The young ladies with peach-colored blushes on their cheeks seemed content with just reminiscing, and with dreamy eyes, they told me what had happened when I was away.

“Count Glee was sitting alone when the Grand Duke entered with a frightening face.”

“He roughly tried to grab the Count’s wrist and pull him down, but the Count, conscious of the surrounding gazes, offered him a seat, suggesting they talk while sitting.”

“Were you following me? Why are you so persistent? As a Grand Duke, you must have many others.”

“Looking at the Count with passionate eyes, the Grand Duke said this.”

“I don’t need anyone else. The only person I want is just one.”

“The Count must have fought with the Grand Duke because he said this.”

The young lady beside me let out a small sigh, her voice trembling as if the emotion was washing over her again.

“Even though that person ran away from you?”

“Lovers fight sometimes, don’t they?”

“How one-sided of you.”

“At this point, the Grand Duke slightly raised one corner of his mouth and gazed deeply at the Count. The passionate gaze directed at one person was so intense that even we who were watching from the sidelines could feel the heat.”

I could easily imagine Kaien’s face from the young lady’s narrow-eyed expression.

He must have glared quite intensely.

“That’s my charm.”

“Haaaaah, after saying that, the two of them kept staring at each other without taking their eyes off one another!”

“To think Grand Duke Blemer was such a person! From now on, I’ll support both of you, Grand Duke! Count!”

The young ladies, with excited faces, placed their hands on their foreheads and leaned back in their chairs as if they might collapse at any moment.

“Wow……”

Because of me, such a conversation took place, but when the subject isn’t clear, this is what happens.

But what should I do?

Looking around, I saw many young ladies watching them.

What would happen if I joined them now?

Would I be treated not as the center of a love triangle but as an unwelcome intruder between the Grand Duke and the Count?

Thinking about how much the young ladies would gossip behind my back and the rumors that would follow, my body trembled.

I grabbed a passing café employee.

“Excuse me, do you have a private room?”

“Yes. Shall I show you to one?”

“Yes, and please tell those gentlemen to come to the private room.”

The employee checked the table I pointed to, then looked me up and down.

It was a suspicious look that seemed to say, ‘Are you really acquainted with those gentlemen?’

“They’re my companions. Just tell them Ivy is waiting in the room.”

“Ah, y-yes.”

The disgruntled employee only moved after receiving ten coins.

***

The employee, while guiding Kaien and Edwin, looked at me with respectful eyes unlike before and left.

His attitude when bringing the tea had changed to be much more courteous than when I had visited previously.

“Kaien, I didn’t know you knew Edwin. I called you to a private room so we could talk comfortably.”

“I didn’t expect to see Your Grace in a place like this. I was pleased to request a seat, but Ivy, I heard you received a marriage proposal from His Grace? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Edwin asked awkwardly in front of Kaien.

Cautiously, while watching Kaien’s reaction.

“Ah, I wanted to cherish the feeling of being proposed to for a long time, so I haven’t given an answer yet.”

“To think that Ivy is dating the Grand Duke……”

Edwin was smiling, but his expression was bitter, not hiding his displeasure.

‘Yes, I must be quite inadequate to be Kaien’s wife.’

“I saw my fiancée entering a café with another man and asked that man what kind of relationship they had, but he wouldn’t answer.”

Kaien, who had naturally sat down beside me, draped his arm over the back of my chair.

“Being possessive won’t make your lover happy, Your Grace.”

“Is it proper etiquette these days to just watch when your fiancée meets another man? I suppose the Count is the type who gives his lover freedom.”

“When you love someone, you should trust them.”

“When you love someone, you should express it just as much.”

Sharp words exchanged like knives in their mouths as their gazes grew fierce enough to spark flames.

Even in a private room, the chilly atmosphere between the two didn’t change.

They clearly know they’re on the same side, but are they pretending not to know because I’m here?

To think the Grand Duke passionately loves the Count.

I stared blankly at the two men glaring intensely at each other.

The young ladies’ misunderstanding is an intentional situation from the novel.

Though it’s a romance novel, the helper character emotionally conflicts between the villain benefactor and the female protagonist he loves, and that scene was described quite suggestively.

“Your Grace, do you doubt my sincerity? Since I was saved by Your Grace, there has only been you for me.”

“My body belongs to Your Grace, but my heart leans toward Rebecca.”

Like that, subtly suggesting some kind of emotion flowing between the helper and the villain.

“Ivy, are you hungry? Why are you smiling like there’s a steak in front of you?”

Kaien’s face was right in front of mine.

“I-I’m not hungry.”

“Ivy, are you alright? Your face is red, as if you have a fever.”

As I pushed away Kaien’s shoulder and turned my face, red-haired Edwin was reaching his hand toward my forehead.

Before I could say I was fine, Kaien pulled me closer by my shoulders, preventing Edwin’s hand from touching me.

“Count Glee, watch your hands when my fiancée is beside you. Before I blow away that light wrist.”

Most people would freeze just from Kaien’s frown, but Edwin paid no heed.

“This much distance is permitted between us.”

“If you want to keep that neck attached, show respect to my lover. Correct your address to Lady Rabbit.”

“I have permission from Ivy to use her name. Do you disregard Ivy’s opinions, Your Grace?”

