Proofreader: somnium

Artizea danced two songs and then returned to her seat.

There seemed to be something like a butterfly in her chest. Whenever the hem of her skirt spread out like a flower petal, she felt a fluttering in her heart, and it was painful.

Artizea turned away from it.

I can do well.

Because she has confidence in being patient.

Dont let your heart flutter.

So that he cant hear the pounding sound of her heart.

She will be able to do well.

As she stood up, Cedric asked, holding her hand.

Where are you going?

Im going to get some fresh air.

Artizea consciously pressed her face and replied.

She took her hand out of Cedrics hand.

When she was held, it felt as if she couldnt get out.

But when she tried to pull out her hand with strength, his entangled hand had no strength. She slipped out easily.

Cedric stood up after her.

The air is not good.

You stay here. The master must not leave.

Its okay. Everyone is enjoying themselves.

The atmosphere was happily bustling.

Unimaginable numbers of bottles of alcohol had been emptied in Artizeas honor. People danced in the hall to the cheerful dancing music and enjoyed it.

It wasnt elegant, but it was a pleasant banquet. Even if Cedric is away for a while, the atmosphere wont go away.

But Artizea got embarrassed. She went out on the excuse of getting a fresh air, but she was thinking of going back.

Rather, how about dancing with the lady here?

Lysia stood up in confusion.

If the Grand Duchess allows, Ill take the Grand Duke on board.

Its not possible to leave the banquet hall without dancing once. Did you go out even after receiving a dance request because of me?

Artizea said so with her smile. Lysia shook her head.

Im not good at dancing, and I dont like it.

Thats better. He makes people like me dance quite nicely, so take this opportunity to learn.

Artizea said so and went outside.

Alice, who was waiting behind her, quickly put a fur cape on her shoulder.

Madam, why are you doing that?

What did I do?

Alice couldnt answer because she hesitated.

It feels like Artizea is leaving Cedric to Lysia, but when she thinks about it, perhaps she said it because she was right next to her.

Cedric, who had been stunned for a moment, rushed to her way.

Tia.

At the call, Artizea stopped her pace.

Cedric came by.

Are you angry?

Do I look angry?

Artizea asked in a calm voice. Cedric could not answer.

She didnt appear to be angry. She looked sad.

Tia.

Im just a little tired. Why would I be angry when nothing happened?

Are you all right?

Cedric reached out. Artizea took a half step back. Cedric paused his hand and then lowered it.

Artizea said softly.

Dont worry. Im fine. Its already past midnight, and now I want to rest.

It was the same attitude and tone as usual.

Cedric didnt want to stop her because she wanted to rest.

She had celebrated and danced. At other times, she would be tired, so he would have told her to go back and rest.

But she was different now. He realized that something was wrong.

However, he couldnt even guess what the problem was.

Ill take you to your room.

Its okay. Go back. If both of us are missing, the people will be anxious.

Artizea said so and she turned her back. Alice bowed her head as if sorry to Cedric, and quickly followed Artizea.

Cedric watched until her back disappeared.

Artizea never looked back at him and went all the way to the end of the hallway and climbed the stairs.

Cedric sighed and turned back to the banquet hall, where Lysia appeared.

Did Her Grace leave? Is she okay?

I dont know.

Cedric sighed again. Lysia approached him, she asked.

Did I make a mistake?

I dont think so. You have nothing to worry about. If you had done something wrong, she would have definitely rebuked it.

But isnt she angry?

I dont know that either. Shes a person who doesnt show her heart. Anyway, its not your problem.

Cedric wiped his face once.

If he did something wrong.. But even when he looked back, he couldnt guess what he had done wrong.

Lysia smiled.

I guess you really like her.

Cedric blushed his face a little. Lysia laughed out loud.

Actually, my father was worried a lot. He heard rumors about dating or something like that, but he still didnt believe it. He thought it would be an arranged marriage.

Well.

There were many people unsettled by Her Graces mother. My father was very concerned about your situation.

Because Baron Morten thinks its better for me not to be involved in central politics.

Yes, I thought you were trying to get involved in the fight for the succession to the throne.

Did you come to check that?

