Prologue

Inside the most famous dessert café in the capital, a social gathering was in full swing when a young noblewoman leaned toward her companions, concealing her mouth behind her fan as she whispered.

“Have you all heard the news? The Third Princess and Duke Ainluke have broken off their engagement.”

At the mention of Duke Ainluke, all the young ladies turned their attention toward the speaker.

The Duke of Ainluke was the head of one of the four great ducal houses, and he was still unmarried.

He had always been popular thanks to his striking appearance and exceptional abilities.

But now that his engagement to the imperial family had been called off, he had become an even more desirable bachelor.

“Well, Duke Ainluke has certainly put up with a lot. If it weren’t for the imperial decree, he would have broken off the engagement ages ago, wouldn’t he?”

“Still, is this really all right? I’m worried this might cause a rift among the imperial faction.”

The engagement between the Third Princess and Duke Ainluke had been arranged before either of them was even born.

It was a political arrangement intended to strengthen the relationship between the imperial family and House Ainluke, one of the most influential families in the imperial faction.

Thus, no matter how terribly the Third Princess behaved or how many affairs she had, Duke Ainluke never reacted.

The two were supposed to be married the following year, which made the news of their broken engagement all the more shocking.

Meanwhile, Rodelia was watching the whole situation unfold with satisfaction.

‘Ren has finally come to his senses. All my efforts have paid off!’

She had desperately wanted the two of them to break off their engagement, so there could hardly have been a happier day for her.

Honestly, the man was far too good to be killed by a villainess.

She even felt proud of herself for saving the pitiful second male lead’s life.

And as a bonus, my own life should be a little safer now, too.

Rodelia struggled to suppress the corners of her mouth, which kept twitching upward, as someone spoke.

“Well, I heard His Majesty the Emperor himself approved the decision.”

“Oh my! Really?”

“I don’t know the details, but apparently, the Duke wanted to end the engagement so badly that he was willing to pay a considerable price for it.”

The noblewoman leading the conversation beckoned the others closer before continuing.

“Apparently, the Duke has been in love with someone else for a long time.”

At that moment, Rodelia, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, widened her eyes and asked,

“What? Someone he likes?”

“Come to think of it, Lady Ferris, you’ve been close to Duke Ainluke since you were young, haven’t you?”

“Ah, well, technically, he’s close to my older brother, but…”

Rodelia trailed off awkwardly, regretting that she had raised her voice without thinking.

Unfortunately, with everyone’s attention now focused on her, it was difficult to evade their questions.

The noblewoman leading the conversation asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling.

“Do you happen to know who Duke Ainluke is in love with, Lady Ferris?”

Under their persistent questioning, a cold sweat broke out across Rodelia’s forehead.

No matter how she thought about it, there was only one person Alferen Ainluke could possibly fall for.

‘Could Ren have already met the female lead?’

No. That couldn’t be right.

The female lead was still studying abroad in another country, so there was no way they could have met yet.

In that case, he must have lied to the Emperor just to get out of the engagement.

With a perplexed expression, Rodelia dodged the question.

“I’m not sure. The Duke rarely talks about his personal life…”

Just then—

Ding-a-ling.

The sound of the café door opening rang out, and everyone who had been discussing Duke Ainluke fell silent.

The very man at the center of their conversation had arrived.

Brilliant silver hair and dazzlingly icy blue eyes.

The man radiated such a cold aura that he looked as though he wouldn’t bleed even if someone stabbed him.

He swept his gaze around the café before fixing his eyes on Rodelia.

When his expression softened, the young ladies who had been sneaking glances at him felt their cheeks flush pink.

Meanwhile, Rodelia was so absorbed in wondering who Alferen might like that she didn’t even notice his arrival. She simply continued eating her dessert with her fork.

The fact that the dessert in front of her was delicious certainly helped.

Alferen stopped in front of Rodelia.

“Rodelia.”

“Huh? Ren? What are you doing here?”

Only then did Rodelia notice Alferen and greet him cheerfully.

He was dressed rather elegantly, as though he had just come from somewhere important.

