“I had originally intended to visit with my mother, but something urgent came up for her. So here I am, with too much free time on my hands. I hope my sudden visit doesn’t trouble you.”

“Not at all, I’m simply grateful that Your Highness came in person.”

“Please, there’s no need for formality. You’re married to my brother now, family, aren’t we? I’d prefer it if you just called me Gerard.”

Given the political tension between Gerard and Cedric, it would be wise for Anita not to grow too close to Gerard.

Nevertheless, as Gerard said, they were family in name. There was no need for them to maintain such a cold distance that it would draw unnecessary attention or gossip.

Besides, the second prince had been kind to her ever since she arrived in Laxion. His manner felt genuine, without any hint of calculation. Anita found it difficult to dislike him; she merely kept her distance out of duty, not distrust.

“You have a lovely smile, Your Highness. Ah, and this…”

He reached for something beside him, his lips still curved in that bright, disarming smile that seemed to make the cold, crystal walls around them shimmer.

When Anita smiled at his friendly manner, his eyes lit up with delight. With a soft clap of his hands, he produced a small velvet box from his pocket.

“It’s modest, but a personal wedding gift from me.”

Blushing from the unexpected compliment, Anita hesitantly accepted the box and opened it. A dazzling light greeted her eyes: the twin teardrop-shaped sapphires shimmered in clear, crystalline blue, each gem encircled by tiny diamonds that amplified their brilliance.

The earrings were so exquisite and obviously priceless that Anita’s expression stiffened with discomfort.

“I… I can’t accept something like this.”

“Think of it as a bribe, and all I ask is one small favor.”

“What?”

When she instinctively tried to hand the box back, Gerard hid his hands behind his back and teased her. Anita’s eyes widened at the word ‘bribe’.

“Let me call you sister-in-law when we’re in private.”

“As you said, Your Highness, we’re family now. Please feel free. But truly, I can’t accept this—”

“Just call me Gerard. If you refuse a gift from a family member, it might hurt my feelings, sister-in-law.”

“It’s far too generous.”

“Don’t worry about that. I can hardly wear earrings myself. Besides, their color matches your eyes perfectly. I’d say they’ve simply found their rightful owner.”

They went back and forth like that for a while with the small box caught between them. In the end, Anita relented first, sighing as she accepted it.

Noticing that she was about to protest again, Gerard quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, are you familiar with the upcoming banquet schedule, sister-in-law?”

“I’ve heard a little about it.”

“Then you can look forward to tonight in particular.”

The celebrations were to last for more than ten days but the way Gerard said it made her curious.

“Tonight?”

Anita asked, puzzled.

“I may have had a small hand in the arrangements. If there’s one thing I excel at, it’s making sure people enjoy themselves. When it comes to leisure, I dare say I surpass even my brother.”

“I’ve heard of Your Highness’s artistic talent since my days in Callithea. The dean of the Irzine Academy of Arts once praised your sculpture as truly extraordinary.”

“Oh, that’s nothing, It’s hardly a fitting pursuit for a prince, after all. My mother never misses a chance to scold me for it.”

“Please don’t say that.”

“……”

“Art is essential to a nation’s growth. Think of the achievements of Yan II of Laxion. How greatly the kingdom prospered under his reign. The richness of culture we enjoy today, the beauty it has brought to the empire could never be measured in gold.”

“……”

“So, Your Highness should take pride in your work as well. You’re contributing to the progress of your nation in your own way.”

While some dismissed art as a frivolous indulgence, Anita thought differently. She believed that art shaped hearts and minds, inspiring progress and unity across society.

“Your Highness, these paintings encourage immorality. Rather than depicting a goddess or a virtuous woman of legend, they depict a mere commoner. Such filth should be burned!”

“No, even the Goddess herself would find beauty in them.”

Despite being constantly reprimanded by priests, Anita quietly supported artists in Callithea. Even when her patronage became politically contentious, she continued to secretly fund promising new talent.

“……You’re as kind as ever.”

“Pardon?”

When Anita blinked in confusion, he simply shook his head.

“Nothing. Just thinking aloud. But truly, call me Gerard, as I’ve asked.”

“Perhaps later. You’re still a prince, after all. It feels right to show respect.”

Her polite refusal brought a fleeting shadow of disappointment to Gerard’s face, which was so brief that she failed to notice it. He recovered quickly though, smiling again as he began describing the palace corridors, shortcuts through the gardens and other details that might prove useful to her.

He spoke with such wit and warmth that Anita soon found herself at ease, laughing occasionally without realizing how naturally her tension had faded. Each time she laughed, Gerard’s smile deepened, becoming brighter and more genuine.

