While waiting for the manager to return with the clothes we'll be wearing for the premiere, Lev and I waited at the boutique's VIP lounge. Though I was already full from eating at the cafe, I still ate the snacks that the staff provided because I didn't want their hard work to go to waste, although I didn't like the drink they served, tea.

I don't like tea. The bitterness of it doesn't suit my sweet tooth. I prefer freshly squeezed fruit juice with caramel or hot chocolate.

But despite my dislike of the drink, I tried my best to remain dignified and not let it show.

As we were waiting, I overheard some of the staff members' conversation.

"They're really engaged?" asked one of the staff members, "Was it because of political reasons?"

"Probably," another staff member replied, "I mean, look at them. Do they look like a couple to you?"

"No," the first staff member answered, "They seem more like business partners to me."

"Maybe they are being forced to get married!" said the other one.

"But didn't you see the young master's smile before?" a man, another staff member, chimed in, "the last time I saw him smile like that was when he and her radiance were shopping for clothes together. That was a genuine smile from the ice prince!"

"Maybe he's marrying the young miss because she reminds him of her radiance," said the first staff member, "I can relate because you know, if I can't have the man I want, someone similar is the next best thing."

"What kind of mindset is that..." the man muttered.

I put my tea cup down and grabbed the newspaper Lev finished reading.

"That's quite the crowd we're attracting."

"If they're bothering you, I can send those staff members away," said Lev.

"There's no need to send them away," I replied, "They aren't bothering me and in fact, they shared something valuable to me."

Curiously, Lev asked, "Which is?"

"Their opinion," I answered, meeting his purple eyes.

He looked visibly confused by my answer so I explained it to him.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"While I know that this arrangement of ours was decided without our input, it doesn't change the fact that we're doing this willingly. The arrangement might be their idea but no one's forcing us to get married. I know this because you have the means to get around an imperial directive."

His face looked like he was about to ask how I knew that and I couldn't tell him that I found out through Yugen's investigations so I told him the next believable thing, "My older brother is a squad captain remember?"

And that wasn't a lie. I overheard Yves say it when he and his squad were celebrating their fifth time ranking first on the valorian squad rankings, he said that the emperor was asking Lev what he wanted as a reward for his contributions during the war.

" Many will have comments about us, some may even be similar to what they said. Things like we're being forced to get married or something along those lines. Our marriage is our choice. Though we and our families know this, the public doesn't. As the staff members just observed, we seem more like business partners than a couple."

"Does that bother you?" Lev asked.

"Personally? No," I answered, "It makes sense that we aren't close since we're just acquainted with each other, it would be weird if we act overly friendly or close to each other right off the bat. And... The public's opinions of me don't bother me much anymore."

"That said, public opinion matters when it comes to governing our territories. You and I both know that cracks in government families can lead to the downfall of entire territories and even empires. We've seen too many examples of that in the last twenty years," I added.

Lev looked amazed at what I had pointed out.

"You're right. I hadn't thought of that. Thank you for pointing it out. So, what do you suggest we do, Yvette?"

I acted all cute tapping my mouth, looking as though I was thinking, and smiled playfully teasingly replying, "How about you start falling in love with me?"

Lev and the staff members were dumbfounded by my answer, and I couldn't help but laugh at the astounded expression on Lev's face.

"You should see the look on your face!" I exclaimed, laughing out loud, "I'm going to have fun teasing you."

Seeing me laugh gleefully, Lev couldn't help but chuckle as well.

As he laughed, I put my elbow on the chair and rested my face on my palm, looking into his eyes.

They look so beautiful like jewels. How many times have I been captivated by his eyes already?

"You're smiling again," I observed, my face lighting up with a Duchenne smile. "You're more handsome when you smile."

"..."

♡

Lev was enthralled by the scene right in front of his eyes.

What exactly was it that captivated him? He wasn't sure. But what he did know for certain was that he couldn't keep his eyes off Yvette.

It was a coincidence that he and Egor ran into Yvette and the others at the café. The murder attempt caught everyone off guard. While Yvon secured the area with Toini and Egor took charge of the first aid treatment, Yvette quietly assisted her attendant, fading into the background. Most people overlooked her involvement, but Lev was hyper-aware of her.

Even when they ran into the countess, he found himself quietly observing her expressions, finding the subtle changes curious and intriguing.

The carriage ride might've been quiet but for Lev it was entertaining. He found her flustered expression when he caught her staring amusing as she tried to play it off.

And now, at the boutique, he found himself heartily laughing at her teasing.

Was it because her actions and demeanor reminded him of Yvonne? Maybe.

Captivated by Yvette's warm smile, Lev felt as though the dark clouds that had been hovering around him were slowly starting to become bright once again.