He answered honestly. I nodded in agreement with his words.

“Who will you dance with after dancing with me?”

Many young ladies in this ballroom were looking at Luden with longing eyes—handsome and wealthy. So he’d dance with other women besides me, right? He’d dressed up so nicely.

But his answer was different.

“I have no such plans.”

Huh.

“I don’t plan to dance with just anyone. You’re enough, Annelia.”

He said that and shook his head.

“Anything more is unnecessary.”

So he only danced when necessary?

“I’m going to dance though, with other men.”

“Go ahead and dance.”

He didn’t stop me. Tsk, no fun.

I’d been ready to fight if he told me not to dance too! Right, he had no particular interest in me. Since we’d part ways someday, this was natural.

I was fortunate I had no feelings for him either.

* * *

After finishing my dance with Luden, I looked for Reytan. Truthfully, there weren’t many men suitable for Annelia to dance with.

“When’s the engagement ceremony?”

Curiosity filled Reytan’s eyes.

“If you couldn’t get married, I was going to marry you.”

“Your Highness?”

“Yes.”

Well, Reytan liked Annelia’s beautiful appearance. More than anything, Annelia didn’t look down on him.

Looking closely, Reytan had grown up well. Even though many in the palace looked down on him, he didn’t look down on others.

Perhaps thanks to such admirable character, he’d later become Crown Prince. Then I could have become Crown Princess? Hmm, not bad?

Playing around with power in my grasp seemed fine. But Reytan also had his destined partner. So this was also forbidden fruit.

Why were there only forbidden fruits around Annelia?

“I’m honored.”

When I seemed pleased, Reytan smiled.

“But what kind of man is Luden?”

“A good person…?”

At my words, Reytan shook his head.

“Annelia sees everyone positively.”

“He buys me lots of meat.”

“Meat?”

Reytan was surprised. No wonder, since the original Annelia only ate vegetables.

“I’m going to eat lots of meat from now on.”

Was there any need to explain in detail? I vaguely said my tastes had changed and looked at my legs. Perhaps from dancing so much, my legs were throbbing.

I should rest now. I’d tell Luden and go to the lounge.

* * *

I pushed aside the wide curtain and entered to see the lounge. Several long chairs were placed and the window was open.

There should be other young ladies and lords, but no one was here? I sensed something strange.

I understood why there were no people in the lounge. Several men were smoking cigars.

Cigars in a place like this. Smoking wasn’t allowed inside buildings. I coughed. I’d come to rest but it seemed I couldn’t. Such ill-mannered bastards.

“Annelia.”

But one of that group stood up and called me.

“What is it?”

I raised my head to look at him. He had short blue hair and black eyes. His face was ordinary-looking.

Who was this? I hastily searched through Annelia’s memories.

This man’s name was Jiton Hanel. The third son of Duke Hanel, his usual conduct wasn’t very good. He was also Princess Kanarosa’s fiancé.

Since Kanarosa’s mother was a maid, she’d been treated like an illegitimate child before becoming a princess, but since a princess was still a princess, Jiton’s influence had grown stronger, making his personality even worse.

In conclusion, he’d bullied Annelia too.

“I heard you got engaged?”

Who was he to speak informally?

“That’s right.”

I spoke quietly to him. And since I had nothing more to say, I tried to ignore him.

But…

“Are you good at bedroom activities?”

He smirked.

“You haven’t had the engagement ceremony yet, so you can’t do that stuff, right?”

He always teased Annelia. Now he was teasing Luden too.

There wasn’t just one or two people like this. What should I do? After pondering, I smiled brightly.

I couldn’t just leave this alone. I needed to change Annelia’s foolish image a bit. I couldn’t stay still after experiencing something like this.

“That’s an extremely dangerous remark.”

I raised one corner of my mouth. To look unpleasant. Just like Jiton was doing now.

“What?”

“Isn’t it natural not to have relations when we haven’t even had the engagement ceremony?”

I crossed my arms and wiggled my fingers.

“You’re speaking as though such things are natural…”

Don’t forget to smile at the end too.

“What happens between us is for us to handle. To interfere needlessly—do you have nothing better to do?”

And I looked straight at Jiton.

“It seems you wanted to bully me, but I’ll sue you for defamation.”

Jiton dropped the cigar he was holding.

“Sue?”

“Yes. Did you think I’d stay still after you said such things?”

“Annelia!”

“Ah, to drag even my fiancé into this and cause such trouble. Anyway, your character is terrible.”

