Normally he would have scolded them sternly…… For some reason, Enoch only quietly listened to their conversation while hiding behind the wall.

“Do you know why she rejected all the gifts our Marquis kindly sent?”

“Why? What is it?”

“Well, she said they were below her level. That they didn’t match her class…… she said none of them suited her.”

“Oh my, oh my. Is that really true?”

“Yeah, you know I’m close with the bedroom maid in charge of that princess, right? I heard all this from her.”

The whispering voices felt sharp like knives today especially. The more Enoch listened to their conversation, the more powerless he felt.

Actually, this wasn’t the first time he had heard such gossip.

‘Is every problem because I’m of common birth?’

Why did he expect Luciella would be different?

Enoch’s head dropped to the ground. He thought he wanted to smoke cigarettes he had never even touched. He stood there like a broken doll for quite a while.

Perhaps trying to help Luciella had been presumptuous.

‘What am I to……’

His goodwill was just that. Supply without demand, one that she didn’t welcome.

He felt like he had realized his place once again.

Right, it wasn’t Luciella who needed to know her place. It was himself.

* * *

Enoch began rapidly proceeding with marriage preparations along with his piled-up work. He also planned to officially announce the engagement news soon.

‘I should attend some suitable gathering and show my face at least once.’

Though reluctant, Enoch began opening the invitations piled on his desk one by one. It was to choose places where Sejef and his group were unlikely to come.

‘The Grand Duke is definitely coveting Luciella.’

I must be careful until we officially become husband and wife.

While examining invitations closely and filtering again and again for quite a while, one suitable gathering caught his eye. The scale wasn’t too large, so the burden would be light too.

Enoch immediately wrote a reply about attending and headed to Luciella.

“We will attend a simple social gathering this weekend.”

Then he firmly spat out words of notification.

“Surely you won’t refuse saying you can’t do even this.”

“……”

“You just need to stand quietly beside me without causing unnecessary commotion. I’ll prepare and send clothes for you to wear then.”

Fortunately, this time no tantrum-mixed answer about not wanting to go came back. Just when Enoch felt relieved inwardly and was about to leave her room.

“Um…… Marquis.”

For some reason, Luciella called out to stop him. She had always kept her mouth tightly shut and only made unreadable expressions……

Enoch looked back at Luciella immediately, somewhat surprised.

Perhaps she had developed the will to have a conversation with him?

“I’m sorry, but could I possibly…… know news about Bert?”

But this time too, Enoch’s expectations shattered like glass.

“Are you curious about such things now?”

“……I want to know even general news.”

Enoch stared persistently at Luciella. He wanted to know what she was thinking. But looking wouldn’t let him know her inner thoughts.

‘It probably won’t be very pleasant news to hear……’

Enoch soon turned his gaze away and opened his mouth.

“The former captain of the royal knights has ascended as the new leader.”

Then after hesitating briefly, he continued.

“All other royalty except Your Highness have been executed.”

“Ah……”

“My condolences.”

Enoch bowed his head respectfully toward her. Then he immediately left the room like escaping.

He didn’t want to see Luciella collapsing.

* * *

In the blink of an eye, the day of the social gathering dawned.

For today, Enoch had even carefully selected and sent a dress that would suit her well. Did Luciella know he had chosen it himself? She probably didn’t.

Enoch, who had finished preparing, headed to Luciella’s room with slight expectation.

“Are you finished preparing?”

It seemed her grooming had just ended.

“Ah, Marquis……”

The moment he saw Luciella rising from her seat and looking at him, Enoch’s body flinched and trembled.

That was because Luciella in her gorgeous dress looked extremely beautiful. Even though the jewels embroidered on the dress sparkled dazzlingly, they didn’t catch his eye well. Her face shone even more.

Her pale skin and sparkling silver hair also stood out more than usual. Enoch hastily turned around, feeling like he would be completely enchanted if he kept looking at Luciella.

“Since you seem finished, let’s depart.”

Heat rose to his head and even his ears felt hot. Enoch strode toward the carriage like escaping to hide such expressions.

Completely forgetting to escort Luciella.

* * *

“Have you arrived, Your Grace?”

“It’s been a while, Count Rescent.”

“I heard rumors you’re busy with marriage preparations…… so it was true.”

“Yes, it somehow turned out that way.”

The moment they arrived at the gathering, Enoch exchanged greetings with the host.

Count Rescent.

Not belonging to any particular faction, he was one of the few nobles favorable to Enoch.

