“His Majesty the King has sent a reply regarding your request for approval of your engagement, Your Grace…”

The eyes of the people of Norhart sparkled as they fixated on the imperial decree.

No wonder the servants of the Grand Duke’s castle had welcomed me so warmly—Norhart’s people seemed to be just as earnest about Cedrion’s marriage.

“It’s quite a coincidence that this happened just as Lady Lure left the royal capital due to some unfortunate circumstances. Since Lady Lure must be feeling lonely because of me, I’d like to see the two of you enjoying your time together.”

Michael waved the decree and winked at the attendees.

The people of Norhart, who took great pride in their ruler’s beauty, almost fell for his charm but seemed to restrain themselves out of resentment toward the royal family.

Instead, their glittering eyes turned toward Cedrion and me.

I struggled to keep my expression from contorting.

‘What is this? Calling me out just to humiliate me? So, after rushing into an engagement with Flora and making a fool out of Odelia, now this is just a joke to him?’

There were no more readers cheering for their love as ‘Flora’s Mom.’ Maybe it was because of Michael’s insufferable antics over the past few days, but his attempt at swaying public opinion filled me with anger.

Ah, I had to control my expression.

Thankfully, the fixed smile I had carefully maintained seemed to be working, as the admiring gazes from the vassals directed at me did not fade.

“My, my. It seems that I am not the only one eager to celebrate my dear brother and Lady Odelia.”

Michael feigned a smile and then gestured toward the orchestra.

“A lovely waltz for my brother and his lady, please!”

“Your Highness, Odelia is not feeling well today.”

Cedrion quickly interjected.

Even when the idea of a banquet for Michael was first proposed, I had insisted that I couldn’t dance due to my supposed memory loss.

Cedrion had also assured me that since it was a casual gathering rather than a formal ball, I wouldn’t be required to dance.

But, of course, Michael was no help at all.

“Brother, I’m disappointed. Are you trying to make me seem unreasonable when I’ve traveled all this way just to celebrate with you? Besides, don’t the people of Norhart also wish to witness a beautiful moment between you and your lady?”

Despite his feigned disappointment, Michael playfully flicked the decree in his hand.

‘You need this, don’t you? So stop talking and just comply.’

‘Who even asked you to come in person…?’

Cedrion seemed just as exasperated as I was, his expression troubled as he prepared to respond.

“However…”

“Excuse me, my lord.”

I quickly handed Angie to her nanny and stepped to Cedrion’s side.

“Your Highness, I am deeply moved by your recognition of our relationship.”

‘Dance with him, and you’ll give us the decree, right?’

Michael raised an intrigued eyebrow.

“And honestly, I’ve always wanted to dance with you in a place filled with people…”

I gently traced my fingers along Cedrion’s arm, speaking in a tone meant only for him but loud enough for everyone to hear.

Momentarily caught off guard, Cedrion’s stiff expression gradually softened.

“…If that’s what you wish, how can I refuse?”

As we took our places in the center of the hall, all eyes were upon us.

Michael was no exception. His eerie, snake-like gaze still lingered on us, searching for any signs of weakness.

“Are you sure about this?”

As Cedrion placed his hands on my shoulder and waist, I adjusted my hands accordingly and replied.

“I’ll only know once I try. You’ll have to lead me well.”

“Hmm, seems like your body remembers.”

Come to think of it, even though I lacked my past memories, my hands naturally found their proper places—one on his shoulder and the other on his arm.

“You were always an excellent dancer. Perhaps I should be the one relying on you.”

Just then, the orchestra struck up the music, as if they had been waiting for this moment.

Three steps forward, three steps back. My feet moved instinctively to the unfamiliar yet familiar rhythm.

Whether when I first greeted Cedrion or when I bowed to Michael following royal etiquette, there were many things my body remembered even without my memories.

Three steps to the side, then three in the opposite direction. A turn.

“As expected.”

Hearing the amused voice, I looked up to see a faint, nearly imperceptible smile at the corner of Cedrion’s lips.

“The finest beauty in Arcadia hasn’t lost her talent for dance.”

“…Were you always this interested in my dancing?”

Perhaps it was because I was beginning to feel more at ease, but I found myself responding playfully. My voice carried a hidden thorn that only I knew about.

Cedrion must have said this thinking of Odelia, whom he had cherished since childhood.

But that wasn’t me.

“Well, since everyone was watching you, I just ended up watching too.”

Cedrion continued in his usual indifferent tone.

“Was it really just that?”

“What else should it have been?”

…Well. I pouted slightly, unsure of how to respond.

Asking whether he had only watched because everyone else did felt like I was sulking over a past I didn’t even remember.

Questioning whether his gaze had truly been so indifferent would only make me seem ridiculous.

‘I don’t even know my own feelings anymore.’

With no suitable words to say, I simply pressed my lips together and turned my gaze elsewhere.

