Icarus suddenly became unable to attend the evening banquet due to a sudden influx of diplomatic work.

He instructed Amar to accompany Ertel to the banquet. Following his orders, Amar escorted Ertel to the grand hall where the banquet was being held.

As the two entered the hall, the nobles who had arrived earlier stood up and greeted them with a round of applause.

“Welcome, future Duchess of Juan.”

The nobles who had already seen Ertel in the grand hall earlier were once again captivated by her beauty, unable to regain their composure.

Watching them from behind, Amar remained cautious of their intentions.

“Please, take the seat of honor.”

Naturally, Ertel was guided to the most prominent seat in the hall.

With a faint smile, she carefully observed the faces of the nobles. Though they all wore pleasant expressions, their true intentions were unreadable.

No matter.

Right now, with Icarus’s reputation backing her, there was nothing to fear.

“All of us ministers were astonished upon seeing you, my lady. It is unprecedented for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to bring a woman to the palace. Now we understand why he refused all matchmaking offers. He had hidden away such a stunning lady… Would it be alright to hear a brief introduction about you?”

At that moment, Amar stepped forward as if he had been waiting for this.

“This is Lady Ertel of the Ruschello family from the Kingdom of Luna. However, once she marries the Duke, she will become ‘Ertel de Juan.’ You may as well start addressing her as the Duchess now, as their marriage is already a foregone conclusion.”

“Oh—so you’re from the Kingdom of Luna!”

The nobles began murmuring amongst themselves.

This continent, including the Kingdom of Tiamor, was densely populated with many kingdoms, and the Kingdom of Luna was one of the most admired. It was a land rich in rare natural resources and known for its high cultural standards.

Hearing that she hailed from such a place added an air of mystique to the way they looked at Ertel.

“As expected of the Duke of Juan. Engaging with various nations through diplomacy must have led to such a connection. Truly befitting the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Isn’t this a love story for the ages? Haha.”

The nobles clicked their tongues in admiration, unable to contain their amazement. Unlike the king, they harbored no doubts about Ertel’s status or ulterior motives. They merely assumed that the ambitious Duke of Juan had secured an extraordinary woman for himself.

Soon, they began presenting something to Ertel.

“We have prepared gifts for you, my lady.”

“Oh, when did you manage to…”

Ertel and Amar were taken aback as gift boxes began piling up on the table.

This visit to the palace had not been planned. However, as shrewd as the nobles were, they had quickly sent their attendants to prepare gifts the moment they saw her.

Strictly speaking, these gifts were not for Ertel but rather an attempt to curry favor with Icarus.

“Please accept them with joy.”

Although Ertel wasn’t entirely pleased, she began opening the gifts one by one.

They were all items that women would typically like: an expensive tea set, a travel hat, an evening jacket, a corset, and so on.

Unsure of how to respond, Ertel heard Amar whisper to her.

“Say that the Duke will be very grateful to the ministers.”

“Alright.”

Ertel followed Amar’s instructions.

She immediately put on a polite, businesslike smile and raised her voice a tone higher.

“Thank you so much for welcoming someone you’ve just met so warmly. The Duke of Juan will surely be delighted to hear of your kindness.”

“Thank you for saying so. That is precisely what we hoped for.”

All of them melted under her noble smile, their faces beaming with satisfaction.

The banquet proceeded smoothly.

There was no need to worry about Icarus’s absence.

>><<

Even after the banquet ended, Icarus showed no signs of finishing his work.

Ertel and Amar decided to wait for him on the terrace.

By now, Ertel was utterly exhausted. With some time to herself, she began to reflect on how dangerous the lies she had told today could be.

“I can’t help but feel worried. The lies we told today might all be exposed during the wedding…”

“My lady, do you underestimate the Duke? By the time the wedding comes, he will have arranged people to act as your parents. There’s no need to worry. It will likely be a grand ceremony, on par with a royal event.”

“Oh… But, Amar…”

“Yes?”

“Why are you suddenly speaking so formally? It feels awkward.”

“Now that you’ve been introduced to the royal court, I have no choice but to address you with respect. You are no longer a maid. It may feel sudden, but I ask for your understanding regarding the change in how I address you.”

As he spoke, Amar knelt on one knee. He did so to formally establish their relationship.

