Vika Lamberst clutched his stomach and burst into giggles as if he was about to die from laughter.

“My Lady, why on earth did you overestimate Durion so much? This guy forgets everything the moment he turns around.”

Fortunately, Vika Lamberst recited everything flawlessly and spoke to the nobles on Durion’s behalf.

Though Vika’s voice wasn’t as loud as Durion’s, the sight of a silver-haired woman with tanned skin standing and explaining things while dressed not in a dress but in a leather suit was more than enough to draw people’s attention.

There was an overflowing charisma in Vika’s demeanor as he relayed my exact words.

His voice carried such power, as if warning: “If you don’t heed my words, a curse shall befall you all.”

“If even one person does not agree, the donation will be considered as if it never happened.”

Though Vika spoke calmly, his expression radiated a deadly aura, as if silently declaring: “The moment you refuse, you’re all as good as dead.”

But it wasn’t because of Vika’s expression—they themselves had no reason to refuse.

After all, it was a golden opportunity to gain favor with the Duke’s family while also winning the hearts of the common people.

“It would be an immense honor to join the Blake family in contributing to such a noble cause.”

“That is correct, Duchess.”

“Thank you for wholeheartedly dedicating yourselves to this good cause. Please enjoy the rest of the banquet in comfort and joy.”

Because people had gathered around while Vika was speaking, I ended up delivering that final line myself instead of having Vika say it.

Andrea, observing the situation, immediately understood with just a nod from me and began clearing the luggage.

This is exactly when you’d say, “We’re perfectly in sync.”

While the servants were moving the luggage, Sikar Blake arrived alongside Kian Blake and Reidox, having finished his tasks.

Due to the appearance of the blue sun, the nobles’ gazes toward Kian were vastly different from before.

Previously, he had been a royal who became king by leaning on his adoptive father’s power; now, he was a king bestowed by heaven itself.

The nobles looked at Kian with eyes brimming with irrepressible reverence.

Meanwhile, Sikar, apparently having been briefed about the decision to donate tribute gifts, lavished nothing but praise upon the matter as soon as he arrived.

“I cannot help but admire you, Madam.”

It wasn’t something worthy of admiration, but hearing him say that only made me more embarrassed. So I whispered softly into Sikar’s ear.

“Stop it. That’s embarrassing.”

“Why? You should brag more! Among the tribute gifts was even a pink diamond—and you refused it? Amazing.”

Was there really a lunatic out there who’d offer something like a pink diamond as a tribute gift?!

“P-pink diamond?”

“I heard the stone was quite large, too.”

“W-who sent such a thing?”

“It seems Baron Hamel, realizing he’s caught your attention, sent it to curry favor.”

Had I known such a lunatic existed, I might’ve considered accepting the tribute more seriously.

“O-oh, I see. It’s fine. I’m not interested anyway.”

“That’s precisely why you deserve praise. You can be praised all day today—you’ve earned it.”

I smiled as if unaffected, but I wasn’t truly unaffected.

Regardless of its exorbitant price, who in their right mind would refuse something as rare, radiant, and beautiful as a pink diamond?

It was far too expensive for me to ever consider buying with my own money, but if someone offered it, of course I’d want to accept it without hesitation—that’s exactly what a pink diamond was.

How could I possibly pretend to be fine when I wasn’t?

It seemed my heart would ache for quite a while.

The only consolation, however, came not from Sikar’s praise, but from Kian, who looked so proud of me.

“Mother, that must have been a truly difficult decision—I admire you, Mother.”

Could anything in this world be more heartwarming than being admired by your own child?

Yes. The pink diamond… is a pity, yes, but having Kian, who moves me so deeply, makes up for it.

But then I noticed Kian had been glancing around as if searching for someone.

Surely not…

Why do gloomy premonitions never turn out wrong?

Just as I’d anticipated, Kian turned toward Reidox, blushing as he asked:

“Master, the twins didn’t attend the banquet today, did they?”

It was Durion who answered Kian’s question.

“Ah, Your Highness, you’ve arrived. The twins are upstairs inside the mansion with the other noble children. You’ll find them there if you go up.”

“I see. Hmm… Since this area is filled with adults, I shall excuse myself and head inside.”

Before ascending, Kian bowed to me once more.

“I’ll be back soon, Mother.”

“Please do, Your Highness.”

I smiled as I spoke, but a small part of my heart felt wistful.

Sikar watched Kian’s retreating back and smiled fondly.

“He must have missed Lucy quite a bit.”

Yes, you can smile about it. But I, looking at the roses Kian planted in the garden, pouted.

So he’s becoming Lucy’s man now.

The perceptive Sikar placed his hand on my shoulder and pulled me into an embrace.

“Don’t feel too wistful. I’ll be your man for life.”

Why has he been saying such heart-fluttering things so often lately?

Sikar’s sweet words melted my heart as if healing me instantly.

“Is that a promise?”

“Promises are for ordinary people. I make vows.”

As far as I knew, when a knight made a vow in this world, it was equivalent to staking his life.

