“……”

“Then, I’ll be taking my leave.”

As Edward bid farewell, Yelodia peeked out and said, “Oh, that carriage belongs to Fabian’s estate.”

“I’ll make sure it’s returned to Lord Xavier’s estate. Please don’t worry.”

Edward gave a light bow before returning to the carriage. Yelodia watched him absentmindedly.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Beyhern lightly cracked the whip, the carriage gradually picked up speed.

No one spoke until it disappeared beyond the estate walls.

‘He has quite an assertive personality,’ Kias thought.

A man as composed and easygoing as he was, who nonetheless said what needed to be said, held an undeniable appeal even to Kias.

But not every noble liked such forthrightness.

Among those who valued discretion and secrecy, Edward’s open nature would quickly make him the target of suspicion and enmity.

‘Is that why His Majesty paired him with Yelodia?’

Reflecting on the Emperor’s possible intentions, Kias cast a sidelong glance at Yelodia, who was staring fixedly at the estate gate, and finally let out a sigh.

＊ ＊ ＊

“I’m against it. There’s no way I’d let Yedi end up with such a sly man. Look at him! He even looks like a womanizer. He’ll probably charm all the women in Feorn before long.”

“That’s quite a subjective assessment, Fabi,” Kias retorted.

Fabian set down his knife, which he’d been using to carve the turkey, with a hard clink.

“Can’t you see, Brother? That slick face just screams ‘heartbreaker.’”

“……”

Kias sighed and gulped down his wine, his head pounding.

‘But that doesn’t mean you can storm into the Navy headquarters brandishing a sword?’

Just recalling Fabian’s midday escapade was enough to make Kias want to throttle him.

“No matter how lacking in judgment you are, what kind of royal knight storms the Navy headquarter and brandishes a sword at the Vice-Admiral? If the baron weren’t such a tolerant and genteel man, you’d already be thrown into the royal dungeon!”

“So what, am I supposed to sit back and watch Yedi get handed off like that?”

“Fabian!”

Finally reaching his limit, Kias snapped.

“How can the second son of a great noble family act so recklessly? You should at least remember that you’re His Majesty’s sword! I was mortified to even look the baron in the face.”

“He had the nerve to walk into the duke’s estate with his chin held high?”

“Fabian Xavier!”

Fabian crossed his arms defiantly, muscles bulging and twitching with his annoyance.

Under his dark brows, his eyes gleamed with a sharp light. Kias felt his temper flare.

‘This incorrigible fool!’

Ever since he’d been knighted, Fabian’s brash arrogance had only worsened.

“Give me one more chance. If we’d dueled just a bit longer, I’d have won.”

“From what I heard, you didn’t even stand a chance against the baron.”

“What? Are they blind? I suppose with that crowd of Navy seals, they’d naturally side with their superior!”

Fabian retorted, indignant, clearly more upset about losing the duel than about the thought of Yelodia ending up with Adrian.

Kias scoffed inwardly at his headstrong younger brother.

“Whatever those onlookers thought, you failed to settle the score today, and with that, your chance is over.”

“Brother!”

Just then, Yelodia entered the dining room, adorned in an elegant dress.

Both brothers fell silent.

Her pale yellow chemise dress with puffed shoulder sleeves looked as fresh as spring blossoms, and her red hair, adorned with blue and green jeweled pins, exuded elegance.

Neither brother could quite grasp when their once-tomboyish sister had blossomed into such a lovely young woman.

As Yelodia took a seat beside Kias with a slight smile, Fabian scowled.

Normally, she would’ve cozied up to him and playfully batted her eyes, but now her attitude left him feeling inexplicably hurt.

“So, you’re not even going to say hello to your brother now?”

Ignoring him, Yelodia took a sip of lemon water. Her uncharacteristically cold demeanor had Fabian fidgeting already.

“Yedi.”

“I’ve decided not to acknowledge you as a person until you apologize to the baron.”

“Pfft…!”

Kias barely stifled a laugh after setting down his wine glass. It was the first time he’d seen Fabian look so flustered since his marriage proposal to Rellia was flatly rejected.

“Yedi, that’s too harsh. How could you say such a thing?”

