Are We Still In love?

“Cecilia.”

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Eden’s voice. Cecilia gave Evie a subtle glance, and Evie, catching the cue, opened the door.

“Could you leave us for a moment?”

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll return shortly with your medicine.”

Madam Monte and Evie quickly left the room. Of course, before fully withdrawing, they made sure to close the door behind them, ensuring their masters could speak in peace.

“You said you’d be away for bank matters. What brings you back so soon?”

“I wanted to stop by before heading out. I was thinking we could visit the palace together to thank His Majesty for the gifts. I came to ask if a visit about a week from now would suit your schedule.”

He was clearly ready to go out—dressed sharply, every detail in place. Cecilia nodded in agreement.

“That works perfectly. It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen His Majesty.”

“I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you again.”

Cecilia had been Eden’s fiancée for ten years. During that time, she had attended many royal events and was treated by the Emperor almost on par with Crown Princess Isabella.

“I should prepare gifts for His Majesty and the Crown Prince and Princess.”

“More importantly… you don’t seem to be in good spirits today, Cecilia.”

Eden asked gently. In the short time they’d faced each other, he had somehow sensed the shift in her mood.

“I heard talk has begun again about bringing in a new Duchess for House Rain.”

Cecilia didn’t hide it. Eden let out a small sigh, almost a groan. He, too, had likely heard.

Cecilia’s eyes flickered with meaning as she observed him.

“Does it trouble you… as if your mother’s place is being taken?”

At his question, Cecilia shook her head. She didn’t feel a deep attachment to her mother, who had died not long after giving birth. In truth, there were no memories—only a portrait remained.

“No… It’s more that… While I understand Count Nova is a trusted vassal of my father, the fact that he brought this up so soon after my marriage…”

Her words trailed off. But Eden nodded, as if he understood the unspoken conclusion.

Duke Rain had never declared an intention to pass on his title to Cecilia, but he had also shown no desire to remarry or produce another heir. His intent was clear. Count Nova, as a trusted vassal, certainly would have known that.

Yet to suggest remarriage and a new heir now could not be interpreted as innocent.

“If he intends to recommend someone from a family closely tied to his own, it’s only natural to be suspicious of his motives.”

A shadow near his seemingly innocent wife—one that Eden might have otherwise dismissed—suddenly caught his attention. A reason to remain wary.

“…Your tie is slightly askew.”

Cecilia stood close, adjusting the tie at Eden’s chest. From just outside his line of sight, she smiled quietly.

Yes. Just as she herself had once been caught off guard in the past, everything begins with a single thread of suspicion.

“I’ll be going now. Let’s have dinner together tonight.”

Having achieved his purpose, Eden left the estate, clutching that small fragment of doubt.

And Cecilia, watching from the window until his figure disappeared from view, turned her thoughts away from him the moment he was gone.

“Your Majesty, His Highness the Third Prince has arrived.”

The Emperor of Wyatt maintained a distant, formal relationship with his second Empress. As is common with political marriages, she had little interest in the Emperor after fulfilling her role by bearing him a son—the Third Prince. Her attention was wholly fixed on that child.

“For what reason has he come?”

The Emperor, by contrast, had no such attachment to his youngest son. Whenever he saw him, his brow furrowed in habitual displeasure.

With a faint frown, he questioned the chamberlain. The visit had come without warning or notice—completely unannounced.

“He requests an audience.”

“Tell him to make a formal request and come another time. I am currently with the Crown Prince.”

The Emperor rejected the audience in a cold, decisive tone. Being with the Crown Prince wasn’t necessarily a strong reason to refuse, but he harbored a particular aversion to his youngest son. The boy’s face, so much like his mother’s, unsettled him.

“Since I must excuse myself soon, please receive Damon in my place.”

Aster spoke softly. He knew as well as anyone that the Emperor was unusually cold toward Damon. He could understand why Damon always claimed to be treated unfairly.

“Aster…”

“Damon is your son too, Your Majesty.”

Even if the Emperor feared the Empress harbored ambitions through her son, there was no need to alienate Damon to the point of heartbreak.

“I’ll have him enter on my way out.”

“Do as you wish.”

