As the door opened by the royal guard, a leg clad in an immaculate white uniform stepped out of the carriage. Then came golden hair, followed by a tall figure rivaling Cedrion in height.

The man who stood confidently before the carriage was…

‘A male lead if I ever saw one…!’

His golden hair gleamed as if it had been melted down from pure gold, and his sapphire-like blue eyes shone brilliantly. His face, seemingly just past boyhood, was flawless.

As if declaring to the world, “I am the male lead of this world,” his beauty was mesmerizing to anyone within a 300-meter radius.

On top of that, he even scattered a radiant smile toward the citizens of Norhart, who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal carriage. The recipients of that dazzling greeting looked as if their hearts had melted under the sunlight.

Compared to Cedrion…

“…Why?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Noticing my fleeting glance, Cedrion’s brow furrowed slightly.

If Cedrion was a statue sculpted from ice, then Michael was a finely painted oil masterpiece. While Cedrion exuded rugged masculinity, Michael was the epitome of radiant, ethereal beauty.

‘…But.’

The awe of meeting the original novel’s male lead was fleeting.

‘Even with that beauty and charm, he harbored such malice toward Odelia. Judging by Nanny’s reaction this morning, Cedrion’s story must be true.’

I had to stay focused. His malice was likely far greater than I imagined, and he had come here to spy on me.

I must not be swayed by that angelic and dazzling smile.

Repeating this to myself, I tightened my grip on Cedrion’s arm. I had even gone so far as to link arms with him for the first time to appear affectionate.

As if to reassure me, Cedrion tapped the back of my hand in short, gentle motions.

Meanwhile, Michael strode confidently down the path lined with Norhart’s honor guard, who stood in formation on either side.

Finally, when he stood before us, the Crown Prince of Arcadia swept back his long golden hair that reached the tips of his ears and greeted us with a stunning smile.

“Brother, and Lady Lure. My, what a surprise. Do you have any idea how shocked Father and I were?”

“You must have had a tiring journey, Your Highness. Welcome to Norhart.”

“Brother, must you speak so formally? It wounds me.”

Outwardly, Michael appeared friendly and casual, addressing Cedrion as “Brother.”

But who was Cedrion? The very man who, in ‘Princess Flora Is Lovely,’ had politically cornered Michael time and again, earning titles such as “The Inquisitor of the Council” and “The Golden-Eyed Sniper.”

To Michael, Cedrion was undoubtedly a thorn in his side, yet his expression held nothing but warmth.

‘When I read ‘Princess Flora Is Lovely,’ I simply thought Michael had a good personality. Meanwhile, Cedrion was portrayed as secretive and difficult.’

But knowing the real story, it was clear that Michael was the truly cunning one.

The way he so effortlessly acted friendly toward someone who had consistently hindered him politically—he was nothing short of devious.

Releasing Cedrion’s arm, I performed the royal protocol greeting I had hastily learned that morning for direct members of the royal family. Doing my best to channel Odelia’s demeanor, I smiled.

“I greet the Morning Star of Arcadia.”

“Haha… Lady Lure, you truly have a knack for catching people off guard.”

As I slowly straightened my back, I observed Michael’s expression. Though his smile remained, his blue eyes flashed with intense coldness. Even if he softened his mouth and gaze, he could not entirely mask his emotions.

What I saw in them was unmistakable contempt.

From this moment on, I had to rely on my past-life experience to skillfully deflect Michael’s hostility.

‘People who make that kind of face… are the pretentious troublemakers. The ones who believe they are generous, but in reality, are just a nuisance.’

Right. From now on, I needed to handle him like an entitled yet oblivious customer.

Resolving myself, I clenched the fabric of my dress in my hand.

“Oh, and…”

Michael’s blue eyes shifted toward Angie, who was nestled in Cedrion’s arm. Our clever baby straightened her tiny back and boldly glared at Michael.

Yes. At just five months old, my baby was furrowing her soft little brow and glaring at him.

“How unexpected. Has my brother had a daughter in my absence?”

Yet, Michael only responded with an easy smile. Understandable, since no one would expect an infant to scowl at them.

“It was a joke. But her eye color is quite similar to yours, Brother.”

“This child is the angel of love who brought us together.”

Cedrion responded with a tone that did not suit words like “love” or “angel” in the slightest.

“She is a child from a branch family who lost her parents to bandits not long ago. She was abandoned in the forest near Meldorf. Odelia took her in, and thanks to that, we reunited.”

“…The forest near Meldorf.”

Michael’s thick golden brows lifted slightly, the color of his hair blending seamlessly with his expression.