“Who’s harsh is not me, but Fabian. If he knew how much he shocked me today, he wouldn’t be sitting there so calmly.”

“So, you’re really not going to see me?”

“Yes. I’m not.”

Yelodia replied bluntly. She was just as stubborn as Fabian, if not more so. If she said she wouldn’t see him, she certainly wouldn’t.

‘This isn’t right.’

Fabian scratched his neck awkwardly, looking troubled.

When he’d first heard the shocking news from his commander, his only thought was to get Baron Adrian away from his sister. There was no way he could stand by while some sneaky man tried to charm innocent Yelodia. Yet, her reaction was nothing like he’d expected.

Not only had she rushed to the navy headquarters dressed as a man, but she even intervened in a swordfight—something he could never have imagined her doing.

“Is your knee okay?” he asked.

“It’s bruised.”

Fabian winced, as if he were the one in pain. His expression turned glum.

“I’ll send some ointment through a servant. If you use it for three days, the bruise will heal completely.”

“…What about an apology?”

Yelodia pouted, making Fabian’s eyebrow twitch.

“I still can’t trust him. Yedi, you need to understand that. You’re my sister, more precious to me than my own life. If you were ever unhappy, I’d never forgive myself.”

“…But you could at least talk with him. Can’t you try that?”

Yelodia looked up at him with clear, green eyes, making him grit his teeth. His weakness was always his hopeless softness for his little sister.

“I’ll make some time this weekend. If I’m not busy, maybe Kias can arrange a meeting.”

“I’ll do that,” Kias replied coolly. As the young duke of the Xavier family, he had the influence to arrange a meeting between Edward and Fabian.

Yelodia sighed in relief, but was soon overcome with an inexplicable anxiety. If her second brother was this resolute, she could only imagine how her third brother would react.

＊ ＊ ＊

The Empress’s Palace was known to be the most elegant and splendid place in the imperial court. It was so dazzlingly decorated with columns and ceilings adorned with jewels and gold that even servants, attendants, and noble guests found themselves mesmerized upon crossing the threshold.

The drawing room on the second floor, the Empress’s favorite spot, boasted only furnishings selected by her personally, with each piece being the work of a renowned artisan.

Five noble ladies, assembled in the center of this room, flaunted their dazzling appearances, as if trying to match the opulent space.

“Have you heard the rumor?”

“The rumor, you say?”

At Empress Vivian’s response, the Marchioness of Cheshire lowered her voice conspiratorially. The emerald earrings hanging from her ears glinted as she spoke.

“Have you not heard the most talked-about rumor in the capital? His Majesty intends to match Baron Adrian with Lady Xavier.”

“Baron Adrian, the one recently granted the title by His Majesty?”

The Empress’s question set off the conversation like a spark to kindling.

The noblewomen, eager to be part of the discussion, chimed in one after another.

“It’s said that Baron Adrian distinguished himself in last year’s naval battle, so His Majesty not only bestowed the baronial title but also promoted him to Vice Admiral. Many senior officers are reportedly disgruntled over this.”

“One of the navy admirals was so fed up, he even submitted his resignation.”

“His Majesty must be very taken with this man, to gift him his only niece.”

“Regardless of favor, it’s surprising that His Majesty would tie such a lowly baron to the Xavier family. He must feel he’s running out of time.”

The noblewomen, each privileged to visit the Empress’s drawing room, eagerly shared their opinions.

“It’s pitiable that Yelodia should be given to some inconsequential soldier. She must be beside herself with fear.”

Empress Vivian sighed as she paused with her teacup, drawing sympathetic gasps and sighs from the noble ladies.

“He’s said to look rough and have such a fearsome gaze that he’s nicknamed ‘Ghost of the Phoenician Sea’ or ‘Pirate.’ They say even Duke Xavier initially opposed the match strongly.”

“Indeed, if Her Highness Princess Anais were still alive, this wouldn’t have even been a possibility. His Majesty is going too far this time.”

“It’s also said Baron Adrian has a history of a broken engagement. Imagine how Duke Xavier must feel about all this.”

“A broken engagement?” Empress Vivian’s eyes widened as she turned to the Marchioness of Cheshire.

“Are you saying Yelodia’s intended has a broken engagement in his past?”