# Chapter 24
---
Episode 24
For a moment, Countess Milena wondered if Lancelot had a wife.
And then, after remembering that he was the most valuable single man in the Montebbio Kingdom, he asked back.
"Just out of curiosity, did you have a secret marriage?"
"We plan to have a short, quiet wedding after my father's four-day mourning ends."
Get married as soon as the prize is awarded.
I don't know how many times I was surprised by the Duke of Edenbahir today.
"That's something to congratulate.
"If it's not rude, may I ask which girl you're going to take as your bride?"
"Anita Wörøny."
However, no incident compares to what was said just now.
The Duke of Edenbahir, who is to perform a succession ceremony, who will the king's blood relative choose as his bride?
Although Vincent Wöröny was knighted, being knighted is just being knighted.
It was nothing compared to the Duke of Edenbahir's family.
'It doesn't matter how much you own the investment management rights.
'Is it worth receiving a daughter from a family without the title of duchess?'
Something that can be accepted as a collateral adopted daughter.
What's wrong?
Lancelot added an afterthought, clearly understanding his doubts.
"I was promised the Queen's support."
Countess Milena's eyes widened.
I was promised the support of that difficult queen.
What type of negotiation was this?
"The Grand Duchess will feel uncomfortable if you let me near the Duchess.
Are you sure you don't mind?
In the core social circle encompassing Hixen, the capital of the Kingdom of Montebbio, and the great city of Chavalon, opinions regarding Countess Milena are broadly divided into two categories.
Dona Liberdade or the godmother of a new cultural world.
Countess Milena loved artists.
Both mentally and physically.
There were many artists at home and abroad who lived off their interests.
Including artists belonging to theater companies, art schools, salons and orchestras in which they were invested more than 10 years ago, as well as composers, painters and poets who were personally supported, the number reached hundreds.
She could give anything to genius artists in exchange for work and money.
Drugs, land, alcohol, women, men...
.
Some people hated his irresponsible ethics and others were jealous of his free life.
From the position of a great lady who strictly observed formality and lineage, it was inevitable that she would be the image of a person she could not help but detest.
"As long as the Countess allows it, there is no problem."
'Hey.'
But he's not the new duke, is he?
Maybe this could be an opportunity.
"I can't live without being bullied for my personality."
A chance to anger the grande dame who treated her like a dirty thing.
"We need to talk in detail.
"May I visit you again after Your Excellency returns home from Edenbahir?"
Anita Böløni will give you this precious opportunity.
What kind of lady is this?
I started to get interested.
***
Anita's comments caused quite a stir among reporters.
So many questions arose that my head felt dizzy.
Moving the servers became more difficult due to the extreme viscosity.
'I'll hear something from Lancelot.'
In fact, Anita's original goal was to clarify her personal feelings towards Lancelot.
However, instead of organizing things, I ended up arriving at the Duke's residence at a speed not unlike Lancelot.
I thought it was a little funny.
The grand lady's carriage was blocked by the crowd and could not move easily.
Anita barely reached the front door of the Duke's residence and waited for the door to open.
However, beyond the door that stands tall as a bar.
A familiar silhouette was there.
"Lancelus."
Sigh.
The obstacle between the two quickly disappeared.
Meanwhile, Anita stared at the face of the man standing in front of her.
Only when he slowly reached out his hand did Anita suddenly come to her senses.
"Are you waiting for me?"
Instead of responding, an outstretched hand pulled Anita away.
Flashes exploded everywhere, as if they had been waiting.
'Why, in this situation.'
Anita looked at the reporters who were blocked from entering the door by the servants and whispered in a low voice.
"I'm really sorry.
"I announced our marriage first in front of reporters."
The gaze that looked at her went beyond the limits of the mansion, which had not yet been closed.
The grand lady's carriage was about to arrive.
"I said I was doing something I hadn't done before."
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize.
Like I said on the train, the more tumultuous your marriage is, the better.
And if you'll just let it .
.
."
At first glance, it seemed as if the hand holding hers had gained strength.
"I intend to make more noise.
"Can you allow that?"
It was difficult for Anita to immediately understand Lancelot's remarks.
You're making more noise.
Unless you propose here, how?
"What are you trying to do?
It doesn't matter to me anyway...
."
"Miss Anita Wöröny."
It was a silent call.
The call wasn't a voice speaking so low that only each other could hear.
It was bigger, brighter, and clearer than that.
So much so that it could be heard by the reporters gathered near the front gate.
"...
"Lancelus?"
The hand that guided her fell.
The heat that was moving away like the wind did not disappear, but remained in front of Anita.
The moment Lancelot kneels towards her.
With cold, bright green eyes.
"I love you.
"Please be my companion for life."
What Lancelot presented to Anita was a small box containing a diamond ring.
oh my god.
Oh my God, this is impossible.
Anitta was speechless.
The shiver that rose from my toes sent a huge shock through my chest and head.
At this moment, I couldn't see anything other than Lancelot.
He proposed to me.
"I'm...
."
He, for me...
.
[The more tumultuous the marriage between you and me, the better.]
...
No no.
'This isn't real.'
Okay, that wasn't real.
This was a show.
An act similar to the way a circus troupe breathes fire from its mouth to attract customers.
So don't be fooled.
You have to smile.
You must accept his proposal with the happiest face in the world.
Lancelot's face appeared.
A calm face that doesn't show the slightest emotion.
Anita responded by clasping her hands tighter than when she accepted the marriage proposal.
"I like it.
"I will accept your heart."
I felt like I was blinded by the constant flashes.
Anita took the ring with shaking hands.
At the same time, I was scared.
'Am I smiling now?'
Are you sure you're smiling?
Who will look happy?
Wouldn't he have a strange face, half smiling and half distorted?
It seemed that Lancelo was taking a long time to get up.
He placed a ring on the ring finger of Anita's left hand and whispered in a very low voice.
"Close your eyes."
Long white fingers grabbed her waist.
Just before Lancelot's lips met his breath, coming neither quickly nor slowly.
"It will be unpleasant.
"Think of it as a play."
Unable to bear this feeling of ecstasy any longer, Anita closed her eyes tightly.
Lancelot's thoughtfulness gently calmed his beating heart and at the same time gave him a considerable sense of self-destruction.
Would it be unpleasant?
Is this a play?
'Isn't that something you say to yourself?'
The question was not said out loud.
A touch so soft it gave me goosebumps, something I had never felt in my entire life, touched the corner of my mouth.
It wasn't the lips.
It was close to the mouth.
Lancelot's lips gently pressed just below the corner of Anita's thin mouth.
The heat that washed over her was warm, but the eyes that looked at Anita through golden lashes were cold.
Why?
[Don't get your hopes up, Anita Wöröny.]
Like magic.
Conversations I had with him many years ago have come to light.
[I don't feel love for you.
It has been like this until now and will continue to be like this.]
His attitude seemed to be that he shouldn't take it for granted because it was natural.
[So, you know what to do.
Because I don't want to lose an old friend because of feelings I can't empathize with.]
His face was stern as if there was no other answer.
[Can you do it?]
[huh.]
And she was so scared that she nodded like crazy.
[It's not difficult.
Because it's not that deep. easily...
I can organize it.]
It's been two years since I made that promise.
Anita's decision has not yet been decided.
Early morning the next day.
A rare scandal broke out across the Kingdom of Montebbio, including Chavalon.
The headline was this:
It was exactly the reaction Lancelo expected.