Only then did Nigel realize what Davion had said. Davion was looking at him with an expression saying ‘do well.’

“Instead, I’d like to give the Grand Duke the opportunity to escort you.”

The Queen spoke without even glancing at Nigel. Once again, Nigel had no right to refuse. He was leisurely moving his fork when he set it down with a clatter and continued after the Queen’s words.

“It is an honor to serve the Princess of Egon.”

“I look forward to working with you, Nigel.”

Phoebe responded brightly yet coldly while giving a slight nod. Do they like calling people by name in the desert? Nigel pressed a clean napkin to his mouth while smiling only with his eyes.

＊＊＊

As expected, her hopeful expectations crumbled completely. Despite the arrival of Egon’s delegation, Rosia could not hear any news about her brothers. Moreover, rumors were rampant in the capital about Nigel Gragford marrying the Princess of Egon. Were they really getting married? Rosia spent the whole day in a daze, unable to focus, worrying about her brothers and the strangely bothersome rumors about Nigel’s marriage.

She even had to stop while reading a storybook to Rey because she kept repeating the same part. Though she apologized sincerely, Rey was remarkably composed for his age.

He kindly told her that he could read by himself today and that she should rest. Rosia shamelessly sat still organizing her complicated thoughts while Rey read his book.

Viscount Berthe still hadn’t told Rosia anything about her brothers. When Rosia tried to bring it up several times, he cut her off saying it wasn’t something for her to worry about. Though Rosia understood her father’s feelings, she felt hurt. Meanwhile, Baron and Baroness Luther bickered about Rosia’s marriage prospects, and there was even a ridiculous suggestion about finding a suitable man among Egon’s delegation. Rosia’s opinion meant nothing in front of them. The Baron and Baroness simply wanted Rosia to quietly do as she was told like an obedient child.

Rosia pressed her throbbing temples with her hand. That’s when Aiden appeared, knocking on the door.

“Rosia, do you have a moment?”

“Right now?”

“Yes. If that’s alright.”

Aiden had quite a serious expression, as if he had made some kind of decision. Rosia glanced briefly at Rey’s curious eyes before standing up. Aiden was standing with his body half-hidden behind the door. When Rosia approached him, he spoke in almost a whisper.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“What kind of favor?”

Aiden hesitated, his lips moving several times without speaking. Rosia waited patiently without rushing him until he was ready to talk. What kind of favor could make him so cautious? Finally, Aiden rolled his eyes slightly and said quietly.

“May I draw you?”

“Draw me?”

It was completely unexpected. Rosia asked back with wide eyes. Aiden scratched his cheek somewhat shyly as he answered.

“Actually, drawing is my hobby. I don’t have a suitable model around. It’s fine if you refuse. I won’t take it personally. Of course, I would be very happy if you agreed, Rosia.”

Aiden watched Rosia’s reaction while drooping his eyes like a puppy. He looked genuinely eager to draw her as his model.

Rosia pondered for quite a while. Being a model so suddenly felt awkward. No one had drawn Rosia since the family portrait several years ago, though she occasionally did light sketches of her nanny and servants’ faces.

“Rosia?”

When Rosia’s contemplation deepened, Aiden carefully called out to her. Rosia looked down at Rey’s head bent over his book, then slowly nodded.

“Alright. How should I pose and what expression should I make?”

Aiden’s face brightened. He finally revealed his body that had been hidden behind the door, holding pencil and paper in both hands.

“Just be natural like usual. You can read to Rey or play the piano. I don’t like anything forced.”

After hesitating, Rosia decided to read. She returned to sit beside Rey. Rey glanced at Aiden and naturally moved a bit away from Rosia’s side. He seemed to be making space for Aiden to draw more easily. Rosia tried to focus on the book to avoid showing any awkwardness. Being the subject of a drawing was very unfamiliar to Rosia, who preferred drawing animals and landscapes over portraits.

Aiden sat in a chair some distance away and concentrated. His pencil moved constantly as he looked back and forth between Rosia and the paper with a very serious expression. Only the scratching sound of the pencil and the turning of pages could be heard repeatedly.

Fortunately, unlike the awkward beginning, Rosia gradually became absorbed in reading, forgetting that someone was drawing her.

After some time, Aiden put down his pencil and stood up abruptly. He approached Rosia and held out the drawing.

“What do you think? Do you like it?”