The Emperor turned away with an indifferent expression, clearly displeased but unwilling to argue.

“Damon, His Majesty will see you now. Go on in.”

As the chamberlain opened the door, Aster caught sight of the Third Prince, Damon, waiting some distance away. Damon approached with a stiff expression, offering a curt greeting, his demeanor unchanged despite Aster’s gentle tone.

“Still, you must make a formal request for an audience next time before coming.”

At Aster’s advice, Damon’s expression hardened even more. Though Aster was merely trying to offer guidance to keep him out of trouble, Damon seemed not to appreciate it in the least.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Brushing past Aster like a cold wind, Damon entered. Aster sighed quietly. That unguarded temperament—showing displeasure when angry, or contentment when happy—was uncomfortably similar to the Emperor himself.

“Perhaps His Majesty dislikes him because they’re too alike…”

Aster murmured to himself. Of course, it was only a guess—but not an unlikely one. The Emperor loathed his own impulsive nature and valued the calm, steady demeanor of Aster and Eden.

Damon, unfortunately, had inherited the worst traits of both the current Empress and the Emperor. It wasn’t his fault, but it seemed there was no helping the Emperor’s disapproval.

“Aster.”

Just as Aster was about to leave the reception hall, a commotion stirred in the corridor. The Empress appeared, her presence arresting.

Her golden hair shimmered beneath the palace lights, and her sleek crimson dress clung gracefully to her youthful form. She looked far too young for an Empress, with skin as smooth and radiant as that of the much younger Crown Princess. One could almost find it strange that the Emperor had no interest in her—she was like a flower in full bloom.

“Your Majesty, I greet you.”

“Yes. Is everything well in the Crown Prince’s residence?”

Her voice was gentle, even affectionate. But her slightly labored breath suggested she had hurried after Damon.

“All is well, Your Majesty.”

“I’m glad to hear it. By the way… have you seen Damon?”

As expected, her voice turned slightly anxious when asking after her son’s whereabouts.

“He has entered the audience chamber to see His Majesty.”

“I see… already…”

Her brow twitched slightly—an effort to control her expression. It was clear she was not pleased with Damon’s sudden private audience with the Emperor. Given Damon’s tendency to speak carelessly and earn reprimands, especially when she was present, her concern was understandable.

“And may I ask what business brought you before His Majesty?”

“Eden and Grand Duchess Burnett plan to visit the palace to express gratitude for the gifts. I came briefly to inform him.”

Aster’s explanation prompted the Empress to nod, understanding dawning on her face.

“Of course. Now that they are wed, it’s only proper they visit their parents and pay their respects.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And when will they visit?”

Aster replied that it would be in a week. The Empress briefly excused herself and instructed the maid who had followed her to make the necessary preparations to receive guests.

“And… is the Grand Duke and Duchess’s relationship harmonious?”

A probing question, softly delivered. Aster looked at her with a subtle, puzzled expression. The Empress had never shown much interest in either him or Eden. Her sudden curiosity was unusual.

“Well, it’s been some time since a child’s cry echoed in the palace. As a member of the Imperial family, I can’t help but worry.”

Her reasoning was, at least, plausible. As Empress, concern over the succession of heirs was expected.

The Emperor had three grown sons, and two were married, yet there were no heirs. Notably, Aster had been wed for four years without issue.

“It seems the Crown Princess is increasingly burdened by the pressure of not conceiving.”

“I apologize for causing Your Majesty concern.”

The Empress shook her head, implying that she understood—sharing empathy as a woman of the Imperial family. Yet her gaze lingered on the closed door. Though she performed her role out of duty, it was clear the only thing of true value to her within the palace was Damon.

“You must take care of her, Crown Prince. Within the palace, you are the only one she can rely on.”

“…I shall do so.”

Her eyes finally shifted to Aster, and a disturbingly bright smile followed.

“I will send along some herbs known to ease the body and promote conception. I’ll entrust them to your attendants. I’m sure they will help.”

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s thoughtfulness.”

Aster replied calmly, offering a respectful bow before departing. Though her words were spoken out of supposed concern for the Crown Princess, he couldn’t shake an odd discomfort from the exchange. It didn’t feel like kindness. It felt… intrusive.