“Don’t feel sorry. Everyone envies me for marrying the Count. Maybe it’s all thanks to Your Highness.”

It meant that since the marriage with Hinael fell through, the opportunity passed to Mie.

“Who would have thought I’d marry the best man in the Kingdom of Sarr? Seeing the envious faces of the other princesses strangely made me feel delighted. So, don’t worry about it.”

For some reason, Mie’s words, filled with determination to push away misfortune, were comforting.

Hinael smiled brightly and made a promise. She would do her best to be her ally.

The two continued their conversation without formality, like sisters.

During their chat, Hinael’s smile disappeared. Her face turned pale with tension in an instant.

Chetter was striding towards them with an angry face from a short distance away.

‘Why, why is he coming this way?’

He looked like someone coming to question her why she was marrying Lutz instead of him.

She couldn’t afford to let this affect her budding relationship with Mie.

“Mie, let’s continue our conversation later. I need to go.”

Hinael left Mie alone and hurriedly roamed the banquet hall. She searched frantically for Lutz but couldn’t see him as he was still meeting with high-ranking nobles.

With a nervous heart, Hinael looked back.

‘He’s gone now. Did I see wrong…?’

She might have misunderstood Chetter’s actions due to her nervousness.

Still, just in case, she mingled with the crowd and headed straight for her mother as soon as she spotted her.

“Hinael, you’re here? Where is His Highness the Prince?”

“He’s speaking with the distinguished guests.”

“Right, right. He must be very busy.”

Her mother was in high spirits, uplifted by the prospect of Hinael becoming the Prince’s consort. Unlike her usual self, she was actively engaging with the noble ladies who were showing interest in Hinael.

It was the first time Hinael had seen her mother so confident. Regardless of the process, her status of being the Prince’s consort seemed to have bolstered her mother’s pride.

While trying to avoid Chetter, Hinael ended up being dragged around by her mother for quite a while. She finally confirmed that Chetter had disappeared and sighed in relief.

“Mother, I’ll go see His Highness now.”

“Of course, you should. Go on.”

Leaving her mother behind, she moved to the balcony. Her head was pounding, and all she wanted was to escape the crowded banquet hall.

But Hinael hesitated as she was about to step onto the balcony.

Looking out, she saw that no one was there. If Chetter were to come, they would be alone.

It was better to stay among the people.

Just as she was about to retract her foot and turn around.

“Is it finally my turn?”

Chetter leaned against a white pillar, shrugging his shoulders, seemingly disappointed.

Faced with the situation she had been avoiding, her breathing became erratic. Hinael swallowed hard, tense with anxiety.

“I thought I would never see you again.”

“What… brings you here?”

She was so flustered that she hiccuped but swallowed hard again to suppress it.

Outwardly, he might seem like a gentleman, but he was the most vicious person inside. She felt that something terrible would happen if they were alone.

Hinael intended to end the conversation here somehow.

“Shall we go somewhere quiet?”

Chetter pointed to the balcony.

Of course. He was up to something.

If he forced any contact, there would be no avoiding misunderstandings from others. She didn’t want to become the protagonist of a scandal.

Hinael called a servant with an unwavering expression. Then she picked up a glass of wine and stopped a few steps away from Chetter.

“I suppose we should exchange greetings. Please take care of my sister Mie. Congratulations on your engagement.”

“Congratulations… It doesn’t sound very sincere.”

Chetter chuckled, rolling his tongue inside his mouth.

“Isn’t it inappropriate for someone who was stolen from me to say?”

“Stolen?”

“The princess was originally mine.”

He whispered in her ear, having closed the distance in an instant.

Hinael barely refrained from pouring the wine on him and turned her face away in disgust.

“I belong to no one. Oh, or should I say I now belong to His Highness Prince Viant?”

“It’s not too late. Ask His Majesty to reconsider.”

“Why should I do that?”

“Because you are meant to marry me. We are meant to be husband and wife.”

As if he could no longer hold back, he ground out each word through clenched teeth.

His eyes were no longer clear but filled with venom. His lips, stained with wine, were so red they seemed almost poisonous.

Despite the King’s approval of the two princesses’ marriages, he spouted such nonsense without a care, as if he were out of his mind.

Hinael downed her wine in one gulp and sighed.

“Nothing was ever decided. You never even confessed to me, did you? So please restrain yourself.”

