Chapter 10

How long had Dione spent quietly admiring the Imperial Palace’s garden visible from the reception room, suppressing a sigh that threatened to escape? Knock, knock, knock—a neat sound of someone knocking at the door was heard.

As she realized who was outside, tension automatically ran through her body.

She had been too distracted these past two days, and for a moment, the thought slipped her mind—this was the first time meeting him since that major incident. …Just what was she thinking, contacting him so suddenly and barging into the Imperial Palace?

“Yes.”

Unlike her complicated thoughts, her answer came out calmly, and the ornate door to the reception room slowly opened.

Between the opening doors, she first saw legs entering slowly, almost as if crawling, and then finally, a familiar face came into view. He was clearly watching her reaction.

“…Lady Dione.”

“Why are you acting like that?”

“…”

Even though she asked with a light laugh, Raihan did not smile. His expression was not his usual one… no, it seemed closer to gloomy than expressionless. During the three weeks she had accompanied him, she had never seen this unfamiliar look.

He glanced at her face like a puppy watching its owner, then entered the reception room completely and closed the door so quietly it made no sound.

With that, an awkward silence settled between them—something that had never lingered between them before. There had always been someone who started the conversation first, and after that, not even a minute would pass without talking; it felt like something from years ago.

In that atmosphere, Dione wondered how best to begin.

Should she ask why he stayed in Essen Empire? Why hadn’t he informed her separately? Or should she mention that newspaper article that spread through the capital and start by apologizing?

But before she could finish choosing her words through her tangled thoughts, Raihan, still wearing a dark face, spoke first.

“By any chance.”

‘By any chance?’

“…Let’s just pretend it didn’t happen. If you came here to talk about that, I’ll have to refuse.”

“…That’s not it.”

How could she possibly pretend something that had already happened didn’t exist? S*x wasn’t something that could just be cleaned up like a broken glass and replaced with a new one.

When she shook her head, saying that wasn’t it, only then did his expression seem to brighten slightly.

“Then do you have other business?”

“Did you see the article that spread through the capital on September 9th?”

“Ah…”

His expression darkened again. This man, who was like sunlight, was gloomy because of her… Suddenly, guilt welled up, and Dione slowly bowed her head and apologized.

“I’m sorry. Because I behaved poorly, Your Highness, you were swept up in this scandal—”

“No, no. Please don’t apologize, Lady Dione.”

“But…”

Despite her repeated requests, Raihan did not accept her apology. No, he insisted there was no need to apologize at all. Why? Wouldn’t a scandal with an unwanted partner be unpleasant for him?

Of course, what happened that night was true, but apart from that, the article implied that the two of them might develop into something more. As if their romance was just around the corner.

‘Above all, such physical relationships are possible even without feelings.’

Again, silence settled between them. Unable to bear it, Raihan broke it first.

“I wasn’t uncomfortable at all, so there’s no need to apologize.”

“You weren’t uncomfortable?”

“Yes.”

Was he really not uncomfortable, just as Yurik had said? Dione unconsciously imagined Raihan with a fox’s tail—so out of place with the atmosphere—and squeezed her eyes shut before opening them again.

“Then, about telling me not to come out on your departure day…”

“It was too much, wasn’t it?”

‘…What did he mean by ‘too much’? Drinking? Or working hard in bed?’

Somehow, her face felt hot.

“I thought… I thought you didn’t want to see me.”

“That was absolutely not the case. If it was, I wouldn’t have come here now.”

As if needing to prepare himself, Raihan paused, exhaled a small breath, and then, with a strangely resolute face, met her eyes.

“Actually, I told you not to come out on purpose.”

“…”

“I was a little scared of how you would react if you found out I didn’t leave and kept staying here, Lady Dione.”

Dione couldn’t help but be puzzled by those words. Why would her reaction be scary? Even if she heard he stayed after that incident, as long as she confirmed it wasn’t about her, she wouldn’t have thought much of it.

As she furrowed her brow in confusion, a bomb dropped over her head.

“I’ve always thought, if I were to get married, I would like someone like you, Lady Dione.’

“…Pardon?”

What did she just hear?

‘Marriage… marriage? With whom? Raihan and me?’

Of course, she had once thought, ‘If I get married, I’d like a man like that!’ But who would blame her for just thinking? Anyone can imagine things.

But she had never wished for it to become reality.

“Why… why?”

Was she imagining things, or had she been asking too many questions lately? But she couldn’t help it; too many situations came up where she had to ask.

“I told you before. It’s comfortable being together, we get along, there’s no discomfort, seeing your face makes me smile, and even in bed…”

“Ahhh!”

“Ah, should I not mention that?”

As Dione shouted and waved her hands, Raihan apologized, drooping his eyebrows.

How could he say something like that so casually?

Actually, Dione didn’t remember that night vividly. She had been drunk. She could only vaguely recall feeling good and that her partner had been gentle.

On the other hand, from what Raihan was saying, it sounded like he remembered every detail of that night.

‘Was he sober?’

‘…How did things end up like this?’

Her life had seemed free of major worries or fatigue, so how did it become like this?

The wine that started her parents’ love story had become, in her mind, the number one drink to avoid—a legendary troublemaker.

‘…Wait, saying he wants to marry me…’

That meant Yurik’s words, which she thought were a misunderstanding, were actually true.

“No way. He’s still in Essen, probably hoping to get your attention.”

“No crazy person looks at their friend the way he looks at you.”

But still, something bothered her.

Wondering what it was, Dione managed to recall a memory from the past.

It was her mother’s story about how people from Elvirtein mostly had arranged marriages.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes.”

“Do you love me?”

The reason for asking was simple. Dione wanted to marry someone she loved and inherit the Marquis title.

After ten seconds that felt like ten years, Raihan’s neat lips slowly parted.

“That’s…”

“…”

“That’s not it.”

“I see.”

He seemed hesitant, but hearing that answer, Dione felt relieved.

He must see her as just a friend, or think she’d make a decent partner for an arranged marriage. Even in arranged marriages, it’s better if hobbies and habits match, and if things go well in bed…

If he had just left, she would have remembered Raihan as a good friend. But he was still here in Essen.

“I’m sorry, but can we pretend I didn’t hear that?”

“…”

Even Dione could tell her expression was different than before. Seeing her face, Raihan bit his lip and slowly nodded.

“…I guess I was too hasty.”

It wasn’t a matter of haste, but Dione didn’t bother to argue. There was no need to explain in detail why she had to refuse.

‘This is why people say you should be careful confessing to a friend.’

Because of this, she felt a sense of regret, as if she’d lost a good friend who suited her well.

According to his own words, he had stayed to propose to her, so now that she had refused, it was only right for him to leave. Otherwise, he must have another purpose.

With a social smile, Dione said she’d been here long enough and bid Raihan goodbye before leaving the Imperial Palace behind.