Chapter 20
“That situation… I would’ve been just as troubled if it were me.”
Rachel, who had been quietly listening to the conversation between the two, finally spoke up.
“Um… did something happen between you two?”
At Rachel’s question, the young Duke of Belcane briefly explained the earlier incident.
“I see… so that’s what happened.”
“I sincerely apologize for missing the meal you were kind enough to invite me to. I originally intended to come in person and apologize.”
At the young duke’s sincere apology, Rachel nodded as if she understood.
After that, introductions continued.
Though framed as “studying abroad” or “official invitations,” the conversation also carried a subtle irony about their reality—being no different from hostages.
As the atmosphere gradually warmed, someone spoke.
“I hear there will be an imperial ball soon for the honored guests. I’m not sure what to do about a partner.”
At Rachel’s words, the young Duke of Belcane rested his chin on his hand and looked into the distance, while Reneve lowered her gaze diagonally.
After parting ways with the two, Reneve walked through the imperial garden, replaying their earlier conversation in her mind.
Whether or not to attend the imperial ball was entirely her choice.
Still, it seemed better to participate in social activities at least a little, rather than staying locked away in her room.
Unless she wanted rumors spreading in Paradium that the lady from Paradium was a shut-in who never left her room—and worried her family in the process.
‘What should I do?’
Back in Paradium, attending events meant going with family. There was no need to find a separate partner.
Even when Lucius attended with Esika as a companion instead of Reneve, who was supposed to be the empress.
With the two men of Seiren absent, this situation was truly troublesome.
Finding a partner was unexpectedly difficult.
“How troublesome.”
Reneve muttered to herself.
At that moment—
“What is?”
A deep, low voice suddenly fell from above her head. Startled, she quickly looked up, but remained composed.
“Your Majesty, when did you arrive?”
“I saw a silver head wandering around aimlessly and came down.”
Ikhar said this with his chin raised arrogantly.
Reneve glanced up toward the palace.
“Can you see this from your office?”
“Of course. Very clearly.”
He nodded and pointed toward the direction of his office.
Although not exactly close, it was still visible from the window.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. From now on, I’ll wander only in the east or west garden.”
At her words, Ikhar immediately replied.
“Why?”
“I wouldn’t want to disturb Your Majesty’s peace of mind.”
“You can disturb it a little more.”
He murmured softly.
Reneve looked at him as if to ask what that meant, but he quickly changed the subject.
“There will be a ball soon at the palace to foster goodwill between the honored guests and the Bashker nobles.”
“I already heard about it from Princess Rachel. I was actually worrying about it.”
“So you already know. Then there’s no need to waste time. I’ll escort you to the ball. If you wish.”
Ikhar raised one corner of his mouth slightly. The expression was casually arrogant—normally it would have been irritating.
But on him, it fit perfectly, like a tailored suit.
Looking at his handsome, imposing face, Reneve hesitated.
She did have trouble finding a partner, but accepting so easily felt questionable.
“Lady, why do you not answer immediately?”
As he spoke, a hint of impatience flickered in his voice.
His fingers tapped lightly against his firm thigh, his Adam’s apple shifting slightly.
For someone always so confident and fearless, this moment felt almost… cute. It made her smile.
“I truly don’t understand why you’re laughing.”
Ikhar raised one eyebrow as she quietly chuckled.
She couldn’t possibly say it was because he looked a little cute.
“Thank you for the offer, but may I have some time to think about it?”
“……”
Ikhar stared at her.
His expression was so cold that for a moment she almost agreed just to avoid it.
But soon, he spoke again.
“Very well.”
On the way back to his office, Ikhar’s steps were noticeably heavy. A faint crease formed between his brows.
It wasn’t a rejection, but he hadn’t expected her not to accept immediately. This outcome had clearly gone beyond his expectations.
Feeling his dark mood, Dhan quickly gauged his state and asked,
“Your Majesty, are you displeased about something?”
“Me? Do I look like it?”
Sitting at his desk piled high with documents, Ikhar glanced at him indifferently. Then Bane agreed.