Should I start criticizing him in earnest?

“You made my fiancé out to be a strange man, so I have to step up.”

Yes yes, I was on Luden’s side. We’d made a contract and were in the same boat.

Shall we begin? While I was pondering, Jiton approached me fuming.

Getting angry over just this much—his mental age was truly low. Just as he was about to explode in anger.

“That’s enough.”

A sharp voice rang out. No way…?

I turned around in surprise. Luden was standing there.

“Luden?”

He looked at me with an expressionless gaze. He’d never shown me warm eyes before, but now he looked especially cold.

“I understand clearly how the Hanel ducal family views the Charlot marquisate.”

From his attitude, it seemed he’d heard everything.

“Who are you?”

At Jiton’s words, Luden answered.

“I’m Marquis Charlot.”

“What?”

“Annelia’s fiancé.”

He said that and took my hand.

“Let’s leave for now.”

No, I wasn’t finished yet! But Luden was strong. Unable to resist, I left the lounge.

“Why did you tell me to leave?”

I asked him first. But seeing his face, I had no choice but to close my mouth.

“Can we talk?”

His eyes were extremely cold. Cold like ice. Like he would kill me.

Why was he suddenly like this? Until just moments ago, we’d been getting along well!

“Alright.”

I was frustrated not knowing Luden’s true feelings. What exactly did I do wrong? I took your side!

It was unfair to receive such a look, but I needed to go outside the building and hear what he had to say.

* * *

I went outside with Luden. I searched through Annelia’s memories for a good place for the two of us to talk. The wind was blowing gently.

“Where are we going?”

“Secret. Just a bit further.”

The place we arrived at was an arched bridge. The water flowing across the palace flowed far into the distance.

Near the bridge, massive trees stretched their branches, and leaves reflected in the water. This was the original Annelia’s favorite place. Also, it was the place I most wanted to visit after seeing Annelia’s memories.

I admired the scenery.

“About Lord Hanel. I should have threatened him more.”

“Annelia…”

“His quality is terrible.”

I said this while preparing myself mentally. I had no idea what Luden wanted to say.

What exactly had hurt his feelings? Tell me!

“So what did you want to say?”

“Between the Annelia I’ve investigated and the Annelia I’ve observed, which is the real you? No, who were you before and who are you now?”

Luden was confused.

“Are you really Annelia?”

What, this terrifying intuition!

“I just decided to change going forward.”

Even if I told the truth, would he believe me? I had no intention of revealing the truth anyway.

“Your relatives changed too, didn’t they? Hasn’t His Majesty the Emperor also changed from before?”

I asked him.

“Like them, I’ve changed too.”

Let’s hide it for now. He wouldn’t easily know my soul had changed.

Luden looked at me and opened his mouth.

“But why did you defend me?”

At Luden’s question, I was speechless. Don’t tell me he was angry because of that? Why? Shouldn’t he be happy when someone takes his side?

Unable to understand him, I pondered for a while before honestly speaking my mind.

“Isn’t it natural?”

“What?”

“I just did it without thinking?”

“Without thinking? Without wanting anything?”

Hmm, wanting something. Only then did I understand why Luden had given me such cold eyes.

“You’re curious why I did that? Why, afraid I might want something?”

Luden didn’t act without reason. Meaning he moved only when there was compensation.

Do you think I’m like you?

“Anyway, to think so complicatedly…”

He was a suspicious and cautious male lead. And he had good instincts.

Now, what should I do? How should I make him understand me?

“You said you were curious why I said such things?”

I picked up my fan. And gently created a breeze.

“Luden, what would you say when someone speaks badly about me?”

At my words, Luden couldn’t answer readily. I looked at him and smiled.

He was the man who would be my husband, even if briefly. He was a companion who had to live life with me.

“They tried to find fault with Luden to slander me. So naturally I went out like that.”

“You’re saying you didn’t do it wanting something?”

“Me?”

How absurd.

“What am I lacking?”

I thought about my current self.

“Luden, I’m someone who lacks nothing. My family just didn’t have money, but thanks to Luden, I became well-off. Plus, my appearance is nothing to envy, and while I handled things clumsily before, I have no intention of doing so now. What just happened was my business that Luden didn’t need to step into. So the conclusion is!”

I just gave up on explaining logically.

“What would I be desperate for to want something from Luden and say such things? Since there’s nothing about me to insult, they were gossiping or saying bad things using Luden as material, so I got angry.”

