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Pretend to act in love in public.

She didn’t want to worry her family, and Elena spoke the words she had practiced in the mirror.

“The prince didn’t want to reveal our relationship. Since he had been at war all this time, he had planned to come to the capital later and meet our family…He had asked me to keep it a secret until then.”

She felt bitter about having to lie to her beloved sister, but life sometimes had to go by in ignorance.

“Since when did you meet him?”

“I ran into him…It just happened. We didn’t see each other often because he was always so far away.”

“I’m a little sad that you didn’t mention it to be.”

Elena felt a pang of guilt in her heart. This love affair with Carlisle was a complete lie, but this situation was real. She didn’t want to hide anything from her sister as much as possible.

“…I’m sorry.”

Mirabelle’s disappointed expression melted away at the sincerity of Elena’s words. They had been together for a long time, and they didn’t need many words to understand each other. From Mirabelle’s point of view, Elena must have liked Carlisle so much to keep the secret to herself.

“So…was the Crown Prince the shy acquaintance who sent you the dresses and jewelry?”

“…Yes.”

“Wow, that’s great.”

She had wondered how important this mysterious acquaintance must be, but it turned out to be the crown prince.

“So he’s not just a handsome face. He must have deep feelings for you, too.”

Elena nodded awkwardly and suddenly felt ashamed of her position. It really felt like she was introducing the man she liked.

“How about you?”

“…What?”

“Do you love him too?”

“Ah…”

She paused for a moment, then quickly came up with her answer.

“Yes. I love him so much.”

Hearing this, Mirabelle felt no need to ask any more questions.

“Then that’s enough.”

“…?”

“My sister is in love. That’s what love is all about. Like there is only one person in the world.”

“Y-yes.”

Elena nodded in agreement. Mirabelle then took Elena’s hands and continued on delightedly.

“Congratulations, sister! The last time I saw him at the ball, I thought he looked with great you…but yes, this is incredible!”

Elena was still on edge despite the cheerfulness of Mirabelle’s response.

“Is…is that it?”

“Hmm? Is there something more?”

Elena thought that Mirabelle would be more upset, but instead she seemed to be taking this too easily.

“I only need you to be happy. As long as you love the Crown Prince I will be too!”

Though the situation itself was fake, the warmth of Mirabelle’s heart was real. A smile flickered on Elena’s features.

“…Thank you, Mirabelle.”

It may seem trivial to others, but Mirabelle always seemed to teach Elena what happiness was. Because of her, Elena valued every minute of this new life.

“Oh! I’m grateful you told me, but I don’t think this should be a secret from Father…”

“Yes, I think it’s time to be honest with Father. It’s because I’m thinking about marriage.”

“M-marriage?”

Mirabelle had only just found out they were seeing it each other, but now there was talk of marriage? She was worried how their father would react.

“Sister…”

Mirabelle once again gathered Elena’s hands.

“I’ll help you when you talk to Father.”

Elena smiled. In the aristocratic society where political marriages were common, she had no idea how her father would accept it either.

“Thank you for your support, Mirabelle. I’ll send a letter and let Derek know about it.”

It would take some time before a letter would reach him. If possible, Elena wanted to tell him as soon as possible before the rumors in the capital traveled south.

After a long conversation with Mirabelle, Elena sat at her desk and began to pen her letter to Derek.

She did not know at the time the commotion this letter would cause in the future.

*

*

*

Evening soon descended. Alphord, who lived mostly at the royal quarters of the Knight’s Fourth Order at the Imperial Household, sent a message saying he would soon visit the mansion. Elena knew this was the time to reveal her relationship with Carlisle. Maybe her father was returning home after hearing the rumors circulating in society.

“My father is coming home tonight, so please tell the chef to prepare fish instead of meat.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

It hadn’t been long since Michael started working here, but he had done an excellent job in helping manage the household duties. As Elena watched the hard-working servants, she once again strengthened her resolve.

‘…Stay firm.’

Telling Mirabelle about her relationship was a walk in the garden compared to telling her father.

Time passed, and Alphord was to arrive at the mansion soon. Elena ordered all the servants to gather for a grand welcome.

Tadak, tadak, tadak.

Although Alphord was a knight, he usually rode a carriage even though his preferred method of travel was by horseback. This time, however, she spotted her father racing towards them on a horse.

‘What’s the rush?’

Before the question even fully formed in her head, Alphord arrived in front of the mansion in no time, and swiftly got off his horse and came straight toward Elena. He had a terrifying atmosphere about him.

“Welcome home, My Lord.”

Alphord ignored Michael’s greeting and stopped short of Elena. Then he yelled at her in a searing tone.

“Elena, what the hell have you been doing?”