The girl stared intently at the two of them, then murmured, “Ah.”

She lightly bowed her head.

It seemed she had recognized Cesare and Adin as princes.

“Greetings, Your Highnesses. May you enjoy the radiance. I am Erilot of the Astra Duke family.”

Adin and Cesare were unable to reply, staring blankly at Erilot.

Each time she shifted her gaze, her eyes, subtly moving, sparkled like jewels.

Her red lips, moving as she spoke, looked like cherries or plums.

From her wavy, high-quality curls, one might imagine a sweet scent emanating.

‘No, there’s definitely a pleasant fragrance.’

W-was it the scent of milk...?

As the two stood dumbfounded, Erilot blinked.

“Your Highness?”

Only then did Cesare snap back to reality.

“Yeah, pleased to meet you.”

“I’ve heard much of your grandeur. It’s an honor to meet you.”

As Erilot smiled gently, Adin opened his mouth.

“Grandeur? What grandeur?”

Adin flinched.

His words came out as if picking a fight.

Cesare, perhaps sensing this, narrowed his brows and glared at Adin.

Adin swallowed dryly.

‘Granddaughter of Duke Astra and the owner of a dragon. She’s on my level, no need to underestimate her.’

He tried to recover, but locking eyes with Erilot left his mind blank.

“Was that just flattery after all?”

The greeting he’d planned disappeared, and once again trouble erupted.

‘This isn’t right—!’

Erilot’s expression was one of bewilderment.

And understandably so.

Adin and Erilot had no connection whatsoever.

There was no grudge between Astra and the Palasa Kingdom.

The greeting was flawless.

So there was no reason for Adin to lash out so sharply.

“I mean, so... does Astra only teach how to wag tongues?”

‘Ah, are you crazy!’

No matter what he tried to say, nonsense slipped out whenever he saw Erilot.

Even Cesare looked at him with an expression saying, ‘What the hell, idiot.’

Adin realized for the first time what it meant to want to hide in a mouse hole.

Erilot smiled awkwardly.

“I’ve heard you’re a truly remarkable person befitting royal dignity.”

Her smiling face was incredibly cute.

No goddess or fairy statue in Palasa could compare to her.

‘Ah, definitely a good scent...’

It wasn’t milk after all.

Rather a peculiar fragrance, warm like milk but also fresh and delicate, like a fragile flower...

Just as Adin was about to speak, Cesare interrupted.

“I am Cesare of the Shueliz Kingdom.”

“Yes. The youngest prince, right?”

“Glad you know me~. It’s almost lunchtime, shall we dine together? I have many questions for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes. About your dragon... and you as well.”

It was a strange voice.

Erilot replied awkwardly.

“What should I do? I already promised to dine with my cousin.”

“If your sister comes too, how about that?”

“That’s...”

“It’d be nice. Other Sun Society members dine together.”

“...”

“Let’s do it together, yeah? I’ll send someone to your room. Where will you stay? First Residence? Second? Oh, since you’re a guest, probably Second.”

“...”

“How about a light tea with me before the meal?”

At that moment, a loud voice came from a short distance.

“Erilot! What are you doing, not coming?”

It was Liantin’s voice.

Erilot quickly answered.

“Okay, I’m coming!”

Then she looked at Cesare with a regretful expression.

“Sorry. I need to unpack. I’ll attend the meal.”

“Is that so? Too bad...”

“...”

Erilot smiled softly, bowed her head, and hurried toward Liantin.

Adin’s gaze did not leave Erilot’s back.

Liantin pointed at the room with an excited face.

“I want the left room! It’s big and nice!”

“Alright.”

I preferred the right room. It even had a terrace.

“See you at dinner. Nanny, please redo my hair!”

Liantin entered the room, and I headed to mine.

Han Ji-hyuk followed me inside.

He looked pensive, but the moment we entered, he shouted, “Ugh!” and swiftly took off his jacket, placing it on the sofa.

From inside the jacket, Minky, a baby giant tarantula, crawled out.

I gently stroked Minky with an incredibly kind face.

“You’ve worked hard hiding, haven’t you? Sorry. Some people don’t like spiders, so I had no choice. They don’t know you well. You’re a very cute one.”

Whispering so Minky wouldn’t get discouraged, Han Ji-hyuk clicked his tongue.

“Do you think a monster understands that?”

“Feelings always connect.”

See? Minky climbed up my arm coquettishly.