Then, he respectfully took Ertel’s hand and lightly kissed it as a gesture of reverence.

“…!”

Ertel was taken aback as she watched him express his respect.

“Amar…”

“I, Amar Miguel, will continue to do my utmost to ensure the safety of both the Duke and you, my lady.”

‘Step, step.’

Just then, the sound of footsteps drew closer. It was Icarus, returning after finishing his work.

‘What is this?’

He frowned as he saw his aide kneeling and kissing Ertel’s hand.

Moments ago, he had been in a good mood after completing his tasks, but the sight before him twisted his feelings.

“Amar?”

Icarus called his aide’s name in a displeased tone. Amar turned to him with a bright smile.

“My lord, you’ve returned.”

“What are you doing?”

“Pardon?”

“Step away from her.”

Shooing Amar aside, Icarus positioned himself between them, separating him from Ertel. Amar scratched his head awkwardly.

“Oh, I was merely pledging my loyalty.”

“Hmph.”

“Please don’t misunderstand.”

“Make sure not to commit such offenses again.”

“If it’s something that displeases you, I won’t do it again.”

The three of them left the terrace and began walking toward the palace exit.

Ertel tilted her head slightly, looking at Icarus’s back with a puzzled expression.

‘What was that? Jealousy?’

No way. There was no way Icarus, who didn’t truly love her, could feel such an emotion toward her.

But then, why had he been so upset with Amar?

‘You don’t even truly love me.’

>><<

Once they boarded the carriage to return to the mansion, Icarus asked Ertel,

“How was the banquet with the nobles? Were you satisfied?”

“Yes. Everyone treated me well. And they even gave me gifts.”

Amar, who was sitting across from them, quickly displayed the gift boxes he had brought.

Seeing this, Icarus smirked.

“As expected, the only thing they’re good at is flattery. They never fail to meet my expectations.”

“At any rate, wasn’t it a good opportunity to reaffirm how solid your position in the palace is?”

Icarus gently wrapped his arm around Ertel’s shoulder.

“Ertel, you’ll be visiting the palace more often from now on. Be sure to prepare yourself.”

Half of her existence was now built on lies, and she would have to live like this going forward. How had Icarus managed to endure such discomfort all this time?

“…Alright.”

>><<

When the carriage arrived at the mansion, Lisa rushed out to report.

“My lord, you’ve returned! As per your orders, I’ve redecorated your bedroom.”

“Have you? I’m curious to see how it’s changed.”

With an excited expression, Icarus entered his bedroom, pulling Ertel along to show her. Ertel couldn’t help but gape as she looked around.

The previously classic atmosphere of the room had completely transformed.

A suggestive canopy now surrounded the bed on all sides, soft lighting had been added, and there was an extra pillow.

“Well done.”

“I’m glad it meets your satisfaction, my lord.”

“It’s perfectly suited to be a marital bedroom.”

Marital bedroom?

Ertel, startled, looked at him in shock.

“What? My lord?”

“Ertel, since we’ll be married soon, we’ll start sharing a bedroom from today.”

“…!”

“You can either leave your belongings in your old room or move them here. Do whatever is most comfortable for you.”

“How could you decide this without discussing it with me…”

“Do we need to discuss it? Isn’t it natural for a married couple to share a bedroom? Or were you planning to sleep in separate rooms even after the wedding?”

“No, but…”

“Then?”

“I just thought it was a bit… sudden.”

Ertel’s voice grew quieter as she spoke.

Icarus chuckled, as if finding her shyness endearing.

‘She’s so easily embarrassed.’

His laughter grated on her nerves. In both this life and her previous one, she had always been the only one who took things seriously. So, she spoke to him in a sharper tone than she intended.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because I want to make you even more flustered.”

“What? My lord? What are you saying…”

“You have this way of making me want to tease you more.”

“…!”

Icarus’s calm yet suggestive words made it difficult for Ertel to maintain her composure.

It seemed as though he was ready to start sharing the bed from tonight.

“What will you do if there’s another thunderstorm, like last time? Will you hide under the blanket, trembling in fear? Wouldn’t it be better for me to be by your side?”

Judging by his expression, it seemed the decision had already been made. Ertel found herself unable to argue further.