Gabriel, who had been standing in front of the audience chamber with a worried look, spotted him and hurried over.

Karsten handed the box to Benon, who was waiting nearby, and turned to Gabriel.

“What’s going on—”

“Just now, His Highness the Crown Prince went to the ducal estate.”

The moment Gabriel finished speaking, Karsten broke into a run down the corridor.

💙💙💙 💙💙💙

Meanwhile, Breti remained at Meliover’s bedside.

Since the night before, Meliover’s condition had worsened, and she had yet to regain consciousness.

As Breti changed the damp cloth on her mother’s forehead, there was a gentle knock at the door.

“Come in.”

As soon as Breti granted permission, Benon appeared.

“What is it?”

“Miss, it’s just that…”

Benon looked more flustered than she’d ever seen him.

Breti stood up from her chair and went over to him.

“Mother just fell asleep, so please keep your voice down.”

“It’s urgent, miss.”

“What’s wrong?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived at the estate.”

At those words, Breti’s fingertips began to tremble.

She clasped her hands together, struggling to steady them, and spoke.

“His Highness…?”

“Yes. We hurried him to the parlor, but the Crown Prince is asking for you.”

At that, Breti’s shoulders gave a slight jolt.

“…Me?”

“And with His Grace away right now… it seems you’ll have to greet His Highness yourself.”

Breti’s heart began to pound.

“We’re preparing tea and refreshments for His Highness. The chef, Bata, is ill today, so the assistant chef and others are handling things as best they can. It may take a little more time.”

Breti’s face grew pale as she listened.

‘Of all things, I wish I could avoid facing him…’

Breti hadn’t wanted to see Fedriol again since the last imperial ball.

His behaviour was no different to that of the other men who had always looked at her lustfully. But there was something more relentless about him — a persistence that set him apart.

At the time, Breti was terrified, convinced that something terrible was about to happen to her. Now, that same fear surged up again, making her swallow hard.

“Laterna? Is something wrong?”

Meliover’s faint voice reached her ears.

“Don’t say anything to Mother about this.”

“Yes, miss.”

Breti quickly hushed Benon, then hurried over to Meliover.

“It’s nothing. Mother, you should go back to sleep.”

“Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”

“Yes. The butler just had a question for me, that’s all.”

Breti stroked Meliover’s hair, forcing a smile to her lips.

“If my daughter says so, then it must be true…”

Meliover’s eyes drifted closed again.

Breti gently patted her mother’s shoulder to help her fall into a deeper sleep.

Once her breathing had grown steady, Breti went to Benon.

“Let’s go to the parlor.”

She said, trying her best to hide the trembling in her voice as she left the room.

“Please make sure the staff doesn’t show even the slightest hint of neglect when receiving our guest.”

“Yes, miss.”

At her words, Benon hurried off to the kitchen.

On her way to the parlor, Breti glanced sympathetically at the servants rushing about. Everyone seemed flustered by the Crown Prince’s sudden arrival.

Standing before the parlor doors, Breti took a deep breath and knocked.

“I’ll come in for a moment.”

As the door opened, a dark shadow fell across Breti, making her flinch in surprise. She had expected Fedriol to be seated on the sofa, but he was standing right in front of the door.

Watching her reaction, Fedriol let out a small laugh.

“I hope my sudden visit didn’t startle you, Lady.”

“…”

With a faint smile, Fedriol stepped back to give her space.

“If I frightened you, I apologize.”

“It’s all right.”

Breti followed him as he moved to the sofa. The two of them sat facing each other.

“My apologies for greeting Your Highness the Crown Prince so late. I’m sorry our hospitality has been slow due to your unexpected visit, Your Highness.”

“No, it’s my fault for coming without warning.”

“I’ll have refreshments brought in right away—”

Just as Breti reached for the bell on the side table, Fedriol interrupted her.

“There’s no need for that, so don’t trouble yourself. Rather, there’s something I wanted to say to you.”

At his words, Breti set the bell back on her lap and replied,

“Please, go ahead, Your Highness.”

“I wanted to apologize if my behavior that day made you uncomfortable.”

Reclining arrogantly on the sofa, he didn’t look the least bit sorry.

Breti, recognizing that he was just saying what he thought he should, answered calmly.

“Let’s leave that day in the past and not bring it up again.”

“Heh, just leave it in the past, huh?”

Fedriol leaned forward, adding,

“You’re very generous.”

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and the maids entered with trays. Soon, the table was set with a variety of sweets and teacups.

Once the servants had left, Breti picked up the teapot and poured tea into the cup set before Fedriol.

“Once again, I apologize for the delayed hospitality, Your Highness.”

As Breti was filling Fedriol’s cup, there was another knock at the parlor door, followed by a voice.

“Miss, His Grace the Duke has arrived.”

At the sound of that low, familiar voice, Breti felt a rush of relief, and her hand trembled slightly.

She stood up and spoke.

“Come in.”

A moment later, Karsten appeared, impeccably dressed in his formal uniform.

Breti found herself momentarily distracted by him, but then Fedriol spoke.

“You came quickly, Duke.”

There was a hint of regret in Fedriol’s tone.

Karsten walked past Breti and approached Fedriol, offering a short, respectful bow.

“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“I heard His Majesty summoned you to the palace today to commend your service. Did it go well?”

“Yes, I came straight here as soon as I heard Your Highness was visiting.”

“I came as well.”

Gabriel poked his head in at that moment.

Breti offered him a gentle smile and greeted him with a bow.

“I greet Your Highness the Prince.”

“It’s been a while, Lady.”

Gabriel replied with an easy, friendly smile as he entered the parlor.

Watching the two of them, Karsten’s brow furrowed slightly.

Fedriol watched Karsten closely, an interested smile playing on his lips as he observed the change in Karsten’s expression.

Once extra cups had been set out, the four of them sat facing each other in a tense silence. The one who finally broke it was Fedriol.

“What would you say if I made your sister my fiancée?”

At his sudden suggestion, Breti’s eyes fluttered as she lowered her head.

Karsten, who had been watching Breti carefully, frowned slightly.

“Brother, you’re taking this joke too far. What about Lady Nox?”

Gabriel, sensing the tension in the air, tried to smooth things over with an awkward laugh.

“Duke of White, what do you think?”

“Brother, isn’t this something that shouldn’t be left to the Duke alone?”

Gabriel tried to intervene again, but Fedriol seemed unwilling to let the matter drop.

“As the man who will be Emperor of this great empire, why should I have to keep a woman I don’t want at my side, Gabriel?”

“Brother…”

“I believe I should have a say in my own choice, too. What do you think, Duke?”

As the conversation went on, Breti’s body began to tremble, her hands shaking like the leaves of a tree.

Suddenly, the voice she had used to speak so confidently before echoed in her mind.

‘I can handle it.’

Back then, she’d thought she could handle anything. She never imagined things would come to this. Remembering how Karsten had mocked her at the time only made her more stubborn—should she have given up then?

As Breti struggled with her thoughts, Karsten spoke firmly.

“I must apologize, but I have not yet considered any possible suitors for my sister.”

Hearing his voice, Breti lifted her head slightly.

“It has not been long since I found her. I plan to wait until she has done everything she wishes before considering marriage proposals.”

“Then, after that—”

“Moreover, I will never send her to the imperial palace.”