“I have no intention of keeping a mistress, so I still don’t understand my ex-fiancé’s mindset.”

Kanarosa said this and drank her tea. Then Sorean perked up his ears and drank his tea happily at her words.

That’s right, it’s very important that the woman you like doesn’t have a man.

After sipping some tea, Sorean, Kanarosa, and I took a walk together. I deliberately wore heeled shoes, just so you know.

As soon as I saw a bench, I quickly sat down.

“My legs hurt.”

“Lady Annelia, are you alright?”

Kanarosa asked in a worried voice. Then I shook my head.

“I’ll rest here, so you two finish the walk.”

I said with a bright smile. Then Sorean’s eyes changed. Kanarosa nodded shyly.

Watching them walk away slowly, I nodded.

They really suit each other well. I’m glad I rejected Sorean when I first met him.

But what was Luden doing? He must be working hard, right? He might not be thinking of me at all.

It would be unfair if only I’m thinking of him, but hearts don’t work the way you want them to.

I watched the two walk together harmoniously while thinking of Luden.

* * *

Luden entered the mansion with quick steps. If Annelia hadn’t returned, he planned to go find her.

He kept clenching his fingers anxiously. He made a fist, then opened it to open the door.

When he opened the door, he saw Annelia standing there with a bright smile.

“Welcome back, Luden.”

“Did you have a good time?”

“Of course. I had a wonderful time with Sorean and Her Highness Kanarosa.”

‘I should have been there during that time.’

He felt lingering regret about not being able to go to tea time with Annelia.

“You came back early.”

“There’s no need to have tea time all day.”

It seemed to imply that she and Sorean had an appropriate relationship. Annelia didn’t make her attitude ambiguous. That’s why Luden felt relieved and held her hand, slowly descending to the lower floor.

* * *

“Did the work finish well?”

Annelia asked while eating soup. Then she served herself some salad with garlic-scented dressing and brought it in front of her. Watching this side of Annelia, Luden also followed her example and ate salad.

“It finished well.”

‘If it hadn’t, I wouldn’t be able to eat this leisurely. I would have been troubled trying to establish alternative plans.’

“I thought so. Otherwise Luden would have been frantic.”

Annelia knew him well.

But did she know what it meant to not be allowed to fail?

The things he used to suppress had disappeared more than before, making it easier to breathe. But Luden wanted to pour out his heart to her a bit more. 

‘It must be because of the comfort she gives.’

“It’s frustrating that I must only succeed.”

At Luden’s words, Annelia looked at him for a moment.

“That must be very difficult.”

Annelia nodded empathetically.

“I wish Luden could be a bit more comfortable.”

“Not a chance until I safely finish knight training.”

Luden shrugged his shoulders.

“Once training ends, it’ll get better. Then I’ll become the official heir that no one can touch.”

Annelia clenched both fists.

“You can do it!”

Then she turned her gaze toward him. She looked at him carefully, then tilted her head to one side and sent something out. It was a small but warm energy.

Luden unexpectedly shed tears.

“Annelia!”

Luden didn’t particularly dislike crying, but doing this without warning was cheating.

“It’s for your sake, Luden! Holding it in makes you sick.”

He knew how much Annelia had held in. He saw her cry himself. And he had cried too.

“It’ll be okay since only I’m watching. I won’t spread rumors.”

‘If it’s in front of Annelia, it’s okay.’ 

If she said this side of him was acceptable… it wouldn’t matter to show her.

“After we finish eating, let’s have tea with Lady Anan.”

He had been disappointed about not participating in tea time, but she was making a good suggestion.

She seemed to say it casually, but Luden’s heart grew warm.

‘She has no idea. How I’m looking at her.’

Luden held back his desire to immediately take Annelia to his room and hold her. As she said, having tea with his mother, who had regained some health, was also important.

Luden went to Anan’s room with Annelia.

Anan, who had been lying in bed reading a book, smiled seeing her son and Annelia.

After enjoying tea time, Anan walked through the garden with Luden and Annelia.

That’s how Luden shook off his regret about missing tea time, thanks to Annelia.

But the next day, when he learned that Sorean had sent a letter to Annelia, his mood became uncomfortable again.

* * *

“The letter came quickly.”

I smiled while opening the envelope. Then Lella scurried over and asked me.

“What is it about?”

“Why, curious?”

“Everyone’s curious. Everyone in the mansion would want to know.”

Is it that serious?

Well, even though Sorean and I are friends, the way outsiders view it would be different. ‘It’s better to be honest. That way strange rumors won’t spread in the mansion.’

“I’ll tell you after reading it.”

The letter contained what I expected.

I’ve fallen for Lady Kanarosa’s beautiful smile. My heart is pounding and I can only think of her, so I can’t sleep. Please help me.

Being so honest makes me want to help even more.

“Count Root has fallen for a woman at first sight. He’s asking me to help.”

Lella was surprised.

“Not you, my lady?”

“For me it was just a favorable impression, and he’s asking for help because he has someone he truly likes.”

When I said this, Lella muttered regretfully.

“It would have been fun if something happened between you and the young lady.”

Ah, that would be troublesome.

Lella still didn’t know about the contract with Luden.

“Then shall we start working?”

“What are you scheming?”

“I’m helping him.”

“That’s scheming.”

Do you think I’m Luden?

I was dumbfounded but still thought hard.

For the two to get closer, they first needed to spend a lot of time together.

