<Inside the Aronder Palace>

Pedro had gifted Cogette a luxurious palace. It was one of the privileges she could enjoy as a concubine.

The space consisted of about ten bedrooms and various other rooms, designed for her personal use.

Cogette was very satisfied with the space, but one thing weighed on her mind.

The king rarely visited her there.

“Is he busy? Or does he just prefer to see me occasionally?”

He would visit her from time to time, but even those visits seemed to be more about avoiding the gossip of the nobles.

If he didn’t meet with his concubine after bringing her into the palace, rumors would inevitably spread.

They hadn’t even spent their first night together.

When Pedro did come to see her, they would only have a proper tea time before he left.

Left alone, Cogette often found herself sewing and sinking into despondency.

“I think His Majesty is a bit shy. He’s probably not used to approaching someone first. Even when he talked to me, he seemed awkward when dealing with a woman.”

In contrast, Cogette had fallen for Pedro at first sight.

His delicate features, rare for a man, and his neat, composed demeanor made him seem charming.

It wasn’t because he was a powerful king; as a man, she found him quite attractive.

‘…I’ll have to make the first move.’

Once she made up her mind, she put her thoughts into action.

She summoned a maid and handed her a letter she had written herself.

“You called for me, My Lady?”

“Please deliver this letter to His Majesty through an intermediary.”

The letter invited Pedro to the music room. She planned to impress him with her harp performance.

“Yes, I will deliver it, My Lady.”

Excited about the idea of a private date in an enclosed space, Cogette was already thrilled.

>><<

After Ertel had vanished like the wind, Pedro’s eyes became hollow.

He spent more and more days lost in thought, unable to focus.

During the three days he had hidden her in his chambers, the king had experienced unfamiliar emotions.

The pheromones of a woman in danger, her glances, her gestures—he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

The courage she had shown in attacking the Duke of Juan with a knife, her composure even as a fugitive—she was unlike anyone else.

‘I can’t believe she’s gone.’

Pedro had firmly believed that Ertel would take his hand.

Cornered with nowhere else to go, she would naturally turn to the sovereign of the nation for help—or so he thought.

Sitting with his chin resting on his hand, Pedro’s gaze was unfocused.

He stared into the distance, reminiscing about Ertel’s profile.

She was a woman with a strong presence.

For the first time, Pedro felt a twinge of regret.

Instead of vaguely asking her to take his side,

‘I should have had more conversations with her.’

What if he had delved deeper into her inner thoughts?

Would things have turned out differently?

“Your Majesty.”

The voice of the knight captain broke through his reverie.

Henry had come to personally deliver a letter given to him by a maid.

“Please, collect yourself now.”

“I was merely lost in thought.”

“I’ve brought a letter from Lady Cogette.”

“Read it.”

At that moment, Pedro seemed indifferent.

It was rare for a concubine to send a letter first.

As Henry read the contents of the letter, his expression turned somewhat awkward.

“She’s quite bold. She’s inviting Your Majesty on a date. She wishes to play the harp for you in the music room and asks when you would be available.”

“Does the sovereign of this nation have any free time? My schedule is full 24 hours a day.”

“Time is something one makes, Your Majesty. If you find it bothersome to reply, I can do it for you. When should I set aside time? I’ve heard that Lady Cogette was renowned as a musician in noble salons before. This could be a good opportunity for the two of you to enjoy some quality time together.”

Pedro frowned and adjusted his posture.

He didn’t want to hear words of encouragement about their relationship.

“Did you just suggest that I spend quality time with her?”

“It’s rare for a concubine to propose a date first, isn’t it? Are you going to reject her outright? For her dignity, you should accept.”

“Sir Henry.”

“Besides, you haven’t even spent the first night together. What do you think Lady Cogette might feel? She’s not just some decorative object. Even if the arrangement was political, you should at least keep up appearances.”

“Are you serious? Do you really think I should share a bed with someone from the Juan family?”

