A letter arrived from Princess Kanarosa. Seeing the pink envelope stamped with the imperial seal, I opened the letter with a pounding heart. The stationery was also a pretty pink.

I lay down on the bed while reading the carefully written words.

Lella quickly brought over some cookies. I picked them up one by one and ate them.

“Delicious.”

“It feels like you’ve returned to your usual self, my lady.”

Well, I wasn’t myself for a whole month.

After crying, I became more emotionally relaxed than before. Luden also seemed peaceful somehow. 

This is a better ability than I thought.

That said, I had no intention of using this ability often. Having personally experienced what it’s like when my past self comes to visit and cry, it consumes a lot physically and mentally. I guess I need to be prepared.

I read the letter happily while thinking of Luden. ‘What could he be doing?’

“What does it say?”

Lella asked.

“It’s an invitation for Luden and me to attend a tea time.”

I got up from my seat and headed to Luden’s room. I decided not to automatically assume he’d be busy. Let me ask first and then judge. I decided to stop arbitrarily thinking he was too busy to do anything.

I probably thought that way because I didn’t want to get hurt.

When I opened the office door and entered, Luden looked at me. He was busy doing something.

“You seem busy.”

“Have you finished studying everything related to the estate, Annelia?”

“I’m taking it slowly.”

I smiled brightly.

I studied this morning and was resting, that’s what I mean.

“What is it?”

“Her Highness Princess Kanarosa has invited us to tea time.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow.”

Luden made a troubled expression.

“There’s too much backlogged work, so it’s impossible.”

Anten, who was beside him, quickly told me. He seemed worried I might drag Luden away.

“Luden is in a difficult position.”

“I should go with you.”

“No, you don’t have to.”

Then who should I go with?

A certain man suddenly came to mind.

Actually, Sorean ends up with Kanarosa later. Remembering that, I spoke to tell him not to worry.

“I’ll go with Count Root.”

Luden paused for a moment. And Anten, who was with him, also stiffened.

“Why him of all people…”

“There’s a reason.”

After everything is over, I’ll tell Luden about it.

I smiled quietly and closed the door. Completely unaware of what misunderstanding Luden was having.

* * *

Luden watched Annelia leave with a seemingly happy smile. 

‘Is she happy to go with Sorean?’

‘Why is she so pleased? I hoped she’d show some disappointment about not being able to go with me.’

Anten approached, seemingly reading Luden’s mind.

“You can’t cancel the schedule.”

“I know.”

Luden slowly inhaled.

Before, he suppressed all his emotions. But after crying in Annelia’s arms, it became easier. 

‘It feels like something blocked has been released.’

After that, he started expressing emotions. Of course, he could maintain an expressionless face during business. But he couldn’t do that with matters related to Annelia. 

‘Maybe it’s because my heart reacts first.’

“I’ll finish quickly and come back.”

He wanted to know every detail of what she’d discuss with Sorean. But if he did such a thing, Annelia might come to hate him.

That was an even more frightening prospect.

* * *

I sent a letter to Sorean. Sorean readily accepted my request and we agreed to meet at the imperial palace.

“Aren’t you two taking the same carriage?”

Luden asked during breakfast. I shook my head while cutting my favorite steak.

“What kind of rumors would start if we did that? We’re friends, but we need to maintain propriety.”

Luden stared at me intently.

“You’re quite thorough, Annelia.”

“I can’t tarnish Luden’s reputation.”

Hearing that, Luden fell into thought. The way he seemed to hesitate about saying something stimulated my curiosity.

“What were you going to say?”

“I’ll come home early today.”

At Luden’s words, I tilted my head.

“Luden, are you worried?”

At my question, Luden’s ears turned red. When Luden gets embarrassed, his ears turn red first.

“No.”

He spoke only after a long pause. But I had already seen his ears flush.

“Don’t worry, Luden. I’ll just have tea and come back. I always keep the contract terms in mind.”

‘I have no intention of breaking the contract.’

Luden looked at his food for a moment.

“Annelia… when I return from knight training…”

Then he cut off his words.

‘Why is he acting like this?’

“Never mind.”

He left only curiosity behind and quickly stood up and walked away. He seemed to be running away, which flustered me.

“Have a good day!”

I waved at him as he left.

Now I need to get ready and go to the imperial palace. Sorean said he’d wait at the palace entrance, so I had to be on time. 

‘You need an invitation to enter the palace, after all.’

* * *

I swept my flowing hair back. When I said I was going to the palace, Lella took great care in dressing me up. Plus, it was my first outing in a while.

Summer was coming to an end.

The wedding was also approaching in a month.

The invitations had already been sent. Luden and Caromiel probably had guests living in the provinces. I had almost no guests coming from the provinces.

The palace entrance came into view. Two massive sculptures made of gold stood prominently, and beside them I saw a carriage bearing the Root Count family crest. It was Sorean’s carriage.

The carriage stopped and I opened the door. Sorean was outside the carriage, gazing at the palace for a moment.

“It’s been a while.”

Sorean waved his hand.

“Annelia, are you okay now?”

“Of course.”

“I heard you weren’t feeling well.”

“Thank you for worrying.”

‘Because Luden was by my side, I could recover my energy.’ 

If Luden hadn’t said those words at that moment, I might have been consumed by sadness. Even after crying, my heart would have felt empty somewhere.

But not anymore. I cherish myself, and Luden cherishes me too, so something I was starving for in my heart has been filled.

“Sorean, let’s go quickly.”

I gave him the invitation. He looked at the invitation with interested eyes.

“You said something good would happen today, so I’m very curious.”

At Sorean’s question, I raised my finger and covered my lips.