But a cursed knight could not make vows—his life was already mortgaged to the curse, so he couldn’t risk it.

Thus, a vow was essentially a pledge backed by one’s life.

“But you’re cursed—you can’t make vows.”

Was I being too blunt?

Sikar shut his mouth tightly as if speechless, then cleared his throat once before replying.

“That’s… why I intend to make a vow to you, Madam, as soon as the curse is lifted.”

Still, the effort to even consider making a vow was commendable.

I smiled reassuringly.

“I hope that day comes soon.”

That was truly sincere. The pain Sikar occasionally showed was something no ordinary person could endure.

That’s why I wished for his suffering to end completely.

Reidox bowed apologetically to me mid-conversation, then whispered something to Sikar, who nodded.

What could possibly be happening now?

“Madam, I’ll go mingle with some people for a bit. Please enjoy the banquet with the other noble ladies.”

As Sikar left, he kissed the back of my hand.

Not long ago, I’d scolded him for constantly kissing me in front of the servants, so now he kissed my hand instead.

Perhaps that’s why my heart fluttered every time he kissed my hand.

Thinking I should go find Seo Yeon and Hersia, I turned around—only to find both standing right before me.

Both were clutching their own hands, staring at me with envious eyes.

Hersia, in particular, was sending me the most intensely envious gaze.

“That’s so romantic.”

Seo Yeon nodded in agreement.

“Me too.”

I could understand Hersia, but Seo Yeon’s reaction was a bit unexpected.

“Isn’t the Marquis also affectionate toward you?”

“Well, yes, but… the Marquis doesn’t really have… boldness or daring physical affection or anything like that.”

Realizing what she’d said, Seo Yeon covered her mouth with both hands.

“Oh my. Did I just badmouth the Marquis?”

Hersia waved her hands dismissively as if to say, “Why fuss over that?”

“Aron kisses and initiates physical affection anytime, anywhere—he’s good at that—but he has zero finesse. And no tact whatsoever.”

Seo Yeon covered her mouth in surprise.

“Oh my, Lady Hersia. That really sounds like badmouthing.”

“It is badmouthing. Since he still hasn’t proposed to me, I’m allowed to complain a bit.”

Hersia must’ve nagged him relentlessly, yet he still hadn’t proposed—Aron truly had nerves of steel.

He deserved some badmouthing, honestly.

Still, this place was too crowded with people constantly greeting us whenever they passed by, making proper conversation impossible.

“Shall we stop standing here and go sit over there to talk?”

“Good idea.”

We sat on the first-floor terrace, eating and chatting. Hersia sighed mid-sip of tea, clearly frustrated.

“So what kinds of proposals did the rest of you receive?”

Seo Yeon smiled shyly as if embarrassed just thinking about it, while I scowled as if annoyed just recalling mine.

If pointing a knife at my throat and demanding marriage counts as a proposal, then I suppose it was a proposal.

I forced a polite smile.

“Mine was… rather intense.”

Hersia, who already firmly believed Sikar was a romantic man, smiled enviously as if picturing the scene.

“The Duchess is being modest by calling it ‘intense’—it must’ve been incredibly bold, right?”

Bold? Yes, certainly. He nearly killed me.

I simply smiled and downed a cup of tea.

Hersia’s next target was Seo Yeon.

“What kind of proposal did you receive, Lady Seo Yeon?”

Seo Yeon scratched her cheek shyly and spoke cautiously.

“Um… I…”

I was genuinely curious about that too. Hersia and I stared at Seo Yeon with the most intensely focused expressions imaginable.

Seo Yeon lowered her head, clearly embarrassed to say it herself.

“As you know, the Marquis isn’t bold, but he is affectionate… When he proposed, he gave me a hundred roses and a blue diamond ring together.”

Come to think of it, that sparkling blue thing on Seo Yeon’s finger must’ve been the blue diamond ring.

I, too, wore a wedding ring set with a five-carat diamond.

Hersia glanced at Seo Yeon’s hand and mine, then hid her own.

She also wore a blue sapphire ring, but since it wasn’t a proposal ring, she seemed to conceal it deliberately.

“Aron’s only good in bed. Aside from that, he’s utterly hopeless! No tact, no affection, no boldness!”

What should I say to comfort her? While Seo Yeon and I exchanged glances, Roen appeared.

“There you all are!”

Seeing Roen, Seo Yeon and I simultaneously brightened as if spotting a rescuer.

Now that Roen’s here, we can change the subject!

But then again, hasn’t it always been said that life is unpredictable?

Roen stretched out her hand toward us with a cheerful smile, as if showing off.

“I got proposed to by Jeremi. Well, the ring’s just a ruby ring, but the proposal itself was quite impressive. Jeremi’s a mage, you see, so he set off dazzling fireworks while proposing. I was considering refusing because the ring was small and underwhelming, but then Lady Seo Yeon mentioned something about me being her ‘destined one’ or whatever—so I decided to accept. And then…”

Roen paused mid-sentence, noticing something odd, and stared at Seo Yeon and me.

“Why do you two keep putting your index fingers over your lips?”