Noxia was extremely busy preparing for the wedding, with no time to rest.

Even a noble family’s wedding required much attention, but a wedding with Roel, the designated next emperor, involved far more than just a few concerns.

It was safe to assume that every noble of the Arwen Empire would attend their wedding, and delegations from other empires would also send congratulatory envoys.

Moreover, after the wedding, a parade was arranged for the imperial citizens to witness.

While reviewing wedding-related approval documents, Noxia rubbed her temples.

‘Even having two bodies wouldn’t be enough.’

Preparing flawlessly for the wedding was important, but the personal care Noxia needed to undergo for the day was no small matter—skin care, hair care, body shaping, and so on.

She hadn’t realized how much attention was required when attending someone else’s wedding to offer congratulations; now that she was preparing for her own, the sheer volume of details overwhelmed her.

‘Perhaps brides smile so brightly on their wedding day because they’ve finally finished everything they needed to do.’

Noxia sighed softly, realizing this new truth.

At that moment—

Knock, knock. The voice of the maid Laura came from beyond the door.

“Miss, a reply letter from Miss Tanashia has arrived.”

Not long ago, Noxia had sent Tanashia a letter detailing the wedding date and her recent circumstances. This must be the response.

Whether or not others attended, Tanashia’s presence at the wedding was non-negotiable. If she couldn’t come, the date would have to be changed—thus, this was the awaited news.

Noxia, as if all traces of exhaustion had vanished, spoke in a bright voice.

“Bring it in quickly.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Laura hurried into the room and handed over the letter. As Noxia’s closest maid, she seemed to understand how eager her mistress was to read the reply.

Noxia immediately opened the sealed envelope and read its contents.

I’ve finished what I needed to do in the Lazent Empire and plan to return as quickly as possible. I’ll definitely arrive before your wedding, so don’t worry.

By the time you read this letter, I may have already departed. I miss you terribly—it’s been far too long since we last saw each other.

Is wedding preparation tiring you out? If there’s anything I can help with, just say the word.

I’m also bringing along a wedding gift from His Majesty, the Emperor of the Lazent Empire.

Of course, you can also look forward to the gift I’ve personally prepared for you.]

Reading Tanashia’s letter, Noxia found herself smiling unconsciously.

They hadn’t seen each other since Tanashia left for the Kalua Empire, and the joy of finally being able to meet again was impossible to conceal.

Watching Noxia’s expression, Laura laughed affectionately.

“Is it really that good?”

“Of course! I’m so happy my sister is returning soon, I feel like I might burst. I have so much to talk about—I could chatter all night and still not finish.”

“Oh, so Miss Tanashia is returning? I’ll prepare everything so she can rest comfortably.”

Noxia nodded appreciatively at Laura’s thoughtful suggestion.

“Yes. Since I’ll be preoccupied with wedding preparations, make sure everything is arranged so my sister can relax when she arrives.”

“Don’t worry, Miss.”

Just as Noxia was enjoying this brief respite—

Another maid appeared at the doorway Laura had left open. She bowed politely to Noxia and spoke.

“Miss, the photographer has arrived. He says he wishes to discuss the portraits of His Highness and yourself, to be used during the parade.”

“Ah, right. That was scheduled for today.”

It was a pre-arranged meeting, but she’d completely forgotten amid the busyness.

Noxia instinctively realized her break was over. Yet, thanks to the news of Tanashia’s return, a smile still lingered on her lips.

“Please show him in.”

“Understood, Miss.”

The maid who delivered the message disappeared again outside the room.

Knowing how busy Noxia was with wedding preparations, Laura didn’t linger.

“Miss, I’ll go prepare refreshments for the guest.”

Noxia’s eyes softened as she watched Laura—who always anticipated her duties without being told.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. If there’s anything else I can assist with, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Even amid the chaos, Noxia felt energized by those around her who cared so attentively.

Roel was no different. Seeing how hard he tried to help her with wedding preparations, even in small ways, made her truly feel loved.