But just because it was a gathering he hosted didn’t mean everyone was favorable to him.

“Doesn’t it seem right? That Bert princess……”

“I heard she was put up for auction and sold, but how……”

“A fallen royal surviving so cleverly……”

“Oh my, how ugly.”

The whispering heard from various places was so blatant that everyone seemed to have no intention of hiding their base inner thoughts. Enoch clicked his tongue in displeasure. Since he could hear everything, Luciella must be hearing it too.

The moment he thought he should move locations.

“……Luciella?”

Someone spoke Luciella’s name.

“It’s you, Luciella!”

“Wh, who are……”

Then they ran over quickly and embraced her tightly.

Luciella, whom he himself didn’t dare touch carelessly……

Enoch’s expression crumpled terribly. He immediately checked who had committed the rudeness with fierce eyes.

Golden hair and eyes.

Damn it, it was Sejef. The existence Enoch had so wanted to avoid.

‘Why on earth is the Grand Duke at such a gathering……’

Surely Count Rescent’s small social gathering wasn’t at a level where Sejef would fit in. Enoch’s heart began pounding like crazy after confirming it was Sejef.

“What rudeness is this all of a sudden?”

His mind turned white. Confused, Enoch immediately pushed Sejef away and shouted.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke, she is to be my fiancée. Please show courtesy!”

Sejef glanced at Enoch with meaningful eyes at those words. Then he immediately raised both hands as if he were harmless.

“Brother…… Sejef?”

But this time Luciella spoke his name.

“You do remember after all!”

Sejef smiled like showing off to Enoch and examined Luciella’s body.

“What’s all this, Luciella? I heard the general news. You’re not hurt anywhere?”

Rather than feeling displeasure at such behavior from Sejef, Luciella seemed moved instead.

“Ah, ahh……”

Enoch had to feel like he was an unwelcome guest in this space.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to force yourself to speak. Anyway, I’m glad you’re safe. Really glad, Luciella.”

Watching the two people who seemed affectionate, Enoch clenched his fist tightly. Then unable to bear it, he subtly asked Luciella.

“……Are you acquainted with Grand Duke Winston?”

“Ah, yes…… He stayed briefly at our royal palace when we were young.”

It was the first time he heard this story. Inwardly flustered, Enoch raised one eyebrow. He almost let out a sneer.

She seemed unable to find even a bit of memory about him…… but her memories with Sejef appeared clear. Of course, knowing the depth of their association would be different from his own, Enoch still felt spiteful for no reason.

‘But to think the two of them were such close acquaintances.’

He was confused. But then why had Sejef tried to do such things regarding Luciella? His head felt dizzy.

“But since you left, this is also my first time seeing you…… By the way, you’ve inherited your title. Congratulations, Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

“Haha, Luciella. There’s no need to be so formal between us. You can call me casually like before.”

“No, how could I dare……”

“Don’t act like that. Luciella, if you act like that, your brother feels hurt. Hmm?”

“But……”

“Luciella, you’re my precious old friend. If even you try to keep such distance from me, I think I’ll really be upset.”

Every time Sejef opened his mouth, Enoch felt displeasure like cockroaches crawling over his body. He didn’t seem like the Sejef he knew.

Starting with his voice. It was completely filled with pretense. It was unbelievable that this was the person who exchanged vulgar conversations behind the scenes.

“By the way Luciella, you’re Marquis Walter’s fiancée?”

“Yes, Your Highness. We’re rapidly proceeding with marriage preparations.”

Before Luciella could speak, Enoch quickly intercepted the answer. He was afraid of what sound might come from Luciella’s mouth.

“We plan to hold a simple engagement ceremony soon.”

Sejef fell silent briefly at Enoch’s words. His golden eyes turned fiercely toward Enoch.

“That’s quite congratulatory.”

“Thank you.”

“By the way Marquis, could you step aside for a moment? I want to ask about old times with my old friend I’m meeting after so long.”

Before Enoch could answer that it was difficult, Sejef added thanks and moved to another spot with Luciella.

Anxiety and fear covered Enoch. Eventually Enoch immediately followed the two.

Fortunately the two headed to a nearby terrace. Enoch stood in front of it and waited until their conversation ended.

Occasional voices could be heard but they weren’t clear. Enoch had to wait anxiously for the two’s conversation to end.

‘If Luciella confesses everything to the Grand Duke about being forced to marry me…… what should I do?’