On the morning of the banquet, during breakfast, I took a sip of the soup and pulled back my upper body. Then, with a glossy silver spoon, I stirred the soup reluctantly.
“The broccoli soup tastes saltier than usual today. Don’t you think so, Lilien?”
“Uh, y-yes… it does.”
Next, I picked up my knife and fork and attacked the bacon.
“Why is the bacon so salty and tough? Did the supplier change, Rail?”
“N-no, it hasn’t…”
“Oh, really? Then why is it like this?”
While cutting the bacon, I pressed my lips together tightly. Letting out a frustrated breath, I put down my cutlery and took a long sip of cold water.
After draining the glass completely, I set it down and wiped my lips. Rail hesitated before approaching to refill my water.
For some reason, even this glass is bothering me.
I stared at the glass as it filled with clear water.
I knew it. I was being overly sensitive for no reason. Ever since hearing the knights’ conversation the day before, I’d been like this.
My throat felt tight, my head burned with anger, and the corners of my eyes were hot.
Why am I like this? If only I knew the reason, it might ease this frustration.
“Are you finished?”
Rail asked cautiously, watching my reaction. Realizing that my mood had put him on edge, I snapped out of it.
I softened my expression and smiled.
“I’m full, so I should stop eating. I’ll go now to prepare for tonight’s banquet. Enjoy your meal, everyone.”
“O-okay…”
Lilien responded blankly, and Rail nodded quickly. Finally, I flashed a bright smile at Edmund, who sat at the head of the table, looking at me with confusion.
“You too, Duke Mipedian.”
A faint crease formed between Edmund’s brows, but I didn’t care.
I placed my napkin on the table and turned away. Just as I was about to leave the dining hall, I heard Lilien whisper behind me.
“Edmund, Rail. Don’t you think she seems upset?”
There was a brief silence before I assumed both of them nodded, because Lilien let out a deep sigh and muttered, “She’s smiling, but that’s even scarier…”
Then, Lilien continued questioning.
“Edmund, did you do something wrong?”
“I can’t think of anything.”
“Even if you don’t know, just apologize. If Lady Etricia is acting like this, it’s definitely your fault. You were doing well, so why?”
“…Why is it always my fault? Maybe you said something weird again and put me in a difficult situation.”
“N-no! I was out all day for my certification exam. I didn’t even have time to see her!”
Then, Lilien dragged someone else into it.
“Marie? Do you know anything?”
“I-I’m not sure…”
“Marie, did you really keep an eye on them while I was away?”
Marie flinched under the sudden attention.
“P-please don’t say things that might get me in trouble, my lady! How could I possibly spy on the Duke and Count?”
Rail sighed and spoke up.
“Marie, the lady already knows that you’re the one stirring things up by passing messages to her. You don’t need to hide it.”
Edmund remained silent. He was probably just watching, waiting for someone to speak.
Marie hesitantly stepped closer to the table.
“…I really don’t know anything this time.”
Rail, who had been quiet, spoke in a solemn tone.
“Sigh… If that’s the case, then I must have done something to upset the Count.”
“Do you have any idea what it could be?”
At Edmund’s question, Rail groaned like a child expecting to be scolded.
“Well… Lady Etricia asked me to prepare the banquet yesterday, but…”
“But?”
“I’m sorry, my lord. The truth is, I have long since noticed your feelings—”
I had been standing by the door, holding the doorknob, but I couldn’t take it anymore.
“You four?”
The group, huddled together at the table, flinched and turned toward me in shock.
“I can hear everything, so you might as well continue once I leave.”
At that, the group that had gathered around Edmund scattered in a panic.
Rail and Marie pressed their backs against the wall, sweating nervously. Lilien clenched the bread in her hands and desperately avoided my gaze.
Lastly, I looked at Edmund, who seemed utterly flustered. We held an odd tension between us for a few seconds. Just as he was about to speak, I interrupted with a bright smile.
“Just so there’s no misunderstanding—I’m in a really good mood today. I mean it. I hope you all have a great day too!”
With that, I lifted the hem of my dress and strode away. As I exited the dining hall, I faintly heard Lilien’s uneasy voice behind me.
“S-she sounds so unnatural… Does she not realize it?”
