After hurriedly finalizing their top-secret plan, "Rescue Iger from Happiness," the group filed out of Ashe's room.

Just as Annan pushed the door open, she caught sight of a flash of golden hair disappearing around the corner of the corridor.

Ashe looked surprised. "Is Iger not working overtime tonight?"

"He's about to become the Belldet family's son-in-law. Why on earth would he still be working?" Annan lowered her voice, gesturing for them to follow. "This is our chance."

They tailed him all the way to the second-floor atrium. The manor stood high above the second-tier city, offering an unobstructed view of the skyline. Under a canopy of blazing stars, thick layers of pale yellow light cast a soft glow over the landscape like heavy makeup, transforming the artificial garden into a romantic stage.

The garden maze provided the perfect cover. Halfway through, Iger's voice drifted out from the hedges. "Sorry. Have you been waiting long?"

"No," Anphel...