At Annelia’s smile, Laysia’s eyes wavered. Confused, she gasped for breath and gave a bitter smile.

“You’re kind, Annelia.”

“Am I?”

“Yes, I acted strangely but you’re treating me like nothing happened.”

Seemingly having regained her composure, Laysia stared down at the hand Annelia held.

“You’re not asking why?”

“Should I?”

Laysia’s eyes widened.

“If you want to talk about it, you can, but asking when you don’t want to would be rude.”

Actually, Laysia wasn’t a main character in the novel. She was just an extra who appeared later as Reytan’s lover. She was only mentioned in a few lines.

That’s why Annelia didn’t know Laysia’s past.

Still, she didn’t want to dig into it unnecessarily.

“I told you I run a counseling center. Well, I’m not saying you have to come. If you feel frustrated, drop by sometime.”

Annelia wrapped up her words simply and talked with Laysia about other things.

Later, Andre picked up the earring from the floor and gave it to Annelia.

Laysia looked relieved seeing it.

Of course, Annelia was watching her behavior with sharp eyes.

‘Will I get one more customer?’

That was something she’d have to wait and see, but still, she hoped Laysia would come to the counseling center.

* * *

Luden slowly opened the door.

The letter Anan sent said Annelia would be visiting. Anan said Annelia missed Luden.

Is it really true?

She was the one who spoke like she wouldn’t love him.

Luden read the letter over and over.

“Did something good happen?”

Reytan stuck his head in and asked. Of course, he didn’t peek at the letter.

“Yes.”

At Luden’s words, Reytan’s eyes widened.

“What is it?”

“My wife is coming.”

“Annelia’s coming to see you? Well, your birthday is coming up soon.”

Reytan looked at Luden with envious eyes.

“I want to get married too.”

He grumbled and placed his hand on Luden’s shoulder.

“When Annelia comes, I’ll clear out. So you two can talk alone.”

“Thank you.”

Luden smiled gently.

“You’ve changed a lot. At first you only gave fake smiles.”

When Reytan spoke honestly, Luden made an awkward expression.

“When it involves Annelia, you express your emotions honestly.”

Reytan was right. Luden ran his hand through his hair.

“Because she’s my wife.”

“Right! I should do that too when I get married.”

Reytan grumbled.

“I want to date too.”

“There are many good people around Annelia.”

At that, Reytan perked up his ears.

“Ah, I heard. Annelia was the one who connected Kanarosa and Sorean, right?”

“That’s correct.”

Reytan’s eyes sparkled. Honestly, he’d been quite lonely during knight training, and it would be even better if he met a suitable woman.

“Put in a good word for me with Annelia.”

“Of course.”

Luden liked Reytan. He had no pretense and was honest, and the behavior he showed during knight training was mature. Well, that’s probably why Annelia stayed close to him.

* * *

Laysia and I arrived at the knight training location. Surrounded by the Marquis Charlot family’s knights, we arrived at a wide open field. Massive buildings were constructed there – the knight training facility.

Wow.

There were no entertainment facilities at all. And everyone had to live in dormitories.

The dormitories strictly separated men and women. Strict procedures were required for outsiders to visit.

“Well, thank you for everything.”

Laysia bowed her head. She probably planned to get her graduation certificate and leave before me. But I stopped her as she headed to get her graduation certificate.

“Laysia, want to meet Luden with me?”

Laysia tilted her head.

“You own a trading company, Laysia. Meeting Luden will be helpful. Same goes for our side.”

And Laysia had to meet Luden to meet Reytan.

Laysia pondered, then nodded.

“Marquis Charlot might not think well of me though.”

I wondered what she was talking about – she was worrying about something odd.

“That won’t happen.”

Laysia smiled a little. Seeing the smile that formed slightly at the corners of her mouth made me feel good too.

I confirmed my identity at the entrance.

When a wife came to visit, she could enter the men’s dormitory. Of course, she had to be accompanied by soldiers.

Laysia and I headed to the men’s dormitory. The men’s dormitory in the corner of the vast grounds was made by renovating an ancient building. Looking at the building, I saw a massive clock hanging on the outer wall of the top floor.

They said Luden’s ancestor made that clock.