Shortly after, a thin, sensitive-looking man entered the room. He appeared to be the photographer the maid had mentioned.

He bowed respectfully to Noxia and spoke.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m in charge of producing the portraits to be used during the parade.”

Noxia gracefully gestured for him to sit and said,

“Nice to meet you. I heard you wished to discuss something with me—what is it?”

“I was just about to mention that. Rather than using your existing photographs as they are, I believe combining them will yield a more beautiful result.”

A parade was scheduled for the wedding day. However, not everyone in the massive crowd would get a clear view of Roel and Noxia’s faces.

Therefore, since ancient times, the Arwen Empire displayed large portraits during parades, ensuring more citizens could see them clearly.

The photographer was discussing precisely those portraits.

Noxia asked with a puzzled expression,

“Combining photographs? What do you mean?”

“Ah, I mean taking two separate solo portraits and merging them to appear as one. It was originally a technique used in humble households, but recently it has become quite fashionable.”

Judging that explanation alone was insufficient, the photographer reached into his bag and pulled out one portrait each of Roel and Noxia.

He carefully cut out both solo photographs and placed them into a specially crafted frame. Then, by overlaying an entirely new background, the result looked astonishingly natural—

So much so that, at first glance, one might mistake it for a single original photograph.

Unable to hide her astonishment, Noxia exclaimed,

“That’s incredibly fascinating.”

“What I just showed you is the traditional method—using scissors, as common households once did. Nowadays, we integrate magical engineering techniques to create results that are far more natural and seamless.”

Only then did Noxia fully grasp what the photographer meant by “combining.”

Yet, an odd sense of déjà vu crept over her. It felt as though she’d seen such a “combined” photograph somewhere before.

‘…What was it?’

Unconsciously, Noxia began retracing her memories, lost in thought.

Unaware of her state, the photographer enthusiastically continued his explanation, aiming for a more perfect portrait.

“Of course, we could use the photographs as they are. But in my professional opinion, combining them as I’ve demonstrated will look much more aesthetically pleasing. Your two solo portraits harmonize exceptionally well. If you permit me, I’ll create the final version and return to show you.”

Ordinarily, most photographers would simply follow instructions. This man, however, clearly had perfectionist tendencies.

In a way, it made sense. For Roel and Noxia’s wedding, the empire had assembled the absolute best talents from every field.

Though Noxia had little interest in photography, she was certain the man before her was highly renowned in his domain.

‘Combining photographs…’

The photographer had come seeking permission to apply his specialized technique—but instead of focusing on that, Noxia felt increasingly unsettled.

She hesitated to answer immediately, her gaze fixed on the sample photograph he’d demonstrated.

Suddenly, a past conversation flashed into her mind.

—Please don’t misunderstand. I’ve actually known Madam since she was young. As you know, Miss Noxia, Madam was the daughter of the wet nurse. Having practically grown up within the Brellof household, naturally, she became close with me, the steward.

It was something she’d heard at the residence of the retired steward, Harrison.

Originally, Noxia had left the Brellof Marquisate to investigate Charles’s death. Accompanying Roel had been incidental.

During that investigation, she and Roel had visited all the staff who’d been present at the villa where Charles was murdered—including Harrison’s home.

There, they’d discovered a photograph hanging on the wall, showing Charles, her maternal grandmother, and Harrison smiling together—almost like a family portrait.

But something about the photograph had felt…off.

Charles was smiling while looking not at the lens but elsewhere; at first glance, it appeared harmonious, yet closer inspection revealed each person seemed disconnected.

Noxia had nearly dismissed it—but Roel had remarked that the photograph troubled him.

—Your Highness, what are you thinking about?

—Ah, nothing major. It’s just… that photograph of your mother we saw earlier at the house. Something about it bothers me.

—What about the photograph?

—It’s unusual enough that he kept it at all—but even setting aside that, given the history he mentioned, the expressions in the photo are just…

Now she understood.

That photograph had unquestionably been “combined.”

