Bertisha easily spotted Yezar within the ballroom. He was always at the center of where people gathered and buzzed with excitement.

Smiling, she spoke to Camileo.

“Camileo, look over there. Yezar has come.”

“I noticed. He stayed out of sight until just as I made my entrance, then showed up to greet me—nothing’s changed.”

Just as Camileo didn’t particularly enjoy banquets, Yezar was much the same. He didn’t openly show it, but he never moved about more actively than what basic formalities required.

‘Nothing’s changed. Yezar remains the same.’

Thinking this, Bertisha danced with Camileo. The familiar, tiresome praise echoed around them.

A perfectly matched pair. A flawless imperial couple who clearly adored each other. And indeed, Camileo loved Bertisha, and she loved him just the same. This was an unbreakable truth.

“Bertisha. You’re in quite a hurry to dance today. Is there a reason?”

To Camileo, who noticed her movements were different from usual, Bertisha softly closed her eyes and replied.

“I’m happy. Yezar, who never came to meet us before, is here now. It was always so joyful when we were together, the three of us.”

“When we were children, we were always a trio. Playing together, chatting endlessly—I never imagined our relationship would change.”

Bertisha agreed as she saw Camileo smile wistfully. She had never imagined this bond would shift either.

Yezar wasn’t the kind whose feelings changed easily. Bertisha knew that once he became attached to something, he treasured it like his life. She knew he never quickly grew bored, and even when something precious broke, he wouldn’t easily discard it.

And so, once, Bertisha had no doubt that he would keep all his feelings forever.

‘…Even now, he’s watching us like this.’

Just as he used to always stand one step behind her, watching over her, he was now gazing at her from afar.

His feelings had become so familiar they felt like they belonged solely to her. The thought of losing them was unbearable, yet possessing them fully wasn’t her top priority.

‘Camileo de Cloud. My radiant, exalted sun.’

Looking at him made her dazzled, and she found herself elated by every word he whispered.

Familiar things quickly grow tiresome. One naturally loses interest in what seems forever theirs.

Only when something thought unattainable is finally grasped does it gain true value.

And so Bertisha loved Camileo and claimed the place beside him. Everything was perfect. Then why was Yezar trying to change?

Why couldn’t he simply let go?

After finishing their dance, they returned and sat down. Now they would have to watch others take the floor.

Bertisha grew bored. She wanted the dancing to end quickly so she could speak with Yezar. How painfully slow meaningless moments could drag on.

The music, heard countless times before, now felt unbearable. People danced to its rhythm. A buzzing chorus of high and low voices filled her ears.

It was a feast of things she disliked. Yet, she couldn’t look away—because Yezar was among them.

The rumors that the Orbetian heiress rarely appeared in society and took no part in social events seemed true—her dancing was clumsy. But thanks to Yezar leading her, her awkward skill wasn’t too noticeable.

He naturally wrapped an arm around her waist and whispered into her ear as they danced. A strange, unsettling discomfort stirred within Bertisha.

At that moment, Julietta’s gaze met Bertisha’s. She seemed flustered—her steps faltered, and she lost the rhythm.

‘So bold in her words just moments ago, yet now flustered by my gaze. It must be because Yezar’s heart still lingers with me.’

If he no longer cared for her, he wouldn’t be so guarded. His calm composure was fragile, ready to shatter at the slightest touch.

With just one word from her, one laugh, Yezar would crumble. That was the nature of his heart.

Bertisha watched Julietta freeze in place. Clumsy dance moves, stepping on her partner’s feet, awkward eye contact—it only made her want to laugh.

‘I would never make such mistakes. I wouldn’t even dance so poorly to begin with.’

She had strived so hard to stand flawlessly beside Camileo. Greedy as she was, she had tried her utmost to hold onto everything.

Camileo, the title of Empress, the people’s support, and even someone’s heart—she didn’t want to let go of a single thing.

Then, a small commotion arose among the guests. She looked over to see what was happening.

Yezar was dancing while holding the Orbetian heiress in his arms. Camileo, who had been wearing a calm expression, couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hmph. Bertisha, look at Yezar. Doesn’t he seem desperate to show off his wife?”

