The person who opened the door came in,

 

‘Who is it—?’

 

It was someone she didn’t know.

 

A tall man with silver hair and blue eyes covered in ash. He was the type of person that radiates a calm yet elegant atmosphere, like a priest seen in a temple.

 

If it had been up to Maribelle, her appreciation would have stopped at just that level, but for some reason she couldn’t take her eyes off the man.

 

‘Is he someone I know?’ 

 

Why? Because she was quite familiar with his appearance.

 

Regardless of how much dust had gathered in her memory from the two lives she had lived, it was the first time she had felt a vague familiarity rather than completely forgetting them.

 

But no matter how much she looked back at her memories, she couldn’t remember anything.

 

‘When it comes to silver hair, I can only think of Bie Unnie—. I think they kind of look alike—.’ (언니 = Sister. To call a woman older than her.)

 

Maribelle shook her head after a few moments. Ehhhh, that Unnie is close to her age, so she can’t have a son this big. She was an only child, after all.

 

So who is that man?

 

The question was quickly solved. This is because Innis, who was about to hit Maribelle with more scathing words right away, immediately became gentle.

 

“Xavier? What are you doing here?”

 

“I heard someone spilled a drink on my mother’s dress at the party, so I came here.”

 

That person is Xavier? Xavier Rhodein? Marquis Rhodein?

 

While Maribelle was stunned and dazed, Xavier’s long gaze moved towards Maribelle after he had kindly responded to Innis.

 

“—But it seems that there were other guests besides me.”

 

Maribelle’s fingertips flinched unconsciously as his eyes met hers. She’s not sure if it was because she was nervous or because she was just surprised, but she could feel the tingling in his delicate and persistent gaze.

 

In the end, Maribelle opened her mouth first to naturally avoid the gaze.

 

“This is my first time meeting you. I’m Maribelle Edenbert.”

 

“Is that so? My name is Xavier Rhodein.”

 

Is that so? Because it wasn’t the answer she expected, Maribelle’s smile faded for a moment. Fortunately, the other two people in her room are not interested in her.

 

‘Is that so? What do you mean?’

 

While Maribelle was confused and rolling in her mind, the two were talking calmly, as if she were a borrowed sack of grain.

 

“Mother. It’s very late. Is it okay if we don’t go back to the party?”

 

“I’m fine. Let’s go back in a little bit.”

 

“Oh, I didn’t mean to refer to mother.”

 

Innis’ gaze turned to Maribelle, and then immediately returned to her son.

 

“Did you mean— Miss Maribelle?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Yes? Maribelle, who had just escaped from her thoughts, blinked quickly. Maribelle wasn’t the only one who heard Innis’ voice trembling slightly a few moments earlier, but the person who instigated it was calm.

 

Xavier glanced and smiled, making eye contact with Maribelle.

 

“Young Lady Edenbert. Isn’t it time to go back?”

 

“Huh? No—Yes.”

 

His words plainly meant to stop and leave, to the point when she thought he was rude, but Maribelle had no reason to refuse. Her business with Innis had ended just in time.

 

She doesn’t know if he’s helping or kicking her out. But Maribelle rose up from her seat, thinking the whole situation was confusing.

 

“I had a great time talking to you, Marchioness Rhodein. As the Marquis said, the time seems to be a little late, so I will—.”

 

“I’ll take Miss Maribelle. You may rest here, Mother.”

 

Huh? What else is this? Without even having time to manage her expression, Maribelle looked at him with a bewildered look, but he only had a shameless expression.

 

“It’s dangerous to walk alone at night.”

 

Isn’t this the safest Imperial Palace in the world?

 

“Thank you for your words, but I can go alone.”

 

“No, let’s go together. I have to show my face at the party anyway.”

 

Lies. Maribelle frowned inwardly.

 

‘Are you saying you need time to be alone with me right now?’ 

 

It looks like that but what’s the reason?

 

Maribelle stared for a moment, then gave up. When she looked at the situation, she felt uncomfortable refusing for some reason, and above all, it is better to appear on good terms than to avoid people in public.

 

“—I understand.”

 

She just worried about something.

 

‘Even though I expected Innis Rhodein to approach me, Xavier was unexpected.’ 

 

Is this fine?

 

Maribelle pondered for a moment, then got up.

 

“See you next time, Marchioness. Shall we, Sir Xavier?”

 

There must be something going on.

 

*****

 

The two crossed the corridors of the Imperial Palace. Among them, the shorter one opened their mouth.

 

“Now let’s be honest, Marquis Rhodein.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“Why did you need time with me?”

 

Xavier, who was one step ahead, turned half way around and looked at her. He was always an discomforting person to her, so Maribelle frowned a little without realizing it.

 

Seeing this, Xavier smiled slightly.

 

“It’s sad if you’re so wary like that.”

 

“—The one who isn’t wary of strangers is foolish.”