What am I supposed to confirm? I just thought that if you were to be in Lord Lawrences faction, wed better hide deeper in our village. Im still young and Im a girl of her age, so I came because I thought it wouldnt be obvious. I didnt know you had already told her everything.

When it comes to your village, Tia knew even if I didnt say anything.

Lysia swallowed her breath.

If the villagers know, it will be a big deal.

Theres nothing to worry about. Even if its known, Im trying to get my head in politics so that it doesnt matter when its known.

Cedric said.

What do you think rather than that?

About the Grand Duchess? Or, about Your Grace getting into politics?

Both.

What does someone like me know?

Cedric smiled. And he beckoned Lysia to follow him this way. This is because it was inappropriate to stand at the door of the banquet hall and have a conversation.

Lysia came to his side with a quick pace. The two walked towards the corridor for a while.

Because your intuition is good since you were very young. You are wise beyond your age.

Lysias wisdom was a different kind from Artizeas acuity.

She looked through lies as if she had the eyes of truth. Even for things that seem to be shifting and not clear at first glance, she pointed out the right direction intuitively, rather than logically.

Lysia said.

Not getting involved is a different way of getting involved in politics. Even the Evron Grand Duchy cant help but be influenced by what the next emperor is like. If thats the case, would it be better to choose the right person and support him?

It was much less compared to Artizeas judgment that even if she chose someone else to join the faction, she would eventually have to keep him in check.

Cedric thought Artizeas judgment was right.

However, Lysias words were also worth listening to.

This is what she said without knowing anything about the central politics. This would be one of the thoughts of the rebel villagers.

For Cedric, that was also an important issue.

Lysia said.

And youre not married for it anyway. Your Majesty has been with someone you like, so I think thats enough.

Cedric coughed for nothing.

Lysia asked in amazement.

Isnt it so from the perspective of Your Grace?

I didnt get married for political gain like what the Baron Morten or you thought, but as the rumor goes I married because I fell in love.

He knew this marriage was mutually beneficial. He was also dependent on her resourcefulness.

However, one of the reasons he initially accepted the contract marriage was that he thought he would protect her until she reached adulthood.

The right to inherit the throne as Artizea said is just a later thing. He didnt take it seriously.

And two years later, he knew that Artizea would divorce and end up with a separation.

Cedric sighed.

Lysia looked at him curiously.

You like her now. Wasnt that enough? Is Her Graces heart different?

Its not that simple. Tia is still young.

The age difference, it isnt that much? The age difference between my parents will be twice that between Your Graces.

But Tia is still 18.

Cedric has already accepted in his heart.

But age is not just a number. It also marks the stage of life that a person must overcome.

And the 18-year-old girl did not stand on the same stairs as Cedric. It is separate from the difference in numbers.

Artizea finally escaped from her cruel house and began to live her own life.

She had a sharp reason and keen judgment. She looked through the heart of a person, and looked deeper and wider into the world with a vision that no one else had ever thought of.

But she was clumsy with her own feelings. She only knew how to put up with it.

So he thought he had to be careful.

Approaching her as a man, needs to wait after a little more time This is what Artizea could do after experiencing life some more. Now, he just has to settle for giving her a friendly heart.

But Cedric keeps forgetting it these days.

Until now, he had considered himself a self-controlled person. And he realized that he had overestimated himself.

Your Grace stood at the front line of the Thold Gate as the Master of Evron for the first time when you were 16, and by 18 you are already a warrior. Your Grace is already doing your job as the master and the Grand Duke. And Im embarrassed to say it myself, but I am still here as a representative of Morten and the village.

Because I wish you hadnt grown up so fast, for you and Tia even more so.

But you dont look at the Grand Duchess as a child at all, right?

I have nothing to say.

Then what can I do, you already like her.

Cedric again covered his eyes with his hands. His earlobes are red.

Dont make fun of me.

Lysia laughed.

Please take care of Tia. She seems to like you. Tia doesnt have any friends, and she doesnt have any chance to get along with her peers.

Its an honor for me to be called by her side.

Cedric smiled and patted her hair lightly. It was the same attitude as when he was younger.

Thank you.

And he went back to the banquet hall first.

Lysia paused in thought for a moment, then she slowly turned around.

Then, Aubrey, who had red eyes, made eye contact.