“I never confessed, but everyone knew. Shall I grab anyone and ask if they know about our marriage?”

“Are you defying His Majesty?”

“I’m appealing. Appealing!”

“Let me make this clear: I have no intention of marrying you. I will follow His Majesty’s command.”

Hinael did not back down.

As tensions rose, people’s attention quickly focused on them.

Her heart pounded as if it would burst, but she felt relieved to be surrounded by people.

The more Chetter insisted, the more foolish he would appear, indirectly revealing Hinael’s predicament.

Only Mie weighed on her mind.

How unfortunate for her to witness her fiancé showing affection to another woman even before their marriage…

Thinking of Mie, who might be watching from somewhere, Hinael quickly bowed.

“Then, I will take my leave.”

But she heard hurried footsteps following her.

As she quickened her pace, almost running, she saw Lutz entering the banquet hall.

Her urgency propelled her forward.

Lutz’s expression changed as he noticed her.

Seeing her almost running through the crowd, Lutz instinctively scanned the surroundings.

With sharp eyes, he soon spotted Chetter glaring at her from behind.

Glancing once at Hinael and then at Chetter, Lutz muttered disapprovingly.

“Of all the people, why did it have to be that vile man?”

If she had married him, her life would have been a constant torment.

“Your Highness, I’ve been looking for you.”

Hinael’s face lit up as she saw him, seemingly relieved from Chetter’s harassment.

Lutz asked bluntly, seeing her panting from her hurried steps.

“Did the Count bother you?”

“He seems upset about the broken engagement.”

“Even so, he shouldn’t be so blatant about it. He’s clearly not in his right mind.”

Lutz could see Chetter’s excessive obsession and need for victory.

Since it was a problem that would be resolved once they left Sarr, Lutz wasn’t too concerned.

“But I need to make things clear. Otherwise, I won’t be able to sleep peacefully.”

“You feel wronged?”

“As a man, it’s disgraceful to let someone covet my future wife without doing anything. It’s deeply humiliating.”

Lutz’s eyes seemed to spark as he watched Chetter.

Hinael worried that he might challenge Chetter to a duel. It was better to ignore him than to create unnecessary trouble, so she planned to persuade Lutz.

But he surprised her with a completely different approach.

Lutz took her hand, linked arms with her, and confidently walked towards the throne.

As they drew closer to Varsel and Marsily, who watched with curious expressions, Hinael’s throat dried up with tension. Marsily, in particular, seemed displeased with Hinael’s growing presence beside Lutz.

‘What is he planning to do?’

With a nervous heart, she wiggled her toes as Lutz began to speak.

“Your Majesty.”

“Are you enjoying the banquet?”

“Yes, thanks to you, I’m having a wonderful time. Since you’ve given me such a precious daughter, may I repay you with a dance for Your Majesties and the distinguished guests?”

“A dance with the Princess?”

“Yes.”

“Haha! This is a banquet to promote friendship, so of course, you may dance. Yes, it’s a splendid idea!”

There was no reason to refuse Lutz’s attempt to create a harmonious atmosphere.

Marsily, too, looked at her jade necklace and supported Lutz.

She must have been very fond of the necklace.

Why wouldn’t she be? That small jewel was worth several mansions.

“Your Majesty, I too would like to see another couple dance. It’s a symbol of the harmony between our two nations.”

Varsel was about to gesture for the central stage to be cleared when Lutz made another polite request.

“Please invite Count Phil as well. Today, Your Majesty has approved the pairing of two couples. It would be more meaningful if we shared the stage as members of the royal family.”

“Indeed! The Prince has a generous heart. I respect your thoughtful suggestion.”

With a delighted face, Varsel stood up and called for Chetter and Mie.

Thus, the two couples moved to the center of the banquet hall.

Soon, the court musicians began to play.

As the melodious tunes flowed, Lutz and Hinael, along with Chetter and Mie, started to sway to the rhythm.

Despite the music being different from those in the North, Lutz skillfully led Hinael. Entrusting herself to his strong arms, she felt a comforting sense of security.

All she could see was his broad chest and occasionally his chin, but strangely, she felt her soul being soothed.

It must be, as Varsel said, because of Lutz’s considerate nature.

Though it was to uphold his pride as a man, his intention to protect Hinael was clear.

‘He’s making it clear to everyone who belongs to whom.’

In this moment, she forgot all the harsh words and arrogance Lutz had shown.