Though she grumbled, Adelia knew best that she could maintain her current physical condition thanks to white magic.

In the original story, Adelia died of a heart attack at a banquet called the Harvest Festival.

Her body was so frail that seeing many people could cause a heart attack, but now it has improved enough to dance. Or rather, it seemed to have improved.

‘White magic is only a temporary measure; it can’t solve the fundamental problem. If white magic disappears, I’ll die immediately.’

The white magic nestled in her heart always healed her body. In case of an emergency, she didn’t pour all her magic into it but maintained a certain level.

However, once white magic disappears, everything returns to square one. Adelia’s physical condition is congenital and cannot be completely cured.

It’s possible to restore an injured body to its original state but not to improve it beyond that.

“It’s the limit of white magic. Like how scars remain even after wounds are healed. Complete healing is impossible with this power.”

“…Be careful.”

Conrad frowned and scrunched up his face.

The more he learned about white magic, the more he thought it had more restrictions than prestige.

It could block everything defensively but not shock; it could heal wounds but leave pain and scars; even pouring white magic into healing had its limits. Therefore, Adelia could not become completely healthy.

Moreover.

“Master, if not for medicine or white magic, you wouldn’t heal at all. Please take care of your body since divine power doesn’t work on you either.”

“I know there won’t be any injuries in the first place. And even if there are, I have white magic stones and artifacts I’ve prepared that can heal me. It’s just divine power that doesn’t work. Don’t overprotect me too.”

Adelia reassured him with narrowed eyes.

Conrad stuffed his nagging back into his lips.

‘She knows her condition best.’

He sighed deeply and opened his mouth again. It was time to report on what happened with the nobles.

  
* * *

  
“It was an honor.”

“Yeah, see you next time.”

When the time to write ‘dance’ and read ‘report’ was over, Conrad politely bid farewell.

When he stepped back, a pack of hyenas rushed in. A circular crowd formed around Adelia.

“Hello? I am from Count of Comte’s family….”

“I am from Marquis Latte’s family….”

“I am the eldest daughter of Count Musica’s family….”

Men and women alike overflowed with people wanting to be Adelia’s fifth dance partner.

Even if not for that, many rushed in just to make an acquaintance.

Adelia smiled amidst them and then pressed her lips tightly together.

‘I want to rest now.’

Though hidden by her dress, her legs were trembling and her heels were throbbing.

She couldn’t ignore her legs which were screaming for salvation.

She could refuse dance invitations by saying it was difficult, but there was no reason to dismiss nobles approaching her personally.

But being among these hyenas was too tiring.

Adelia turned her head and sent a look for help.

‘Can you help me a bit?’

Adelia blinked her eyes wide and looked at Lucian.

Though they were quite distant, he felt her gaze.

Even among people, Adelia’s presence was unique. Like a shining beacon, she unmistakably radiated signals, proving herself as the center of attention in the room.

Lucian, grasping the meaning, furrowed his eyebrows in annoyance and let out a deep sigh.

Then he got up from his seat and walked determinedly towards Adelia.

As he approached, the nobles around them parted ways as if on cue.

Even the nobles who had been chattering away in hopes of gaining favor all fell silent at once.

“Adelia.”

When he called her name, Adelia smiled brightly, as though she had grabbed onto a lifeline.

It was a sincere smile born from the desire to rest.

Seeing her face, Lucian momentarily hesitated. But soon, he walked determinedly and reached in front of her.

“What’s going on?”

Adelia asked naturally, as if she knew nothing. Lucian couldn’t help but smile at her feigned ignorance.

He took another step closer to her.

Suddenly, the distance between them closed.

“If you won’t pay attention to me, I guess I have to come to you.”

Lucian gently brushed Adelia’s disheveled hair aside. When his hand reached the end of her hair, he slightly bowed his head and kissed the silver strands resting in his hand.

“Adelia, will you now give me your time?”

Without realizing it, Adelia held her breath and quietly nodded.

The hair Lucian had been holding slipped through his fingers.

He extended his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, Adelia took it.

They moved towards the imperial family’s lounge.

“It seems His Highness the Crown Prince really likes the lady. He wasn’t like this before.”

