Dressed in a crimson gown that rose to just beneath her chin, Clodine walked with composed elegance into the prepared dining chamber.

Already seated, Ashton Haimos, the sole heir of the Grand Ducal House of Haimos, and Lady Charlotte Langham of the Langham Marquessate rose at once and offered her their respects.

“Greetings to Your Majesty, the Moon of the Empire.”

Their flawless greeting rang out in perfect unison. Clodine inclined her head in return.

“I am pleased to receive such esteemed guests.”

With that, she took her seat at the head of the table without delay, mindful of the two who remained standing. They followed suit, and preparations for the meal began.

“I cannot remember the last time we all sat across a table like this.”

“It has been more than fifteen years. Especially with Lady Langham present.”

His attire and hair appeared more carefully arranged than usual, lending him an especially refined air. In his characteristically gentle voice, he spoke as his gaze moved smoothly from Clodine to Charlotte.

Charlotte, who had been sitting demurely with her eyes lowered toward the empty plate before her, immediately lifted her gaze to meet his. Drawing her brows together in apology, she said,

“I am ashamed that I did not remember from the beginning, Duke Haimos. I was well aware that many events unfolded upon the distant northern continent… but I never imagined you would have grown so splendidly in a neighboring empire.”

“That is only natural. I hold no desire to reproach you, my lady. I am simply very glad that we have met again at last.”

Charlotte’s apology, pure and without embellishment, pleased Ashton more than any polished excuse might have. He smiled warmly. Only then did Charlotte allow herself a relaxed smile in return.

Watching the two seated across from her, Clodine felt an inexplicable warmth bloom within her. After a moment’s consideration, she tactfully began her meal first.

Though the weather was warm, she had chosen garments that concealed her neck entirely. It was somewhat suffocating. Earlier that day, an unforeseen encounter with Ahazan had left her neck and shoulders marked with vivid traces of his making. To conceal them in the bright light of day, she had no choice but to endure the discomfort.

Seeing Clodine begin to eat, Ashton and Charlotte followed. The three exchanged small talk, occasionally falling into companionable silence as they raised their glasses.

When the atmosphere had ripened to a comfortable degree, Clodine finally spoke in a more serious tone.

“Ashton. Charlotte. There is a reason I asked you here today.”

At her words, both immediately set down their utensils, as though they had long been awaiting the true purpose of this gathering.

“You are aware that His Majesty and I will soon depart the imperial palace on a long journey.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ashton answered. Charlotte nodded in agreement.

Without hesitation, Clodine continued.

“My greatest concern is the baseless rumors that may spread in our prolonged absence whispers that will grow as though they were truth and endlessly circulate upon the tongues of the people.”

If those who could correct falsehoods and keep watch were absent, words without feet would grow wings and drift across every corner of the Empire, unsettling the hearts of its citizens. In the little time remaining, Clodine needed to secure as many steadfast allies as possible.

There was no time to gather many. It was more important to choose even a single person capable of exerting immense influence within high society and entrust them with the task.

After the unmarried royal Yuri von Lernando, Grand Duke Lernando, no one had risen to greater renown in so short a time than Ashton Haimos. He was famed for receiving trust from the Emperor of the Harrison Empire equal to that bestowed upon a crown prince. With striking appearance, keen intellect, and vast fortune, he had become the most admired figure in society of late.

And Charlotte though only briefly had nearly become the Emperor’s woman. Unlike others whose broken engagements diminished their prospects, she continued to inspire fervent proposals from men and had become an object of admiration among women. After all, she had been the only woman, aside from Clodine, whom Ahazan had once chosen as a potential future Empress.

Thus, if Ashton and Charlotte guided the opinion of society in a favorable direction after Clodine and Ahazan left the palace, at the very least they could prevent public sentiment from straying into darker paths.

Duchess Alua Brighton, whose relationship with Clodine had grown closer after they shared each other’s most shameful secrets, would surely lend strength as well, along with the noble ladies who followed her. And the Lernando siblings ever unwavering allies would stand firm.

“I fully understand what Your Majesty fears, and what you wish from the Duke of Haimos and myself. Please cast aside all worry and attend only to the safety of you and His Majesty during your journey.”

“Charlotte…”

Hearing Charlotte’s firm and dependable response, given without the slightest hesitation, Clodine found herself too moved to continue.

Ashton, watching the two women, added in a voice filled with conviction,

“For those who dwell upon the snow mountains, a promise is an act staked upon one’s life. In a harsh land where flora and fauna struggle to survive, even the smallest promise may determine whether someone lives or dies.”

Descended from a bloodline once akin to the masters of the snow mountains, Ashton’s words carried an unmistakable meaning he would stake his life upon this vow.

