Chapter 25

I was aware of Esha’s feelings for Loren, but I wasn’t the only one to notice.

I’d witnessed countless instances of the two exchanging discreet glances across the ballroom.

“If you’re worried I’ll use this to blackmail her…”

“Blackmail? What would I possibly gain from Esha?” I shrugged.

Loren calmed down slightly, seeming to accept that.

“I just wanted to confirm one thing: how far you’re willing to go for Esha.”

If only one could solve every problem alone.
Unfortunately, what I had to accomplish now required help — from someone unrelated to the banquet.

That was why I met Loren. Not simply to discuss banquet gossip that could be delivered by a letter.

“Then let’s make a deal. If you help me now, I’ll make sure you and Esha can openly acknowledge your relationship one day.”

Every endeavor needs a reward.
I was putting Loren’s devotion on the line.

“What do you say? Will you do it?”

Loren watched the woman before him.

Perhaps it was because she was infamous throughout society, but her offer felt enticingly sweet.

He didn’t desire great wealth or glory.
He just wanted to walk openly under the sun, holding the hand of the one he loved.

That was the only wish he had.

But due to their difference in status, it felt like an unattainable dream.

Yet… if this woman could make that insignificant wish come true?
If she became his savior?

Then, he would do anything.

“As long as I can openly declare my love to the world, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

For the one who illuminated the tiny world he held dear, he could give anything.

Loren had always been like this.

Meanwhile…

Marienne was biting down on her lower lip, trying to stifle a laugh.

A sound like a muffled snicker leaked out.

What a stroke of luck!

In her hand was a recording device brought from the kingdom.
She had followed Laura and a man into the imperial garden, and it had captured their conversation.

The recording quality was awful, powered by a magic stone ripped from the broken freezer.

And although the conversation itself was ambiguous, that didn’t matter.

What about it?

Between a man and a woman, things are always ambiguous. Even if both deny it, just a hint of suspicion can make the rumor spread like wildfire.

More than that, Loren wouldn’t be able to openly defend himself. Not when the woman he truly loved was a noble.

If he refused to clarify the nature of their relationship for fear of exposing her, suspicion would only deepen. Even if the truth came out later, no one would listen.

The problem is, I can’t use this.

Each magic stone had a unique resonance. The stone used for this recording came from the broken freezer, which would point the finger directly at her.

It would only implicate her as the person responsible for the freezer accident at the banquet.

But it felt like such a waste to bury this information.

“Why has the princess come to my quarters?”

Marienne smiled faintly at Prince Malken.
“I thought you might be in need of help.”

In Arrieta, every royal was vetted thoroughly before being proposed as a potential marriage candidate.

Marienne herself had been considered for Prince Mortum, but the second prince had long been ruled out due to his slim chance of ascending the throne.

‘Meaning, he’s someone who can’t benefit me personally… but he can still be used.’

Especially since she knew he was desperate for money.

He was quietly amassing weapons for a civil war, and the cost of arming troops was substantial.

“Here,” she said, setting the recording device down. “This contains evidence that Lady Luweiz committed a scandalous act.”

Malken didn’t appear interested — until she added,
“…and she has the resources to bury any scandal of her own.”

That made him raise an eyebrow.

After verifying the recording, he glanced up sharply.

“Quite the useful item, I must say… But what is it you want from this, Princess?”

“What do you think?” Marienne replied with a faint laugh.

“Of course… I want Laura Luweiz ruined.”

The next afternoon…

“Thank you… truly.”

Asel spoke sincerely, making time to meet Laura despite his packed schedule.

He was a man who refused to separate work and rest — often eating with one hand and signing documents with the other. But for this meeting, he had pushed away all papers.

A pot of Laura’s favorite Darjeeling tea was set before them.

“I had no idea you could win over both my aunt and the other nobles,” he said. “Even despite that strange accident…”

He knew that in the old days, Laura would have sought to shift blame to save herself. Yet this time she had kept a level head and resolved the crisis herself.

In fact, the story had traveled far beyond the palace kitchens, reaching Asel’s ears precisely because he kept open lines of communication with even the lowest servants.

That was why he was always busy.

“More than that… I owe you an apology.”

He spoke shyly, brushing the tip of his nose.

“Considering how my aunt treated you, it must have been painful. I’m sure you felt unwelcome.”

A few years ago, Princess Louise had criticized Laura openly, questioning Asel’s decision to be engaged to a woman with scandal attached to her name. In those days, even Asel had kept his distance for the same reason.

So when Laura responded, “It’s alright, I’m not offended,” Asel felt awkward, unable to respond.

“In fact,” she added, “I can understand why the princess felt that way.”

“……?”

“As the only aunt of His Highness, she must have been deeply worried that her nephew had chosen a fiancée with scandal following her everywhere. What’s more, my family was suspect, my reputation abysmal… and I was known for causing trouble every other day.”

“Ah, no…”

Asel felt ashamed, knowing her words were too true.

“Honestly, I’m grateful for the princess’ concern. It means that despite being far away, she cares deeply for you. It’s a comfort for me too — knowing someone genuinely wishes for your well‑being.”

Hearing this, Asel fell silent for a moment.
It was an unexpected reply.

Then another thought surfaced… If this is the Laura I have beside me, she could be a true companion for the future.

When he’d signed the contract with Laura, he had treated her as a convenient placeholder.
A mere fiancée for the next two years.
But now, he found himself envisioning a longer future with her.

It felt… strange.

“Is there any reward you’d like for your efforts? Or any use you’d like to make of my authority?” Asel offered quietly. “If you want to find the person responsible for destroying the cold storage room, I can investigate thoroughly, punish the culprit, and make sure the story goes public — highlighting how you resolved this crisis.”

“No need,” Laura replied.

“Why?”

“Because I already know who the culprit is.”

Right then…
A crashing sound came from the hallway.

Laura and Asel turned to see the source of the noise.

“Cough.”

Through the slightly opened door, Princess Louise was brushing broken statue fragments aside with her foot, looking like a guilty eavesdropper.

“Nothing to worry about. Do continue.”

It was obvious she had been listening in. The princess shrugged and pulled herself together, brushing the broken pieces away with an awkward smile.