“Indeed. It’s like looking at His Majesty’s past.”

“I wonder if he’ll end up being whipped by the lady.”

The nobles added their comments here and there.

Some sneered at Adelia, while others sighed in pity.

Their reactions were varied, but they all agreed on one thing.

The Crown Prince had fallen in love.

* * *

“Thank you. I feel much better now.”

Upon entering the lounge, Adelia finally managed to escape the gazes of people and rest comfortably.

As soon as she entered, she found a couch and laid down on it, enjoying her freedom in a completely relaxed pose.

“If you’re that tired, you can go in first.”

Lucian said as he sat down on a chair next to her.

He had a knack for speaking kindly in a gruff tone.

‘That’s why people say you’re cold.’

Despite whatever he said, Lucian always seemed indifferent because of his stern tone and strict appearance.

But now, Adelia could see the kindness hidden within him.

The strong impression his appearance gave often made it hard to believe there was any underlying intention, but as time passed and she reflected on his words, she would realize their true meaning and end her day warmed by his kindness.

Adelia chuckled silently and leaned her chin on her hands, looking at him.

“Your Highness.”

“What is it.”

“Be honest with me. You had a lover before, didn’t you?”

Adelia narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

When she had asked him to pretend to be in love with her, she hadn’t expected anything.

Pretending to be in love should be possible, even if one has never been in love.

Lucian’s love was reserved for his family, but romantic love and familial love are clearly different.

However, the way he acted at the banquet truly seemed like someone who had fallen in love. Even Adelia was confused by how perfect it was.

“What are you talking about?”

“You were too good at it. Too kind and too real for someone who’s never had a lover.”

“What are you talking about.”

Lucian frowned unpleasantly at her words.

He rubbed his face with his hand as he let out a sigh.

“None.”

“None?”

“No, none.”

“Oh, so there was?”

“No, there wasn’t. Just. By the way… Have I been mistaken or have you been repeating the same question?”

“It’s fun.”

Adelia laughed teasingly, shrugging her shoulders.

That he had never had a lover was something Adelia knew better than anyone else.

Because he had never given his heart to anyone in the past or future, that’s why he proposed a contract marriage,

“I know there wasn’t. Just that your acting was so good it made me a bit suspicious.”

“Just following my father.”

“His Majesty?”

“I don’t know what love is, but I know my parents loved each other. Since we made a deal for me to pretend to love you, I just mimicked how my father treated my mother.”

“Right… His Majesty was quite the lover.”

Adelia nodded, convinced.

She had momentarily forgotten about the Emperor’s passionate love history amidst his current cold demeanor.

The touching love story of how he fell in love with a lady at the academy he was forced into after being overshadowed by his half-siblings, and how he vowed to protect her and claimed the throne for her.

The love story of a power couple that rose from the bottom to the top fascinated people and was turned into books and plays; there wasn’t a citizen in the empire who didn’t know this story.

When that love came to an abrupt end, the entire empire was plunged into mourning.

“It’s an honor to indirectly experience that famous love story.”

“I thought this was normal but apparently not.”

“Normal? If we keep calling this normal, our story might end up being turned into a play too.”

“Hmm….”

As Adelia teased him, Lucian turned away with an embarrassed look.

The love between the Emperor and his wife was deeper than anyone else’s. Lucian had taken it for granted since he was born.

For him, what was considered a normal relationship by his standards seemed excessive to the nobility accustomed to political marriages.

“Still, thanks to you, the rumors will probably die down. Thank you.”

Adelia gently closed her eyes until her blue irises almost disappeared.

Her body was tired, but she felt very good.

She had successfully planted a good image among the nobles, appealed for a good relationship with the imperial family, announced her affiliation with the trading company, and efficiently promoted the white magic stones.

She had achieved everything she aimed for at today’s banquet.

‘It’s quieter than I thought. Thankfully, not everyone is foolish enough to speak out of turn.’

Her half-siblings had approached her, but the Count was nowhere to be seen.

He was too busy enjoying the glory of being the father of the Crown Princess, surrounded by people.

Those without children to naturally become close to Adelia or those who were originally friends with the Count clung to him.

The power Adelia held was immense enough to set aside the pride of the nobility for a while.