While pondering, I came up with a good idea.

This seems like something I should discuss with Luden rather than decide alone. Even though I’m the fiancée, the decision-making power for the household still lies with Luden.

* * *

When I entered, Luden made a tense expression.

“Did you come about Sorean?”

“How did you know?”

“He informed me that he sent you a letter.”

‘No, who?’ When I tilted my head, Luden sighed.

“Andre.”

“The knight commander?”

“He does useless things.”

He said that and got up from his chair, walked to the sofa and sat down. I also took a seat across from him, and Luden called a maid to order tea. Once the tea was set, I quickly picked up my teacup. It was a pretty coffee cup with black flowers drawn on it.

“What kind of letter did he send to make you come so urgently?”

“I want to go to the villa with Sorean.”

The teacup Luden was holding shook. He bit his lip. He looked at me, seemingly very displeased.

“Do you like him?”

“He’s a friend.”

“Even if he’s a friend, going to a villa alone together…!”

I knew what Luden was thinking.

“Hm? It’s not just the two of us though?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m going with Princess Kanarosa.”

Then Luden was flustered. He gulped down his tea, put the cup back down, and wiped the water on his lips with a towel.

“Sorean likes Princess Kanarosa.”

“Then don’t tell me?”

“I’m trying to set them up.”

Luden frowned for a moment, then looked at me.

“Could it be that taking him to the palace was also…?”

“I thought he’d suit Her Highness Kanarosa well.”

I can’t say I knew he’d end up well with Kanarosa. Then Luden pressed his forehead with his hand and grumbled.

“All this time, how much…”

“Did something happen?”

“Nothing.”

Luden spoke firmly, seemingly unwilling to elaborate. I was also curious about what Luden meant, but I didn’t ask. There’s no need to ask when he doesn’t want to talk about it.

“Which villa will you go to?”

At Luden’s question, I mentioned the place I had in mind.

“The villa in Eurorien.”

Eurorien was far from the capital, but if you went through a warp, you could get there in a day.

“Are you thinking of the lantern festival?”

“That’s right.”

Around this time in Eurorien, a lantern festival is held. Tourists gather from all over the world.

“I’m trying to scheme things so Kanarosa and Sorean become close there.”

If the two work out, maybe I can get introduced to someone good by Sorean later?

Of course I love Luden, but Luden will come to love someone else. When it’s time to divorce Luden, won’t I be able to sort out my feelings too?

Of course my heart aches thinking about that time. But I have to do it.

“Understood. I’ll send a letter so we can go there.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m going too.”

Luden’s last words were something I hadn’t expected.

“You said work was piled up.”

Didn’t Anten tearfully tell me not to take Luden anywhere?

“I can delegate to my subordinates.”

This was unlike Luden, who handled all work directly.

“Are you really okay with that?”

“I need to handle work there, but I still want to go. Please tell me when the departure date is set.”

Luden spoke firmly. His expression said refusal was absolutely not allowed, so I nodded.

Leaving the room, I pressed my pounding heart.

Going on another trip with Luden. Just thinking about it was exciting.

“Ugh, I did this to help Sorean and Kanarosa work out.”

But I ended up spending time with Luden. My heart was very ticklish. My heart warmed in the gently blowing breeze.

I hope he thinks of me even a little when we divorce later.

* * *

Kanarosa also said she’d travel with us. She wrote in a letter that she was looking forward to it since she rarely left the palace. Since it’s better to go quickly, I suggested we leave the day after tomorrow. Sorean naturally said he’d go.

Things were going as expected.

I packed my luggage. Since I was traveling with Luden, I wanted to dress prettily. But dressing too extravagantly would be uncomfortable for playing, so I chose appropriate clothes. But I packed too much and the bag seemed about to burst.

But this might be the last trip with Luden. After the wedding, he’d have to leave for knight training soon. So I’ll leave lots of pretty memories!

I clenched both fists. The maids were putting their all into closing the bag to fit everything.

Finally the bag closed and I cheered.

“That was really hard.”

Lella wiped her sweat. I gave her cold water.

“A gift.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

“Did you pack your things too?”

“Of course.”

Lella and Anten decided to go along to attend to Luden and me. I quickly went down to the lower floor where the front door was.

Going down the stairs, I saw Luden and Anten standing in front of the entrance. Andre was also wearing travel clothes with a sword at his waist.

“Andre is coming too?”

“Of course, my lady.”

He said that and grinned.

“For Lord Luden to travel this often.”

He was holding back laughter. Then Luden glared at him. Since I’d never seen him make this expression before, I felt strange.

“Does Luden not travel often?”

“That’s not the issue.”

Andre shook his head. Luden walked toward me with heavy steps.

“Don’t listen to Andre.”

“Really?”

“He just says useless things.”

He said that and held my hand. Luden and I boarded the same carriage. Kanarosa would be picked up and brought by Sorean’s carriage.

I decided all of this.

Sorean must be very happy, right? Kanarosa too.

I did a very good thing. I hummed with a proud heart.

“Are you that happy about the trip?”

“It’s not that. I’m happy to go with Luden.”

I said slyly while hiding my true feelings. Then Luden’s expression changed strangely.

“…Do you know what you’re saying?”

“What?”

When I tilted my head, Andre laughed again. Luden exhaled and whispered to me.

“Don’t seduce me in the carriage.”

Seduce? When did I!

I felt wronged, but Luden’s eyes were so heated that I couldn’t say anything.