25.

Soft sunlight streamed gently through the thin curtains.

Ateira sat near the open terrace, as if basking in the warmth, but a long sigh escaped her lips.

Leofric had been missing for some time.

Even when she went to the dining hall at mealtimes, he was nowhere to be seen.

Only the knights who guarded him appeared from time to time.

Ateira was growing restless.

Without any opportunity to approach him, there was no chance to kill him.

Time was slipping away too quickly.

Just in case, she had left the terrace open again last night.

Maybe that little beast would return.

And if it did—perhaps he would come to retrieve it again.

Realizing she was grasping at such hopes, Ateira felt a faint sense of emptiness.

She had never put in this much effort just to meet one man.

“One day, Your Highness, when you fall for someone, you’ll understand.”

A memory surfaced—

A day just like this one, bathed in sunlight.

She had been walking through the palace gardens when a young maid, her peer and confidante, had spoken those words.

Ateira could still picture her—glancing around excitedly, hoping to catch sight of a knight she fancied.

What had she replied back then?

“I’ll be married off in a political match. Why would I ever wish for a chance encounter with someone I care for?”

“If you long to see someone, it will happen.”

Would she ever like someone so much that she’d long for them?

At the time, Ateira had shaken her head.

“That will never happen.”

And yet—

Here she was now.

Waiting desperately to cross paths with a man.

She suddenly recalled a phrase—love and hate are but two sides of the same coin.

She had never thought she would understand that so clearly.

“I want to go to the garden.”

Ateira spoke to the maids trailing behind her, their eyes constantly monitoring her movements.

They exchanged uncertain glances.

None of them were sure how much freedom she was allowed.

One finally stepped forward, opening the door and relaying the request to a knight outside.

The knight glanced at her briefly before giving a small nod and leading the way.

For the first time since arriving, Ateira walked through the estate for reasons other than eating.

“……”

The servants she passed reacted in two ways—

Some startled at the sight of her, moving aside as if afraid.

Others stared curiously, whispering.

“That’s her, right? The one they say is going to marry Sir Leofric?”

“Who said that?”

“Nellie told me she arrived with a wedding dress.”

“Really?”

The murmurs reached her ears.

Ateira lowered her gaze slightly.

That’s right.

She had come here for a wedding.

To those unaware of the truth, she was merely a bride awaiting her groom.

The realization made her situation feel even stranger.

The knight escorted her to the central garden of the baron’s estate.

It was a prideful creation of the baroness, one that had drained the baron’s pockets and nearly brought him to tears with its cost.

He had complained endlessly about the expenses—

But once completed, he had adored it.

Every time guests visited, he boasted about it with his chest puffed up.

Ateira knew none of that.

She simply admired its beauty.

Though it wasn’t massive, every corner was thoughtfully arranged, creating a harmonious balance.

She had not come here to enjoy the scenery.

And yet, without realizing it, the tension in her shoulders eased slightly.

She hadn’t found him here.

She hadn’t really expected to.

But a small part of her had hoped.

And somehow, the unexpected peace she found instead felt like a consolation prize.

“……”

Ateira’s steps slowed.

She had begun to hear voices.

Laughter.

She wasn’t the only one enjoying time in the garden.

Glancing around, she spotted a small gathering in the distance.

A simple tea time.

Her eyes swept over the group, but Leofric was not among them.

A marble table sat between them, laid with tea and delicate pastries.

The woman seated in the center appeared to be the host.

The baroness, perhaps?

The knight escorting her halted and turned to her.

Count Zellered had given clear instructions.

The princess was allowed some freedom to move within the estate—

But meeting people other than Leofric Helton was strictly forbidden.

“Shall we return?”

“……”

Ateira nodded and turned away.

She had no desire to intrude on a peaceful gathering as an unwelcome stranger.

“Oh my!”

A clear voice rang through the air.

“Excuse me, wait a moment!”

Her escorting knight glanced back.

The woman who had been seated now rose quickly, grasping the hem of her dress as she strode forward.

The sunlight caught her golden hair, making it gleam.

She was strikingly beautiful.

Her hair was carefully pinned up, save for a single, deliberate strand that fell against her collarbone.

With light, quick steps, the woman approached and gave a graceful curtsy.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

She spoke nothing more, simply waiting for Ateira’s response.

Your Highness.

Within the estate, she was only known as “Leofric Helton’s future bride.”

Her exact identity had remained ambiguous, rumors swirling without a definitive answer.

Yet this woman had addressed her directly, without hesitation.

After a brief pause, Ateira replied—

“…And you are?”

A silent invitation to continue.

The woman’s blue eyes curved, her lips parting into a pleasing smile.

“Lavinia.”

Only a first name.

Had she been the baroness, she would have introduced herself formally, with a title.

Ateira’s gaze flickered briefly in curiosity.

Lavinia noticed—and her smile deepened.

“I am Sir Leofric’s cherished courtesan.”

Ateira’s red eyes widened slightly.

She had not considered the possibility that his mistress would be present here.

…Ah.

Was that why he had vanished these past days?

He had been occupied with his lover.

The unexpected realization brought a sense of hollow amusement.

“…A pleasure to meet you, Lady Lavinia.”

“An honor to finally meet you. I’ve been hoping to see you, and now here you are—what a delight.”

“……”

Lavinia placed a delicate hand over her chest, giving another curtsy.

And then, with the most effortless grace—

“And congratulations on your engagement, Your Highness.”

An utterly bizarre greeting.

No matter how favored a mistress might be, etiquette dictated that congratulations came first.

Yet Lavinia had introduced herself first, establishing her position before acknowledging the princess’s.

Ateira’s gaze sharpened subtly.

A provocation?

Did this beloved courtesan see her as competition?

The thought was laughable.

To think this hollow arrangement—devoid of love, full of nothing but hostility—would come with a jealous mistress, too.

It was so ridiculous that she almost laughed.

“…Thank you.”

She remained calm, watching as Lavinia curtsied once more.

“I cannot offer such congratulations without a proper gift, so please allow me to visit you formally soon. I would like to extend my regards, even in a small way.”

“……”

“Please, do not refuse. As my lord’s betrothed, it is only right that I also show you proper care.”

Lavinia’s smile turned sly.

“How strange. Is it common in this land for a mistress to serve her lord’s fiancée?”

“Of course not. But I am a courtesan worth every coin paid for me.”

“……”

“And true love, Your Highness—”

Lavinia’s eyes curved into a syrupy sweetness.

“—means supporting even the other loves of the man you cherish.”

A scoff.

A quiet click of the tongue from the maids standing behind Ateira.

Even they, who rarely showed warmth toward their mistress, found this too much.

A mere mistress speaking this boldly to the official bride—

A bride who was of royal blood.

Even among the highest of nobles, such brazen confidence was unheard of.

Ateira swallowed a small, dry laugh.

Ridiculous.

But not angering.

She could look at Lavinia calmly because—

This woman did not yet know the truth.

She did not realize that the entire engagement was a farce.

That soon, she would be losing Leofric—

That soon, she would be the one abandoned.

“I must decline.”

Ateira’s voice remained even.

She turned away, leaving Lavinia behind.