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Chapter 70

"Re-rejected?"

Selena asked back in disbelief.

It was such a shocking statement that the relief of having successfully finished the tea party vanished in an instant.

Come to think of it, she had noticed he seemed interested in someone lately.

But she never imagined Lucas would be rejected.

After all, even if he was currently serving as her unremarkable knight, Lucas was the eldest son of the House of Ernst.

He was also handsome, and his swordsmanship was among the best in the palace.

Who on earth could it be?

Her eyes went wide as she thought.

"Surely not one of the young ladies who attended today's tea party...?"

Lucas didn't answer directly—but that silence was answer enough.

"Th-then you should have told me sooner!"

Selena scolded him, feeling hurt.

"What?"

"I could have said nice things about you, Sir Lucas."

But Lucas shrugged it off.

"Probably wouldn't have helped anyway."

"Why? Who is it that's so unattainable?"

At Selena's question, Lucas paused before answering.

"Emilia."

"...What?"

Selena blinked in bewilderment.

Which of today's attendees was named Emilia?

Wait.

Selena's expression slowly stiffened.

"S-surely you don't mean the Duchess of Valen?"

Lucas gave no reply—just casually shrugged.

---

Back at the residence, Emilia spent an afternoon unlike any other.

Though not entirely different—she'd shared her impressions of her first tea party with Laura, and had a late dinner with Ivan.

And so the day grew late, and the night deepened.

Emilia washed off the heavy makeup.

After a bath to ease her fatigue, she changed into light sleepwear and lay down.

But despite being perfectly prepared for sleep—

I can't sleep.

No matter how much she tried, only other thoughts came to mind.

She tossed and turned, then finally threw off the covers.

Creak.

Wrapping a shawl around her shoulders, she stepped out—the hallway was quiet, all the servants asleep.

Stepping out into the darkened residence, the night air was cool.

Emilia sat on a bench in one corner of the garden.

I feel strangely restless.

Meeting Cedric had pulled her back to reality.

As if the whole day—dressing up like a noble lady and attending the tea party—had been a lie.

And besides—

Emilia frowned slightly.

Lucas had to go and joke around at a time like that.

"Will you go out with me when your sham marriage ends?"

She'd hit his shoulder and told him not to joke around—

But his words kept nagging at her.

Once Ivan was safely sent to the Holy Kingdom of Hypria, and she and Kayden divorced—

She would naturally have to leave this residence.

She couldn't keep working here after a divorce.

But thinking of that day, she felt a strange emptiness in her chest.

Even though she'd initially been reluctant to get involved with Kayden.

Had she simply grown accustomed to life at the ducal residence?

Or maybe I've grown attached...

Emilia kicked off her slippers and pulled her knees up onto the bench, hugging them.

In truth, the contract she'd made with Kayden on their wedding night wasn't just to prevent his sudden advances.

It was also to remind herself that this marriage had an end.

And to prevent the disaster of falling for Kayden.

Because ending a close relationship with flushed faces, only to become worse than strangers, was a bitter thing.

Emilia closed her eyes and leaned her head against her arms.

How long had she been sitting in the cool night air?

Rustle, rustle.

At the sound in the dead of night, she looked up—and saw Kayden standing right before her.

"...Your Grace?"

Emilia blinked, dazed.

Am I dreaming?

She wondered if she'd fallen asleep on the bench without realizing it.

After all, Kayden was supposed to be in his territory.

But even after blinking several times, the figure before her didn't change.

"Yes."

He even answered.

Emilia's eyes went wide. At the same time, unease washed over her.

Surely not...

Had something urgent happened that required him to return so late?

She let go of her knees and asked urgently.

"Did something happen? It's not about Ivan, is it?"

But he didn't answer—his expression was oddly displeased.

He looked down at her in silence, then spoke a beat later.

"...You didn't send word."

"Word? What do you mean?"

Emilia blinked, then realized what he meant.

"You mean the letter about attending the Princess's tea party?"

"Yes."

Kayden asked, as if confirming.

"Nothing happened?"

Suddenly, she recalled his reaction before leaving for his territory.

Did he really distrust her that much?

Already feeling unsettled after running into Cedric, the questioning tone made her inexplicably upset.

But Emilia forced down her hurt and answered with a light smile.

"Nothing happened."

"Really?"

"Really."

The tea party itself had ended without incident.

"I didn't make any mistakes, and there were no problems..."

Emilia trailed off.

"That's not what I meant—"

Kayden let out a short sigh.

"I was worried."

"...Pardon?"

At the unexpected words, Emilia couldn't quite process them.

"Worried that something might have happened to you."

She looked up at him, slightly dazed, and said.

"...But like I wrote in my letter, it wasn't the kind of place where anything could happen."

It was a gathering of influential noble ladies from the capital.

With so many eyes watching, the chance of anyone openly targeting her was practically nonexistent.

She'd even made that clear in her letter...

"I know that."

Kayden's voice came low.

"But worry is separate."

At those words, a corner of her heart tingled.

She cautiously spoke.

"Did you..."

She hesitated after starting.

"Did you come back right after receiving the letter?"

"Yes."

He answered as if it were the most natural thing.

"Thank you... but really, nothing happened."

"If nothing happened, why are you sitting here?"

"Huh?"

She couldn't see the connection and asked back.

"I was just getting some fresh air."

Kayden gave her a skeptical look.

"For 'just getting some fresh air,' you always sit here when your mind is troubled."

"Wh-what do you mean?"

"Yes."

His answer held no hesitation.

Emilia's eyes went wide as she recalled her own habits.

Come to think of it, it was true.

Not only when she'd been struggling with unfamiliar content as a business support officer, but also whenever she hit a block with paperwork—she often sat here for a long time.

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