Countess Havel let out a soft chuckle at the end of her sentence. Her demeanor, far too frivolous and undignified, seemed ill-suited to her status as a noble countess.

Though she often appeared lacking in discretion, she rarely caused offense to the Empress by exercising caution with her words. After all, she was the wife of the Empress’s uncle and frequently kept close to her side.

“I had prepared a gift for Yelodia, but it seems I’ll have to send it via an attendant,” the Empress said.

At her words, an attendant promptly bowed and replied, “I will deliver the gift to the Duke of Xavier’s residence.”

“My, how generous of you. Your Majesty’s kindness truly knows no bounds,” Countess Havel chimed in, once again uttering words that perfectly pleased the Empress.

The Empress, suppressing the discomfort that crept into her throat, maintained a gentle smile. Yet the image of Baron Adrian, who had abruptly left earlier without proper decorum, lingered in her mind.

‘How dare he…’

The Empress lowered her gaze and sipped her tea, though she couldn’t taste it at all. Being slighted in any way had always been intolerable for her.

Countess Havel, brimming with excitement, continued her chatter. “I think I should also send a gift to the Duke’s residence.”

“Yelodia will be delighted, I’m sure,” the Empress replied, her tone turning noticeably frosty.

Realizing her mistake, Countess Havel forced a smile and said, “On second thought, there’s no need for me to flatter the Duke of Xavier.”

“That’s right,” Marchioness Cheshire quickly added, aligning herself with the Empress. “She may be a duke’s daughter now, but she’s soon to be merely the wife of a baron. I’ve heard their estate is hardly impressive.”

The experienced noblewomen surrounding the Empress had perfected the art of flattery over the years. Only then did Empress Vivian cast her languid gaze toward the window.

“The wife of a baron.”

Even the title left a bitter taste in her mouth. If given the chance, she intended to drag her rival into the mud.

***

Unfortunately, Edward and Yelodia couldn’t leave the Empress’s palace immediately. Their premature departure from the reception room meant that their carriage wasn’t ready.

As a result, the two decided to linger at the entrance to the Empress’s garden. It would have been improper for an unmarried noblewoman to stroll alone with a man in the garden, and exploring the Empress’s grounds didn’t seem particularly appealing.

Thus, they settled on waiting near the garden entrance for the carriage.

Yelodia, lost in thought, gazed at the garden with a contemplative expression. Watching her quietly, Edward eventually broke the silence.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”

“I thought I knew you to some extent, but it appears I don’t,” Yelodia admitted with a hint of disappointment.

Edward hesitated briefly before speaking. “Promise me you won’t get angry at what I’m about to say.”

“That implies you’re about to say something that will make me angry,” she retorted.

Edward didn’t deny it.

Yelodia fell silent, her thoughts racing. After a moment, she shrugged lightly and replied, “If I don’t get angry, will you grant me a request?”

“Yes, I will,” Edward said without hesitation.

Yelodia, reassured, met his gaze directly. “Then go ahead.”

Edward’s confession came calmly and without preamble.

“I was engaged to the Viscountess of Dallas about five years ago.”

“…Oh.”

Yelodia blinked and murmured, “Oh” again, as if it were the only thing she could think to say.

She had thought she wouldn’t be easily upset, but this revelation was unexpected.

To be honest, it felt like her emotions were a raft caught in a storm—tossed and turbulent.

“So that’s why you were so concerned about the Viscountess of Dallas?”

“I was concerned about you, Lady Xavier,” Edward replied.

‘There it is. He always uses my title when he wants to be especially polite.’

Yelodia grumbled inwardly, placing her hands on her hips and staring up at him. Without realizing it, her gaze had turned slightly sharp.

For the first time since she’d met him, Edward looked genuinely flustered.

“Are you angry?”

“Don’t you think there’s more you need to explain to me first?”

“…We weren’t close enough for you to be so concerned,” Edward replied.

‘How could anyone not be concerned about their fiancé’s former betrothed?’

