“Haa…”

In a deep sigh, Estelle wandered around the room.

Outside, there were items from the Dragona Empire, the results of what she had been pushing for, and the people sent by the lords of Bohemia’s Lord’s Castle and the Heretic Alliance were busily attending to their tasks.

However…

Despite the fact that those she had longed for were bearing fruit before her eyes, Estelle’s heart was nothing but a gloomy cloud.

The reason was simple.

Regardless of how this matter proceeded according to her intentions, what she ultimately wanted to obtain was…

Santana’s love, a goal she had failed to achieve.

‘No… to put it bluntly… it feels like things have actually gotten worse instead…’

For some time now, Estelle had been able to sense it.

Since using this matter as a stepping stone to confess, Santana had begun to show signs of deliberately avoiding her.

Before, he had almost always accepted her invitations to meals and they had spent quite a bit of time talking separately.

Though most of their conversations were often limited to work, Santana had hardly ever refused her requests.

However…

Since the confession, Santana had started to subtly show refusal to her calls.

Even when he did show up, he tried to minimize conversation, and although it might just be in her head, his gaze toward her felt colder and more distant than before.

And these series of facts…

Were enough to bring deep anguish to Estelle’s heart, which had solely run for his love until now.

‘I worked so hard… I did my best to win that man’s heart…’

Of course, it was true that she had schemed related to Polena along the way.

But, she believed that as his fiancée, regardless of the contract, she had the right to do so.

Others might see it as arrogance…

But at least she wanted to believe that.

This was the first time she had loved someone in such a way…

And the first time she felt jealousy over love.

In such a situation, even she could easily be swept away by her emotions and act recklessly.

But anyhow…

Ultimately, it was clear that there was a high possibility that this could have made Santana’s heart displeased, and Estelle was deeply regretting this rushed confession along with the entire matter.

‘I was too hasty… If only I hadn’t done this useless act… If I had just been a little more patient and approached slowly… things wouldn’t have come to this!’

While thinking like that, Estelle began to rack her brain to somehow resolve this frustrating situation.

However…

Even she, who prided herself on her intelligence, couldn’t come up with a clear solution to this situation.

It was a complex situation, but decisively, her lack of familiarity with the feelings of love was the biggest issue.

Though she had fallen in love herself… she didn’t know much about how to make someone else fall in love with her.

This time with the Dragona Empire was her effort in that regard, but it seemed that even that had failed.

‘In the end… was I just a tool? A mere tool that cannot elicit love from that man…’

In fact, due to the nature of the contract engagement, this meaning couldn’t be dismissed entirely…

Just then, when Estelle’s heart was swirling with gloomy feelings in front of the success of the task, there was a sudden knock.

– “Knock knock” –

“…? Yes. Come in.”

The sudden sound of knocking brought a hint of hope along with her questions.

Although the likelihood wasn’t too high, she held a faint hope that perhaps Santana, that man was behind the door.

At that moment…

“…Excuse me.”

“Ah!..”

In the next moment, she began to see the person.

The very man she had longed to see… as she laid her eyes on Santana, a wave of intense happiness surged in Estelle’s heart.

*

“Um… Welcome, Mr. Santana.”

Looking at her with a noticeably joyful expression, Estelle.

Seeing her like this made the burden I had been feeling all the more heavy.

‘Was he trying to avoid me for so long and finally came back because it’s been a while?… This is quite a dramatic reaction.’

Estelle, who had maintained a poker face with a calm smile, was now showing her emotions.

However, the reason I hadn’t sought her out was not so much her problem, but rather a bigger issue on my end.

Although I was trying to keep my promise with Cazerose, I couldn’t deny that looking into the eyes of a beauty expressing she likes me was overwhelming.

Continuing to face such a person was burdensome no matter how you looked at it, and it could jeopardize my promise with Cazerose.

Moreover, despite being a contract, the fact that we were engaged left psychological gaps for me.

‘Even so, it’s just an engagement, so it’s okay… I could think as much as I wanted…’

In reality, it was fortunate that Cazerose returned in time for me to keep my promise with her.

If my relationship with Estelle had lasted a few more months, I might not have been able to face Cazerose at all.

And in that regard… beyond my affection for her, I couldn’t help but sincerely thank Estelle.

If she hadn’t pushed this matter forward…

And if Cazerose’s return had been delayed, I might have caused an incident I could never face Cazerose again.

But ultimately, the situation had practically come to a conclusion.

Cazerose had returned, and I was now in a relationship with her.

Soon, I planned to formally introduce her and, if possible, head straight to marriage.

The only thing left was one.

To somehow give Estelle, who had indirectly helped me reach this situation, a gift that would satisfy her as much as possible.

As much as I could offer.

Thus, after solidifying my resolve once more, I cautiously began to speak towards her, who was sipping tea before me.

*

Sitting across from Santana.

As the feelings of joy I had been feeling gradually calmed down, Estelle regained her composure, but questions and slight concerns began to sprout in her mind.

Santana, who had continuously shown signs of avoiding her, had now approached her confidently for the first time.

This meant he had something important to say to her.

And it was likely… to continue from the confession she had previously mentioned.

‘Could it be… that as a result of the last incident, he’s planning to end our engagement?… To terminate the contract and return to being strangers…?’

Not being well-acquainted with Santana’s circumstances, it was entirely possible from his perspective if certain conditions were met.

Feeling that anxiousness, Estelle carefully asked Santana in a cautious voice.

“Your unexpected visit without contact means… you have something to say to me. What is it?”

After all, she didn’t like beating around the bush.

Whatever came next, she wanted to hear the results as quickly as possible.

And… sensing her intention, Santana looked at Estelle and spoke clearly.

“Yes, that’s right. I have something to say to you. It’s regarding the confession we discussed before.”

“…”

Though she had anticipated it, hearing the words directly made Estelle even more tense.

Then Santana continued speaking to her.

It was…