A faint wrinkle formed between Edmund’s brows as he watched Baron Montree.
“Baron Montree, what exactly are you trying to say?”
“Count Buell is divorced. Society’s judgment won’t be kind. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“So?”
As the conversation seemed to lean toward opposing their relationship, Edmund growled fiercely. However, Baron Montree’s smile remained unshaken.
“I’m just an old man speaking out of concern.”
“Baron Montree, since when have I cared about such things? If you have time to worry unnecessarily, why not count your growing gray hairs instead?”
“Well, considering she doesn’t seem to share Your Excellency’s feelings yet, there’s no need to worry about things that don’t exist.”
At that remark, accompanied by a shrug, Edmund’s expression darkened.
As if it wasn’t enough that he had been treated like a younger brother earlier. The hollow feeling in his chest made it seem as if a cold wind was blowing straight through it.
“You don’t need to remind me of things I already know.”
Because of the Western princess…
“And I’m already angry about it.”
His voice grew small with frustration. Sighing, Edmund turned away, about to leave after delaying long enough.
Baron Montree let out a sigh.
“Oh dear. So, you’re angry. You really are clueless when it comes to romance.”
It was a remark that could have provoked his wrath. But Baron Montree knew Edmund would tolerate him.
Being treated like a child so suddenly, Edmund turned back with a deeply unpleasant expression. Baron Montree, on the other hand, grinned like he was enjoying the most delightful moment in the world.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“That’s clearly different from being angry.”
“What?”
“Haha, do you really not see it? Count Buell is jealous.”
Edmund’s eyes flickered violently.
“What… did you just say?”
Baron Montree smirked.
“Jealousy, my lord. She’s jealous.”
For a moment, the old fox who had annoyed Edmund so much looked almost angelic.
I took Rail’s escort and sat at the head of the long dining table set for the banquet. The knights, who had been divided between two tables, remained standing until Knight David gave them a signal to sit.
They were tense, unable to even look me in the eye. Even the talkative ones who had chattered away during our meeting and the lively youngest knight remained silent.
They were glancing nervously at Rail, who stood behind me. Edmund must have said something to him, and whatever it was, it had clearly scared them.
I let out a deep sigh.
‘This banquet was meant to thank them, but at this rate…’
To lighten the mood, I smiled and gestured. The maids placed blue velvet jewelry boxes in front of the knights. As they cautiously opened them one by one, their mouths fell open. Inside were Lebron accessories tailored to each of their preferences.
“Thanks to our meeting, I was able to create something wonderful. These are gifts of appreciation, so please accept them.”
The knights exchanged glances. Finally, like lost lambs, they looked to Rail. Only after he nodded did they excitedly hold up their gifts.
“Thank you!”
“Thank you, Count!”
Grateful voices rang out sporadically across the banquet hall. Then David stood up and tried to enforce a formal military salute, which I quickly waved off.
“This banquet was arranged so we could dine together without formality. Please enjoy yourselves.”
“Yes, thank you!”
The knights responded loudly. One of the maids was so startled by their booming voices that she nearly fell over. As the food was brought out, the knights hesitated, shifting their eyes toward Rail. The knights of common birth were flustered, unsure which of the differently sized cutlery to use.
‘Guess I have no choice.’
The atmosphere of an organization is shaped by its leader.
I stood up and boldly downed my wine like it was beer—every last drop.
“C-Count…”
Ignoring Rail’s flustered voice, I picked up a random spoon and started eating my soup.
“It’s delicious. Let’s all eat.”
The knights, who had been watching only me, gradually relaxed and began eating. Impressed by my bold drinking, they started emptying their own glasses and asking for refills. Some even took whole bottles, saying the alcohol was weaker than what they were used to.
Before long, the banquet was in full swing. The knights had their arms around each other, singing military songs.
“Are you alright, Count?”
I smiled nonchalantly at Rail, who kept checking on me anxiously.
But with so many knights eagerly pouring drinks for me, I hadn’t been able to refuse them all. I was feeling a little light-headed.
Resting my chin on the table, I gazed out the window.
From here, I could just make out the front gate where carriages arrived.
Unconsciously, I narrowed my eyes and stared at it.
“He said he’d come…”
It was much earlier than Edmund’s usual return time, but since I’d been waiting all day, my impatience slipped out.
‘I can’t keep staring at the gate like this.’
I quietly stood up, careful not to draw attention.
“Rail, I’m going out for some fresh air.”
“I’ll accompany you.”
“It’s fine. I’m not even drunk.”
It was true. My vision wasn’t blurred, my tongue wasn’t heavy, and I wasn’t swaying. I could even see Rail’s face clearly. Good. I felt a little warm and fuzzy, but that was all.
