Dad continued to give Iscallion strict instructions until the moment we boarded the carriage.

“Take good care of Lou. Never let my daughter lose her confidence!”

Feeling a bit embarrassed by my parents’ fussing, I hurried to get going.

“Sorry about that. Was it annoying? Since I’m an only child, my parents can be a bit overprotective.”

“It’s fine. I wanted to come with you anyway. Lately, you haven’t been spending time with me, just taking care of your stone.”

Hearing that made me feel guilty. I had been so busy lately that I hadn’t been able to pay much attention to him. While I was busy going back and forth to the palace to persuade the Emperor and the Crown Prince, Iscallion often spent time alone at the mansion. But it couldn’t be helped.

No matter how ignorant he might seem, Iscallion was still the Grand Duke of Pontos. He still hadn’t clearly explained why he was hiding his identity and staying in the capital.

Even though he was one of the male leads and I kept him close, I couldn’t casually discuss matters related to Mount Acheron or Enril with him.

“I’m sorry. I’ll try to make more time for you.”

‘Though I can’t guarantee it.’

Iscallion narrowed his eyes, pretending to be sulky.

“Liar.”

“W-What do you usually do when you’re alone?”

Feeling caught, I decided to change the subject.

“The Duchess keeps me company. We drink tea and read books together. I don’t really understand the content, though.”

“You read books with my mother?”

True to her status as the Duchess, my mother had a high level of culture and education. Iscallion’s academic abilities were nowhere near enough to satisfy her standards.

“Um, was it alright?”

“Yeah, she praised me every time.”

“My mother praised you?”

“She said I read the imperial language well for a foreigner. Praise is good, right?”

“Y-Yes, praise is good…”

“You’re like the Duchess, Lou.”

Iscallion said suddenly.

“Me? People usually say I resemble my father more.”

Although his appearance had changed with age, my father was said to be a handsome man with delicate features in his youth. People who knew him back then often said my fine features were inherited from him. The only things I seemed to have inherited from my mother were my large eyes and mint-colored irises.

“You’re both kind.”

“Ah.”

It was true that both my mother and I tended to be particularly kind to handsome men. But that wasn’t a trait unique to us. Few women were hostile towards good-looking men. It seemed that Iscallion, still young and having spent most of his life on the battlefield with little contact with women, didn’t realize this. His ignorance was both endearing and pitiful.

“Parents and children often resemble each other in that way.”

“Not all of them, but generally, yes? You probably—”

I almost said he probably resembled his parents too. It wasn’t appropriate to say that to someone who had lost both parents early on. But Iscallion, being perceptive, easily guessed what I was going to say. I expected him to get angry, but surprisingly, he answered calmly.

“I resemble my mother.”

“…Your mother must have been beautiful.”

“Yeah.”

A gentle smile appeared on Iscallion’s lips, as if he was thinking of his late mother. It was a smile that tugged at the heartstrings of those who saw it, though he seemed unaware of its effect.

As we chatted, we arrived at the palace. Iscallion skillfully helped me out of the carriage. I had been prepared to get out on my own, so I was a bit surprised.

“Oh? You’re good at this.”

“The Duchess taught me.”

I couldn’t help but admire my parents’ thoroughness. With Iscallion escorting me, we entered the banquet hall.

Arriving earlier than scheduled to secure a spot in the corner, the hall was still relatively empty.

‘I need to get in quickly without drawing attention.’

Tense and anxious, I pulled Iscallion along. Fortunately, we managed to enter the hall without attracting too much attention… or so I thought. If I had been alone, it might have been different, but Iscallion stood out too much. Moreover, he didn’t make any effort to hide his presence. I could feel glances from all directions.

I whispered to him as quietly as I could.

“Leon, can’t you be a little less conspicuous? Everyone is looking at us.”

“But the Duke told me to boost your confidence.”

“As if you know how to do that.”

“I do. The Duchess said nothing boosts a woman’s confidence like a handsome partner.”

‘Why would she say something like that in front of a minor…’

I closed my eyes tightly.