The people of Norhart watched us dance with captivated expressions, as if they were under a spell.

The sight of this unbearably handsome man dancing with Odelia—whose beauty alone could absolve countless sins—must have been a breathtaking spectacle, even by my own estimation.

Odelia’s delicate frame must have appeared even more fragile in Cedrion’s strong and broad embrace, while the tiny pink garnets adorning the hem of her dress sparkled in time with her graceful movements.

“It seems our act was a success, at least with the people of Norhart.”

“Why are you gritting your teeth while saying that?”

“It’s not that. It’s just that our guest over there keeps glaring this way, and I don’t want him to be able to read our lips.”

“……Ah.”

A brief smile flitted across Cedrion’s lips, as if the thought had never even crossed his mind.

After all, would the master of the Grand Duchy ever have had reason to concern himself with others’ gazes before now?

“While we’re at it, you should work on your expression as well.”

“……My apologies.”

Cedrion twitched his cheek slightly, as if attempting to relax his tense mouth.

Meanwhile, I made sure to maintain the lovestruck smile that Michael needed to see.

As Cedrion silently watched me, he suddenly murmured, 

“It’s fascinating.”

“What is?”

“Back then, I only thought that you had grown up well. That it was a relief.”

Cedrion wasn’t concerned about anyone reading his lips, but he still spoke in a roundabout way, showing that he understood my concern.

“But if I had seen you up close, I don’t think I could have stopped at just that.”

“……What?”

“It’s impossible to look away from you when I see you this close.”

Odelia’s fragile heart thudded loudly at the unexpected words.

“The way people always likened you to a butterfly or a peacock—it seems those weren’t exaggerations.”

“……”

I lifted my gaze in surprise and studied Cedrion’s face.

As always, he remained expressionless, as if he had never uttered such an embarrassing remark. The only sign that betrayed him was the deep red flush on his ears.

“……Are you feeling very hot?”

“……”

Right. That must be it. He had felt overheated earlier as well, and now he was dancing on top of that.

I didn’t even realize that my own face had turned just as red as I spoke.

“How beautiful!”

The moment the dance ended, Michael, who had been watching us arrogantly from his seat of honor, stood up and clapped.

The people of Norhart, who had been struggling to refrain from reacting to them, finally gave in to their excitement and enthusiastically joined in, cheering loudly.

The one thing that both the royal family and the people of the Grand Duchy could agree on was that Cedrion and I made a stunning couple.

‘Of course, Michael doesn’t actually mean it.’

As Cedrion and I walked hand in hand toward the platform, Angie, held in the nanny’s arms, wriggled excitedly and reached out toward us.

“Mma! Teo!”

“Oh, Angie, you’re so excited! You love all the pretty, shiny things, don’t you?”

“Mm, shinya!”

Angie flailed her tiny arms, unable to hide her delight, while the people watching us were filled with warmth.

“You truly are a lovely couple.”

As Michael spoke with a princely smile, he clapped his hands together in a slow, deliberate manner before descending the steps toward us. Cedrion and I bowed slightly in greeting.

“Our proud Lady Lure, did she perhaps fall for my brother anew?”

Though Michael wore a smile, I was the only one who caught the thorn hidden in his words.

“Uu, uu…….”

Wait, did Angie sense it too? Her tiny lips started to tremble.

Ah, that’s right—Cedrion had taught her to cry whenever Michael approached.

I quickly soothed Angie, stroking her gently.

“Angie, shh. It’s okay.”

If she cried now, the situation would spiral out of control.

As Michael reached the bottom of the steps and stood before us, one of his knights followed closely behind him. A man with white hair tied back in a single knot and deep teal eyes carefully observed me.

What is this?

Angie also seemed to sense that something was off, scrunching up her fair face in displeasure.

“Oh, he is my personal guard. No need for concern.”

Michael spoke smoothly.

Hmm, with his level of good looks, his presence should be quite striking—why hadn’t I noticed him before? Now that I was paying attention, his features seemed somewhat blurred. He felt both vaguely familiar and entirely unfamiliar.

At that moment, the man flashed a smile in our direction.

“Hush……!”

Angie let out a sharper sigh than usual.

Is it acceptable for a royal bodyguard to acknowledge someone like that? He’s acting strangely.

Strangely? Who was I even thinking that about?

……My mind suddenly felt foggy, as if I were forgetting something important.

‘What’s happening? I’ve been taking my herbal medicine properly.’

Was my condition worsening? I tilted my head slightly in confusion.

“As I watched you dance, I was reminded of old memories. There was a time when we always entered as partners.”

Michael’s words snapped me back to reality, and I barely restrained a frown.

That arrangement—you were the one who broke it by choosing to marry Flora instead.

And then, the next words he spoke were even more audacious.

“So, would you honor me with a dance?”

“……What?”