“Secret.”

‘It won’t be fun if I tell you in advance.’ 

Sorean laughed.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

We boarded the carriage and entered the palace.

* * *

Kanarosa lived in Lily Palace. The place where princesses born to the Empress live is Rose Palace, and the place where princesses born to concubines live is Lily Palace.

Kanarosa said she’d hold tea time in the spacious garden of Lily Palace.

Sorean and I, having arrived at Lily Palace, got out of the carriage. In the garden sat Kanarosa, beautifully dressed.

“Thank you for coming.”

Kanarosa spoke to us with a bright smile. It seemed she hadn’t invited anyone else, as there were only two seats.

“But who is this?”

“This is Count Sorean Root. Luden was busy, so I came with him.”

Kanarosa looked Sorean over carefully. It was quite an interesting sight.

‘If my prediction is correct, faces should start flushing right about now.’

“Pleased to meet you.”

Kanarosa extended her hand to Sorean with a reddened face. Then Sorean, who had been standing dazed, quickly kissed the back of Kanarosa’s hand.

“It’s an honor to meet you at such an occasion, Your Highness.”

“You can call me Kanarosa.”

“Yes, Your Highness Kanarosa.”

I think this is the first time I’ve seen Sorean so flustered. I covered my mouth with my hand and laughed. I could tell the two had fallen for each other at first sight.

‘They really are soulmates.’

I deliberately sat in the back seat. Then Sorean hesitantly sat in a seat close to Kanarosa.

Maids brought tea and set it up. Until then, we didn’t say much. Only after the maids left did we start talking in earnest.

“What’s your ideal type, Lady Kanarosa?”

To my question, Kanarosa answered without hesitation.

“A caring man.”

“Ah, because you suffered at the hands of that bastard.”

Kanarosa was surprised.

“He’s not even worth naming.”

Kanarosa’s hands were trembling. Still, after taking a sip of tea, Kanarosa nodded.

“That’s right. He’s not worth naming.”

‘Why is she using honorifics for that bastard?’

Still, I didn’t say anything else. Kanarosa, who grew up using refined language in the palace, probably can’t use harsh words.

“Are you perhaps… talking about your former fiancé?”

Sorean interjected curiously. He also knew that Kanarosa’s ex-fiancé was that guy.

‘Well, who wouldn’t know? Jiton believed it and went on a rampage.’

“Even to Her Highness Kanarosa?”

“Where would that personality go?”

Sorean pressed his lips tightly together.

“Don’t worry, you won’t see him for five years.”

I said with a smile. Remembering how I got one over on Jiton always made me smile naturally.

“Lady Annelia is so amazing.”

Kanarosa looked at me with sparkling eyes.

I am… kind of like that. I did a lot of pushover things, so I know well what to do to not be a pushover.

I suddenly felt bitter.

“I was a pushover too.”

I smiled while recalling the past.

Wow, I can talk about that time so lightly. If I had just cried and vomited emotions, only bitterness would remain. I feel like I was saved thanks to Luden.

“And then I changed.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to do that.”

“Still, breaking off the engagement was Your Highness Kanarosa’s decision, wasn’t it?”

Kanarosa nodded.

“It was barely a decision, so when I think of that moment, my hands still tremble.”

“That took great courage. If you change things one by one like that, you’ll become different.”

At my gentle words, Kanarosa’s eyes deepened.

“Lady Annelia is my idol.”

‘No, not an idol. I’m not that great.’

But Sorean kept making a stiff expression. Hmm, he’s not thinking of tormenting Jiton, is he?

Unaware that a future was coming where Sorean would turn all the projects he was pursuing with the Hanel ducal family into nothing, I spoke to Sorean.

“Sorean, you ask Her Highness Kanarosa something too.”

“I’ll ask first!”

Kanarosa calmly raised her hand.

“Ask me anything.”

Sorean changed his stiff expression back to a gentle one and asked Kanarosa.

When he asked me on a date, his eyes weren’t like that. I smiled slightly and waited for Kanarosa’s words.

She’ll probably ask about ideal types or something like that.

“What exactly is your relationship with Lady Annelia?”

Why is she asking this?

I was dumbfounded. Sorean tactlessly said this.

“She rejected me and we became friends.”

No, why say that!

“So you do admire Lady Annelia.”

The energy drained from Kanarosa’s face. Then Sorean quickly waved his hands.

“We’re not in that kind of relationship now. If we were, I couldn’t be with Lady Annelia.”

“Why not?”

Kanarosa perked up her ears.

“Lady Annelia said she wants to be faithful only to Marquis Charlot, who will be her husband.”

Hearing Sorean’s words, my face flushed too. I did say that.

“Lady Annelia really is amazing. How could you reject Count Root!”

Well, dealing with two men isn’t my taste.

“It’s a matter of preference.”

Sorean’s shoulders drooped.

“Anyway, that’s how it happened.”

“Count Root must be very popular?”

“Please call me Sorean.”

Sorean quickly spoke, seemingly bothered that Kanarosa kept calling him Count Root. Then Kanarosa’s face flushed slightly.

Ah, how pretty.

I know what Kanarosa is worried about. She doesn’t like promiscuous men.

“Sorean is the kind of man who doesn’t even keep mistresses. He’s popular but not an easy man.”

“No, calling me not an easy man. I’m such an easy man.”

Sorean grumbled.

“You don’t have a lover?”

Kanarosa widened her eyes. Well, wealthy nobles usually keep one or two lovers. But since he, who is so popular, doesn’t do that, Kanarosa looked at him with curiosity.

“My ex-fiancé had many lovers besides me.”

Kanarosa muttered bitterly.