After breakfast, I changed into an outfit suitable for helping with the banquet preparations. As the maids helped me drape a shawl over my shoulders, a conversation from the previous day suddenly replayed in my mind.
‘The Western princess was practically naked and shamelessly flirting, yet the master didn’t even blink an eye.’
Wait, naked?
The thought of Edmund seeing her like that made my blood boil. My mind fixated on the naked part, and a ridiculous sense of competition flared up.
Why should I cover up so much?
When I took off my shawl, the maid looked startled. It was the height of summer, and my outfit—worn indoors—was already light, leaving my shoulders exposed.
Then, another voice echoed in my head.
‘She had no shame, sneaking into his tent and trying to climb on top of him!’
Climb on him? And what? Something might have happened?!
I glared at the mirror, fuming.
The thought had kept me up the night before. A volcano of emotions surged within me, burning up my throat.
Resentment toward Edmund bubbled up, even though he had done nothing wrong.
A cold, guarded man like him—what was he doing while she was on top of him? He was indifferent to me from the moment we first met.
In the past, I would have scoffed at the idea of him being involved with a woman. But then, he had confessed to me. He wasn’t devoid of feelings—just unaware of them before.
My reflection bit its lip. I found myself seated at the vanity as a maid fastened pearl earrings onto me.
“M-my lady?”
The maid’s hesitant voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
“Ah, sorry. I was just thinking.”
I smiled sheepishly. The maid offered an awkward smile and fastened my necklace.
I maintained a serene expression, but inside, my emotions burned like molten lava.
Soon, the maid’s hands left me, and only after finishing getting ready did I manage to calm down again.
‘Let’s just focus on the banquet for the knights tonight.’
I had to help Rail prepare for the banquet. It was enough to just do a final check, but I decided to supervise to show my sincerity.
As I was leaving the bedroom with the maid, I suddenly stopped. Standing right in front of the door with his hands behind his back was Edmund—we ran into each other directly.
He stood there completely still, like a loyal dog waiting for his master.
“What are you doing here?”
My voice came out cold without meaning to. It must’ve been because of the irritation I still felt from earlier.
At Edmund’s signal, the maid quickly stepped away. After confirming she was gone, he finally spoke.
“I heard you’re having a banquet with the knights tonight.”
“That’s right.”
This time, my reply was curt.
A faint line appeared between Edmund’s brows. His face showed he had many questions but didn’t think I would answer them.
“I’ll join you as soon as I finish my work for the duchy.”
“If you’re busy, you don’t have to come.”
Edmund furrowed his brows in clear dissatisfaction.
“I will go. Some of them tend to get aggressive when drunk. I spent enough time with them in the Zether Forest to know.”
“It’s fine. There are plenty of others besides your younger brother who can keep them in check.”
“I’ve already instructed Rail, but I still don’t feel at ease.”
He added, frowning slightly.
“And… I don’t want to leave you alone among a group of men.”
His words, full of concern and jealousy, softened the prickly feelings I had like a puffed-up hedgehog.
I lowered my eyes shyly, putting on a modest act.
“You really don’t have to come…”
“I’m definitely going.”
His quick and firm answer bounced back like a ball hitting glass, and the corners of my lips lifted before I could stop them.
Instead of smiling, I simply tilted my head with a cool tone.
“Hmm, alright then. I’ll be waiting.”
Edmund looked at me with determined eyes. He was kind of cute, so after passing him quickly, I couldn’t hold back my laughter and finally let it out. Whatever displeasure I’d felt earlier had completely disappeared.
Inside the duke’s office at the Mipedian estate, Edmund leaned back in his chair as Tale entered. He looked tired and rubbed his temples, showing clear signs of exhaustion.
“…Still no sign of the woman who looks like the one in the portrait?”
“We’ve searched every corner of the capital, but there’s not even a trace.”
Edmund’s brow twitched. As he lowered his hand, his eyes glinted sharply.
“Are you saying the tip from the gambling house was false?”
“I don’t think so. It seems she did stay in the capital until recently. Apparently, she lived this time as the mistress of some gentry… Damn it, like a filthy little rat.”
Tale cursed bitterly, roughly running his hands through his hair. His twisted expression was full of frustration and self-loathing.
