I entered through the grand gates of the Grand Duke's residence.
I could feel Jade's eyes on my back—but I kept walking.
At the entrance to the garden, Edwin stood in front of the carriage.
I must have been looking at the doorway, because I immediately made eye contact with him.
The dark atmosphere from before quickly disappeared.
Edwin's eyes curved, and he smiled.
"Did you successfully send him away?"
I smiled faintly.
"I think so."
"Wasn't it hard?"
He was very good at using ambiguous phrasing.
Does he mean it wasn't too difficult physically—or that it wasn't hard on my heart?
Even though he looked at me as if searching, his eyes were worried.
He looked at me the way he had when I'd been sick a few days ago—like I was a fragile patient.
I walked lightly on purpose.
"Not at all."
Except that I'd gripped the document envelope so hard it was completely crumpled.
I felt strangely calm.
I knew the reason better than anyone.
"Now, I feel like I'm going to have a family."
Family.
It was something I'd said on impulse—but I didn't think it was wrong.
Rather, I thought it was the most appropriate word.
Now I'm really going to marry the Grand Duke.
The word that had once felt so heavy now tickled me with warmth.
I glanced at Edwin.
His eyes, looking at me, were narrowed and soft.
Feeling those gentle gazes, I slowly parted my lips.
A voice as sweet as spring light spread through the air.
---
---
Tiase Palace, midday.
I walked down the hallway at a slow pace.
Even with my eyes closed, I could see the corridors of the palace clearly.
I recalled the details I'd arranged—daffodils on the table in the west hall, blue hydrangeas on the nightstand in the east.
Knowing this was the last time I'd see it made me feel sad about everything.
The appointed time to meet Leopold had passed—but Baroness Sophron, walking beside me, was growing restless.
I smiled faintly.
"He'll be late anyway, won't he?"
"Still, Princess..."
I knew full well that time wasn't the only thing Baroness Sophron was worried about—but I pretended not to notice.
I wonder where Edwin is walking right now...
He'd entered the palace with me today and was freely touring the grounds.
I hope it's a garden full of beautiful flowers. That way, he won't see me finish things with Leopold.
I looked out at the garden.
On the table—long past the appointed time—sat only a cooling teapot and two teacups waiting for their owner.
"Let's go now."
Baroness Sophron sighed, as if relieved by my words.
She was such a transparent person.
I only just realized that—after more than a decade...
I smiled wryly at the thought.
"When His Highness arrives, please step back."
"Yes, Princess."
Baroness Sophron nodded and stepped back slightly.
The black tea in the teacup—embossed with magnolias—had cooled long ago.
I stared at the cooled tea in my own cup, then at the empty cup across from me that I hadn't even poured.
I didn't know it before... but waiting isn't my thing.
And he made me wait until the very end.
It was just as a faint smile appeared on my lips—
"Glory to the little sun of the Empire!"
I stood as I heard a chorus of greetings.
In the distance, I saw a man walking with long strides that matched his tall frame.
His beautiful face smiled arrogantly at me.
Leopold. My fiancé.
The engagement I'm breaking off today.
I politely lifted the hem of my dress.
"Greetings to—"
"Why so formal? You're sorry you left first yesterday, aren't you?"
Leopold cut off my words as if it were obvious, facing me with clear displeasure on his face.
In his mind, bringing up yesterday's events seemed to erase the fact that he'd missed today's appointment entirely.
I smiled at the maids.
The maids—eyes widening with an "Oops" expression—quickly left.
Now it was just me and Leopold in this garden.
I picked up the teapot and filled the empty cup.
Leopold only glanced at it and didn't touch it.
Instead, he crossed his arms.
His bright blue eyes, beneath sharply raised brows, glinted coldly.
I calmly stated my business.