I entered the dormitory and walked down the corridor. Laysia looked around and said.

“This is my first time in the men’s dormitory.”

“Me too.”

“The women’s dormitory is pretty though.”

The men’s dormitory was rather bleak. There wasn’t even a single painting in the corridor.

High nobles like Luden apparently used the lower floors.

“The Marquis is on the first floor, so he’s practically getting imperial treatment.”

Andre seemed pleased as he spoke. Since he used the same floor as Reytan, you could tell Luden’s treatment was exceptional.

The Emperor must be concerned about Luden, who had proven his abilities without making mistakes for several years.

Before long, the door to Luden’s room came into view.

I waited until the knights opened the door.

The door slowly opened.

Sunlight was streaming through the window. Black hair reflected the sunlight and shone. And red eyes turned toward me. A gem like blazing flames was looking at me.

“Oh my.”

Laysia exclaimed in admiration.

“Luden!”

I walked toward Luden. Reytan, who had been beside Luden, waved his hand at me.

“Long time no see, Annelia!”

“Ah, Your Highness was here too. It’s good to see you.”

I bowed in greeting. Laysia hurriedly greeted them too.

I introduced Laysia to Luden and Reytan. Reytan’s eyes sparkled and he quickly approached Laysia.

“You came to get your graduation certificate?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Laysia also blushed seeing Reytan. Seeing her expression soften slightly, I cheered inwardly. Noticing that Laysia liked Reytan at first sight, I subtly said to Reytan.

“If Your Highness helps, won’t the graduation certificate come out faster?”

“Right! I’ll help. But can I call you Laysia?”

“…Yes.”

After Reytan and Laysia left, Luden stared at me intently.

“Is it Prince Reytan this time?”

“What?”

“Don’t play innocent. You’re trying to connect those two, aren’t you.”

Tch, caught.

“That’s right.”

I said that and shrugged my shoulders.

“I remembered you were close with Prince Reytan.”

“Being able to connect couples one after another like this is also a talent.”

That’s because I know everything.

“I have a good eye.”

I turned to face Luden. Since only we were in the room, I didn’t know what to say.

As I pondered, Luden asked me.

“Have you been well?”

Luden’s voice was very gentle. And it held slight anticipation.

“Of course.”

Just as I was about to say that, I recalled the letter Luden had written.

If there was hope. If I could change the original story, what should I do?

“…No, I haven’t.”

I corrected myself.

It was true that until now I lacked the courage to change things. But having come this far, I didn’t want to run away.

“I haven’t been well.”

I took a step forward. Holding the desire to approach Luden.

His eyes wavered. He suddenly gasped for breath.

“…I can’t understand Annelia’s heart.”

“What?”

“Just, that’s how it is.”

He looked at me and blinked, then held my cheek.

“You mean this sincerely?”

“Of course!”

“I haven’t been well either.”

Hearing those words, I was certain. I needed to know the reason why he hadn’t been well.

“Was there some other circumstance?”

I didn’t ask if he’d already fallen for Lorina. Because it might not be that.

“Nothing special. The person who was always with me wasn’t there, so I just felt that empty space.”

At his words, I clenched my fist tightly.

“Who’s the person who was with you?”

Tension came and went. My body was trembling. Afraid of what answer he’d give, I closed my eyes without realizing it.

“You already know the answer.”

I heard Luden approaching me.

“Asking is cowardly, Annelia.”

At his words, tears came to my eyes. My body jerked and I jumped into his arms.

“Luden.”

He embraced me and nodded.

“I know the answer but I was anxious.”

“Why anxious?”

Luden seemed not to understand.

“I’ve never looked at another woman.”

That’s because in the book it wasn’t like that.

But since I couldn’t say that, I quickly buried my head in Luden’s chest.

Meeting him made me feel like the emotions I’d built up would explode.

I had missed him so much.

* * *

Laysia glanced at Reytan. If she’d stared blankly at Luden earlier because he looked too inhumanly handsome, Reytan was different. He was handsome in a way closer to human.

And Laysia liked slightly gentle-looking impressions like Reytan’s.

But he’s an imperial prince.

We probably won’t meet again.

At the place issuing graduation certificates, Reytan spoke playfully. The knight in charge of issuing laughed and told Laysia he’d issue it right away. Normally it took at least a day.