Regardless of whether others were shocked or not, Yezar continued dancing, holding the Orbetian heiress close, perfectly in rhythm.

The Orbetian heiress, her face flushed deep red, pounded lightly on his chest, pleading to be put down—but Yezar merely looked at her with an amused smile, clearly enjoying himself.

It was a radiant smile Bertisha had never seen before. The way he looked at the Orbetian heiress was like a man deeply in love.

Her heart dropped with a thud. It felt as if everything she had felt secure in was collapsing all at once.

Crrk. Scratching her fingernails against the chair, Bertisha struggled to maintain her smile.

“…Yes. I suppose so.”

“I was disappointed he’d hidden his lover from us. But seeing this, I can understand. If Yezar, who normally ignores others’ opinions, feared his beloved would be caught in scandalous rumors, it makes perfect sense. He’s always put others first, after all.”

Camileo spoke with amusement, recalling old memories. But Bertisha found nothing enjoyable about the current situation.

Their outfits, seemingly coordinated, matched in shades of blue, overlapping like a pair made for each other. Their eyes met tenderly, as if they were the only two in the world.

Moreover, the reactions of the surrounding nobles were drifting in a direction she didn’t want.

“Is the Duke of Ferhaem dancing while holding the Duchess because she injured her ankle?”

“Or perhaps to cover up a mistake by the Duchess? Their steps did freeze for a moment.”

“That’s romantic in its own way. But more than that, the Duke must be quite strong. He lifts his wife effortlessly and continues dancing with such calm composure.”

“How envious the Duchess must be. The Duke looks at her with such affectionate eyes. They seem so fresh, so perfectly matched.”

Praise calling them a perfectly matched couple had always been reserved solely for Camileo and Bertisha. But in an instant, even that praise had been stolen away.

Before she knew it, everyone’s attention was fixed on them. At some point, Yezar had set the Orbetian heiress down and resumed leading the dance.

And then, as if her earlier clumsiness had been a lie, the Orbetian heiress moved. Her motions flowed like water, graceful and elegant. Her rich, crimson hair shimmered under the chandelier’s light, rippling gently with each movement.

Those who had been watching Yezar turned to gaze at her in awe.

The Orbetian heiress was a fully bloomed red rose. She captivated every gaze, turning heads and reddening cheeks—she was the true star of the evening.

Not her, but that woman had become the center of the ball. Bertisha felt bewildered by this unfamiliar sensation of defeat. It felt as though everything she had was slowly being taken from her and given to the Orbetian heiress.

Camileo, who had been quietly observing them, finally spoke.

“He probably wanted to keep her hidden before marriage, fearing scandal—but also to protect such a radiant beauty from unwanted suitors.”

“Camileo?”

“Isn’t she a stunning lady? My dear friend never lags behind in appearance. And yet, standing beside him, she shines so brightly.”

Why was Camileo, too, speaking of her this way? Bertisha had brought Yezar to the banquet hoping to restore their past relationship.

That smile meant only for her, those flushed cheeks, that tender gaze always watching silently from behind—those were all hers.

But why, then, was Camileo—my dazzling sun, who once made my heart race with just a glance—now looking at the Orbetian heiress instead of her?

Bertisha suddenly felt terrified. If she didn’t somehow turn Yezar’s gaze back to her, everything would fall apart.

It was as if someone were whispering that she was no longer the owner of this world. As if the era where she was the protagonist had ended. Biting her lip, Bertisha fought rising waves of anxiety.

***

“There should be a physician stationed in the palace. Quickly, go ask them to check on his condition.”

I hurried to stop a passing palace servant and urged them to fetch a doctor. But he shook his head.

“I really am fine.”

There he goes again, being stubborn. I grabbed him and dragged him along.

“It’s not about you. I’m the one who isn’t fine. I worry even over the smallest scratch on Yezar’s body.”

He would panic just the same if I got hurt. So why was he so indifferent about his own body?

“But it’s not necessary to call a doctor over this…”

“That’s for the doctor to decide. Just go quietly.”

“Understood, my lady. But if I see the doctor, you’ll have to stay alone for a while.”

He hesitated, looking at me as if his feet refused to move.

“I’ll only think of Yezar while I’m alone. Don’t worry—go.”