Although he was the same height as Oswald, his courteous and gentle manner made him seem less imposing. Judging by his attire, he appeared to be another invited guest. The first thing she noticed was the neatly tied bow beneath his black suit jacket.

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

Daphne steadied herself quickly. His face looked somewhat familiar – perhaps she had seen him in a photo album of notable people, although she couldn’t be entirely certain.

Once he was sure that she could stand on her own, the man let go of her arm. A brief, awkward silence settled between them.

She wasn’t sure whether to walk past him or offer a few polite words. It was her first time attending such an event, and she felt a faint, nervous flutter in her chest at the uncertainty.

“You’re Princess Allen, aren’t you?”

Sensing her hesitation, the man spoke first. With practiced grace, he extended an arm as if to escort her, subtly indicating the direction in which to go. Daphne hesitated only a moment before following his lead.

“Yes.”

“I’m Curtis Gordon.”

Curtis Gordon was one of the judges of the Phozmeri Central Court. And because Daphne had studied various influential figures in order to live as Allen Howard, she recognized the name.

“You’re a judge. I’ve heard a great deal about you.”

She stopped walking and extended her hand for a handshake. Curtis gently lifted her hand from below. Then he bowed his head and pressed his lips to the back of her hand.

“……”

She had certainly meant to shake hands. With a slight sense of confusion, Daphne looked down at him. His brown hair shone softly under the indoor lights.

Just when she began to wonder why the touch of his lips on her hand lingered longer than expected, Curtis looked up at her—still with his lips against her hand.

“…?”

When she stared at him in puzzlement, he gave a faint smile and slowly straightened. Yet he still did not release her hand.

“It’s an honor to speak with you, Princess, especially since you already know who I am.”

For a moment, she felt a strange sense of déjà vu—something similar to what she felt when she first saw Oswald, yet slightly different in nature. A dull ache pressed against her temples, as if one of her frequent headaches was about to strike.

Just then, footsteps sounded behind her, and someone placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Allen? Didn’t you say you were going out for some air?”

It was Oswald’s voice.

Startled, Daphne quickly pulled her hand away from Curtis Gordon’s grasp.

“Hm? Allen.”

She blinked twice, and Oswald smiled as he spoke. His tone was gentle. To anyone watching, they must have looked like a perfectly affectionate couple. Daphne knew well enough that the smile was nothing but an act.

“I met the judge on the way.”

Daphne returned an awkward smile of her own, unaware that Curtis was quietly observing the subtle current between husband and wife.

“Major Lawrence.”

Curtis extended his hand. Oswald and Curtis exchanged a brief, polite greeting. Daphne, standing in front of them, couldn’t see her husband’s face—and therefore didn’t notice the slight clench of his jaw.

“It’s been a while, Judge Gordon. I imagine things must be calmer these days with fewer trials.”

“Thanks to you, Major, the country regained its peace.”

“Not at all. Well then, enjoy the party.”

He tightened the hand resting on Daphne’s shoulder, signaling that he wished to end the conversation. Daphne matched his movement and began to step away.

“…Speaking of trials, there’s a rather unusual one coming up in a few days.”

The couple paused mid-turn as Curtis continued.

He smiled faintly before finishing his sentence.

“It concerns a commoner who was caught pretending to be a noble.”

His golden eyes shifted to Daphne. Their gazes met. Her breath hitched. In those openly staring eyes lay unmistakable intent.

A commoner pretending to be a noble.

‘Does he know who I really am? That I’m the one pretending…?’

“…I see.”

Oswald spoke next, his voice slightly lower, perhaps thinking the same thing.

“If you’d like, you’re welcome to attend. It should be an interesting trial.”

“No. We—”

“Well, if it isn’t Curtis Gordon.”

Prime Minister Howard approached them, having seen the three conversing. Daphne’s entire body stiffened. Cold sweat threatened to form on her palms. The warmth of the alcohol drained from her at once.

“Your Excellency Howard.”

“Oh, don’t be so formal. What were you three talking about?”

Howard looked between them with a flushed, slightly tipsy face, smiling as though in good spirits.

Daphne trembled. Oswald, whose hand still rested on her shoulder, would have noticed it. She forced the corners of her lips upward.

Curtis, still smiling, continued for all to hear.

“I was inviting the Lawrence couple to observe an upcoming trial.”

“Oh, a trial… Allen, you’ve been cooped up in your room for so long. Take this chance to see what’s happening in the world.”

“……”

“It wouldn’t hurt to show people that the Princess of Phozmeri takes interest in public affairs.”

Oswald, who had been about to decline, found himself silenced.

Daphne was still shaking. She couldn’t help it—whenever she looked at Howard, fear welled up instinctively. Ever since the day he aimed a gun at her head.

Howard flashed his teeth in a grin, urging a response. Daphne nodded stiffly.

“Yes, Father. I’ll do that.”

Curtis let out a soft smile.

＊ ＊ ＊

The couple returned to the estate well into the night, long after the party had ended. They were supposed to go to their own bedrooms, as they had used different ones, but Oswald, walking with a slightly stormy gait, followed her into hers.

“Do you have something to say?”

Now that they were finally alone, Daphne voiced the question she had kept down all evening.

“Why did Curtis speak to you?”

Oswald questioned her sharply. The world outside the window had already gone dark, leaving only a blackened view hanging beyond the glass.

“I met him for the first time today.”

“Then what was that meaningful talk about the trial?”

“I don’t know either.”

As if displeased with her answer, Oswald dragged a tense hand over his face and continued.

“…Curtis is a devious man.”

Was it something political? A clash of beliefs? Personal resentment? Daphne studied her husband quietly.

“So make sure you don’t get involved with him.”

“We’re already attending the trial. How am I supposed to avoid that?”

“You really don’t let anything go now, do you.”

His eyes on her were brutally fierce. A stark contrast from the man she had seen the night before.

“You really think you’ve become Allen Howard, don’t you?”

He took several heavy steps toward her. Though his approach was threatening, Daphne held her handbag tightly and forced herself not to retreat, staring straight back at him.

“Maybe Curtis has already seen through this farce.”

“……”

Her heart dropped with a thud. It felt like confirmation of the suspicion that had been gnawing at her. If her identity were exposed, only death awaited her.

Oswald noticed how she stiffened instantly and let out a low laugh.

“It seems the Prime Minister still doesn’t know.”

“Then why is the judge acting like this…?”

“I told you—he’s devious. There’s no way to know what he wants yet.”

Oswald tugged at his tie as if it felt suffocating.

“But whatever it is, it has nothing to do with me.”

His voice was icy. He turned as if to leave, and Daphne called after him, her voice rising faintly.

“If my identity is exposed, do you really think you’ll be safe?”

He stopped mid-step.

“Winfred, do you honestly think you and I are in the same boat?”

“……”

“Between a war hero and a prisoner from Astasha who helped deceive the entire nation, whose words do you think people will believe?”

He turned halfway around and looked back at her. His lips curled into a sharp, crooked line, giving him a cold, cutting profile.

It was a look that told her to face reality.

His tone made it clear that her circumstances were irrelevant to him.

That they were not equals.

Daphne was clinging to a thin rope that Oswald could sever at any time.

Understanding this, she swallowed hard and spoke again.

“Last night.”

Oswald’s eyes narrowed.

“What was that?”

Their gazes crossed in the air. Without the slightest change in expression, he answered briefly.

“A mistake.”

He spat out the two words coldly and shut the door behind him without waiting for her reply.

Left alone, Daphne stared at the empty doorway, her expression blank with shock.