Although the Arwen Empire had made the Kalua Empire its vassal,fully absorbing an entire nation was no easy task.

After hastily resolving sensitive issues,several months had passed since the war ended.

Though a bit late, the Arwen royal family held a grand partyto celebrate the unification of the two empires.

Having led the war to victory, Ascan and I were indispensable at the event.

Since it had been a while since I appeared at a formal occasion,I took care to dress up. My appearance, adorned with an elegant dressand sparkling jewels, was truly dazzling.

Jerin gave a final touch to my attire and smiled brightly.

“You look absolutely beautiful. You’ll shine the brightest at the party tonight.”

“I don’t wish for that; I just hope I can attend quietly and leave.”

As time passed, the attention on Ascan and me grew,and reporters followed us wherever we went.It seemed we had become overly prominent figures in the Arwen Empire.

It was hard to even keep up with the flood of invitations sent from all directions,so unless it was an important event, I usually declined.This time, however, I was invited to a party hosted by the royal family.

Jerin said consolingly,

“Reporters won’t follow you inside the party venue.Since it’s been a while, have fun with the Count.”

While I was talking with Jerin and looking at myself in the full-length mirror,

Jerin suddenly gasped and bowed toward the entrance.

“My Lord, you’re here?”

I immediately knew who Jerin meant by “My Lord.”

It was Ascan, who had his title as Count Atreas restored by Lucelion’s order.

I turned my head with a delighted expression.There, leaning casually against the doorway, was Ascan.

When our eyes met, the corners of Ascan’s lips slowly curved upward,his eyes narrowing in a sculpturally perfect, captivating manner.

“You’re here?”

At my words, Ascan nodded and stepped into the room.

“I came to see how beautiful my wife looks.”

His cheesy words made me burst into laughter.

Quick-witted Jerin gave a shy smile and tactfully left the room.

Before I knew it, only the two of us remained.As Ascan gazed at me, fully adorned, I playfully asked,

“So, how do I look? As pretty as you expected?”

“Why even ask? You’re beyond my imagination.”

His words were impossibly sweet.

Even if they were empty flattery, I didn’t mind.Praise from the man I love, no matter what it was, made my heart soar.

With all preparations complete, Ascan extended his hand to me.It was a gesture to escort me to the carriage headed for the palace.

I took Ascan’s escort and walked toward the carriage waiting at the Brellof estate’s entrance.

I boarded the carriage first, followed by Ascan.Once we were both seated, the waiting coachman began to drive slowly.

The party at the palace was held at night, so the streets were dark,but the city’s nightscape, with lights big and small spilling out, was beautiful.

I was quietly admiring the view outside the window when Ascan spoke.

“Do you remember when you said we should become legally married?”

I turned my gaze from the window at Ascan’s words and nodded,recalling the conversation we had not long ago.

We had held a simple wedding ceremony, just the two of us, in a modest chapel.

Though we later shared the news of our marriage with those around us,we hadn’t gone through the legal process, so I had mentioned handling it on a whim.

Ascan handed me a document and continued.

“I asked you to sign it earlier, but you were so sleepy you didn’t look at it properly.”

“What is this?”

“It’s proof that we’re legally married.”

“Oh, you already took care of it? So, does this mean I’m now the Countess of Atreas?”

I smiled and examined the document Ascan handed me.But then, something completely unexpected caught my eye.

‘This is…!’

I looked at Ascan in shock, pointing at the document.

“There’s something wrong with this, isn’t there? This part, it’s written incorrectly, right?”

Normally, I should have taken Ascan’s surname, becoming ‘Tanashia Atreas.’But the document stated the opposite.

I looked at him, confused, and Ascan gave a faint smile as he answered.

“Guess I didn’t check it properly in my daze. Why did you sign it without even looking?”

“No, more importantly, explain what’s going on here.”

“I told the Marquis I wanted to become a son-in-law of the Brellof family.I preferred joining the Brellof family over you becoming the Countess of Atreas.”

I had no idea Ascan and Orland had been scheming behind my back like this.