 

That’s what she said, but Maribelle’s ears were somewhat red. It was very rare for her to be swept like a fallen leaf in front of the wind and be forced along someone else’s flow like that. So she felt quite embarrassed.

 

Additionally it felt strangely familiar everytime they made eye contact, so it was even more uncomfortable for her.

 

‘Why do I keep thinking of Bie Unnie?’

 

Maribelle closed her eyes and opened them again.

 

When she was young, there was a child who often went to work with her parents. A girl who Maribelle only remembered by the nickname Bie, short for Biera, and for having brilliant silver hair.

 

Perhaps her parents were guests of Uncle Lorenz. Because Biera always said her parents were in the drawing room.

 

Bie often went out with Maribelle without others knowing, and silently lent her sleeves to Maribelle when no one else allowed her to grieve her parents.

 

For some reason, Bie didn’t come back to the mansion after Maribelle turned ten, and she hadn’t seen her since then. Outside of Pepper, Bie was someone Maribelle longed to reunite with the most.

 

It is strange that Bie Unnie keeps overlapping with the man in front of her.

 

‘It’s probably because of the silver hair.’ 

 

Let’s not think about useless things. While Maribelle tried to hold onto her confused thoughts, Xavier opened his mouth first.

 

“Actually, there is no particular reason why I wanted to be with you. My mother was with a person I wanted to meet, so I wanted to help you and satisfy my greed…Can’t I do that?”

 

“It’s not like you can’t.”

 

Why am I so popular? Maribelle nodded her head with frustration.

 

“In fact, everyone, not just me and my mother, will want to meet you.”

 

“Because of my scandal?”

 

“Because you’re attractive. Did you really think I have business that requires stopping by a party?”

 

Of course, she thought it was a lie, but now this is a little—.

 

Maribelle’s feet stopped for a moment, then started to move again a beat later. Xavier’s laughter was heard in front of her.

 

“Your ears are red, Miss Maribelle.”

 

“My ears turn red when I hear groundless compliments.”

 

“But it’s true. Anyone who saw you on the floor would have wanted to talk to you.”

 

His jokes are just too much. Maribelle was now starting to regard Xavier’s words as nonsense.

 

“Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”

 

“It’s because everyone is timid. They’re idiots just like a child who plays bad pranks on the person they like. They can’t express their interest.”

 

“To those who like to gossip, a child is a cute metaphor.”

 

“Right?”

 

“It’s still not a compliment.”

 

Xavier smiled, turned his head and said, looking toward Maribelle.

 

“In conclusion, we’re from the same family, but we don’t have much interaction. I’m happy to meet you like this.”

 

“Should I give you back the answer that I’m also happy?”

 

“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”

 

Xavier looked down at Maribelle and gave a bittersweet smile, and said.

 

“But, I wanted you to remember a little bit.”

 

“….”

 

What is he doing right now?

 

Maribelle’s face turned blue at once. This is because a ridiculous thought suddenly passed through her mind.

 

About the possibility that Bie Unnie and the man in front of her are the same person.

 

Ey, it can’t be—There’s no way—.

 

She said no with her head, but her mouth was dry. Maribelle, nervous enough to tremble, held her fan tightly and opened her mouth.

 

“—Your Majesty.”

 

A voice intervened between the two.

 

Your Majesty? The strength in her hand holding the fan released. Her body, which suddenly relaxed, even staggered a little.

 

The feeling of wanting to sink through the floor due to tension and anxiety overwhelmed her in an instant, and Maribelle’s two cheeks beautifully colored.

 

She may not have noticed the change herself, but a person watching from the side might, it looks a little—.

 

“I think I should get going. I’ll see you next time, Marquis Rhodein.”

 

—Like it’s going to get complicated.

 

“Good bye.”

 

Xavier stayed there for a while, replying normally as if she wasn’t holding her skirt and running away from him.

 

He stayed there to the point where someone came to pick him up, blaming him for loitering insensibly.

 

The man who came across the garden with the sound of rustling grass took off the robe he had worn over his head.

 

“Xavier. What are you doing here? As if you’re crazy.”

 

“Ah, Your Highness.”

 

Xavier, who turned to the man who rebuked him, smiled awkwardly.

 

“I was soaking in the essence of this place since I haven’t been here in a while, so stop.”

 

“Essence?”

 

The man questioned him and looked around the front yard of the palace. Soon, a sullen smile crept across his lips.

 

“Yeah, I feel nostalgic when I’m here, too. I feel unpleasant.”

 

“You have to get used to it, right?”

 

“You’re right. I need to get used to it. We’ll see each other every day soon.”

 

The man who responded with a smile turned to leave first.

 

“Come on. Uncle is waiting for you. This time, I heard that you have been given a crossbow, shouldn’t we check it out?”

 

“Go on ahead. I’ll follow you.”

 

“Sure, right.” The man answered and put his robe back on. The moonlight that penetrated through the fabric shone gold.

 

Xavier looked at the road where Maribelle had disappeared a while ago, and then began to take the path that was left.