“Yes, Your Majesty. You do seem very displeased.”
Ikhar straightened his posture and crossed his arms.
Deep wrinkles formed between his brows. In turn, Dhan and Bane also ended up frowning.
Trying to deduce the cause of their emperor’s irritation, Dhan suddenly reached a conclusion.
And he became certain.
Among the nations under the peace treaty, one must have sent troops into Bashker.
“Your Majesty! Was it Paradium, Solti, Venetistan, or Raina?”
Bane also jumped up.
“Please grant me command of the military. I will resolve this immediately.”
As Bane spoke hastily, Ikhar finally said slowly,
“Didn’t the young lady from House Seiren and the young Duke of Belcane have tea together today?”
Detailed reports on the guests’ movements were already being submitted.
“Pardon? Yes, that’s what we were told.”
Confused by the sudden mention of their names, Bane blinked.
“Investigate how the Duke of Belcane has behaved in Venetistan and report back.”
“Yes, Your Majesty! We will investigate immediately.”
Dhan and Bane answered in unison.
Reneve was sitting on a long sofa by a large sunlit window, reading a book.
“How is the temperature in your room, my lady?”
Kieren, who had just returned from delivering laundry, asked quietly.
“It’s perfect.”
Reneve smiled faintly, and Kieren blushed slightly.
“If you need anything, please call me anytime, Lady.”
“I will. Thank you for your hard work.”
Trying not to disturb her reading, Kieren quietly opened the door.
“Hmm?”
Then he paused in slight surprise. Reneve looked up.
Above Kieren’s head, a young man’s face appeared as he leaned in through the doorway.
“E-excuse me.”
As Kieren quickly stepped aside, the full figure of the Duke of Belcane appeared—neatly dressed in a beige jacket and white cravat.
“Your Grace, the Duke of Belcane?”
Surprised, he awkwardly rubbed his forehead.
“I was about to knock, but I didn’t expect the door to open suddenly.”
“Oh, I see.”
Reneve bookmarked her page and stood.
“If you have time, may I speak with you for a moment?”
Though slightly surprised, she nodded.
“Please wait a moment.”
“Of course.”
He smiled and closed the door.
Kieren quickly fetched proper shoes for her.
Reneve changed from soft slippers into pointed shoes and stepped out.
The duke was waiting in the hallway.
“I hope I didn’t disturb your reading.”
“I was just resting my eyes, so it’s fine.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
He smiled. She returned a faint one.
“Shall we walk while we talk?”
“Yes.”
He nodded firmly.
For a moment, Reneve thought he resembled a friendly golden retriever.
Comparing a person to a dog? Unacceptable.
She quickly cleared the thought and began walking.
“Here is the investigation report you requested, Your Majesty.”
Dhan handed over the documents.
Ikhar lowered his gaze.
“Belcane is a branch of the Venetistan royal family. His father is Duke Belcane, his mother a princess of Venetistan…”
The report was long and detailed, but Ikhar read it all at once. One brow twitched.
Dhan tilted his head.
“Is there a problem, Your Majesty?”
“In Venetistan, it seems there are very few good men.”
Ikhar tapped a line in the report.
“The Duke of Belcane is considered the number one marriage prospect among unmarried noblewomen in Venetistan.”
Dhan hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Bane then stepped in.
“That is correct. Venetistan men are said to be gentle, considerate, and understanding of women…”
Dhan tilted his head slightly. Wasn’t that praise?
But then Bane added,
“However, men with slender builds and mild personalities are not ideal. Therefore, Your Majesty is absolutely correct that Venetistan has very few good men.”
He nodded proudly.
Ikhar returned to the report.
“Your Majesty, doesn’t this part seem suspicious?”
Bane pointed to another section.
“The Duke of Belcane volunteered to travel to Bashker in place of the nine-year-old Venetistan princess, deeming her too young for the journey.”
“What?”
“The princess is nine years old.”
“Right.”
Ikhar motioned for him to continue.
“Think about it, Your Majesty. You, I, and Dhan were thrown into the mountains at age six without a single weapon.”
