CH 6.5

Lila’s voice rose at the overbearing behavior, a low voice echoing across the parlor as she continued.

“My lady, are you by any chance acquainted with this, this less-than-dignified woman? I hope not?”

Lila’s eyes widened as she spotted Lucas standing sullenly in the doorway.

She hadn’t even realized the parlor door was open, and the look on his face was murderous, as if he’d heard everything Charlotte had said.

Lucas, who moved his feet leisurely, smiled at Lila.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting so long. His Majesty always has a lot to say.”

Stepping casually to Lila’s side, Lucas turned to the woman across from him, who looked up at him with narrowed eyes.

“Are you by any chance a princess I do not recognize?”

Charlotte blinked rapidly at his words.

“No.”

“Then are you the wife of the Duke of Frederick?”

“…No.”

Charlotte suddenly understood what he was asking. Rising from the couch, she bowed politely to Lucas.

“I am Charlotte Pinatelli, Duke of Montefeltra.”

Lucas looked at her with cold eyes, then spoke in a cold voice.

“I didn’t ask because I was curious as to who you were, I was curious as to how high up you must be to dare to take my lady’s time without permission.”

Lila was quite surprised by the icy, almost freezing tone of his voice. She’d thought he had a bad temper before, and she’d heard some unkind things said about him, but she had never seen anything like this.

As she looked up at him with her eyes wide open, Lucas called out to her with a soft smile unlike when he looked at Charlotte.

“My lady, we still have some time, why don’t we have a stroll in the gardens, or perhaps a visit to the art galleries within the palace.”

The art gallery in the Imperial Palace of the Vassium Empire contained a variety of masterpieces and statues. It was a precious imperial asset with a value that could not be measured in money, so only members of the royal family were allowed to enter.

At Lucas’s suggestion to visit such a place, Charlotte hid her shocked expression with a fan.

There are two ducal families in the empire. The House of Frederick, in the south, was the official family of the Empire, and the House of Montefeltra, in the north, was an extension of the Imperial House of Vassium.

Even with the same rank as ducal families, the Montefeltras had the upper hand.

It wasn’t something she hadn’t known, but Lucas’s lack of socializing had made it difficult for Charlotte to remember.

Add to that the fact that Lucas was nothing like the rumors, and her heart and mind were racing.

“Let’s go out into the garden.”

Lila wanted to get some air afterwhat happened, and at her words, Lucas smiled gently and held out his hand.

She meekly placed her fingertips on his palm. Lukas let out a small laugh as she did so.

“I thought you were going to hold my hand like you did earlier, but… I’m a little disappointed.”

“What?”

At Lila’s response, Lucas smiled a little sheepishly and squeezed her small hand.

“Shall we go then?”

“Yeah…”

Charlotte watched them leave the parlor through cloudy eyes. She couldn’t help but compare herself to the ugly Lila: she who hadn’t been asked by the Prince to marry, and her who was being escorted away by her husband. It was a situation she could never have imagined.

Charlotte, who had been a society flower, twisted her lips at the memory of Lucas, who had been so cold to her beauty.

A pouty grumpiness began to emerge from her. Charlotte’s golden eyes began to glow with venom.

Leaving the palace, Lila followed Lucas’ lead. The dress was a bit more extravagant than she usually wore, but it was refreshing to breathe in the fresh air.

Step step.

They didn’t say anything for a while, just walked towards somewhere.

The garden was full of greenery. Even at a glance, the vast garden was covered in greenery.

“By next month, there will be hydrangeas of all colors blooming here.”

Lucas said cheerfully. Lila looked at the familiar leaves and nodded.

“I see.”

Lucas looked at Laila, who answered in a calm voice. She seemed distracted by the hydrangea that was covering everywhere like a maze.

There were many gardens in the palace, but the hydrangea garden, the symbol of the empire, was not for the faint of heart.

The wind, hotter than the north, blew through the hydrangeas. The scent of greenery filled his nostrils. Lucas stared at the woman before him, the familiar scent bringing back memories of his childhood.

She was the same woman as he remembered, but her appearance was different, and what she held in her eyes was completely different.

Only good will for him was reflected in her deep sea-blue eyes, and it seemed to wash over him like a wave.

His private audience with the Emperor was as tedious and unpleasant as ever. Being a member of the royal family, they have always made unreasonable demands, taking potions as hostages to suppress their unavoidable instincts.

Today was no different, so when he reached the parlor, feeling like he had hit rock bottom, he heard Lila’s voice, which sounded very different from the usual.

For a moment, he wondered why the parlor door was open, and why another voice could be heard in there with her… but his doubts were quickly dispelled.

The place hadn’t changed at all in the short time he’d been out of society.

His hair stood on end as he watched the woman spew venomous words with her mouth. His anger was directed at Lila as well.

Why can’t you say anything.

Lucas’s mouth drew a dark line at the truthful answer.

“It’s good to be honest.”

“Yeah, I’ll be honest from now on.”

They picked up where they’d left off and moved in unison, their hands still clasped together, sweating, but not as unpleasantly as he’d expected.

He only wished he hadn’t worn gloves.

In the garden, where the only sounds were the wind and the rustling of leaves, they enjoyed a few moments of peace.