It hadn’t been taken with all three subjects together—Harrison had cut out images of Charles and her grandmother and merged them into a single picture.

‘Why…?’

Noxia couldn’t fathom Harrison’s motive. Whatever the reason, it certainly didn’t seem benign.

Charles had been murdered over twenty years ago—and Harrison had been one of the people present at the villa that day.

Realizing this shocking truth, Noxia froze stiff. The photographer, noticing her strange reaction, asked with concern,

“What’s wrong? If something troubles you, please tell me.”

“No… it’s not that…”

As Noxia struggled to form coherent words amid her confusion—

Knock, knock. Laura, who had gone to prepare refreshments, returned. Seeing Noxia’s unusually pale face, she asked in alarm,

“Miss, what’s happened?”

Noxia shook her head as if nothing was wrong. Then, forcing calm into her voice, she said,

“Let’s discuss the photographs another time. Please leave for today.”

Though the photographer seemed eager to say more, he reluctantly stood up at Noxia’s firm tone.

“Understood. Please consider it, and summon me again when you’re ready.”

Noxia nodded. Then, looking at Laura who had brought the refreshments, she asked in an uncharacteristically subdued voice,

“Where… is Father right now?”

Orland sat in the room within the Brellof estate—the very room Charles had frequently used during her lifetime.

The room remained exactly as it had been over twenty years ago. Only Charles, who had once dwelled here, was gone.

Whenever Orland entered this room, he felt as if he’d been transported back twenty years—as if Charles might at any moment open the door, smiling brightly.

—Orland, what are you doing here?

Even now, closing his eyes brought back vivid images of Charles in her youth.

Unconsciously, Orland smiled bitterly as he picked up Charles’s photograph from the table, gently caressing it as one would a precious treasure.

“Charles, Noxia is getting married. Her fiancé is the Crown Prince of the Arwen Empire. Amazing, isn’t it?”

When Charles was alive, Tanashia and Noxia had been tiny children. How astonishing that they’d grown so much and found partners of their own.

Watching Noxia prepare for her wedding lately, Orland found himself lost in many thoughts.

He remembered how, long ago, he’d defied his family’s objections to marry Charles.

What had Charles felt at that time?

If she were alive today, what words would she have offered Noxia?

Though Orland could fulfill his role as a father, he knew he couldn’t replace a mother’s presence.

Noxia showed no outward signs, but Charles’s absence during this time would surely have been a great source of emotional support.

“…What if I end up crying at the wedding? How embarrassing.”

It was surprising enough that Orland—the man known as “the cold-blooded one”—would even entertain such thoughts. If he truly shed tears, many would be utterly shocked.

He felt deeply wistful about Noxia’s wedding. He was finally coming to terms with the fact that the time had come to let his child go.

“I wish you were here. If only you were here to scold me for being sentimental… truly, it would be wonderful.”

Orland gazed at Charles’s photograph with wistful eyes and smiled sadly.

He missed her.

Not a single moment passed when he didn’t miss her.

His longing had piled up layer upon layer—far too deep to be expressed by a simple “I miss you.”

As Orland sank into nostalgic reverie, gazing at Charles’s photograph—

Knock—

A knock sounded from outside the door.

No one ever disturbed Orland when he was in this room. Naturally, he sensed something urgent must have occurred.

His face, tender just moments before, hardened as he spoke.

“Who is it?”

Instead of an answer, the door creaked open.

Standing at the threshold was Noxia—who had recently been consumed by wedding preparations.

“What brings you all the way here…?”

“Father.”

Orland immediately sensed that Noxia’s demeanor was unlike her usual self.

He looked at her gravely and said,

“Tell me what’s happened.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to bring this up rashly… but though I lack concrete evidence, I have a strong suspicion about someone.”

Though her words lacked specific accusation, Orland instantly understood what Noxia meant to say.

A flicker of shock passed through Orland’s eyes. His heart began pounding rapidly.

Softly, Noxia continued,

“I believe… I’ve found the true culprit behind Mother’s murder.”