I was so stunned that my mind couldn’t process it.A sudden question popped into my head, and I asked,

“What about the Count of Atreas title, then?”

“I got prior approval from His Majesty the Emperor.Even as a son-in-law of the Brellof family, I can still inherit the Atreas title.”

“You mean…”

“When we have children later, we can pass it on to whoever wants it.”

I was dumbfounded. While shocked, I was also overjoyed.Ascan’s love for me was so vividly clear.

“You won’t regret this? Usually, becoming a son-in-law is seen as a loss for the man,something only those of lower status do…”

“I told you, this is what I wanted.”

As he spoke, Ascan caressed my cheek.His careful touch, as if handling something precious, radiated love for me.

“I want to be yours. Just touching you like this isn’t enough.I want proof that I belong to you.”

“Idiot, even if I became the Countess of Atreas, it’d be the same.”

“That’s fine too, but I want to be even more colored by you.”

I grabbed Ascan’s hand as it caressed my cheek.With a happy smile, as if I couldn’t resist, I spoke.

“Thank you.”

For loving me.

For expressing that love so generously, as you do now.

The fact that the person I love loves me back was an indescribably overwhelming feeling.

Though much time had passed since we confirmed our feelings for each other,my heart still raced like it would burst whenever I looked at him.

Life with Ascan was far more moving than I had vaguely imagined.

He furrowed his brow slightly and smiled. Then, in a lower voice, he said,

“That’s not what I wanted to hear.”

Knowing exactly what Ascan wanted, I burst into laughter.Then, I hugged him tightly and shouted,

“I love you, Ascan!”

For a moment, Ascan looked surprised, but soon, overcome with joy,he furrowed his brows and pulled me into a tight embrace.

With Ascan by my side, I felt like I had the whole world.

As soon as we stepped out of the carriage, flashes went off from all directions.

Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t just reporters from the Arwen Empire.Reporters from other empires seemed to have come to cover us as well.

I walked toward the party venue, escorted by Ascan.

Thanks to Ascan and the guards, the reporters couldn’t get too close,but a barrage of questions rained down on us from all sides.

“You two are legally married now, so is Lady Brellof now the Countess of Atreas?”

“Please share your thoughts on becoming legally married.”

“You haven’t made any public appearances since the war.Do you have plans for the future?”

“Is it true that Count Atreas is the founder of the Bill Foundation?”

I was inwardly surprised that rumors had spread so quickly.Unless someone had been closely watching us,they couldn’t have caught on this fast.

It hit me anew how much attention the world paid to us.

Among the many questions, something seemed to catch Ascan’s ear.While escorting me, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Startled by Ascan’s abrupt action, the reporters,who had been relentlessly firing questions, looked at him in surprise.

Exuding an overwhelming presence, Ascan spoke in a low voice.

“As reported, we have completed the legal process and are officially married.However, I’d like to correct one thing: Tanashia hasn’t become the Countess of Atreas.I have become Ascan Brellof.”

Murmurs spread through the crowd—

No one had expected Ascan, who lacked for nothing,to become a son-in-law of the Brellof family.

The shock was brief, and the reporters launched into an even more fervent barrage of questions.

“Count, please elaborate!”

“Why did you choose to become a son-in-law of the Brellof family?”

Though the questions grew fiercer, Ascan said only what he needed to and nothing more.

But even without his words, everyone understood.He became a son-in-law because he loved me more than anyone else.

I could feel the envy directed at me from those around us.

It was a bit embarrassing, but it didn’t feel bad.

I didn’t care about much else, but being envied for Ascan’s love was a joy.He was a man I wanted to show off to everyone.

With that, we left the reporters behind and entered the party venue.I whispered to Ascan, just loud enough for him to hear.

“I’m glad I dressed up today.Even though we’re already married, it feels like I got proposed to in front of everyone.”

The newspapers tomorrow would likely be filled with our story.

Understanding my meaning, Ascan let out a low chuckle.It was a smile meant only for me.

As we appeared in the party venue, the nobles’ gazes turned toward us.Somehow, it felt like we were drawing more attention than when the Emperor arrived.

