Suppressing the surge of anger that threatened to rise, Isabel forced a smile.

“His Majesty must be in a foul mood. That’s likely why he couldn’t come out.”

Clicking her tongue, Margaret walked with her all the way to the carriage.

“Not a single thing about this pleases me. Especially that Cedric, acting like the Emperor’s loyal hound.”

Sensing that this would only drag on endlessly if she let it, Isabel smoothly changed the subject.

“You should head back inside, Mother.”

“So you do mind me speaking ill of your husband, after all. Very well.”

Margaret gave her a playful glance before turning away.

Isabel stood there for a long time, watching until Margaret had disappeared from view completely. Only then did she step into the carriage.

Shortly afterwards, the carriage began to move. The sound of its wheels rattling as it descended the cliffside castle echoed through the still night air.

Reflected in the passing window, Isabel’s face was as cold as frost.

❖ ❖ ❖

Just as Isabel had expected, Cedric had received news of Anna’s whereabouts and abandoned the Emperor to ride out of the castle towards the outskirts of the capital.

The estates closest to the towering castle on the cliff belonged to nobles, while further out, the homes of soldiers and common citizens stretched in long rows.

Anna had been found in a shabby inn tucked away in an alley near the outer wall.

“We’ve arrived, my lord.”

Lost in thought, Cedric had been absentmindedly tracing the peculiar necklace hidden beneath his clothes. At his guard’s voice, he dismounted and stepped into the narrow alley.

“Let go of me!”

It happened just as he entered the dim interior, thick with yellowed light and acrid smoke.

A sharp scream rang out.

The sound came from a shadowed corner of the tavern, crowded with rough-looking men.

It was Anna.

“Anna!”

Struck by a flash of alarm, Cedric pushed his way inside without hesitation.

Further in, he found her, held tightly by a man.

Seeing his fine attire, the sword at his waist, the golden brooch on his chest and the knights behind him, the onlookers quickly shrank back, clearing a path.

“S-Sir Cedric!”

The moment she saw him, Anna’s face lit up with relief.

Her small face was streaked with tears.

Cedric’s expression darkened as he took in her disheveled state. Gripping the hilt of his sword as if ready to draw it, he strode towards the man holding her.

“Release her at once—!”

“Cedric?”

Just before he could draw his blade, Cedric saw the man’s face and froze.

To his astonishment, the man holding Anna was Grand Duke Tebrio: the younger brother of Emperor Kaidus III, and the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Paruskal — a region that had once been part of the old Kingdom of Calium.

The man’s bloated, indulgent physique bore an uncanny resemblance to Kaidus III.

Cedric’s brows furrowed deeply as disbelief gave way to tension.

“Your Grace… what are you doing here?”

“Ah, well! I was on my way to the banquet, you see! But more importantly—what are you doing here?”

“I came to find the woman Your Grace is holding.”

At Cedric’s words, Tebrio’s eyes widened in surprise.

“This woman? You mean this girl? You know her? Why?”

“She belongs to my household.”

“This girl?”

Tebrio repeated the words, clearly incredulous.

Cedric looked at him with thinly veiled irritation.

“Yes. So release Anna.”

“Anna?”

“Sir Cedric!”

In that brief moment of distraction, Anna shoved Tebrio aside and threw herself into Cedric’s arms.

“I was so scared!”

Caught off guard, Cedric held her, awkwardly patting her back in an attempt to comfort her.

“I’m sorry I came late.”

At his words, Anna broke down even further, sobbing like a child.

As Cedric soothed her, his gaze turned cold as he looked at Grand Duke Tebrio, the man who had frightened her.

“What exactly did you do to her?”

“What do you mean, what did I do?!”

Startled by Cedric’s gaze, Grand Duke Tebrio flinched—then his expression hardened belatedly.

“I merely spoke to her! That girl and I still had unfinished business. Are you daring to block my way?”

“Are you saying that talking to a girl is more important than attending His Majesty’s banquet? What do you think the king would say if he found out you were absent because of a conversation with a girl?”

“Y-you… are you threatening me right now?!”

“It’s not a threat. I’m simply advising you to return to His Majesty at once—his mood is not favorable.”

At the mention of the Emperor’s displeasure, Tebrio’s face drained of color.

“H-his mood is not favorable…?!”

“…Something happened at the banquet. It would be wise to handle this carefully.”

Cedric deliberately kept the explanation vague, choosing not to mention that Margaret had once again provoked Kaidus III.

Already disliked by the Emperor due to past incidents, Tebrio grew visibly anxious. His cheeks twitched as he turned his full attention to the Emperor.

Cedric offered a brief farewell, confirming this.