Despite loving and respecting my parents, today I felt utterly embarrassed.

“Don’t take everything my parents say too seriously. And when the Crown Prince arrives, make sure to hide your presence—”

Speak of the devil, the Empress and the Crown Prince entered arm in arm.

‘Why did they come so early!’

I unconsciously tightened my grip on Iscallion’s hand. He turned to look at Pinion.

“That’s the Crown Prince, right? Your ex-fiancé.”

“Yes.”

“He looks annoying.”

“You’re spot on.”

But aside from us, it seemed no one else shared our assessment.

The atmosphere in the hall changed the moment the Crown Prince appeared. In the blink of an eye, he was surrounded by women. One of them, gathering her courage, approached Pinion. It was Ines Poel, who had clashed with me not long ago.

Previously, she wouldn’t have dared to speak to the Crown Prince in my presence. Even loitering near him would have earned her a swift hair-pulling from me. But now, I had neither the reason nor the justification to do so. Surprisingly, I felt no emotions at all.

As always, the Crown Prince listened to Ines with a fake smile. Given her family’s status and the circumstances, she was the most likely candidate to become his new fiancée. It was quite a rise for someone who was just an extra without a name in the original story.

However, the two still seemed awkward with each other. The timid Ines glanced at Pinion nervously, unable to be proactive, while Pinion showed little interest in her. Even if he pretended otherwise, I could see it clearly.

‘Those dead fish eyes haven’t changed.’

He scanned the hall quickly, as if looking for someone. When his gaze met mine in the corner, I reflexively turned my head away.

“Does it bother you?”

Iscallion, who had been watching the whole time, asked.

“Not at all. It’s just a bit awkward. Wait here for a moment, I’ll go greet the Empress. Okay?”

I patted his arm lightly and approached the Empress. She was busy entertaining young nobles but acknowledged me a bit late.

“It’s been a while, Lou. Have you been unwell? I haven’t seen you around.”

Her tone was still friendly, but there was a subtle distance.

“Thanks to your concern, I’m feeling better now. Thank you for the invitation.”

“But why are you alone? Where is your partner?”

“I came with a friend. Let me introduce him. This is Leon Philip.”

I gestured to Iscallion standing at a distance. The Empress’s eyes widened in surprise as she quickly assessed him.

“A young man I haven’t seen before. I hadn’t heard of such a handsome young man in the social circles.”

“Leon is from abroad. He visited the empire during the summer solstice festival and is still staying.”

“Oh.”

Fortunately, the Empress didn’t ask further questions.

“We meet again, Count Philip.”

The Crown Prince’s voice suddenly came from behind. He approached without me noticing.

Pinion openly looked Iscallion up and down. Iscallion didn’t avoid his gaze either. The Crown Prince smirked.

“Nice to see you.”

As etiquette dictated, the higher-ranking Crown Prince extended his hand first. Iscallion just stared at it blankly. Unable to bear it, I jabbed him hard in the side with my elbow, and only then did Iscallion shake the Crown Prince’s hand.

“……”

Another jab.

“…Nice to see you.”

“Leon is not familiar with our customs as he’s from abroad. Please excuse any perceived rudeness.”

Beside me, Iscallion nodded vigorously. The Empress seemed unsure whether to criticize or forgive his behavior. My mouth felt dry, worried she might find fault.

‘I knew I shouldn’t have listened to my parents…’

Then, Iscallion kissed the back of the Empress’s hand and gave her his signature bright smile.

The Empress’s stern expression softened instantly. She quickly opened her fan to hide her smile, but I had already seen it.

“Enjoy yourself. I hope you make many good memories in Arcadia, Count Philip.”

Soon after, the Empress spoke kindly. Indeed, the power of a handsome face was immense. Her mood lightened with just one smile from the beautiful boy. Only the Crown Prince seemed displeased.

No, there was one more. I felt a piercing gaze as if someone was staring holes into me.

Turning my head, I saw Ines glaring at me with a venomous look. Her eyes were brimming with tears, ready to fall at any moment.