Han Ji-hyuk shook his head.

“Did your heart connect with the princes too?”

“What?”

“I saw while moving the luggage. The boys with you were Prince Adin of Palasa and Prince Cesare of Shueliz.”

“Yeah.”

“How was it?”

I hummed softly while stroking Minky.

“Annoying.”

“Why?”

“Prince Adin suddenly picked a fight, and Prince Cesare, though troubled, forced a tea time.”

I’d heard they had bad personalities, but it was really tasteless.

Han Ji-hyuk chuckled.

“You’ll be tired while you’re there.”

I thought so too.

It was a gathering of very bad-tempered types.

‘If I slip up, I’ll lose more than I gain.’

At times like this, information is vital.

And I have allies who can provide current info.

I activated my Gaho.

A hologram-like window appeared before my eyes.

Thought the main male lead would appear, but it’s just trash here.

Han Ji-hyuk: “Main male lead candidate, club president here. Long live pink-haired male lead!”

“Calm down. There’s a 12-year age gap. He’s your uncle.”

“Ji-hyuk... ㅠ I’m going to enter a black hole briefly... ㅠ Come back at the age the heroine turns twenty... ㅠ Please...ㅠ”

“So who’s the main male lead? Alexis?”

“The male lead isn’t decided yet!”

“Teacher, Mr. Miller, the kind man, is here^^! The charming Conrad slightly overshadowed~”

“Sorry, sir, I’m not accepting older menㅠㅠ”

“Still young though...”

“When Erilot grows up, sir...ㅠ”

“Supporting Luca! Silver-haired, long-haired character~ Older brother vibe with a tragic past. One of the few brains in the Igritz Mercenary Squad, Luca! Candidate number 2!”

“Oh... I like Luca too!”

“Let’s cheer for Abino as the male leadㅠㅠ Finally appeared, innocent but rich and royal, Abino!”

“Abino... Auntie’s rooting for you... Grow up like Dad...”

‘Wow.’

There were an enormous number of comments.

Three times more than usual.

Well, my story is already over 30 chapters, but the male lead isn’t confirmed yet.

The book’s description boldly calls it a ‘romance fantasy.’

‘Sorry, readers. I don’t have time to date.’

I have to build connections, earn money, increase my jurisdiction’s influence, and keep an eye on the royal family and cousins.

There’s a mountain of tasks and no time for romance.

Besides, I’m only ten years old.

‘Still, it’d be nice to get more readers.’

More readers mean more comments.

I hummed, reading the comments steadily.

“Oh... Sebastian... please don’t mess up...”

‘Sebastian?’

Sebastian Viferi, the Eastern Army commander?

I frowned, and Han Ji-hyuk asked.

“Why?”

“Readers are uncomfortable with Sebastian Viferi.”

“We haven’t even met him yet.”

“Yeah.”

“Then why are they uncomfortable?”

“Because there are parts narrated from Sebastian’s perspective in this chapter...”

“Does that narration show hostility toward you?”

“Probably.”

“Better be careful then.”

I frowned and closed the tab.

“I wish the novel mentioned that I can read comments.”

“They said nothing about your ability.”

“Yeah. It’s probably just glossed over. Even conversations about reading comments get skipped.”

“It’d be good to know for sure. If readers knew you communicate with them, you’d tell everything.”

Exactly.

I could ask why Sebastian is hostile toward me.

‘Because of his family?’

Or maybe because of Gaho. His Gaho conflicts with mine, known as .

Or maybe because of the dragon.

If I knew why he hated me, I could decide my path clearly.

Whether to persuade him to ally...

Or crush him so he won’t dare oppose me.

Then, there was a knock.

“When you’re ready, I’ll escort you to the dining hall, milady.”

It seemed to be an employee of this border fortress.

I quickly changed clothes and followed the employee.

Dining hall.

Sitting beside me, Liantin whispered with a flushed face.

“Prince Salvatore will come to this table too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah! And Prince Mercedes too...!”

“Liantin, you look happy.”

I smiled gently, and Liantin lifted her chin proudly.

“Of course! My father said none of them are engaged. Maybe they allowed me to bring you because they’re interested in me.”

If boys dreamed of marrying princesses or queens, girls dreamed of becoming princes’ or kings’ consorts.

Liantin seemed shy about this dream.

“I’m also of the Astra bloodline. That means I have a status fitting for them.”

Astra was one of the few powers rivaling the royal palace.

