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To be so happy over a single dessert.
Moreover, Young Master was gazing at his lover with eyes overflowing with affection.
Watching this scene, Yetien suddenly recalled what Young Master had said earlier.
"Whatever you expect, it will be more than that. I guarantee it."
'Even so, you didn't say it would be this much...'
Feeling wronged for having worried all day without knowing anything, Yetien stared at Young Master with resentful eyes.
But Felix, whether he noticed the gaze or not, was still focused on talking to Ayla.
"So, do you feel better now?"
"I was never upset. You know it was all an act from the start."
Felix pushed another plate of dessert towards Ayla and chuckled softly.
"For someone who wasn't upset, you were quite convincingly angry."
At his words, Ayla blushed and lowered her gaze.
"What, it was nothing."
"I almost fell for it myself from the middle."
"Even if I was upset, I wouldn't get that angry."
Ayla burst into laughter.
She looked so innocent that it was hard to believe she was the same person who had made the owner of Fleur Merchant Guild squirm earlier.
"By the way, you did really well too. You weren't nervous at all, and you were very natural."
At Ayla's compliment, Felix cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I was actually very nervous, but I'm glad Ayla saw it that way."
"Thank you so much today. Both you and Sir Yetien..."
The moment Ayla smiled and turned her head, her eyes met with Yetien's hollow gaze.
He, who had been silent all along, opened his mouth with a voice that seemed to fade away.
"Really, all of that was an act?"
He looked incredibly worn and exhausted, more than she had noticed before. Ayla, looking flustered, began to speak.
"Ah... I'm sorry, now that I think about it, I suddenly showed you a strange side of me. Were you very surprised?"
Yetien nodded absentmindedly, then quickly denied it.
"Yes... Ah, no."
At his reaction, Ayla looked even more apologetic and explained the situation.
"As you may have guessed, I'm currently preparing a business separately. I had to put on this act to connect with someone who is essential for that business."
"..."
"I should have told you in advance, but I'm really sorry. I was worried that you might make a mistake if you knew it was an act... I couldn't help it."
Seeing Ayla, who was even considerate of his, her subordinate's, feelings, Yetien let out a deep sigh.
Indeed, he understood her position.
His own appearance, panicking and changing his expression in the background without knowing anything, must have seemed very realistic to others.
It would have been much more natural and plausible than awkwardly participating in the act.
Having regained some composure, Yetien looked at Ayla with fresh eyes.
'Come to think of it, even that outfit was all for the act.'
Although the scene of her causing a commotion in the store was not easily forgotten, she was much calmer and kinder than he had expected.
Moreover, she felt humble and dignified.
'And the way she recruited that woman named Yuria earlier was truly...'
Her skill in instantly grasping what the other party wanted and leading the negotiation was chilling.
It was hard to believe that she was a student attending the academy, as she was so skilled and perfect.
He felt embarrassed for having judged her hastily based solely on her appearance and attire.
'I was too rash.'
Yetien looked at Ayla with a sense of remorse.
Only then could he understand why Felix was so captivated by her.
If she continued to stay by Young Master's side, the future of the Blanche Family would surely be bright.
'I understand why the Duke told me to treat her well.'
Yetien repeated his foolishness in his mind. To dare to doubt his master's choice and make presumptions on his own.
He had to make up for the recklessness he had committed, even now.
With deep remorse, Yetien bowed deeply towards Ayla, with the utmost politeness he could muster.
Ayla looked at him with a surprised expression.
"Sir Yetien...?"
Yetien raised his head and said with sincerity.
"Please take good care of our Young Master in the future, Miss Ayla."
The spring breeze invariably permeated even the Empress's chambers, located deep within the Imperial Palace.
However, her expression as she looked down at the blooming flowers in the garden was not very bright.
'How can they all move as they please...'
The only goal that she, the Empress of the Empire, had held throughout her life was just one.
To ensure that her kind and intelligent son would take his rightful place, a position befitting him.
But she never knew it would be so difficult. It felt as if everything was scattering like grains of sand, the more she tried to grasp it.
'...'
It was when Eliza quietly sighed and lifted her teacup.
A knock was heard from outside the door, and a maid approached gracefully and bowed her head.
"What is it?"
Instead of answering, the maid took out a letter from her bosom and placed it on the table.
Eliza stared at it silently, then commanded in a cool voice.
"Thank you. Go back now."
The maid quietly bowed her head again and left the room like a shadow. As silence settled in the room, the Empress silently tore open the letter and examined its contents.
However, as she read the contents written inside, her expression gradually hardened coldly.
The usual appearance of being praised as benevolent was nowhere to be found, only a cold air remained.
"I told her to stay still like a dead mouse for the time being..."
She was not listening to her orders and was plotting things on her own again.
It was when she was about to crumple the letter in her hand with an angry face.
A presence stirred from inside the bedroom, and someone approached and stood behind her.
"What's wrong, Your Majesty the Empress?"
She put down the letter and slowly turned to look at him.
"...Rian."
"Did someone else do something interesting again?"
"...You can read it yourself."
The Empress handed over the half-crumpled letter with a displeased look.
The man who examined the contents written inside soon burst into laughter as if he knew it would be like this.
"It's as I expected. There's no way she would hold back in this situation. You knew that too, and that's why you joined hands with her."
"But I didn't want her to run wild to this extent. What if our connection is exposed? What if Ayla dies by accident?"
"..."
"Rosia is cornered right now. I'm afraid she might ruin everything with some rash action."
Eliza frowned.
In fact, until recently, she had expected Rosia to easily take control of the Blanche Family.
If she was a Mage with that much ability, it wouldn't be too difficult to brainwash ordinary people.
However, thanks to the unexpected performance of Ayla Blanche, who had left the Duke's residence, Rosia's Magic was not working properly.
The man called Rian lightly grasped and released her stiff shoulders.
"Even so, you know that we still need Rosia, right? If you try to suppress her too much, she might go even further astray."
"Are you telling me to leave her alone after seeing this mess?"
"Of course not. Of course, we should also install some safety nets on our side. Perhaps this incident may be a good opportunity for us."
"...Do you have any good ideas?"
"Send Prince Darian to the Subjugation Contest."
"Send Darian?"
The Empress's face twisted as if she was displeased. She turned her head and looked up at the person standing behind her.
"If it's someone who saves them from a crisis, wouldn't anyone's heart turn around?"
"..."
Rian raised his hand and gently stroked the Empress's cheek, who had no answer. The Empress flinched and pulled her head away.
"What if Darian gets hurt in the process..."
"Send someone trustworthy to protect him. If you're really worried, I'll go with him too."
Her chest swelled and deflated greatly, as if she was troubled by his words. Soon, she nodded her head as if she agreed with a deep sigh.
"I understand. I'll talk to him myself."
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