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Chapter 57

But only for a moment—soon, Lucas let out a short laugh.

"No, forget it."

After all, she wouldn't have the faintest idea what he meant.

Lucas ran a hand through his hair and changed the subject.

"So, how's life as the Duchess?"

"Well..."

Emilia recalled all the attention she'd received at today's tea party.

Her brow furrowed involuntarily.

"It doesn't seem to be going well?"

"No, it's fine—it's only temporary."

"Temporary?"

"Yes. Once this matter is settled, we'll divorce."

At her casual remark, Lucas's eyebrows lifted.

"Divorce...?"

"Yes."

Emilia briefly explained the marriage suspension clause to him.

And how she'd ended up marrying Kayden in the first place.

Since he was the princess's knight, there was no reason to hide it.

"Hmm, I see."

After listening, Lucas rubbed his chin and smiled.

"Then that's a relief."

His voice, which had been oddly subdued, now sounded lighter.

"What is?"

"Nothing."

Lucas just smiled.

Emilia tilted her head, but didn't press further.

Instead, she brought up something she hadn't been able to ask earlier.

"By the way, Lucas."

"Hm?"

"How many knights serve Her Highness the Princess?"

Lucas gave her a puzzled look.

"Why do you ask?"

"Just curious."

Emilia shrugged.

"I only saw you today—no other knights."

"That's because—"

Lucas said as if it were obvious.

"There's only me."

Emilia was momentarily speechless.

"...Really?"

"Yeah."

His answer was utterly matter-of-fact. Emilia looked at him quietly.

So the man who had died protecting the princess in the original story was indeed Lucas.

A strange feeling settled in her chest.

"Lucas."

"What."

"You're more admirable than I thought."

"...What?"

At her words, Lucas froze for a moment.

Emilia just smiled and shook her head.

"It's nothing."

After a bit more conversation, she rose and smoothed her skirt.

But then, her movement came to an abrupt halt.

"Huh?"

"What's wrong?"

Emilia looked around with a troubled expression.

"What are you looking for?"

"My bag."

Emilia pressed her forehead and swallowed a sigh.

"I think I left it in the reception room."

She must have set it down briefly while receiving the ice pack and forgotten it.

Lucas let out a short laugh.

"The Duchess of Valen is still lacking in ladylike composure, isn't she?"

"Excuse me?"

Emilia's expression turned sulky.

"Ladies don't forget things like that."

"That sounds like a prejudice."

"Not from what I've seen."

His playful expression was back, and it was quite annoying.

Emilia shook her head and was about to turn toward the princess's palace—

Lucas approached and gently guided her back to her seat.

"Stay here."

"Huh?"

"I'll go get it."

Emilia blinked.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Lucas started walking, a sly grin on his face.

"I was told to escort you, so looking after a clumsy guest is part of my job."

"Wait a minute, Lucas—who are you calling clumsy?!"

Emilia protested behind his back, but Lucas paid her no mind.

Leaving behind only a playful laugh, he strode toward the princess's palace.

---

Cedric stormed out of his department building, fuming.

"Damn it—nothing's going right!"

He kicked a small pebble that was in his path.

But the pebble just bounced off the wall and fell limply to the ground.

That only made him angrier.

No matter how hard you struck that solid wall with a tiny pebble, it wouldn't leave a mark.

It was just like his own situation.

"Everyone looks down on me just because they have connections."

Most of his colleagues came from influential families—or at least had ties to prominent noble houses.

As someone from a humble family with no territory to his name, he was completely ignored.

His pride, once sky-high, was starting to crack.

I didn't go through all that misery just to be treated like this.

Worse, his rotten luck had cost him years of failed exams.

To make up for that lost time, he couldn't afford to waste another moment.

Damn it. It's not like I don't have connections!

He wanted to drag Reina to the House of Ilake right this instant.

But according to Reina, the Earl of Ilake was furious.

And understandably so—he'd gotten the earl's daughter pregnant out of wedlock.

From the earl's perspective, as a doting father, Cedric would hardly be welcome.

To smoothly become a live-in son-in-law, he had to tread carefully.

But as the waiting dragged on, other thoughts crept in.

Reina's already pregnant with my child—what's she going to do about it?

No matter how displeased the earl was, he'd have no choice but to accept him.

Unless he planned to disown Reina entirely.

Cedric frowned, thinking of Reina lounging around at the inn.

What's the big deal about being pregnant?

Other women did it all the time—yet Reina was always so dramatic.

Always needing this, demanding that.

Naturally, his thoughts drifted to Emilia.

She would never have been so demanding.

Meanwhile, Reina only made things harder for him when he was already exhausted from adjusting to palace work.

As his stress built up, even Reina started to look less appealing.

In fact, since getting pregnant, her looks had noticeably declined.

As he grumbled and walked, he found himself far from familiar paths.

What? Where am I?

He was on a forest path—so quiet it was hard to believe it was inside the palace grounds.

Damn, I need to turn back...

Just as Cedric clicked his tongue in frustration—

He spotted a woman sitting in the distance.

Her hair and dress fluttered gently in the breeze.

Cedric mentally whistled as he took in her silhouette.

Her glossy hair and the curves beneath her dress made him lick his lips.

A noble lady visiting the palace?

He didn't know why she was alone in such a secluded place without a maid, but his interest was piqued.

Puffing out his chest, Cedric approached her.

"Ahem, my lady—if you've lost your way, I'd be happy to help..."

But Cedric couldn't finish his sentence.

As the woman slowly turned her head, he was stunned.

"You...!"

His eyes wide with disbelief, Cedric stammered.

"...Emilia?"

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