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Deon gazed at Idris's expressionless face with a meaningful smile.
"By the way, I'm curious what kind of gift you've prepared this year. Ah, and of course, the Duchess's gift as well."
"Oh my. You should call her Lady Chloe now, Your Highness."
"Ah, right. I forgot. My mistake, Lady Chloe."
Deon quickly corrected himself, but everyone knew it wasn't a mistake.
However, Idris and Leticia didn't seem to mind, calmly answering his question.
"I already met with His Majesty separately and gave him this year's gift. I didn't want to attract unnecessary attention."
"I also personally delivered men's clothing made by Mariposa a few days ago."
Deon was inwardly surprised by Leticia's words.
'She's using her head.'
Leticia had given the clothing in advance, encouraging Azef to wear it to the banquet.
She intended to imprint herself in his mind and even promote her product using the Emperor.
It was highly likely that Idris had also presented his gift individually beforehand at Leticia's suggestion.
'What a cunning woman.'
Deon clicked his tongue inwardly as he looked at Leticia.
She was too talented to be disposed of along with Idris.
"Lady Chloe certainly has a talent for business. It's a shame I'm only realizing that now."
"You flatter me."
Leticia responded with a smile and asked, "Then what gift did you prepare, Your Highness?"
Deon, who had been looking at Leticia and Idris with strange eyes, replied, "I've prepared something that will surprise everyone."
Just then, someone announced, "Their Majesties are entering!"
The entrance became noisy, and Azef, Vanessa, and Ludian appeared.
As everyone's attention turned to the Imperial family, Deon added, as if muttering to himself with a meaningful smile, "Look forward to it."
As the hall, which had been briefly disturbed by the appearance of the Imperial family, quieted down, Azef, who had ascended to the head table, opened his mouth.
"I am grateful to those of you who have attended, even though you are busy as the time to harvest the seeds sown in spring is approaching."
"……."
"I hope you will enjoy yourselves to the fullest, as I intend to treat you, who have taken the precious time to be here, with a grand feast."
"May blessings be upon you, Your Majesty!"
After Azef's greeting, which signaled the official start of the banquet, a time was set aside to present gifts.
Then, the attention of the banquet participants was focused.
Because as it was the Emperor's birthday gift, all sorts of rare and precious things that they had never heard of came out.
Anticipating and wondering who would bring what gift was also part of the fun of this banquet.
The first in line was Deon.
"We have enjoyed peace under Your Majesty's reign this year as well. May blessings be upon you and bring long peace and glory to the Empire."
"Thank you for your consideration every year... cough..."
Azef, who was expressing his gratitude to Deon, suddenly coughed.
"Your Majesty? Are you alright?"
As everyone's eyes focused on him, Azef waved his hand as if it were nothing and dismissed the situation.
"It seems that the air is cold at night because it's the time of year when the seasons change. You should also take care of your health."
Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief as if they were relieved.
The still young Emperor would not become seriously ill with just a cold.
Distracted by the small happening, people did not see it.
The corners of Deon's lips were slightly raised as he bowed his head to pay his respects to Azef.
After the time for presenting gifts was over, waltzes began to echo in the banquet hall.
Then, the nobles began to dance in pairs.
Leticia and Idris were also among them.
People gossiped as they watched the two dance.
"Every time I see them, I feel like they're a match made in heaven. Will they get married soon?"
"Hmm... Still, she's the Grand Duke's partner, but a divorcee is a bit..."
"But after such a flamboyant romance, wouldn't it be strange not to get married?"
Some were simply envious, while others were jealous of the two.
And so was Deon.
'That woman is perfect for the Empress... She's too good to get rid of along with Idris.'
He couldn't take his eyes off Leticia.
Just in time, the song ended.
People began to dance with others besides their partners for the purpose of socializing.
Deon, who had been watching the situation, slowly stood up and approached Leticia.
"Lady Chloe. Will you grant me the honor of dancing with you?"
Then Idris's brow furrowed.
But before Idris could refuse, Deon made the first move.
"Surely you, who dances so perfectly, haven't sprained your ankle again today like you did at the National Foundation Day?"
It was a jab at her for refusing his dance request and escaping during the National Foundation Day.
At that, Idris's eyes coldly sank.
"I apologize to my brother, but I tend to be a little jealous. It's difficult to give up my partner—"
"It would be an honor, Your Highness."
Leticia interrupted Idris before he could finish speaking.
"Leticia."
Idris grabbed her with a frown, but Leticia smiled as if to say it was okay.
'Deon won't eat me alive.'
Continuing to show conflict would not be good for their image, and today was especially Azef's birthday banquet.
It was not good to show brothers drawing their swords on a good day.
And above all.
'There are many things you can find out just by understanding the other person's feelings.'
Like the saying, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
As Leticia was led by Deon to stand in the center of the banquet hall, the music started again.
The two began to dance with their bodies close together.
Deon was the first to break the silence.
"Are you going to become the Grand Duchess like this?"
Then Leticia chuckled.
"People are very interested in other people's love affairs. I thought you wouldn't be interested in such gossip, Your Highness."
"That's right. I'm usually not interested. But it's about you."
The words sounded strange.
Leticia looked up at Deon with a question.
At that moment, their eyes met.
"After all, I can't have feelings for my brother's woman, can I?"
With golden eyes tinged with a dangerous light.
Leticia flinched momentarily, but it was only for a moment.
Soon, a burst of laughter leaked out between her teeth.
This man wanted her.
The situation was ridiculous, but Leticia's answer was already decided.
Perhaps from a long time ago.
"Oh dear, what should I do."
"……."
"I already have someone I love."
Leticia's eyes, as she said that, were not directed at Deon, but at somewhere beyond his shoulder.
Deon, who found her answer at the end of that gaze, gave a cold sneer.
Idris was there.
Soon, the song ended.
Deon said as he gave Leticia's hand a farewell kiss.
"I hope you don't regret that choice."
Leticia did not give the words much meaning and turned around.
To the man who could not take his eyes off her from the moment she sent herself to Deon.
To the man she loved.
It was then, as she took a step towards him.
"Father!"
A scream-like voice of Ludian was heard from behind.
Leticia's eyes shook violently as she turned to the direction from which the voice came.
There…….
'……His Majesty the Emperor?'
Azef had collapsed.
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