“What did you say?”

At Laysia’s question, Reytan smiled.

“I helped his wife find her way when she visited before. So when I said you were a countess I’m close with, he’s issuing it quickly.”

Reytan didn’t pressure the knight by flaunting his status as a prince. He just handled the matter by having earned his favor through doing a good deed before. She felt good energy from him. 

There seemed to be many people like this around Annelia.

A counseling center.

Can someone like me go there? That thought kept occurring to her.

Laysia looked at Reytan and gave a bitter smile. She liked him but should hide it, right?

As she was thinking that, Reytan asked a meaningful question.

“By the way, it’s awkward to say this when we just met, but Laysia… do you have a lover?”

Reytan was impressed seeing Laysia. Laysia, who came with Annelia, was close to his ideal type. Moreover, Annelia noticed his feelings and gave him a chance to talk with Laysia.

For something like this to happen to him.

Laysia, receiving the question, seemed slightly flustered, then asked Reytan.

“Why are you asking me that…?”

“Because I’m interested.”

Reytan wasn’t the type to scheme. If he liked someone, he went straight for it. Of course, Laysia was the first case like this.

“Is that really true?”

“Of course.”

Laysia had also heard about Reytan. Because Annelia had talked a lot about Reytan while riding in the carriage.

“Why would Your Highness want someone like me…?”

“Why? What’s wrong with Laysia?”

Reytan pondered Laysia’s words and smiled.

“Shouldn’t I be the one saying this? Someone like me daring to look at you!”

“That’s not true!”

“If you don’t dislike me, can I contact you by letter at least? I’m not asking you to become lovers right away. Will you give me a chance to become lovers?”

At Reytan’s words, Laysia’s heart pounded.

It was strange. After meeting Annelia, she was seized by an odd feeling. It felt like Annelia was casting a spell on her.

“Yes.”

Laysia wanted to say she was the one who should ask for a chance to become lovers, but her mouth wouldn’t open. She was embarrassed, and felt it wasn’t something she should say.

How long would Reytan’s curiosity last? Once he knew her shabby self, he’d lose interest.

Still, she wanted to stay in contact with this man who liked her even a little.

* * *

I called Luden’s name. Luden silently took my lips.

It was hard to breathe. My mind grew hazy from his presence continuously pressing in, from the sensation felt on my lips.

“It’s unfortunate I’m in the middle of knight training. If not for that, I would have you.”

After the kiss ended, he held me in his arms with both arms and spoke. Those words sounded lewd.

“I like Luden’s kisses.”

I gathered courage and said it. He exhaled.

“If you say things like that, I can’t hold back. Seduction is forbidden.”

‘I want to seduce you.’

But I was also aware this was a knight training facility and a dormitory. Having relations with a woman in the dormitory meant immediate disqualification as an heir.

Really strict.

I tidied my disheveled clothes. But my hands trembled, so Luden ended up helping.

Ugh, embarrassing.

“I brought a gift.”

“Annelia as a gift is enough.”

Andre also said Luden would be satisfied with just me, and it’s really true.

“You’re just saying that, right?”

“No. I believe I’ve already shown it through actions.”

That… was enough.

I inhaled for a moment. My face heated up.

I quickly looked for the box. I wanted to turn my head there and escape. Then I heard Luden’s laughter.

“This is it.”

I held out a perfume bottle. Luden looked at the perfume bottle and tilted his head.

“This is perfume made by the Charlot family targeting men.”

“It’s a special perfume.”

I sprayed the perfume on him. The liquid from the perfume touched Luden’s cheek. Light appeared around Luden and disappeared, and tears slightly welled in his eyes.

“What is this?”

“Tear perfume!”

Shedding tears releases emotions a bit. And relieves tension too.

“Luden suppresses emotions well, so I thought something like this would be necessary.”

It seemed good for releasing emotions just slightly.

He might not like it though.

I watched his reaction.

“Annelia cares for me.”

“Well, Luden seemed to be struggling a lot…”

“Annelia is always like this.”

What am I always like?

“Don’t be kind to just anyone.”

Luden looked at the perfume and told me.

“Don’t give this perfume to just anyone.”

I understood what his words meant.