“I came to pick you up in Adrian’s place. He said his stomach suddenly started hurting.”

That’s strange. Why does something always happen to my brother whenever he’s supposed to come pick me up?

Is he making excuses because he doesn’t want to bother?

Rodelia narrowed her eyes, entertaining a perfectly reasonable suspicion.

“Goodness, why does my brother keep making you do all the troublesome things for him?”

“Because I want to.”

As their eyes met, a faint smile spread across Alferen’s lips.

At that moment, the young ladies nearby let out a collective, breathless sigh.

“Oh…”

Duke Ainluke was famous for his cold demeanor, and seeing him smile was an extraordinarily rare—and devastatingly attractive—sight.

Meanwhile, Rodelia, who was accustomed to seeing him smile, casually rose from her seat.

When he courteously offered her his hand, she placed hers on top of it and said,

“I should be going now.”

“…Y-yes. Take care on your way home.”

The young ladies exchanged bewildered looks as they bid Rodelia farewell.

Since they had been wondering who Duke Ainluke’s secret love was only moments earlier, their expressions were particularly suggestive.

Completely oblivious to their suspicions, Rodelia climbed into the carriage with Alferen. Then she promptly asked him a question.

“Everyone was making such a fuss about your broken engagement.”

“The attention will die down soon.”

Alferen replied nonchalantly as he shifted naturally to shield her from the sunlight.

He then cracked open the carriage window slightly, knowing that Rodelia disliked feeling stuffy.

Just then, she asked,

“By the way, Ren, is there someone you like?”

At that moment, Alferen’s broad shoulders twitched.

Oblivious to his reaction, Rodelia raised her voice.

“No, it’s just that the young ladies were saying you broke off your engagement because you have someone else you love.”

“…Is that so?”

“I don’t know who she is, but you have to get my approval before you start dating her. Understand? Especially since you’re so handsome, you’re bound to attract all sorts of suspicious women.”

I’ve gone to all that trouble to break off his engagement. There’s no way I’m letting him get involved with some strange woman before he even meets the female lead!

Besides, it was still uncertain whether Nanael, the Third Princess, would willingly let Alferen go.

Until the female lead appeared, Rodelia couldn’t afford to let her guard down completely, and she instinctively tensed up.

Meanwhile, Alferen chuckled at Rodelia’s nonstop chatter.

“Indeed. I suppose I do need your approval.”

He gave her a peculiar look, but Rodelia was so caught up in celebrating the successful end of his engagement that she failed to notice.

“Of course! I’ll personally help you find someone wonderful!”

She puffed out her chest proudly.

Then he took something out of his pocket and held it out to her.

“Speaking of which…”

What he had taken out was a ring box made of velvet.

Inside lay a pink diamond that resembled the color of Rodelia’s hair.

She blinked, wondering what it was, and he smiled brightly at her.

“What do you think? Do you like it?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure. If you’re giving it as a gift, shouldn’t the recipient’s taste matter more than mine?”

Of course, if someone like Alferen gave a gift, there were probably countless women who would happily accept even a simple ring made of stone.

Alferen pressed her for an answer.

“But what about you?”

“It’s pretty. I don’t know who you’re giving it to, but I’m sure she’ll love it.”

Honestly, it’s exactly my taste, too.

She added the last thought in a quiet murmur.

Encouraged by her positive reaction, Alferen slipped the ring onto her finger and said,

“Then you can keep it.”

“Huh?”

“It’s yours now.”

“…Wha?”

Rodelia stared at him blankly, unable to understand what he meant.

Confused by his sudden decision to give her a ring, she fumbled for an explanation. Then he spoke.

“Actually, because of what happened at the Magic Tower, Nanael suspects there’s something going on between us. I suppose His Majesty knows about it, too, since he approved the broken engagement so readily.”

“Oh.”

What happened at the Magic Tower…

A scene suddenly flashed through her mind, and Rodelia felt her face begin to burn—

But before she could dwell on it, he continued.

“So, Rodelia Ferris.”

Alferen’s expression grew serious as he spoke.

“Would you mind pretending to be my lover for a while? Just until I find someone suitable, as you said.”