In terms of status, Astra ladies were worthy of becoming princes’ or kings’ consorts.

Just as Liantin was getting excited, the door opened.

The Sun Society boys entered the room. Behind them were nobles invited from various countries.

Liantin and I stood to greet them.

As we bowed, the first to enter was our country’s Prince Salvatore, smiling.

“It’s been a while since I last saw the Astra ladies. I think it’s the first time since the Festival of Abundance.”

“Y-yes, Your Highness...”

Liantin’s face flushed as she replied in a timid voice.

Prince Salvatore smiled and took the seat of honor.

Since this was a gathering held in the empire, the empire’s prince sat in the place of honor.

Other princes and royal descendants also took their seats.

“Erilot!”

“Prince Abino.”

“Long time no see. I missed you! Did you get my letters? Huh?”

Prince Abino spoke to me very warmly.

He had held great affection for me since I saved him from a kidnapping.

He had already sent five letters, and I had to reply four times.

The nobles’ gazes were fixed on me.

“I’ve never seen Prince Abino so pleased...”

“Always bored at the Sun Society...”

“Erilot Astra...”

The noble kids whispered as they glanced at me and the prince.

Prince Abino paid no mind and continued talking to me.

“Let’s go to the Colosseum together tomorrow. It’ll ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ be great to watch from the best seats.”

“The Colosseum?”

“Yeah, nobles fight in the Colosseum—”

Prince Abino grabbed me, chattering excitedly.

Suddenly, a tall red-haired boy who had arrived late took a deep breath.

He was a handsome boy of southern appearance.

“Erilot Astra!”

Startled by the voice, I looked up, and he strode toward me.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Christopher, crown prince of the German Kingdom.”

“May you enjoy the radiance. I am Erilot of the Astra Duke family.”

“My goodness.”

He lightly covered his mouth and suddenly leaned toward me.

I stepped back, startled.

“I felt it even through the magic barrier, but seeing you in person, you’re even more beautiful.”

“...Yes? Th-thank you.”

“No, really. I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you. They call you the Rose of Astra for a reason...”

Then other boys frowned.

“Don’t lower the prestige of our gathering, Christopher.”

“Mercedes.”

A silver-haired handsome boy raised his hand lightly to stop Christopher.

“I’m Mercedes of Laontra. Nice to meet you.”

“You’re the second prince. It’s an honor.”

“I’ve heard the girl with a dragon is famous even in my country.”

Other boys joined the conversation.

Christopher clicked his tongue and waved his hand toward Youngsik sitting to my left.

Youngsik flinched and stood, and Christopher took his seat.

Before I knew it, I found myself among the boys, somewhat embarrassed.

The nobles’ gazes were very sharp.

They’d come all the way from distant countries to attend the Sun Society to build connections with the members.

But without having a chance to talk, all eyes were on me alone, which was understandably annoying.

Of course, the Sun Society members paid no mind to the nobles.

“Lady, come to the Colosseum with me~.”

“I already invited you first, Cesare.”

“Ah, if the order of invitation doesn’t matter, I want to volunteer too.”

“Mercedes!”

“Don’t make Lady Astra uncomfortable, will you?”

“Taking care of her just because she’s from your country, Salvatore.”

This was when the boys were chatting.

Suddenly, a commotion came from the door.

“Sorry we’re late, Your Highnesses!”

A black-haired girl with straight bangs hurried in.

‘Sebastian Viferi.’

Commander of the Eastern Army and granddaughter of Duke Viferi.

She smiled brightly as she approached the table.

“Something came up in the Eastern Army, so I’m joining late. Were you bored without me? Everyone here gets bored easily, so I hurried... Ah, who’s that?”

Chattering, Sebastian glanced at me.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Erilot Astra.”

“Ah, fighting in the Western Army’s reserve corps... Nice to meet you, I’m Sebastian Viferi.”

After roughly saying her name, Sebastian tilted her head slightly.

“Did our lords say anything rude?”

“Huh?”

“They can be sharp with other ladies. Right, Your Highnesses?”

Sebastian covered her mouth and giggled.

Then she pointed at Liantin.

“Will you leave?”

“...Huh?”

“Hmm? I mean, sit somewhere else.”

There was no more space at this table.

Liantin froze, embarrassed, and Sebastian said,

“Oh, there’s no room... Hey, could you bring a table and chair to the wall?”

Eating alone far away while everyone else dined at the same table?

My face hardened.