Luden’s eyes wavered. Now do you understand? You suspicious fellow.

“I can’t figure it out.”

“What?”

“Your purpose.”

He said blankly.

“To say you want nothing from me…”

He stared at me.

“Where is there a person who wants nothing?”

“What?”

“What do you want? Speak honestly.”

“No.”

I’m saying I want nothing! Ugh, he really doesn’t believe me. I’m about to blow my top.

“Luden.”

“Annelia.”

“I don’t want my reputation to worsen. Since I’m engaged to Luden, insulting Luden is the same as insulting me. That’s why I praised Luden in front of His Highness. I didn’t say such things because I wanted something from Luden.”

I grabbed his shoulders.

“I want nothing from Luden.”

“Annelia.”

“I said those things to protect myself. I’ll say it again—because Luden is my fiancé, agreeing with insults about you is lowering my own dignity. I did it for myself.”

I didn’t want to say this much, but I had no choice.

“Not for you, but for myself.”

Luden would become another woman’s man. Then the only one who could protect me was myself.

What good would come from my reputation worsening in this situation?

“I really didn’t do it wanting something.”

Luden nodded and bit his lip.

“And why would I praise Luden wanting something?”

“What does that mean?”

“We’re going to get married anyway, so if I wanted something from Luden, I could just say it. There’s no need to rack my brain trying to win your favor by praising you.”

I told him a very simple fact. I’m your fiancée. If I want something, I just need to say it.

“I was thinking wrongly.”

Luden finally seemed convinced and relaxed his cold gaze.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

Finally, we understood each other! I was happy.

“Since you apologized, I’ll let this incident pass.”

I folded my fan. And I stroked his soft hair.

“I understand Luden’s situation isn’t good right now.”

The suspicious young marquis tried to discern the intent behind even small kindnesses. It meant he was in a situation where he had his guard completely up.

“You don’t need to be like that with me.”

“…Yes.”

“I’m your fiancée.”

I was thinking of him like this, yet he was suspecting my intentions. Well, I’ll forgive him anyway.

“Luden will treat me as your fiancée, right?”

“Yes.”

“That’s what I’m doing too.”

When I smiled and spoke, he suddenly bit his lip again, seemingly overwhelmed with emotion.

Huh? Huh-huh-huh? Tears fell from his eyes.

Why was he suddenly crying?

“Just a moment.”

He pulled me into an embrace. I ended up being pulled into his arms as he choked up.

I made the male protagonist cry. This was something I never expected.

* * *

Luden exhaled shallowly. His heart was still pounding from the emotions washing over him.

He’d cried in Annelia’s embrace. Though it was an engagement bound by contract, Annelia was trying to treat him as her fiancé.

He was glad she approached without wanting anything and spoke honestly. He was so happy she called him her fiancé and treated him as such.

‘It’s been hard.’

Except for his mother, those who shared his surname wanted much from him. But they hid what they wanted and approached with kind faces. And when he didn’t give them what they wanted, they got angry.

As such incidents increased, he gradually grew exhausted. She looked beautiful standing on the arched bridge beneath the darkness. That image was engraved in his heart.

He took Annelia home. Annelia said she’d enjoyed herself and didn’t forget to say they should meet with happy hearts next time too.

And he headed to the mansion. The carriage stopped before long. But even after arriving home, Luden couldn’t get out.

“Haa…”

He clutched his complicated head.

“She’s just my fiancée.”

There was no meaning beyond that. He just needed a woman to care for his mother while he was in knight training.

But today, he wanted to know more about her.

‘What is this feeling…?’

Luden pressed down on his chest. Among all the beautiful women he’d seen, only she was shining purely.

“I must be tired too.”

To have his heart moved by just this much. He shook his head.

It was just that her words approached him beautifully because he was struggling. When the situation improved, when the difficult times passed, it would become nothing.

He organized his thoughts, sighed, and got out of the carriage. The massive mansion stood before him.

He’d meet her once a week from now on. Originally, he’d planned not to meet if he was busy with work.

Suddenly, he recalled the flowers he’d given today. He’d just sent someone to the flower shop and told them to make something appropriately pretty, but he regretted that a bit.

‘Should I have gone myself?’

Why was he thinking this?

“How absurd.”

It seemed today, he’d been moved by her. He just let his heart rest for a moment in the emotions washing over him.

Annelia probably had no idea what she’d done to him.