The moment she finished speaking, the banquet hall was filled with grandeur and blessings.

Leopold and Ariel stood up and approached Liese. Leopold shouted loudly,

“Liese Willington is appointed as the saint of the Atlan Empire, bestowed with the title of count, and granted the territory of Vienne in the southern part of Atlan.”

There was no one who did not know that the Vienne territory was a fertile land owned by the imperial family.

Even bestowing the title of count was surprising enough, but with Leopold’s declaration of granting Vienne, the eyes of the participants widened.

But that was only for a moment.

Applause and cheers erupted in various places. The cheers of those praising her actions could be heard.

Today, Liese Willington had become the saint of Atlan.

After the investiture ceremony, Liese bid farewell to the people in front of the palace entrance. Evan passed by Liese, who was receiving congratulations. Soon, his affectionate voice caught her ear.

“Just give me a moment.”

Liese, who was not used to such attention, felt awkward. She smiled at those standing beside her and said,

“Just a moment.”

Liese turned around and followed Evan. He circled around the building.

Although it was natural to look back at least once, Evan did not. Liese hurriedly followed him as he walked ahead.

‘Where is he going?’

He was heading towards the garden behind the palace.

Today was a day that falls between late spring and early summer. The garden was full of hydrangea flowers blooming beautifully.

Liese passed through the hydrangeas while keeping her gaze fixed on Evan. As she passed by, the soft flower petals tinged with a brilliant purple swayed.

“Why did you come here exactly?”

She turned back and asked him.

But she didn’t receive an immediate answer.

Only then did Liese turn her head and looked around. Rich flower petals caught her eye. She reached out her hand.

She felt the soft texture of the moistened petals on her white fingers.

“Evan.”

Anxiety crept into her voice as she called him. Evan finally turned around. His eyes were filled with brilliance, and his cheeks were dimly lit.

Liese opened her eyes wide and looked at him with curious eyes.

***

Evan focused his senses on Liese who was following behind him.

He was worried that if he was going too fast, Liese might lose sight of him. He adjusted his walking speed.

‘I’m nervous.’

He fumbled with his jacket pocket absentmindedly.

They entered the garden full of blooming hydrangeas. His heart pounded like crazy. His lips dried up from tension.

Evan exhaled roughly and began to take deep breaths.

He didn’t want to show a foolish appearance. He wanted to be someone Liese could always rely on amid the expectations of others.

The light footsteps he heard behind him stopped abruptly.

“Why did you come here exactly?”

She asked as he turned back towards her face.

But his trembling heart made it impossible for his steps to move forward.

“Evan.”

Liese’s voice trembled with uncertainty. Thinking he couldn’t delay any longer, Evan took out a box from his pocket.

Then he turned to face her.

“Um. You look so beautiful today.”

“Ah… It’s all thanks to your care…”

Liese blushed.

From her dress to her hair and makeup, Evan’s touch had been everywhere. Instead of Liese, he was the one who arranged for experts in advance to prepare for her investiture ceremony.

This is perhaps one of the most important days in her life. On this day, he wanted Liese to be the most beautiful woman in the world, Evan hoped for that.

“I’m curious why you called me here.”

“No, nothing’s wrong?”

Evan chuckled at Liese’s question and knelt in front of her.

“E-Evan! Why are you kneeling in front of me.”

Liese tried to bend down to lift him up.

But Evan didn’t move an inch. Instead, he grabbed her hand that was trying to lift him and brought it to his lips.

His thick lips touched Liese’s hand. Her large pupils shook violently.

“I love you. From the moment I first saw you until now, I’ve always felt that way.”

Evan looked straight into her eyes. A sincere gaze without a hint of wavering. His eyes overflowing with love and affection.

To stifle the screams welling up in response to Evan’s confession, Liese covered her mouth with her hand.

“I wanted to protect you. I wanted to offer you my shoulder, to have you rest in my arms. I wanted us to enjoy the best things together and dream of a future together without even asking for your permission.”

Listening to his earnest confession, Liese’s heart pounded. Moisture filled her blue eyes. The happiness weighing heavily on her heart felt burdensome.

‘What am I…’

Overwhelmed by emotions welling up from deep within her, Liese pressed her lips together.

“So now I want to ask for your permission and love you wholeheartedly. Will you marry me?”

Evan let go of Liese’s hand and opened the box he held in his other hand.

Inside was a beautiful diamond ring placed on a small transparent glass pedestal.

On the band made of white gold, the diamond shimmered beautifully under the sunlight. There were no intricate decorations on the band, which made the diamond’s brilliance stand out even more.

“Why… Why do you love me?”

Until just recently, when the Empress talked about marriage, it was just a futile hope that swelled up in her heart.

With Evan’s proposal, that hope turned into reality instead of just an expectation.

“How could I not love you…”

At first, he had her in his heart, captivated by her beautiful face, but as he got to know her more, he realized she was a woman he couldn’t help but love. Liese Willington.

She took on tasks that others avoided and quietly did her duties even without recognition from others…

He vowed to make her his woman.

“How could… you say such things…”

Before meeting Ariel and Evan, Liese thought she was not worthy of being loved.

But Evan always whispered love to her. Saying he loved her, that he loves her now, and will continue to love her like this in the future.

He took out the ring from the box and held Liese’s extended hand. With trembling emotions, he placed the ring on her fourth finger.

Liese looked down at the ring for a moment,

“I love you too.”

Tears gathered in her beautifully swirling eyes.

Seeing her moistened eyelashes, Evan stood up from his seat and kissed her eyelids.

“That’s enough.”

At Evan’s response, Liese’s cheeks turned red. Her blue pupils trembled as they met his.

His gaze filled with affection, the breath touching her face, the scent reaching her nostrils.

‘I truly belong to him now.’

Liese smiled brightly and pulled his head towards her.

Their lips lightly touched. Evan gently kissed her lips, then pulled back slightly to brush the tip of her nose.

Liese wrinkled her nose at the sensation stimulating her nerves.

***

After the investiture ceremony, Ariel and Leopold walked hand in hand for a stroll.

“Oh, look over there!”

As they were walking through the garden, Ariel pointed with her finger. Leopold quickly turned his head and saw Evan and Liese.

The two witnessed Evan kneeling before Liese.

“He seems to be proposing.”

“A proposal… how nice.”

Ariel nonchalantly tossed out words with an expressionless face. But Leopold’s expression subtly changed upon hearing those words.

‘Is he feeling hurt?’

He pouted.

Since their marriage began as a contract, it might be somewhat disappointing for a woman not to receive a proposal.

Should he do it now? With all the important matters mostly settled, would it be better to go on a trip and propose?

Leopold pondered various thoughts.

“Are you envious?”

“Oh, it’s not because I’m envious… It’s just nice to see the fresh start of love.”

“You seem envious though.”

Walking side by side, Leopold turned around to check Ariel’s expression.

“No, it’s not like that.”

Ariel pushed Leopold away, who was leaning in too close.

She felt no envy at all. Leopold was much more magnificent than her eldest brother. He was skilled in swordsmanship, and most importantly, he loved her more as time passed.

‘But I’m curious.’

What would it feel like to receive a proposal from the man she loves?

Ariel rolled her eyes away from his gaze.

“If that’s the case, I’m glad.”

Leopold noticed the curiosity in her eyes.

He needed to make a plan. A grand and significant plan.

He moved back to walk beside Ariel again, matching her pace, slowly.