Yelodia clenched her hands on her hips, frustration brewing.

“Don’t you think I might be very curious about something that supposedly means nothing?”

Though naturally lively and free-spirited, Yelodia had been raised as a noblewoman from birth. In situations like this, she knew how to sharpen her words.

Edward respected her noble demeanor and admired her ability to maintain kindness and grace.

‘Even so, this time she won’t be able to hide her disappointment’, he thought, sighing before he began.

“It was an engagement arranged by my late father. After a brief introduction, I was engaged to her. But soon after the ceremony, a war broke out with Iota, and I had to leave for the battlefield. Then…”

He hesitated, his gaze dropping as if unsure how to continue, before exhaling heavily and finishing his story.

“About three months later, her father, Viscount Benter, requested to break off the engagement. Since we hadn’t made vows before the Archbishop, the engagement was easily annulled with the return of her dowry.”

“Unbelievable…”

Yelodia’s mouth fell open in astonishment.

Three months? That was it?

Her anger surged again, but this time for a different reason. How disgraceful for nobles!

“At the time, I was just a lowly naval officer with no guarantee of returning to land anytime soon. I believed the Viscountess of Dallas had little choice,” Edward explained.

“You were risking your life to protect the Feorn Empire! How can that be an excuse?” Yelodia exclaimed.

Three months of engagement, and they discarded him like that? Even pets wouldn’t be treated so coldly.

Yelodia was seething. If the Viscountess of Dallas were here, she’d scold her thoroughly.

But…

Her thoughts shifted, leaving her conflicted. Like other noble daughters, the Viscountess likely had no choice but to follow her father’s orders. And if Edward hadn’t broken off that engagement, she wouldn’t have become his fiancée.

A realization struck her: The Empress must have planned this.

‘That wretched woman, pulling strings again.’

Her teeth clenched in frustration. The Empress had a knack for toying with people, like a child plucking wings off a butterfly—innocent in appearance but cruel in intent.

At that moment, a carriage bearing the Xavier family crest approached from the garden’s edge.

“Your carriage is here,” Edward said, glancing at her.

“…Are you returning to the Imperial Palace after this?”

“Yes, I need to escort my aunt.”

“Then let’s ride together. The palace is vast and confusing; I’d like to accompany you partway.”

Edward narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing her face, but found no signs of anger.

The carriage stopped in front of them, and Edward offered his hand to help Yelodia climb in. Inside, they found Martha, who had returned with the coachman.

“Apologies—I didn’t realize your tea time had already ended. I thought it would take longer,” Martha said.

“Something came up,” Yelodia replied curtly.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Martha wisely kept quiet. The carriage set off toward the palace in silence.

Yelodia, watching Edward seated across from her, finally spoke.

“I’ll tell you my wish later. I’m not in the mood to say it now.”

“Your wish?” Edward repeated, puzzled.

“You promised to grant me a wish if I didn’t get angry. Have you forgotten already?”

“Oh,” Edward murmured, nodding belatedly.

“If it’s within my power, I’ll fulfill it,” he promised.

“I’ll hang you in the middle of Lilith Park,” Yelodia retorted with a sour expression.

Edward coughed awkwardly, his lips curling into a faintly troubled smile. He must have imagined himself hanging in the square.

Yelodia smirked, satisfied. His smile was far more pleasant than his grim expression. Turning to the window, she added, “Do you think I’m joking?”

“Would I at least be fully clothed?”

Yelodia gasped in mock horror. “Do you think I’d hang my fiancé n*ked in the square?”

“You looked very intrigued by the idea just now.”

“Hmm, you’re quite perceptive,” she said, biting her lip to stifle a laugh.

Edward’s expression softened. When Yelodia spoke again, her tone was noticeably lighter.

“I’ll return to my estate now. Please send my regards to His Majesty and Lady Selina.”

“I will,” Edward replied.

Silence fell between them until the carriage stopped.

Martha glanced between them, her face a mix of confusion and curiosity.