Rosia put down the book she was reading on the table and received the drawing. Rey was curious too and stretched his neck to look at the picture. On the white paper was Rosia reading. Though it looked clean and somewhat lonely due to the simple lines used, that made it feel even more impressive. The expression was quite different from Rosia’s detailed drawings and struck her as fresh. After staring blankly at the drawing, Rosia sincerely exclaimed.

“Aiden, you’re a genius.”

“Please keep such praise to yourself, it’s embarrassing.”

Aiden’s face, which had been tense while waiting for Rosia’s review, turned red. Rosia kept praising the drawing, saying it was wonderful, impressive, the best. Aiden’s face gradually colored until it was completely flushed bright red. He spoke with a tense expression.

“If it’s alright with you, may I draw you again sometime?”

“Of course. I should wear nicer clothes next time.”

Rosia nodded with a bright smile. Aiden took back the drawing and then suddenly spoke as if just remembering something.

“Will you attend the evening banquet today?”

“Ah. You mean the welcoming banquet for the delegation?”

Rosia became gloomy thinking of the dress the Baroness had picked out. The Baroness’s taste ran to flashy, eye-catching dresses. It didn’t match at all with Rosia who preferred modest attire. If the Baroness wasn’t her chaperone, she would have agreed to wear what was picked but changed into a different dress. When Rosia’s expression darkened, Aiden looked at her with concerned eyes.

“Rosia?”

“Ah, yes. What about you?”

Rosia finally came to her senses and met Aiden’s gaze. Aiden smiled and replied somewhat shyly.

“I feel like I keep asking favors of you. Would you honor me with the first dance at the banquet?”

There was a subtle tremor in his gentle voice. Rosia hesitated slightly. Dancing once didn’t mean there were special feelings between them. But Nigel would surely be at the banquet. She didn’t know why she cared about that arrogant and strange man, but it made her take longer to answer.

“Alright, Aiden.”

After calmly making her decision, Rosia gave Aiden a gentle smile. It was difficult to refuse without reason when he had drawn such a wonderful picture.

＊＊＊

The royal banquet hall was filled with unfamiliar faces. They wore different styles than those commonly worn in Wetzel, and their appearances were distinctly different. They were the delegation from Egon. Most of them stayed around the Queen and Crown Prince, though some enjoyed dancing and conversing with people from Wetzel.

Rosia entered the banquet hall alongside Aiden and shared their first dance together. Somewhere, people whispered that Rosia Berthe had chosen the Hess family over the Grand Duke. Rosia pretended not to hear them. They were just strangers talking anyway. She would only make herself sick if she paid attention to everything.

But the conversation she heard while sharing wine with Aiden was too hard to ignore. It was a snide remark about how she was dancing at a welcoming banquet for the delegation while her brothers couldn’t even return from abroad. Though they probably thought she couldn’t hear them, it came through crystal clear to Rosia whose nerves were on edge. Forcing a smile, she excused herself to Aiden and fled to the balcony.

She took deep breaths of the cool evening air. Just then, someone entered the balcony. Rosia was covering her flushed face while leaning on the railing when she turned around in surprise.

Ah.

A man both familiar and unfamiliar stood there. Rosia hurriedly showed proper courtesy.

“Your Highness.”

“It’s been a while.”

Nigel responded somewhat indifferently. Actually, it hadn’t been that long as he said. Still, Rosia couldn’t argue with his words. Nigel Gragford, whom she was meeting again after just days, already felt like a different person. Rosia awkwardly looked at him before lowering her gaze to the floor.

“You came with Aiden Hess.”

Nigel sighed softly while brushing back his hair that had been disheveled by the wind. His brilliant golden hair turned white in the moonlight. Rosia nodded inadvertently. Nigel, who had been staring intently at her, turned his back. Then, looking at the dim forest in the distance, he muttered quietly.

“What do you think?”

“Pardon?”

“Everyone wants me to marry the desert princess.”

Rosia couldn’t hide her confused expression, not knowing how to respond. Why would he ask such a question? Nigel and Rosia were now nothing to each other. Perhaps he was simply asking for a citizen’s opinion. Still, the thought that there was more to it kept spinning in her mind.

“Rosia Berthe.”

Nigel’s voice became even lower and more crushed. Just like that time, when they hid behind the curtain and stood close enough to feel each other’s breath. Rosia clutched her dress tightly with trembling hands.

“I……”

“Rosia.”

At that moment, Aiden suddenly entered the balcony and called for Rosia. Following him was an unfamiliar woman, the Princess of Egon who had made eye contact with Rosia while passing by in a carriage the other day.