As Pedro groaned and ran his hands through his hair in frustration, Henry sighed and continued.

“Of course, I understand how you feel, Your Majesty. I feel the same way. I don’t want to see you swayed by their influence. But since you’ve appointed her as a concubine, you must fulfill your obligations. That’s the only way to prepare for the future.”

Henry’s words were logical, as befitted a knight captain.

Pedro understood his loyalty.

Yet, without realizing it, a name slipped from Pedro’s lips.

“Ertel…….”

Even while discussing Lady Cogette, his thoughts drifted to her.

As soon as he uttered her name, Pedro glanced at Henry, bracing himself for a barrage of scolding.

But Henry, who had long been aware of the king’s feelings, surprised him with a calm question.

“Ha, why Ertel, Your Majesty?”

“…….”

“Could it be that you’re genuinely interested in her?”

“Don’t ask.”

“Surely, that’s not the case?”

Pedro turned his head as if to deny it, but Henry was disheartened.

Silence often meant affirmation.

Determined to shatter Pedro’s softening resolve, Henry delivered a sharp remark.

“My liege, why are you still thinking about a woman who left of her own accord? Hmm?”

“Enough.”

“Now is not the time for such thoughts. We need answers. Why did Ertel try to kill the Duke of Juan? Why did she go through with a marriage she didn’t want? And why did Icarus insist on marrying her, even hiding her origins?”

“Yes, we must investigate.”

“Exactly. It’s imperative. This could very well be tied to Your Majesty’s safety.”

But Pedro didn’t want to concern himself with such matters at the moment.

He was more worried about her safety than his own.

He feared that she might come to harm while wandering aimlessly. Did she have a place to stay?

Henry, however, continued to press him.

“If, by chance, you are interested in her…”

“And if I am?”

“Then I will do everything in my power to stop you.”

“……!”

Henry’s loyalty was beyond measure.

“A maid-born woman cannot become Your Majesty’s concubine.”

“…….”

Pedro’s lips jutted out by about 1 cm.

“Nor can she become queen, of course.”

“…….”

Now about 2 cm.

“And there’s no reason to provoke the wrath of Icarus over her.”

“Fine, I get it.”

Pedro reluctantly agreed, though his tone suggested otherwise.

Henry still felt uneasy despite the king’s response.

>><<

As per Icarus’s orders, the household staff remained oblivious to what was happening in the stables.

They carried out their duties peacefully.

One day, Lisa noticed some commotion outside and ran to Amar.

“Sir Amar! Is your outing with the master over now?”

“It seems so, for the time being. Why?”

“By any chance…”

Lisa hesitated, sneaking glances at him.

When she heard that the bride had escaped, she had secretly rejoiced.

The thought of a mere maid marrying the master she couldn’t have had always left her bitter.

“Was he out looking for Ertel?”

“…….”

“That’s not it, right?”

Amar’s brows furrowed slightly at Lisa’s obvious interest in Ertel.

“…No.”

“Phew, thank goodness.”

“What’s so fortunate about that?”

“The master doesn’t need to concern himself with a woman like her. A woman who left on her own should never come back.”

“…….”

“Don’t you agree, Sir Amar?”

“You.”

Amar suddenly realized why he felt so irritated.

Before Ertel’s appearance, he hadn’t noticed Lisa’s feelings for the Duke of Juan.

“Yes? What is it, Sir Amar?”

“Don’t cross the line.”

“What do you mean? How am I crossing the line?”

“The master has no interest in you. No matter how noble your background is, a maid is still a maid. There’s a boundary you can’t cross. Don’t even think about it.”

“Good grief. Who said anything? When did I ever say I was interested in him? I’m just trying to stop him from making an unhappy marriage, that’s all!”

“Regardless, don’t entertain thoughts beyond your station. Not now, not ever.”

A strange tension filled the air as the two bickered.

Lisa was taken aback by his sudden sternness.

“Hmph, fine!”

Grumbling, she stormed off.