I led Madeleine onto one of the balconies.

It was already dark, the stars sparkling in the night sky.

The air was warm but fresh.

I inhaled deeply as I leaned against the railing, Madeleine standing next to me.

"So... was there anything you wanted to discuss in particular?" Madeleine looked at me as she fiddled with her hands.

"Yes actually. As you know, the two duchies have a lot of power. And as we are the next heirs, I want our relationship to be good. I don't want any petty arguments that we might have to influence the future of Dominizia." I stared at her, awaiting her reaction.

I had thought so many times about what I'd say when I saw her again.

I wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked, how mesmerizing her eyes were, or how her hair sparkled under the moonlight.

But alas, it was not my place. We were nothing but allies. Coworkers, in a sense. I had to suppress whatever strange thoughts crept into my mind, no matter what.

"I agree... the conflict between the duchies led to the many casualties in the great war after all. We must not repeat the mistakes of the past. No matter what." Madeleine nodded.

I had expected her to still be the same, shy girl from six years ago. But the determined twinkle in her eyes told a different story.

"Indeed.", I inhaled deeply. "I.... hear that some of your family passed due to the war."

"...... Yes. My father was drafted into the military, although he had no prior fighting experience." She dug her nails into her palms.

"I... I apologize." I gritted my teeth.

"Why? It wasn't your fault." She looked away.

"My grandfa- Augustine Crawford. He was the one who issued the drafting decree." I swallowed.

She was silent for a long moment.

"I'm sorry, it wasn't my place to bring that up-" My voice became strangely broken when I tried to form the sentence, but Madeleine interrupted me.

"It's in the past. And ultimately, it was not your fault. We were both mere children when the war began, and there was nothing we could've done to prevent the deaths. All we can do is make sure it never happens again." Madeleine looked at me. God, she was stunning.

No wonder they called her an angel. Any other person would've told me that my blood was tainted by the actions of my forefathers, telling me to never show my face around them again.

Yet here she was, looking at me, with those beautiful red eyes of her. Unflinching, unwavering.

My heartbeat sped up, and I remembered my past life, where she was the only person trying to save me from execution.

I...

"I thank you. You are truly noble and deserving of the title of duchess." I tried to suppress the tears forming in my eyes.

Madeleine was the only person who supported me in my prior life.

And now, I had to make sure to repay that debt, no matter what.

She chuckled. "Noble? Me? Please, I've only started learning noble etiquette a few years ago."

"No. You. Yourself. You are truly of noble character. And I wish you only good things in life." I suppressed myself from grasping her hand.

"Heh.", she smiled. "On that note, I wish you a happy birthday." She pulled a parchment out of her pocket, handing it to me.

I raised a brow, as I unfolded it and started reading it.

"You... this is too much!" In my hands were the rights to one of the best silk manufacturers of Silkport, Agathe soie.

"It is not. I truly do wish you all the good things in life, dear Lady Crawford." She smiled.

I swallowed. This... this was my golden ticket.

If I was ever in a tight spot, I could rely on the earnings from Agathe soie.

No matter how much the crown prince would try to ruin me, I would be fine.

I looked at Madeleine, as I felt my heart beat out of my chest. I was overcome with the urge to hold her, to just somehow express how much I appreciated her- but I just cleared my throat.

"Thank you. I- I truly appreciate it. And please, call me Antoinette."

She smiled at that, a warm smile that reached her mesmerizing eyes. "Of course, Antoinette. Please, call me Madeleine too-"

Madeleine was interrupted by the sudden, blaring sound of fanfare.

Oh. Right. No dream lasted forever.

Eventually, you'd wake up.

I could see the crown prince descend from the giant staircase through the open balcony doors.

I sighed, as I pat down my dress.

Meeting him at my birthday party was inevitable. I might as well get it over with.

"Goodbye Madeleine. And... thank you. Truly. For everything." I looked back at her one last time. She looked confused and.... disappointed?

I could not begin to understand why she'd be disappointed at my departure, but I turned around and started walking into the middle of the ballroom, where the crown prince already waited.

"Greetings, Lady Crawford." His smile showed off too much of his teeth.

I was already dreading this.