CH 21

he arched one eyebrow as if she were serious.

“… I’m talking about menswear. I thought you carried them together.”

“Oh, yes, of course, we do.”

Ellen smiled broadly.

“I’m so happy to have you here. This season must be on to something.”

Ellen clapped her hands together, and Caden coughed once, hmm.

‘… You’re sayinh you’re going to leave your imperial designer to be fitted in Thalia?’

Spaniel gave Caden a quizzical look, then spoke up again.

“And the menswear, Ted, can you recommend that too?”

“Sure. I’ll make a recommendation catalog and send it to you.”

Then Terriod interjected with concern.

“You don’t have to make more work for yourself, Ellen, you can pick and choose and send it to me. You said you were busy.”

“That picking and choosing will take more time. Not everyone snatches up random things like you do.”

“Oh, is that true…?”

Caden made a plastic, hmm, snorting sound.

“It’s okay, it’s more of a hobby than a job.”

Ellen giggled, and Terriod turned his head to see if he was shrugging.

Spaniel was about to ask something more when she saw Caden’s reaction.

“Your Majesty, you’ve been busy today.”

As the crown prince continued to linger in one place, those with business began to seek him out.

“Ah, Marquis Port, why are you so colorful?”

“Haha, it’s the kind of party that deserves it.”

His gaze fell on the Duchess of Traia, who was there with him.

Her smile was frosty and murderous.

‘I see our meeting the other day has struck a nerve.’

It seemed to bruise his pride that he’d finally been forced to show his hand.

It’s good to be as loyal as you are high-minded, but it’s tiring.

Caden moved to soothe him.

“I’ll see you later, then, young man. I expect a gift.”

“Yeah. You can look forward to it.”

When they were out of earshot, Mrs. Traia, who was also moving away, offered a light bow.

“Hmm, In any case, it was enjoyable. It’s a shame that the lady’s last name is Krembell.”

“So am I.”

Ellen said with a wry smile.

“That’s why I decided to drop it.”

“Hm?”

“Well, I’m getting a divorce.”

Ashley’s eyes widened.

Divorce?

She repeated Ellen’s words aloud, and it took a moment for them to sink in.

She nodded and said.

“I’m surprised in more ways than one, and as soon as I have Kryant’s name back, I’ll extend a formal invitation to you.”

With that, her divorce rumor became a credible fact rather than a socialite gossip.

And it certainly seemed to have won Mrs. Traia’s favor.

Ellen smiled in satisfaction.

“I’m looking forward to it, Mrs. Traia.”

But then a voice broke through the cheerfulness.

“… Who the hell said that?”

The voice was irritated.

She didn’t have to turn around to recognize it.

Gillian Krembel.

The current Duke of Krembel, and her still-husband.

Ellen answered without looking in Gillian’s direction.

“As I wish.”

“… I need to talk to you for a moment.”

Gillian declared, then lunged forward and grabbed Ellen’s arm.

“Ouch!”

“Kyaa!”

“What are you doing, Your Grace the Duke of Krembel!”

Spaniel squealed in a low voice, and Terriod, who had been watching from the sidelines, cried out angrily.

But Gillian ignored both her groans or Lord Cheshire’s cries, and said.

“This is a family affair. Outsiders stay out.”

Whoops.

The grip on Ellen’s wrist tightened.

“Lord Krembel. How about a little respect for the ladies’ conversation time?”

“As I said, it is a family affair.”

Ignoring the Duchess of Traia’s restraint, Gillian turned her back on the party and dragged Ellen away using her full strength as a weapon.

Ellen smirked at Gillian’s behavior.

Normally, he would only enter the banquet hall when the Emperor was about to enter.

But today, for some reason, he was already there, and as usual at these balls, he seemed to have an intention of leaving after greeting only a few important guests.

It was a very unexpected situation, but that was all.

‘What a man.’

Ellen clicked her tongue.

She couldn’t resist with her full strength anyway.

But if that’s the case, she’ll do what she can with what she has.

BANG!

As soon as the door to the terrace slammed shut, Gillian growled low.

“I don’t know what the hell Count Kryant is doing.”

As the gazes disappeared, Gillian spoke ferociously as if the restraint on him had disappeared.

Ellen shook her head mildly, taking in her attire.

“Your construction is falling apart in many ways. As you can see. I’ve been keeping up with the trends this season.”

Gillian’s gaze swept over her for a moment.

But rather than to get distracted, he chose to point out what was wrong with her.

“Ha, a family that handles things this way. And what the hell is that?”

The look on his face as he said this was a blatant display of displeasure.

Ellen, who found the behavior abhorrent, giggled, and Gillian, who hadn’t yet gotten used to her reacting this way, cracked a little.

“You’ve only gotten as far as you have because you’re sincere, and as for my attire, I’m sure you’ll be able to describe it in great detail if you ask His Highness directly.”

Ellen raised a smile to her face.

In this situation, she knew it would irritate the man in front of her the most.

Sure enough, Gillian’s brow wrinkled like a piece of paper.

“… I heard that His Highness gave this to you himself.”

“Despite knowing everything, you ask anyway. You have some wicked corners, don’t you? I didn’t know until now.”

“No matter what you say, you’re still a Krembel. I want you to change your dress into something more modest, and I don’t want you wandering around.”

There was a time when she thought those strong eyes were cool.

But what she saw in those eyes now was not the strength of responsibility and perseverance, but anger at a situation that wasn’t going his way.

“Oh, well, if you’re unhappy with my behavior, you can divorce me and get a new wife to satisfy your needs.”

As Ellen continued to speak, Gillian washed his face dry.

He couldn’t bring himself to yell in this place, so he opened his mouth as if he were holding it together.

“… Ha, this is serious. I don’t know what’s going to happen to you if I leave you out here any longer, so I’m going to take you back to the mansion today.”

That was it.

There was a short, sharp knock on the door, and then it opened.

“Ah, is the conversation over?”

Who would dare open the door the Duke had closed and enter?

It was Crown Prince Caden Istacio.

“Since you rushed out the door without saying hello to me.”

Caden smirked and strode onto the terrace.

Ellen glanced out the open door.

Lord Cheshire and a group of people gathered around them, curious to hear their story.

“… I apologize, Your Highness. I had a little business to discuss with someone inside.”

Gillian said, his crumpled brow straightening again in an instant, as if to say, ‘When have I ever been so angry?’

His usual expressionlessness.

Caden put on his good-natured face, as if he knew what he was thinking.

“Haha, I guess we’re still talking, I’m sure we’ll find something in your absence. I don’t have much time, so why don’t you come and have a drink with me. We haven’t seen each other in quite some time.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but I have a few things to think about… I’ll come find you in a moment.”

Gillian waved his offer.

He’d decided that this was the one place he could talk to Ellen and not make any more noise, but things weren’t going his way.

“Oh… Yes, alright. It’s a pity, but it can’t be helped. I’m afraid the party is boring, so I’ll let my lady enjoy the feast first, and you can come back when you’ve collected your thoughts.”

“Your Highness?”

Gillian repeated, as if she didn’t know what that meant.

But Caden pretended not to hear him and held out his hand to Ellen, who placed hers on top of his.

“I’m honored, Your Highness.”

If you’re going to be such a dick, you might as well do it right.

A mocking glance lingered, but Gillian didn’t seem to notice, his gaze fixed on the joined hands of the two people.

“Farewell, then, Your Grace.”

The greeting, accompanied by a muffled chuckle, put an end to the situation.

The door closed with a thump, leaving Gillian alone on the terrace.