Chapter 3

The hall was filled with dazzling young ladies.

Even though they were all around ten years old, they behaved as if they were adults, trying their best to chat.

Lumina watched their scene with a smile, then took a big bite of the sweets lined up on the table.

This tea party, which she had attended dozens of times, had always made her think.

She had always thought that all the sweets and cakes lined up here must be delicious.

However, for Lumina, who had been striving to win Prince Stefan's heart, there was no room to spare a glance at the sweets and cakes.

She had thought that even though he was a strong candidate for a fiancé, she would not have been recognized as his fiancée without her efforts here.

But now, it no longer mattered.

She had given up. Therefore, she was now free.

Lumina smiled, watching the young ladies' conversation with amusement, and kept taking big bites of the sweets.

Each sweet was delicious, and because they were made in small sizes, they quickly filled her stomach.

Moreover, not only were there sweet pastries, but there were also some slightly salty ones, creating an endless loop of sweet, salty, sweet, salty, which Lumina was thoroughly enjoying.

At that moment,

Stefan appeared in the hall, walking around the seats and greeting the young ladies with a smile.

And Stefan, with his perfect prince's smile, appeared at Lumina's seat.

His golden, silky hair, eyes like the blue sea.

Drawn to his gentle nature, Lumina had fallen in love with him and loved him dozens of times.

However, there was not a single drop of love left in Lumina's heart for him.

One by one, the young ladies greeted him with sighs of admiration, and finally, it was Lumina's turn.

Normally, the duke's daughter should have greeted him first, but Lumina deliberately avoided it and, at the end, greeted him briefly and expressionlessly.

"I am Lumina Larrasch, the daughter of the Duke. Thank you for inviting me today."

The young ladies sitting with her looked at Lumina in shock.

The seats were free, and they had been chatting, but they had never imagined that the one who was not part of their conversation was the duke's daughter.

Stefan's eyes widened slightly, and he quickly returned to his usual smile.

"Oh, you are Miss Lumina. Nice to meet you. Please enjoy the tea party."

"Yes, thank you."

The conversation did not continue, and Stefan's face showed a slightly troubled expression.

That was understandable.

Probably, the royal family also considered Lumina as the top candidate for a fiancée.

Lumina could objectively see that now.

But this time, Lumina had no intention of becoming Stefan's fiancée.

So she said it plainly.

"I sincerely hope you find a wonderful fiancé."

"That... thank you."

Stefan's face showed an indescribable expression, but Lumina, signaling that the conversation was over, reached for the sweets and took another big bite.