The thought of Pedro, Ertel, Icarus, and Cogette going on a double date was dizzying.

Even imagining this yet-to-come scenario made Pedro feel an overwhelming sense of pressure.

“By the way, where did the Duke of Juan find his bride?”

“Pardon? Found her? That can’t be true….”

Cogette tilted her head in confusion. What Pedro said didn’t align with what she had heard from Icarus.

“My brother recently returned from a business trip to the Kingdom of Luna. And the bride came back on her own. Why would he need to go looking for her? She left the wedding venue over something trivial in the first place. Besides, she loves my brother so much that there’s no way she’d leave forever.”

“…Something trivial? And she came back on her own?”

“That’s all I know. Your Majesty, I didn’t hear the details, so I’m not sure. Do you need to know more? If there’s anything specific you’re curious about, I can pass it along to my brother.”

In truth, Cogette didn’t know much.

Icarus had concealed the truth even from his younger sister and had only explained things in a way that benefited him.

“Your Majesty, should I ask my brother for more details?”

“No, that’s fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“It’s fine.”

Though Pedro said it was fine, his face betrayed him. It was clear he had a strong desire to uncover the full story behind this incident.

But if he showed too much interest, it could become dangerous, so Pedro quickly adjusted his expression.

It was only for a brief moment, but Cogette noticed something odd.

‘He seems very invested in this matter.’

Pedro’s eyes had been sharper and more focused when they discussed Icarus’s wedding than when he was listening to her harp performance.

His gaze was persistent, as though he was determined to figure something out.

“Play some more, Cogette.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“That was a lovely melody.”

Cogette tried to focus on her performance again, as if nothing had happened.

>><<

<Juan Mansion>

The main hall of the mansion, where Ertel had returned, was bustling with activity.

“Congratulations on your return, my lady.”

“Thanks to you, the atmosphere in the mansion feels much brighter.”

No one dared to criticize Ertel for ruining the wedding ceremony and running away.

The aides had already warned everyone to be careful with their words.

While everyone was welcoming her, there was one person watching with disapproval.

It was Lisa, glaring fiercely from behind a pillar.

“Ugh….”

It felt like just yesterday that she had rejoiced upon hearing that Ertel had ruined the wedding.

She had prayed that Ertel would never return, so her anger was now doubled.

What irritated Lisa the most was seeing Ertel’s innocent smile, as if nothing had happened, despite the chaos she had caused.

No matter how much Icarus favored her, how could she act so selfishly?

‘Why did you come back? Why!’

As Ertel exchanged handshakes with the others, her gaze shifted toward the pillar.

Unintentionally, she locked eyes with Lisa.

Ertel casually waved her hand, but Lisa quickly turned her head and walked away without acknowledging her greeting.

‘She still doesn’t like me.’

After greeting everyone, Ertel headed upstairs.

There was a new room that Icarus had assigned to her.

As she calmly unpacked her belongings, a knock suddenly came at the door.

‘That’s strange. I’ve already greeted almost everyone, so who could it be?’

It didn’t seem likely that Icarus would come up so soon, and if he wanted to send a message, it would probably be through Amar.

Curious, Ertel opened the door without hesitation.

But the person standing there startled her.

“Lisa…!”

Taken aback, Ertel braced herself.

She prepared for a confrontation with Lisa, who still had a combative look in her eyes.

“You didn’t even acknowledge my greeting earlier. So, why are you here now?”

“My lady.”

Lisa’s voice was laced with suppressed anger as she addressed Ertel.

“Everyone in this house must be fools. They believe everything you say at face value.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“They believe you ruined the wedding because of marriage blues. Over something as trivial as depression? Does that even make sense? You, of all people, experiencing marriage blues? A former maid who grew up on the streets doesn’t get to use that excuse. You should consider yourself lucky to be marrying the Duke of Juan. Don’t you agree?”

“……!”

“Tell me the truth.”

“About what?”

“The real reason.”

The real reason Ertel fled the wedding.

“You don’t love the Duke, do you?”

Lisa’s sharp gaze pierced through Ertel.

“…Why do you think that, Lisa?”

“I remember what you said in the bathhouse.”

Lisa recalled the conversation she had overheard while assisting Ertel in the bath.

