I was fuming with anger, but why did Father bring this up?

“Fazel seems not to know this cool side of yours. That’s unfortunate.”

Father made a regretful expression.

“What aspect of me?”

“Your attitude of charging forward after seeing one thing.”

Ah, well, that’s because I like the mastermind that much.

I gave Father a light smile.

“First, I’ll talk with Fazel a bit. He should also know that Young Duke Nertian Zieten is coming.”