Clodine felt sincere gratitude for the wholehearted support Ashton and Charlotte offered her so freely. She had never once held in her heart the lie she told in childhood to protect Charlotte’s family, nor the assistance she gave Ashton so he might remain longer within the Empire.

It was only natural that she did not know how to claim credit for such things. In a world guided by benevolent order, such deeds became virtues remembered in their own quiet way.

Setting aside heavy matters, the three raised their glasses once more, brimming with friendship, and resumed their conversation in brighter spirits.

***

“Do you truly stake your life on every promise you make, Duke?”

It was a beautiful night, the dark sky strewn with stars wrapping overhead like silk. Escorted by Ashton, Charlotte walked along the garden path that led to where her carriage waited.

She was not one to drink much, yet tonight she had exceeded her tolerance slightly. As a result, she found herself far more curious than usual. In truth, it was one of Charlotte’s lesser-known, rather adorable drinking habits.

Ashton made no effort to suppress the corners of his lips that kept lifting. With courteous steadiness, he supported Charlotte as she tried very hard not to stumble.

“Yes. That is why I never make a promise I cannot keep.”

“I see… That is… very nice.”

Charlotte offered a clear smile tinged faintly with sadness, only to flush in embarrassment a moment later as she hurried to clarify.

“Ah, I mean… I simply meant that you would make a very good fiancé to a lady.”

Did that imply that someone else had broken promises at will and thus become a poor fiancé in a lady’s memory?

Ashton believed he knew exactly who that someone was. Rather than cruelly pressing the matter, he chose instead to smile as warmly as possible hoping to help Charlotte forget colder memories.

“Are you always this adorable when you drink?”

“A-adorable…? I am not such a thing.”

At the single word he had barely managed to utter adorable Charlotte’s face bloomed red as a rose. With her gloved hands, she waved them hurriedly in denial.

“On the contrary, you are exceedingly adorable.”

Ashton leaned close to her ear, whispering low, as though reluctant to let even a single word be overheard by anyone else.

Charlotte had never heard a man’s voice from such intimate proximity before. She startled and drew her shoulders in.

Ashton looked down at her as though gazing upon the most precious living being in the world. No matter how one saw it, his expression resembled nothing less than that of a man in love.

“Now, and then as well… it was a promise staked on my life. That is why I stand beside you like this.”

His voice, layered with emotions as difficult to decipher as the light in his eyes, carried the weight of a long-hidden confession.

Even through the haze of drink, Charlotte seemed to sense that his words were not easily understood. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she looked up steeply at Ashton, who stood far taller than she.

Their eyes and hair, both shades of brown differing only in brightness, made them appear as though they belonged together simply by standing face to face.

Just as Ashton his hands calloused despite his refined appearance was about to gently brush her hair…

“Charlotte?”

A deep voice rang out from not far away.

Both Ashton and Charlotte startled and turned.

“Your Grace, the Grand Duke of Lernando?”

Swallowing an inexplicable pang of disappointment, Charlotte identified the owner of the voice. The one who had assumed the role of interrupter was none other than Yuri von Lernando, Grand Duke Lernando.

“What are you doing here at such a late hour with the Duke of Haimos?”

“Ah, I was merely being escorted home.”

Feeling faintly uncomfortable at Yuri’s tone, Charlotte withdrew the arm that had been resting against Ashton and awkwardly smoothed it with her other hand.

“I see. It appears you have been drinking.”

With deliberate ease, Yuri stepped closer and gently brushed aside the strand of hair that had fallen over her cheek.

Startled, Charlotte quickly stepped back. Yuri lifted one brow as though he could not understand her reaction.

“From here, I shall escort the lady myself, Duke Haimos.”

Yuri spoke without seeking Charlotte’s permission.

Though the suggestion bordered on discourtesy, Ashton merely smiled good-naturedly.

“It seems only proper, as a gentleman, to grant the lady the right to choose, Your Grace.”

Yuri did not like the response but it was not wrong. He turned a measured gaze toward Charlotte, demanding her decision.

‘It would be better to grow closer to Grand Duke Yuri, Charlotte.’

Her father, Marquis Silvanian of Langham, seemed to rise before her mind’s eye. She knew the prudent choice was to extend her hand to Yuri.

Yet for reasons she could not name, her heart resisted.

When she turned back to look at Ashton, he appeared magnanimous as though he would respect her choice, whatever it might be.

Strangely, that expression stirred within her a long-buried feeling she had hidden deep in the recesses of her memory.

Charlotte felt her heart ache for no clear reason.

“Then I shall trouble you, Your Grace.”

In the end, her hand was placed in Yuri’s.

With his usual warm smile spread across his face, Yuri clasped it.

After exchanging brief nods of courtesy, the two moved away, leaving Ashton behind.

Not long after, Charlotte cast a furtive glance over her shoulder.

Ashton did not miss that fleeting moment.

With a gentle smile, he raised his hand and waved to her.