I took a spot on one side of the venue, and Ascan said,

“Wait here. I’ll get you something to drink.”

“Alright.”

While Ascan briefly stepped away,

a tall, handsome young noble approached me.Judging by the attention he was getting from the noble ladies around,he seemed quite popular.

“Madam, if it’s not too forward, may I request a dance?”

It was a polite offer. According to Arwen Empire’s customs,one could freely accept dance requests regardless of marital status,so there was no issue.

I couldn’t help but look at the handsome man and let out a small laugh.I imagined Ascan’s face hardening if he saw me dancing with another man.

For some reason, I found his jealous side utterly adorable.

Perhaps mistaking my laugh for something else, the young noble’s face brightened.Before he could misunderstand further, I quickly declined.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. My husband will be back soon.”

“That’s a pity. Perhaps next time, then—”

The young noble left with a reluctant expression.

Ascan returned to my side in no time.Somehow knowing I’d been asked to dance,he glanced in the direction the noble had gone and spoke in a lower voice than usual.

“Already attracting flies, are we?”

“Flies?”

“That’s why I can never let my guard down.”

I realized the “flies” referred to the young noble.

Even though the whole world knew we were married,Ascan’s displeased expression was as if something still bothered him.

His unchanging jealousy, from when we were dating to now, was endearing.It felt like he was proclaiming his love for me with his whole being.

I pushed aside the drink Ascan had brought and grabbed his hand,as he looked at me with a puzzled expression.

In a playful tone, I said,

“Shall we dance?”

Ascan seemed a bit surprised but soon nodded, accepting my request.

“With pleasure.”

With that, Ascan and I walked to the center of the party venue.The elegant music played as many people were already dancing.

We greeted each other formally and began to dance.

The people glancing at us gradually stepped aside,and soon, they formed a circle around us, watching our dance.

Unbothered by their gazes, Ascan and I lost ourselves in each other.I couldn’t recall ever dancing with him like this at a party.

“We’ve been together for so long, but this feels like our first dance.”

“You’re right. I did imagine dancing with you when we were young.”

“Really?”

“Yes. After you dragged me to a party to show me something interesting.”

His words reminded me of when I had brought Ascan, then a slave, to a party for fun.

Back then, he didn’t seem particularly interested in the party,but I had no idea he was thinking such things. I gave a faint smile.

“You had such cute thoughts?”

“Back then, you seemed so far away, I never imagined a day like this would come.”

Looking back, our relationship wasn’t an easy one to forge.

A lady and a slave, a transmigrated soul in a book and the final villain,and the one destined to kill me…

Countless threads of fate had brought us to this moment.

Ascan gave a self-deprecating smile and continued softly.

“Well, even if I hadn’t lost my memories and grew up in the Brellof family,we might have ended up like this. I wouldn’t have given you up, no matter what.”

“No matter the circumstances, we were meant to be together. That’s pretty romantic.”

Ascan looked slightly surprised, as if he hadn’t expected my interpretation.Then, pleased with my response, he smiled radiantly, like a blooming flower.

And so, we danced alone amidst the crowd.In that moment, he saw only me, and I saw only him.

It was an especially beautiful night.

As expected, the next day’s newspapers were dominated by Tanashia and Ascan.

Jerin, as usual, brought a stack of newspapers and knocked on Tanashia’s study.But even after a while, there was no response from inside.

With a puzzled expression, she opened the door and peeked in.

“Madam, I brought the newspapers… Oh my!”

Tanashia was nowhere to be seen in the room. Ascan was missing too.

And that wasn’t all. The luggage bags that should have been in the corner of the study were gone.

Only a single note was left on the desk.

I’m going on a trip with Ascan and will return later.

We plan to go wherever our feet take us, so I can’t say where we’re headed.

We’ll travel to our hearts’ content and return, so don’t worry about us.

Take care of your health.

From Tanashia.]

From the beginning, all Tanashia wanted was to live quietly, enjoying wealth and honor.

Now, she had finally set off to fulfill that dream.

With Ascan, just the two of them.