Though he spoke softly, there was an unmistakable undertone of curiosity about Angie in his voice.

‘As expected, he must have heard something from Baron Alterman.’

Of course, seeing Cedrion holding the baby would naturally raise questions, but his curiosity felt rather insidious.

“So, once we get married, we intend to adopt her as our first child.”

“Oh my. Your fiancée has made quite a generous decision.”

Michael was still smiling brightly, but I could see the subtle twitch at the corners of his lips. His gaze, as it flickered over me, was as cold as ever.

“Then, if the two of you never have children of your own, this child will become the heir to Norhart.”

“Yes, most likely.”

Cedrion’s expression as he answered was one of pure distaste. Michael’s words sounded almost like a declaration that we would never have children.

As if he knew that I was terminally ill…

‘That’s possible. Since being used in his experiment, my magic reservoir has been damaged, and my magic and divine power are leaking away. Baron Alterman’s remarks about me not having long left also make sense in that context.’

As I etched that rational suspicion into my mind, I struggled to maintain the enchanting smile of Odelia that I had fixed on my face.

Keeping up a smile was something I had done as effortlessly as breathing in my past life, so it wasn’t difficult.

“You look well, Lady Lure.”

“It is all thanks to Your Highness’s kind concern.”

Was it my imagination, or did that sound like he was asking why I was still smiling? Perhaps he was wondering why I looked so healthy when I was supposedly on the verge of death?

‘Of course I look good—I put on makeup this morning just for this meeting.’

Knowing Michael’s hostility, I kept interpreting his words in the worst possible way.

All I wished for was that this arrogant, self-righteous man would lose interest in me while I maintained Odelia’s noble smile.

“Well then, you must be tired from your journey. Would you like to rest first?”

“Oh, but the First Blood of Arcadia used a teleportation circle. There’s no reason to be tired.”

Cedrion’s brows furrowed slightly. He had always said that Michael’s magical abilities were subpar, and knowing how Michael had once exploited my magic, it must have been annoying to see him boasting about his skills.

“This is my first time visiting Norhart. If possible, I’d like to take a tour of the castle first.”

“If that is your wish.”

With that, Cedrion passed Angie to Margaret, the head maid standing beside him. Ever since Cedrion had spoken to her the other day, Angie had become comfortable being held by others again.

If Cedrion was going to keep Michael under close watch, I should take the opportunity to rest this weak body of mine.

“In that case, I will see you later at the banquet…”

“Oh no, my lady.”

Just as I was about to step away after bowing lightly, Michael interrupted me.

“I have brought a message from my father regarding your engagement. I would love to see the two of you together with my own eyes.”

“Are you saying—?”

“I would like both of you to accompany me on the tour. Of course…”

Michael’s blue eyes gleamed ominously.

“Only if my lady is not too exhausted from merely welcoming me.”

Cedrion’s jaw tensed ever so slightly.

He wanted to confirm whether our engagement was truly sincere, but at the same time, he seemed intent on assessing my physical condition, perhaps even gauging how much longer I had to live.

‘…What a nuisance.’

Suppressing a sigh, I inclined my head slightly.

“Well then, Cedrion.”

I took Cedrion’s arm and leaned in close.

If it’s a loving couple you want to see, then I’ll show you exactly that!

“Perfect timing. You’ve been so careful with me, treating me like I might break, that I haven’t had the chance to properly explore the Grand Duke’s castle.”

With a soft smile, I used Odelia’s mesmerizing expression to full effect. I rounded my eyes slightly while directing a firm, expectant gaze at Cedrion, silently urging him to play along.

“Ah, well… Yes.”

Momentarily startled by my sudden move, Cedrion quickly caught on and responded.

“When you become the mistress of Norhart, you will have a lifetime to explore the castle. It would be good for you to learn from Ian today.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

Turning to Michael, I bowed politely for emphasis.

“Then, Your Highness, please leave your belongings to our servants.”

As I referred to the Norhart servants as “ours,” Michael’s eyebrow twitched ever so slightly.

“This way, please. It would be lovely to show you the garden His Grace had specially arranged for me.”

“…My brother is quite devoted to you, I see.”

Michael responded with an easy smile, but I could see the stiffness in his expression. The haughty man was trying hard to conceal his irritation.

As he strode ahead of us, clearly intending to lead the way, his soft golden hair shimmered in the sunlight as he tilted his head slightly.

“By the way… Is that pattern part of Norhart’s traditional design?”

His gaze was fixed on the hem of my dress, where the morning’s mishap with Mila’s magic iron had left a visible burn mark.