By the time he finally glanced at the clock on the table, more than an hour had passed. Rising from his seat, Gerard offered a small, apologetic bow.

“I’ve kept you far too long, sister-in-law. You must be tired.”

“Not at all. I truly enjoyed our conversation, Your Highness.”

Before leaving, Gerard took her hand and brushed his lips lightly against it, in a customary gesture of courtesy and respect. However, Anita wondered if Cedric would consider it inappropriate for a moment.

“The truth is…”

Gerard hesitated briefly before speaking, his tone softening.

“I heard, by chance, what happened last night. I should have looked after my brother more carefully. I was… rather drunk myself.”

Just before leaving the drawing room, Gerard hesitated. Then, with cautious politeness, he broached the topic that made Anita’s heart instantly jolt.

“I don’t quite understand it myself. My brother isn’t the type to drink to excess. Perhaps he was… simply overjoyed about the marriage.”

Anita quickly searched his face.

‘How much does he know?’

Fortunately, it seemed that Gerard had only heard snippets: that the crown prince had not spent the wedding night with his bride, for example.

Even so, the knowledge stung. The emperor’s earlier warning had hinted at this, but now she was certain: the rumor that the bride had been left alone on her wedding night was spreading swiftly through the palace.

“There are always gossips in the royal court. Petty people with too much time on their hands. Please, pay them no mind.”

“Yes. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

She forced a faint smile, composing her expression with effort. Gerard seemed to want to say more, but after hesitating for a moment, he simply bowed his head.

“Then, I’ll see you again soon, sister-in-law.”

Anita had intended to accompany him outside, but Gerard insisted that she rest instead. After his figure had finally disappeared beyond the hall, she stood at the entrance for a while, staring after him, before quietly returning to the room.

“You have the luncheon schedule this afternoon. You didn’t sleep at all last night. Please, rest for a bit, I’ll wake you when it’s time.”

“All right.”

Renee guided Anita back inside. Anita nodded weakly and took slow steps. Her gaze drifted to the teacup that was still sitting on the table, the tea inside having long since gone cold.

“I was going to drink it with the fig jam and the ephy bread, but it seems that won’t happen anytime soon.”

··· ✦ ···

Outside in the palace gardens, one of the emperor’s attendants could be seen pacing about, clearly searching for someone.

Dian watched this for a moment from the narrow window above, before turning his eyes away.

“Hagen has always been rash. There have been murmurs among the knights about his conduct. However, given his and his brothers’ loyalty to you ever since the Wyrdic family, I hesitated to act. Nevertheless, since he has brought discredit upon you, I will ensure that he is properly punished and dismissed from the palace.”

“No.”

Cedric spoke the single word quietly but firmly.

The dim room was lit only by a thin sliver of daylight streaming in through the narrow window. Even at midday, shadows pooled across the floor, obscuring Cedric’s expression as he reclined lazily on the sofa with one leg draped over the armrest.

Dian lowered his gaze, watching the slow, idle movement of his master’s foot and waiting for further instruction.

As soon as Dian had finished speaking, Cedric opened his eyes and sat up straight. A faint, almost casual, smile touched his lips as he lowered his legs from the sofa and made a small gesture with his hand.

“Leave him be.”

“…….”

“Has Hagen ever caused serious trouble before this incident?”

“……No, Your Highness.”

“Then let it end with a warning to his count.”

“But, Your Highness, his behavior toward the crown princess was openly disrespectful. If we overlook it—”

“Didn’t Gerard already take it upon himself to handle the matter? I heard the man was docked pay for his offense.”

The knight had teased the so-called goddess’s blessed daughter a little too much. It was hardly a crime worthy of losing a loyal subordinate. In fact, Cedric found the whole situation rather satisfying.

The Princess of Callithea, raised under the titles of the Goddess’s incarnation and the nation’s holy blessing, had probably never been treated so rudely before. She may not have shown anger, but her pride must have been hurt.

“Since my dear brother has seen fit to punish one of my knights, I see no reason to intervene further.”

Nevertheless, the idea of Gerard entering his palace to confront his men left a bad taste in his mouth. While he had expected the younger prince to eventually approach his new sister-in-law, he was dismayed by his boldness and the speed with which he had acted within his domain.

“Dian, don’t scold the knights over this. They’re probably already furious. If you push them too hard, they’ll only become more defiant.”

He spoke in a flippant tone, but there was an unmistakable edge to the smirk on his lips.

Whether Gerard and Anita grew closer or not didn’t matter to him — or so he told himself. In truth, he knew it might even serve his purposes in the long term.

Nevertheless, the image of the two of them smiling together in his palace irritated him beyond reason.