Martha, her face flushed, urged Yelodia.

“Hurry and change your clothes.”

“Ah, yes.”

Yelodia nodded and obediently walked into the dressing room.

“Take off that nightgown quickly.”

With the utmost care, Martha dressed Yelodia in a pale green muslin gown and applied her makeup. Just a bit of powder on her face and color on her lips transformed Yelodia’s appearance, making her look far more radiant.

“You have no idea how much the Baron has been worried about you.”

“Well, he’s the Baron.”

That was all Yelodia could say in response. She knew better than anyone how kind and considerate Edward was.

And Yelodia also knew that Edward regarded her as a little sister who had come into his life by accident.

That realization was the main reason she had stayed cooped up in her room for three days.

“There, all done. Now, go on out.”

After fussing over Yelodia for quite a while, Martha gently nudged her toward the door.

Yelodia hesitated before slowly opening the door and stepping into the reception room.

Edward, who had been playing idly with the little fox, finally looked up.

“…”

As Edward stared at her, Yelodia’s cheeks heated uncontrollably. A sense of discomfort and awkwardness crept over her.

Sensing the tension, Martha tactfully stepped between them.

“I’ll take care of Lily now.”

Scooping up the unsuspecting little fox, Martha swiftly left the room, closing the door firmly behind her despite Lily’s plaintive whimpers.

The fox might cry now, but it would soon be all smiles and antics when the servants fed it.

“Have you had lunch yet?”

Gathering her courage, Yelodia approached Edward cautiously and managed to ask. Edward answered sincerely.

“Yes, I have. And you? I heard you haven’t left your room.”

“Martha brought my meals to my room. She even took care of Lily’s meals.”

“A thoughtful servant indeed. I’ve heard it said that a servant’s nature reflects their master’s.”

Edward’s compliment made Yelodia’s lips part slightly, but she quickly pressed them shut again.

She didn’t want to be swayed by his words anymore, whether to feel elated or downcast.

When Yelodia fell silent and gazed out the window, Edward spoke first this time.

“Do you enjoy Rihanell’s books?”

“Did you see them?”

“I know it was impolite, but they caught my eye.”

Edward gestured toward the bookshelf lined with books. They were volumes he hadn’t noticed during his previous visits.

“My brother Hester loves those books. Over time, I became a fan too.”

“If both of you enjoy them, I’m sure I will as well. May I borrow one?”

“Oh, that…?”

“Yes. But if it’s inconvenient, please feel free to refuse.”

“It’s not that….”

Yelodia hesitated, her eyes darting.

Rihanell’s novel The Spear and the Shield told the story of a gladiator-slave protagonist who escapes the arena, ventures across the continent, and falls in love with a beautiful woman. The series spanned a staggering 25 volumes, and the final installment hadn’t been released yet.

Even if Edward was a fast reader, it would take him some time to finish 25 volumes, during which the series might finally conclude.

“I really love those books, but I’d be delighted if you borrowed them.”

“Thank you.”

Yelodia smiled quietly. She hadn’t realized how joyful it would be to share something she loved with him.

“You’re finally smiling.”

“Oh….”

“I was worried you might be angry with me.”

“I’m not angry,” Yelodia quickly replied, shaking her head.

“You’re not?”

Edward seemed unconvinced. Yelodia found herself biting her lips nervously.

“Sometimes, I feel like you see me as nothing but a child.”

“That’s not true.”

“Are you sure?”

Yelodia tilted her chin defiantly, fixing Edward with a sharp gaze.

If nothing else, she didn’t want to appear immature or naïve in front of her fiancé.

“It’s true I stayed in my room for three days, but… it wasn’t because I was angry with you. I wasn’t feeling well, and…”

Yelodia trailed off, rolling her eyes as she fumbled for excuses. The truth was, she had felt hurt, but she didn’t want to admit it.

“The rain put me in a gloomy mood.”

“I see.”

Edward looked as if he found her explanation regrettable, though he didn’t press her further.

“And are you feeling better now?” he asked gently.

“Yes, I’m fine now.”

Feigning composure, Yelodia replied. It had been her go-to excuse over the past three days, and it felt too late to come up with another.

“Then you’ll be able to attend the engagement ceremony in four days?”