“Then please return to the palace. I’ll be taking my leave.”

Anna trembled, pressing herself closer into his arms. Cedric wrapped his cloak around her and turned away.

“W-wait—!”

Tebrio called out belatedly, but Cedric ignored him entirely and walked out of the stench-filled inn.

❖ ❖ ❖

Night had fallen, shrouding the land in darkness.

Four mounted guards rode in pairs ahead of the group, leading the way with lanterns to illuminate the road. Anna shifted restlessly in her seat in front of Cedric.

Cedric clicked his tongue softly.

“Stay still. You’ll fall.”

“B-but… it’s my first time riding a horse. It’s very uncomfortable.”

“I should have brought a carriage. I was in such a hurry, it didn’t even cross my mind.”

“In a hurry? To find me?”

Anna quickly turned her head, staring at him. Her eyes, still red from crying, shone faintly.

Cedric looked at her in silence before speaking.

“Then why did you leave like that? Without a word.”

At his question, Anna lowered her gaze and murmured softly.

“Lady Isabel was furious! I had no idea she would be so upset. I never meant to anger her. I thought I would be banished and never see either of you again.”

Looking up at him with tear-filled eyes, she asked,

“Then how… did you decide to come for me?”

“Did you really think I would abandon you?”

Anna stared at Cedric for a moment, then hurriedly shook her head. Cedric let out a faint chuckle and gently patted her on the head.

Seemingly comforted by this, Anna let out a soft laugh and began to fidget with her fingers. However, a sudden worry soon clouded her face again.

“My lady said she never wanted to see me again. What if she gets angry when I return? I… is it really okay for me to go back, my lord?”

“Who is the master of House Francia?”

“That would be you, my lord.”

“Then the authority to bring someone in or send them away lies with me. I’ve already spoken to Isabel. You won’t be cast out again.”

“R-really?”

At his words, Anna’s face brightened instantly.

“I was truly so upset… Serving you and my lady—living like that—that’s all I ever wanted.”

“You don’t need to attend to Isabel and me anymore.”

“What do you mean…?”

Cedric stared at Anna for a long moment. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he spoke in a firm, decisive tone.

“I will take you in as my mistress. That first night may have been a mistake, but we’ve already spent several days together. I intend to take responsibility for you.”

Anna looked at him in disbelief.

“…You’re taking me in as your mistress? Truly?”

“Yes.”

“Then… I won’t be cast out?”

“Of course not. You’re my mistress. As long as I don’t abandon you, no one—not even Isabel—can drive you away.”

Anna stared at him blankly, her cheeks slowly flushing pink. Then, on impulse, she leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.

“I will! I’ll be your mistress, Sir Cedric!”

Startled by the sudden kiss, Cedric nearly lost his grip on the reins.

“Anna, that’s dangerous!”

At his mild scolding, Anna hesitated for a moment—then burst into laughter like a child.

“I can’t help it! I’m just so happy!”

Her words made Cedric smile despite himself.

“I was really worried… that I’d be thrown out.”

“You won’t have to worry about that ever again.”

As his thoughts drifted, he gently stroked the top of her head.

Anna was always honest and pure. She was so different from Isabel, who kept her emotions tightly in check. Perhaps that was why he found himself drawn to Anna more.

“Still… could you let me continue serving by my lady’s side?”

“As my mistress, you’ll have more than enough to enjoy. Why would you concern yourself with attending to Isabel?”

“…Is that not possible?”

Cedric’s mother, Sabina, had also lived as a mistress during his father’s lifetime. She enjoyed a lifestyle similar to that of a noblewoman, albeit with certain limitations. At least she had never been required to serve others.

Nevertheless, Anna’s only wish was to remain at Isabel’s side.

“I never meant to betray her, but my lady was still hurt. I can’t turn away from that. Please… show me mercy. Until her anger fades, at least allow me to continue serving her.”

Cedric looked at her, his expression torn.

“Isabel won’t allow it.”

“I’ll ask for her permission myself!”

“You’re more stubborn than I thought.”

“S-sorry…”

Anna lowered her head and slumped forward.

Watching her, Cedric found himself thinking of Isabel.

Given her temperament, she would never accept someone she had previously rejected.

However, it would be better if Anna and Isabel could get along.

“If she permits it, then I won’t stop you. Still, I’d prefer that you live comfortably.”

“Being by your side—and my lady’s—that is my comfort.”

Anna smiled brightly.

“…Very well.”

With a faint chuckle, Cedric pulled her closer and continued toward home. But after a short while, a thought crossed his mind, and his expression tightened.

“By the way… how did you come to meet Grand Duke Tebrio?”

At the sudden question, Anna’s body visibly stiffened.