My heart sank as I saw the carriage moving away.
Is it because I saw Ethella, whom I thought I would never see again? Or maybe because I forgave her? Was it because I heard that Conrad had come?
I couldn't tell easily.
"Are you forgetting something because you met your younger sister?"
It was time to swallow my dark emotions.
My eyes widened at the sound of his playful voice.
"How long have you been here?"
"From earlier. Olivia—don't talk back and quickly remember what you've forgotten."
From earlier. I really didn't even sense it.
But Edwin was looking at me with a mock-sad face, as if telling me not to think about anything else.
I'm forgetting something.
I thought about it, but nothing came to mind.
I glanced at Sobel behind me, asking him to give me a hint, but he only shrugged his shoulders.
"What am I forgetting?"
"Ah—it's too much. I haven't gotten over being sulky yet."
Edwin turned his head away dramatically.
Now that I think about it, I was talking about not wearing the necklace Edwin bought me earlier—and then we moved on to Ethella coming.
However, I did not lose heart despite Edwin's words that he was upset.
If he wants to pretend to be sulky, he should at least show disappointment in his eyes.
The eyes looking at me were always kind.
So much so that I wanted to tease him.
So I tilted my head exaggeratedly, pretending not to notice.
"That's strange. When did Edwin get sulky?"
"If you're going to act like that, I really will have jewelry stores lining up in front of the gate from early morning tomorrow."
I shook my head at the threatening tone.
Then I raised my palms in surrender, as if I'd lost.
"It's shameful, Edwin. Do you really have to beat me like this?"
"This is what happens when you taste victory, Olivia. How sweet this is—Olivia knows."
Edwin winked at me as if asking for agreement.
I chuckled and nodded.
The day I was not swayed by the Princess for the first time—I clearly remember how happy I'd been that day.
"Yes, but—there's no special benefit to winning over me, right?"
"You can at least join me for a walk, can't you?"
Edwin smiled mischievously and held out his hand.
I chuckled and placed my hand on top of his.
"As much as you want."
---
"...Therefore, I plan to have the Grand Duke and Princess attend the meeting tomorrow. I will discuss the 'one-year grace period' then, so everyone should know about it."
The Emperor spoke majestically in the nobles' meeting hall.
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Duke Giovanni Madeleine clenched his fists.
He tried to prevent his uncontrollable anger from running wild, but it was no use.
The nobles nearby had already noticed the angry state of Duke Madeleine and started whispering among themselves.
"Isn't that what His Majesty said just now? Either return the eldest Princess to her place during a one-year grace period, or raise the second Princess to be the Crown Princess?"
"If I were to sum it up, that would be it."
"But would the Duke really offer up the second Princess? The daughter he cherishes so much?"
"But will the first Princess—who received the Grand Duke's marriage proposal—return again?"
"You don't know. Don't we all know how much the eldest Princess loved His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
Only when the whispering voices grew louder did the Emperor slam his fist on the table.
With a bang, the conference room became quiet, as if cold water had been poured on it.
"Everyone is noisy. That's enough for today's meeting. Everyone—leave."
The Emperor's eyebrows twitched.
Seeing that he was showing signs of displeasure, the nobles left the conference hall without dividing into imperial or noble factions.
Except for one.
Duke Giovanni Madeleine.
---
A golden sunset fell over Tiase Palace.
Maria Ethel clasped her hands together and placed them near her chest.
At that moment, Leopold spoke kindly:
"Maria—I will take you as my fiancée."
"Really...?"
Maria let out a low exclamation through her parted lips.
Overwhelming emotion sparkled in her bright blue eyes, and soon tears welled up.
I'm Leopold's fiancée.
She'd known it ever since Leopold had raised his handsome mouth with good news.
However, the reality that faced her was so overwhelming that nothing could compare to it.
Maria Ethel, crying as if moved, was so pretty that Leopold held her in his arms and comforted her.
"Ha ha ha—do you like it that much?"
"...Of course, Your Highness. Really—you have no idea how long I've been waiting for this day."
Maria's joyful voice broke intermittently.
Now Leopold is truly my lover, and our relationship is official. How can it not be overwhelming?
Olivia had been his fiancée from the first time she saw Leopold. I'm different from that half-hearted person.
As a descendant of the noble Marquis Ethel, I was able to expand the power of the noble faction by serving Her Majesty the Empress.
An image of herself ascending to the position of Crown Princess—and then Empress—quickly appeared in her mind.
Leopold and I will do better than any Emperor or Empress that ever lived. Because we love each other deeply.
"Are you that happy? Then you'll be able to fulfill the role of fiancée well for a year, right?"
"Yes?"
For a moment, Maria couldn't believe her ears.
For a year.
She was sure Leopold had said something wrong.
"Le—Leopold. What—what is that?"
Now I have to act befitting a future Crown Princess.
Maria stuttered her words.
I must look stupid. It's something I've never done before, but I'm so flustered my words won't come out easily.
"What, Maria?"
"For—for a year. What do you mean?"
Leopold smiled brightly, as if he'd finally understood.
Maria felt a little relieved because the smile belonged to a sweet lover.
And she spoke with confidence:
"I've only been your fiancée for a year—did you say something wrong?"
"I said it exactly, Maria."
"Yes?"
Maria's face turned pale.
Leopold smiled lazily and stroked Maria's cheek.
"Olivia is being given a one-year probation. Instead, you will officially take her place next to me for that one year."