“Disregard? I’m just saying don’t act in ways that could cause misunderstandings.”

Wow, they act so well.

Anyone watching would think the two men were fighting over me, a very beautiful scene indeed, but sadly, one was a villain who would commit all sorts of evil deeds, and the other was that villain’s helper.

Since I already know it’s all an act, there’s no need to drag this out, so I mediated between the two.

“Kaien, Edwin is my friend, so don’t treat him rudely.”

“A friend. Just that much.”

Confirming Kaien’s satisfied smile, I told Edwin my request.

“Edwin, I have a favor to ask.”

“Ah, yes, Ivy, you mentioned you have a special favor to ask of me.”

No, it’s not that special.

“Since Worwick Trading Company specializes in magical items for daily life, could you get me a pen with ink that doesn’t dry out?”

“Even if we’re out of stock, I should get it for you, Ivy. Is it a gift for the Baron?”

“Yes, I want to give it as a gift for his promotion. Thank you for being able to get it, Edwin.”

“I should prepare a gift too. Would you come with me to the trading company today and help me choose? You know best what the Baron needs, Ivy.”

Kaien, who had been quietly listening while rhythmically tapping his fingers on the backrest, interrupted.

“Making plans to meet my fiancée alone right in front of me, how should I take this?”

“I don’t know what you’re worried about, but if I had other intentions, would I speak so boldly?”

“So there’s no problem?”

“You should worry more about yourself than me, Your Grace. With such obsession even before marriage, I’m concerned Ivy won’t be able to have any outside activities.”

“That’s between us.”

“It concerns the happiness of my benefactor and friend.”

“Are you saying I’ll make Ivy unhappy?”

“Oh my, the milk tea here is delicious! Here, try this cookie, Kaien.”

I shut them up by stuffing his mouth.

After putting a cookie in his mouth, Kaien embraced my shoulders and pulled me toward him.

Nodding his chin toward Edwin with a winner’s smile.

“Since you’re getting married, I suppose you’ll attend the Hemington family’s banquet with His Grace. I wanted to go with Ivy as partners, how disappointing.”

“Hemington family? Ah, you were invited.”

Kaien slightly covered his mouth with his hand.

He seemed to be contemplating what to do, unable to rashly declare he would attend with me.

“Well, it wouldn’t look good for you to attend with His Grace.”

Edwin was subtly provoking Kaien.

“If Your Grace, who rumors say has just returned to the capital, suddenly attends a banquet with Ivy, it could spread unfavorable rumors about Ivy. That you met ‘secretly.'”

Edwin’s words make sense, but there’s another reason I can’t attend with Kaien.

“Don’t you need to escort the Imperial Princess, Kaien? Since the Hemington family were previously imperial supporters, someone from the imperial family should attend, right?”

As soon as I finished speaking, both Kaien and Edwin’s eyes widened.

“I just received a request from His Majesty by letter this morning, but how did you know?”

Ah, because I read it in the novel?

Cold sweat ran down my spine.

“An order came down for me to escort the Princess on behalf of His Majesty.”

“Ah, I-I see. I just guessed since you’re a grand duke.”

Wow, I showed too much knowledge. I need to be careful.

I hastily drank my milk tea, avoiding Kaien’s suspicious gaze.

“I’ll attend with my father. Since he’s been promoted, it seems like a good opportunity to greet people around us.”

“Even if it’s small, if you hold a celebration, I’d like to attend and share in your joy. Please invite me.”

The longer Edwin spoke, the more coldness emanated from Kaien.

Sitting with men on both sides, trying not to upset either one, I felt like one of those popular young ladies who are criticized in society for trying to keep all men interested without letting any go.

If the three of us leave the private room together like this, I’ll be thoroughly chewed up by rumors.

Since I’ve made my request, I should first send Edwin away.

“Edwin, I have something to discuss with Kaien. Can we meet another time?”

“Of course, I’ll contact you soon about Rebecca Hemington. Take care.”

Edwin lightly took my hand, his gaze brushing over the choker on my neck.

Edwin casually lowered his eyes and was about to kiss the back of my hand when Kaien covered it with his own.

Smack, Edwin ended up kissing the back of Kaien’s hand.

“Count Edwin Glee. I gratefully accept your respect.”

“Though this wasn’t the situation I wanted, to give Your Grace a respectful greeting is an honor. Well then.”

Edwin, valuing his life, quickly left the private room.

With Edwin gone, the air felt somewhat lighter.

I don’t understand why I have to be caught between them and suffer like this.

“Kaien, Edwin is a good person.”

You know better than I do that he’s on your side.

“I wish you wouldn’t meet anyone.”

He turned his body toward me.

“I want you to look only at me, but if that happened, you wouldn’t smile at me.”

His quiet whisper permeated my entire body.

“So I’ll allow only this much. As long as this line isn’t crossed, I won’t frighten you.”

He threatened with warm eyes.

Anyone listening would think he truly loves me passionately.

How could someone who knows boundaries have done such harsh things to the female protagonist?

Was it because he loved her too much that he couldn’t control himself with the female protagonist?

Looking at him made my heart complicated, so I stood up from my seat.

Since we’ve met like this, I should try to make him get tired of me as soon as possible.

“The Madam said she needs to do a mid-fitting check on the dress and asked me to stop by the dress shop. Would you like to come with me?”