“Who’s getting engaged?”

Yelodia asked, looking confused. Inwardly, she thought it was an incredibly impolite invitation.

For nobility, sending engagement invitations at least a month in advance was customary. A sudden announcement like this usually meant an unplanned pregnancy or some other scandal.

Edward studied Yelodia’s slightly indifferent expression and finally spoke.

“We are.”

“…What?”

“We are getting engaged.”

Edward’s gaze held a hint of confusion at her reaction. Yelodia pressed her lower lip tightly and tried to compose her startled expression.

“Of course, we were supposed to get engaged, but… won’t the nobles find it shocking to receive such a sudden invitation? And, has the Archbishop recovered?”

Her questions were entirely reasonable. Receiving the Archbishop’s blessing and being celebrated by the nobility were essential aspects of an engagement ceremony for someone of her standing.

Edward spoke with a slightly troubled expression.

“The Duke of Xavier suggested that we keep the engagement ceremony intimate, inviting only close acquaintances and family. I agreed to his proposal.”

“Surely the Archbishop will be present, won’t he?”

“The Duke of Xavier suspected that the Archbishop’s collapse on that day might not have been a coincidence. It seems you were right, and I was wrong. I thought you were angry with me because of that.”

“Ah…”

Yelodia, who had stayed confined to her room and avoided her family, was left utterly bewildered by the sudden news.

The unexpected and shocking development brought a glimmer of tears to her wide eyes, reflecting her inability to process the situation she had never even considered.

“Does this mean that other nobles won’t be invited to my engagement ceremony?”

“After the ceremony, His Majesty the Emperor has promised to host a celebratory banquet in your honor. If you don’t feel comfortable with the current arrangements, we can change them now.”

Edward’s tone was cautious. At that moment, Yelodia let out a small sigh and shook her head.

By the vows of Zeus and Lonel, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to be engaged to Edward.

She had simply never imagined that her engagement ceremony would be so lonely and quiet, devoid of guests.

Although she understood the situation logically, Yelodia, raised and educated as the daughter of a great noble family, couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

The thought that the nobles who had braved the storm that day might ridicule her and Edward unnerved her, making her voice tremble.

“If His Majesty is hosting the banquet, then I suppose it’s fine…”

As tears began to well up in Yelodia’s eyes, Edward’s expression turned flustered.

“If this arrangement upsets you, we can postpone the engagement ceremony. I’ll invite all the nobles across the continent and personally request the Archbishop’s attendance.”

“N-No, there’s no need for that. If my father suggested this, I’m sure he has his reasons.”

Yelodia barely managed to hold back her tears and waved her hand dismissively. Edward’s face, however, grew noticeably more somber.

“I’m sorry.”

“I’ve told you repeatedly, there’s no need for you to apologize.”

“But all of this is happening because of our engagement.”

Edward’s expression was bitter as he gently wiped away the tears clinging to Yelodia’s eyes with his fingers. His brows furrowed as he felt the dampness on his fingertips. Yelodia had no idea how her tears affected him each time.

Flustered, Yelodia fumbled to find the right words.

“It’s just that I was a little—just a tiny bit—disappointed. But I never blamed you for it. And, come to think of it, having a quiet, private engagement ceremony between just the two of us sounds nice too.”

“I don’t mind postponing it, truly. I want the engagement and wedding to be exactly as you wish, Yelodia.”

“Oh…”

Before she knew it, Yelodia felt her heart soften. She could sense Edward’s genuine care and concern for her.

“By the vows of Zeus and Lonel, I’m fine. No, I’m better now.”

Yelodia suddenly became aware of the warmth spreading across her face. From her cheeks to her earlobes and down to the nape of her neck, she felt a flush of heat.

“You have a way of making me feel so embarrassed sometimes, Baron.”

“Do I?”

Yelodia nodded silently. Beneath her long, thick lashes, her slightly tear-streaked eyes gazed up at Edward with a hint of reproach.

Edward carefully brushed away the tears lingering on her lashes with his fingertips.

He wished she wouldn’t cry anymore, but it seemed his fiancée was particularly prone to tears. Oddly enough, he didn’t mind it. While it evoked pity and sorrow, there was something endearing about it too.