Dismissing Rail’s concern, I took a shawl from a maid and left the banquet hall. The garden, decorated with flowers for the occasion, looked beautiful.
But as I followed the lighted path, I realized my steps were leading me toward the front gate.
Hurriedly, I turned and headed toward the mansion instead.
‘Why am I so anxious to see him today? I feel like a restless child.’
Edmund wasn’t lost, and he wasn’t obligated to attend the banquet. So why was I like this?
Just as I was debating whether to go to the back garden or return to the banquet, I heard the distant sound of hooves amidst the noise of the feast and rustling leaves.
A carriage was approaching the front gate. I stood still, listening.
It circled the fountain and stopped before the mansion. I heard the sound of someone stepping out.
I must have been gripping my shawl tightly the whole time.
As the coachman led the carriage away, I turned to leave quietly.
“Count.”
Startled, I froze.
Edmund had approached without a sound, standing right in front of me. Above his head, the full moon—matching the color of his eyes—glowed like there were three moons in the sky.
I stared, captivated.
“Count?”
His voice brought me back to reality. I pulled my shawl tighter and stepped back.
“Oh… you’re here?”
“Were you waiting for me?”
“Of course not. I was just taking a walk.”
Edmund raised an eyebrow and smiled gently.
“Well, I was waiting.”
“…For the banquet?”
“No, Etricia. I was impatient to see you all day.”
I gasped. Edmund was being unusually honest.
I barely managed to speak.
“Did you… drink?”
“You’re the one who drank, not me.”
Rail… what did he do? Edmund frowned slightly and gently placed the back of his hand on my cheek. He seemed to be trying to cool me down, but it only made me feel hotter—hot enough to want to take off my shawl.
‘Ugh, it’s hot.’
When I started to slip the shawl off, Edmund’s face instantly scrunched, and he pulled it back up.
“You’ve been like this all day?”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“You’re showing too much. Keep it on.”
His words made my eyes narrow.
‘And whose fault is it that I wanted to take it off?’
Then came a subtle tug-of-war between him trying to keep the shawl on and me trying to take it off. He could’ve easily overpowered me, but he simply resisted my strength instead of forcing his.
In the end, I lost the fight and glared at him, panting.
“You’re acting like it’s your first time seeing this! I’m still more covered than that Western princess, you know.”
Edmund froze. Even his eyes stopped moving midair.
Ah—I realized it too late. I’d basically admitted that I’d been thinking about him and that princess all along.
His gaze slowly moved up to meet my face.
Unlike my flustered, trembling eyes, his were burning.
“Were you… jealous, by any chance?”
“What…!”
A strangled sound slipped from my lips.
I looked at him, mouth agape, locking eyes with his calm, unwavering stare.
‘Jealous? Me…?’
My brain short-circuited, and I couldn’t even deny it. I retraced my actions. All those feelings I had after hearing about her…
Ugh. I groaned and buried my face in my hands.
It was jealousy.
I hadn’t even realized it myself. Unknowingly, I had thrown a little tantrum, acting spoiled just to get his attention.
To think I’d let my emotions out in such an immature way.
‘I couldn’t even do that with Father… So why with him…?’
Maybe even without knowing it, I had been sure Edmund would accept it—just like when he didn’t hesitate to drop blood on the oath stone.
‘If I could, I’d hide in a mouse hole right now.’
Edmund gently pulled the shawl back over my shoulder and lowered my hands. His kind eyes and soft lips carried a faint smile. The man who seemed so clueless just this morning now looked confident, as if he’d heard something.
“It’s not jealousy… Don’t jump to conclusions.”
“Whatever misunderstanding you had, nothing happened between me and the Western princess.”
I shifted my eyes left and right, then turned my head sharply.
“…It’s not like I care.”
“She snuck into my tent, but I was half asleep and thought she was an assassin. I chased her out.”
Pfft. I accidentally let out a small laugh and quickly disguised it with a cough.
It felt like my unpleasant emotions were being washed away. Still, I tried to act unaffected and gave him a sidelong glance.
“Then why didn’t you kick her out sooner? You could’ve kept your distance from the beginning.”
“I didn’t even know she was there.”
“…They said she was almost naked, hovering around you.”
“To be precise, I didn’t register it.”
“Why?”
He raised his eyebrows at that and made a strange face.
“Because she was like a rock on the roadside?”
“Pfft—”
This time, I couldn’t hold back my laughter. The alcohol made me bolder, and I even slapped his shoulder as I laughed.
Then Edmund suddenly pulled one of my wrists toward him. Before I could stop laughing, our bodies were pulled so close that I could’ve blocked the moon hanging above his head.
“Are we clear now?”