[You shouldn’t hold feelings for someone like Icarus.]

[No woman in the world will ever truly satisfy him.]

Those were not the words of a woman in love.

“You don’t love the Duke, do you?”

Ertel didn’t want to have a deep conversation with Lisa on this topic.

“…What I said in the bathhouse was out of concern for you.”

“Ha. Concern for me?”

“You seemed too naive, unlike me.”

Lisa didn’t believe her.

Even though Ertel was still her mistress, Lisa had decided not to trust her anymore.

“I don’t know what kind of scheme brought you back here, but if you ever harm the Duke, I won’t stand by and do nothing.”

‘Bang!’

Without waiting for a response, Lisa slammed the door shut.

As Ertel stared at the coldly closed door, she thought to herself.

‘She must really like Icarus.’

>><<

Meanwhile, Amar was sitting on the railing at the entrance to the second-floor staircase.

He waited until Lisa came out, and as soon as the door opened, he approached her.

“Lisa.”

He grabbed her arm as she stormed past him.

“Sir?”

“Why did you go into Lady Ertel’s room?”

“You saw me?”

“What did you two talk about?”

What bothered Amar the most was Lisa’s pale, furious expression.

“Why do you look so upset?”

“…Why do you care?”

“Why do I care?”

Amar flinched at her dismissive tone.

She had no idea how much it had taken for him to wait there, only for her to brush him off so casually.

“I’ve been ordered by the master to keep a close eye on Lady Ertel. So, I need to know, Lisa.”

“We didn’t talk about anything important.”

“If it wasn’t important, why can’t you tell me?”

“Ugh, you’re so annoying.”

Lisa didn’t understand why Amar had been acting this way toward her lately.

“All I did was tell her to get along with the Duke and not hurt him. After all, she has a history of running away.”

“Ah, I see.”

Amar felt momentarily relieved but couldn’t shake his lingering concerns.

In the end, Lisa wasn’t acting for Ertel’s sake but for Icarus’s.

“Alright, is that all? I’m leaving now.”

“Wait.”

“What now?”

“Lisa, from now on, stick to your duties as a maid and don’t get involved in anything else.”

“…?”

“As Lady Ertel’s personal maid, you’ll inevitably be involved in many things, but try to stay out of them as much as possible. You might end up in danger.”

“What are you talking about?”

Amar was worried about things that hadn’t even happened yet.

“Why would I be in danger? I’m more loyal to the Duke than anyone else!”

“Exactly! That’s why I’m telling you to tone it down. Why are you meddling in things you weren’t asked to? What will you do if your words get twisted?”

“I’ll handle it myself. Honestly, I’ve never seen you so flustered just because I spent a little time alone with her.”

“Just don’t trust anyone!”

“What?”

Amar grabbed Lisa’s shoulders in frustration.

“At least not in this mansion.”

“…….”

“Remember that.”

“Sir?”

“It’s the best way to protect yourself.”

“Take your hands off me.”

Embarrassed by their sudden closeness, Lisa shook off his hands.

“Remember what I said.”

Having said what he needed to, Amar went down the stairs first.

Lisa muttered to herself in confusion.

‘Why is he acting like my father…?’

>><<

Icarus wanted to have dinner with Ertel alone.

To have a private conversation, he invited her to a secret room. It was the most secure and hidden place in the mansion, where even the household staff couldn’t enter.

It was also the place where they had signed their marriage contract.

Even in the dimly lit room, the chef had prepared a lavish dinner.

The table was adorned with an elegant white cloth and flowers, with silver teapots and tea sets placed neatly in the corners.

The meal was a full course, including soup, vegetables, and a hearty fish dish, all prepared to treat her like a proper lady.

‘So, he called me here to talk privately.’

Thinking this, Ertel was surprised when she saw the grand dinner.

She couldn’t understand why he was treating her even more extravagantly than before.

They sat at a reasonable distance from each other.

Seeing her bewildered expression, Icarus smiled leisurely.

“Go ahead and eat. You must be hungry.”

“What’s the reason for showing me such kindness?”

“Don’t read too much into it. Isn’t this nice?”

“It’s hard not to feel suspicious.”

“I’m simply treating you as the Duchess.”