•?••? ? ?••?•

In a room full of people, their conversation was filled with words only the two of them understood. Adhvan responded with a subtle smile.

That smile made the first prince, Kyle, and the second prince, Chris, gaze anxiously at Claude.

Julian, realizing things weren’t progressing as she had anticipated, looked at Adhvan with her sparkling eyes.

“Your Majesty, even if Brother doesn’t realize it, I truly believe that she is very fitting for the royal…”

“Enough. Let’s conclude this matter for today.”

This time, it was Adhvan who interrupted Julian. Facing rejection for the first time, she was visibly flustered.

“Claude is right. The young lady’s proficiency at work and her suitability as a princess consort are two distinct matters.”

“But still…”

“His Majesty is correct. It isn’t a matter to be hastily decided now. Marriages within the royal family must always be approached with caution, Julian.”

First Prince Kyle tried to interject, supporting Adhvan’s statement. The others shared his sentiments, which left Julian suppressing her next words.

However, disappointed that things weren’t going her way, she openly showed her dissatisfaction.

Pouting, she idly fiddled with the food in front of her, acting childishly.

While everyone else found Julian’s demeanor endearing, only Claude looked at her with a hint of suspicion.

“Julie, for now, let me meet the young lady myself. Continue with your meal. We don’t want you fainting again.”

“Really? You’ll meet her personally?”

“Yes, I will.”

“Now that His Majesty is paying such attention, you should finish your meal.”

Adhvan and the others hurried to appease Julian.

Although not entirely according to her wishes, Julian saw a possibility of steering the situation in her favor and resumed eating with her usual bright smile. The emperor’s smile at her cheerful demeanor eased the minds of the others.

In the harmonious family setting, Julian stole a glance at Claude.

There was a slight hint of animosity in her eyes for having thwarted her plans. It was fleeting, but Claude caught it precisely.

“Now that we’ve finished our meal, would you like to accompany me on a walk?”

“Oh, that would be wonderful, Your Majesty!”

With Adhvan and Julian departing to spend more time together, the meal naturally came to an end.

As everyone began to leave the dining room for a break, Claude moved to escort his mother, the Empress.

“I was relieved inside when you  calmly answered Your Majesty’s question.”

“Is that so?”

“But it’s the first time you’ve praised a lady this much. I want to meet her at least once.”

“Haha, Mother, I’m sure you’ll take quite a liking to her as well.”

Directing a warm smile towards his mother, who reached about to his shoulder, Claude said, 

“Mother, there’s something I’ve been curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Do you remember the name of the illness that made Julian so sick she had to go to recuperation?”

“Well…”

The Empress moved her lips as if to respond, but she couldn’t find the words.

“Come to think of it, I can’t quite recall. I just vividly remember how much she cried when she had to leave.”

So, it wasn’t just him who couldn’t remember. Claude felt baffled as he couldn’t recall the specific illness Julian had, no matter how much he thought about it during the meal.

It was clear she was ill, but not knowing the name of the disease made no sense. And from that point on, every single behavior of Julian felt amiss.

A child full of shyness and humility without a hint of greed; that was Julian. 

The Emperor, feeling pity for Julian’s always-yielding and considerate nature, pampered her even more, while, on the other hand, Claude often got scolded for being greedy.

Could it be that her time when she was recuperating changed her this much?

Claude continuously recalled Julian’s previously cloudy blue eyes.

* * *

Hilton Boutique Street. Iva and Jane entered a modest boutique.

“Miss, you usually don’t like clothes like these.”

It wasn’t one of the boutiques that sold the vibrant dresses and sparkling jewelry Iva typically favored.

Iva strangely chose boutiques she had previously dismissed for only selling peasant-style dresses.

“I might not like it, but I have a reason to buy one now. What do you think, Jane? Does it suit me?”

She held a patternless gray dress made of corduroy material against her body and asked.

On anyone else, it might have dulled their complexion, but on the beautiful Iva, it merely lent a serene look.

“Of course. Everything suits you, Miss.”

“Ah, what to do, Jane? I’m even scared of myself now. I seem to pull off anything I wear. This endless adaptability.”

“Yes, I’ll check this out.”

Leaving the admiring Iva gazing at her reflection in the mirror, Jane efficiently handled the payment.

“Thank you. Will you be wearing it out?”

“I will.”

With her mood lifted by the new dress, Iva hummed a tune as she stepped out. Jane followed, carrying their things.

“Jane.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Come back to this boutique alone tomorrow and return this dress.”

“Why? If you didn’t want it, you shouldn’t have bought it. Don’t you like it?”

“I need to check if someone else buys the same dress as me. I’m counting on you.”

Jane, though unsure about what was happening, nodded at Iva’s serious expression.

By buying a dress from a boutique where young ladies rarely shopped, Iva could confirm whether Julian was truly copying her.

Well, I’ve cast the bait. Let’s see how she responds. Iva too, was ready to observe Julian’s next move.

•?••? ? ?••?•