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Leaving the sightseeing behind, I pulled out a mirror.

I was still in the same state as this morning when Penny had helped me get dressed.

My hair was tightly twisted up to prevent even a single strand from falling.

Wow… How did she manage to twist up my short hair so skillfully? Penny’s skills are no joke. Maybe I should have opened a hair salon instead of a dress shop.

My face, which had become quite chubby from eating so well, was emitting a gentle glow, but it was hidden under the shade of a wide-brimmed hat.

Then, I put on the expressionless face I had practiced.

That’s it. Not a screw out of place.

The vibrant woman with pink hair and purple eyes disappeared, and a woman who looked faded and melancholic as if she had been neglected for a long time appeared.

Soon, the carriage came to a complete stop.

Phew.

I took another deep breath. But I was still tense. I fiddled with the bag of candies I got back from Etienne.

But isn’t it too much to suck on candy on the way to the royal palace? Hold on, hold on. I can do well even without that. Everyone except me is a fish! I’ll hook them all!

* * *

The carriage door swung open.

The sunset in front of me was so dazzling that I briefly closed and opened my eyes.

In front of me, water spouted from a massive, splendid fountain. Light scattered in all directions off the water droplets.

Etienne was standing in front of it. He was waiting for me, having gotten off at some point. His attire was impeccably neat as if measured with a ruler.

For a moment, I was dumbfounded by the picturesque scene.

Etienne extended his hand to me. My gaze stopped at the tips of his long, white fingers. Even though I knew it was a customary gesture for all nobles, my heart pounded wildly.

Uh, did I have a finger fetish?

I imagined holding Etienne’s firm hand and walking into the palace like a graceful couple, to the envy of all.

It would be nice if we really had that kind of relationship.

I moved my gaze away from his hand. Then, I got out of the carriage alone.

I felt the servants who were greeting us sneaking glances as they bowed. The prince’s wife ignored the second prince. And it happened in the royal palace, in front of everyone.

Yeah, have a good look and spread the rumor. The Prince’s wife, Dahlia, treated Prince Etienne like a dog. It would be even better if you added some spice to the story and made it more sensational.

* * *

Upon entering the royal palace, the first thing to do was to pay respect to the emperor, the ruler of the nation.

Etienne and I stood in front of the door. I felt tense, my mouth was dry, and my stomach churned.

I tried hard to distract myself and stared at the door intently.

Wow, it’s really extravagant when you look at it closely.

A roaring lion was engraved in gold on the huge door. Particularly, the lion’s eyes were embedded with large red rubies… I wonder how much they’re worth.

It was when I was about to use my fingers to count the number of gems embedded in the lion’s mane. Etienne placed his hand over mine. When I turned my head to look at him, he gave me a nod so slight that only I would notice.

Uh… So that seemed like a nod of encouragement.

I looked down at his hand, which was covering mine.

So, he held my hand because it seemed like I was nervous?

Instead of the throbbing in my chest, a ticklish feeling rose. I felt a little relieved.

Yes. We’re together. Whether it’s the emperor or the empress, what’s the big deal?

* * *

“We pay our respects to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”

Etienne bowed his head. I also bowed my head. The Emperor, who had a face strikingly similar to Etienne, emanated a serious charisma. He looked like he would have been handsome in his youth.

It was the moment my hypothesis that the people of this country had bet all their good looks on the royal family gained strength.

Beside him sat Empress Tatiana. The empress, with her red hair gracefully coiffed up, was elegant in every glance and gesture. If I didn’t know the truth about her, I would have surely been taken by her beauty.

But, the empress is Etienne’s enemy! How dare you target my husband’s life?

Remembering the attack on the carriage, I was on guard against her.

“Welcome, son. It’s hard to see your face. Have you been well?”

Emperor Demerov stroked his silver hair and spoke. His broad smile was dripping with affection. The silver hair really was the symbol of the royal family.

No matter who they marry, do they always have silver-haired children? Oh… such powerful dominant genes.

“His Majesty is right. It’s hard to see your face like this. How about the prince and the princess consort also move to the palace?”

The Empress smiled and addressed Etienne. Anyone would think she was a kind and generous empress who was also friendly to the prince, who wasn’t her biological son. But Etienne didn’t seem to think so.

“Before the Empress pushed me to leave and now the Empress is asking me to move in?”

Unlike the Empress, who tightly hid her feelings, Etienne’s tone was prickly.

I was taken aback and looked at him.

Is it okay to say it so blatantly even if the relationship isn’t good? And in front of the emperor, no less!

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