Inside the carriage.

Dahlia looked at Grimie with a dejected face, glancing anxiously.

Opposite her, Grimie spoke without emotion.

“You must never move about recklessly again.”

“I—I wasn’t like that! I did it for Father...!”

Dahlia, flustered, continued.

“You need the Veils, right? So I was trying to turn the Guardians’ hearts for Father...!”

“The Chrono Council.”

“Huh?”

“Do not call them Veils any more. They are simply the Chrono Council.”

When Dahlia hesitated, Grimie narrowed his brows.

“There is no turning their hearts.”

“But Erilot treats them so badly...!”

“Dahlia—!!”

Grimie’s shout shook the carriage.

Dahlia flinched, eyes wide.

‘H-he shouted at me?’

Why would her gentle father, who loved her dearly, scream at her like that...?

Dahlia, on the verge of tears, stammered, but Grimie’s cold expression did not waver.

“I decide. I will no longer tolerate your self-will.”

“...Yes.”

Dahlia sniffled and answered through tears.

Grimie said, “Attend to the VIP protocols.”

“B-but what if I encounter the Guardians in the palace?”

“They cannot touch you.”

“Why...?”

Could it be the Chrono Council still retains some loyalty?

When Dahlia looked at him expectantly, Grimie answered icily.

“I warned the Chrono Council.”

“A warning?”

“If they interfere with you or me, it will be revealed that Erilot Astra is the Messiah of the Chrono Council.”

“Oh....”

“You know I also arranged that, should you or I disappear, Erilot’s identity will be exposed to the world.”

Having worked long with the Chrono Council, Grimie knew most of their secrets. No fool would move against the Messiah.

Dahlia’s expression turned sour.

‘So that was it.’

I could not understand why the Guardians were so obsessed with the Messiah.

Inorlax chuckled at Dahlia’s pout.

[How adorable, Grimie. Your daughter seems displeased.]

Leaning on Grimie’s shoulder, she whispered.

[You chose poorly when selecting your daughter’s soul.]

Grimie’s eyebrow twitched.

[If not for “that reason,” you’d want to kill me, wouldn’t you? Frustrated enough to tear yourself apart? Huh?]

Grimie waved his hand roughly; Inorlax laughed and vanished.

“Father? Why are you like this?”

“It’s nothing.”

“I feel you’re so cold to me... it hurts.”

Grimie sighed.

“Dahlia.”

“Yes....”

“Why can you not understand your parent’s heart?”

“....”

“I prepared everything for you. For you to shine in the world’s highest place.”

“Father....”

“All is settled with Princess Veloster. If you conduct yourself properly, we can topple the Daimond Jurisdiction and achieve all we desire.”

Dahlia wiped her eyes and nodded vigorously.

“Yes! I’ll do well!”

“Good.”

I hope so.

Banquet at the Imperial Palace.

Only the highest nobles with speaking rights in the Central Tower Grand Assembly were invited to dine with foreign dignitaries. My family was likewise invited.

“Long time no see.”

Christopher of the German Kingdom approached me.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. How do you fare?”

“Oh! One who knows to inquire after my well-being!”

Christopher laughed heartily, though his eyes were sharp. He glanced around and lowered his voice.

“Are we truly allies? Hm?”

“Of course!”

“Really? Is that so?”

Christopher leaned close and whispered.

“You sold the cure at the same price as other nations?”

“Yes.”

“Do you jest? We sent you seventeen letters begging—no means to pay because of the drought.”

“You should have requested it directly from Astra Manor.”

“How dare you—!”

When Christopher snapped, all eyes turned to us. He feigned laughter and lowered his voice again.

“You know it’s embarrassing. Why haven’t you answered communications?”

“I received many such requests. The external communication crystals were entirely destroyed by fire; they couldn’t receive anything.”

“Answer the letters!”

I waved my hands, “Now, now. We couldn’t cut the price—it barely covers costs. Considering raw materials, production, and distribution, we practically gave it away.”

“Still...!”

“So I sent to you first. By urgency, you’d have been fifth or sixth in line.”

Christopher clicked his tongue. “Share your intel at least.”

“What intel?”

“Are you going to be Empress?”

What nonsense is this? °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° I sneered. Christopher narrowed his eyes.

“They say you’re marrying Salvatore?”

“Are you insane?”

“Sometimes power drives you mad.”

“If you keep speaking nonsense, leave. I’m already annoyed—”

As Christopher and I whispered, a voice rang out.

“Erilot!”

Crown Prince Abino led other Solar Congress members toward us. Christopher and I quickly changed expressions.

“Greetings, Prince Abino.”

I turned—and froze.

“I recognized you by your hair. Such honeyed hue... uh?”

“...!”

“...!!”

Silence fell. ‘What’s wrong with them?’ I wondered. Christopher chuckled.

“Just one smile from you and those two will swoon.”

“Quiet.”

Prince Cesare of Shueliz cooed, “Is praising a woman’s beauty improper? Even if so, ‘beautiful’ was made for a lady~”

Abino’s eyes widened. “S-sorry, it’s been so long I—I was startled. Right, Adin?”

“No! I was just surprised how much we resemble each other!”

Couldn’t they just say that? Everyone stared. I forced a smile and stepped back. ‘So many eyes.’ I couldn’t be the center of gossip. “I must go greet someone....”

“A someone to greet?”

“Who?”

Abino and Adin approached. Then—

I bumped into someone, blocking my path.

“Nazi.”

His voice made me scowl; even the Solar Congress royals’ expressions changed.

“A long time. Or as Acting Emperor, shall I bow?”

“I don’t know if it’s congratulatory. Your father collapsed—you seized the chance.”

Though Congress members retorted, the man—Salvatore—stepped forward.

“No need for formality. I only hold the place your father left... isn’t that so, Erilot?”

Salvatore smiled gently. I turned away in misery. ‘It’s over.’ As soon as the Regent Prince appeared, all eyes fell on us. Avoiding their gaze would only fuel rumors. Salvatore spoke calmly with the Congress.

“But where is Mercedes?”

At mention of Prince Mercedes of Raontra, everyone shrugged.

“Not sure—I haven’t seen him.”

“He was to come with the Princess.”

“But why did the Princess stir herself? She never comes out.”

“In any case, Christopher, you’re slow on news. The Princess has been very active.”

“Active?”

“Just now. Only Mercedes is missing; they say she’s watching him—”

They chattered until a guard announced:

“Prince Mercedes of Raontra, Princess Veloster enter!”

All eyes turned to the door as Prince Mercedes and Princess Veloster entered. ‘There she is.’ I had come to see Princess Veloster—to learn why she pretended to be Dahlia’s mother. Behind her, I saw a familiar face.

“So, the Western Empire has something called a witter knife. You didn’t know?”

Dahlia chattered as she followed the Princess; the hall buzzed.

“Good heavens, Miss Dahlia Astra, who has never debuted in court, is in charge of protocol.”

“So the rumors were true.”

“Merciful heavens—that means she truly is of Raontra royalty...!”

Dahlia glanced around and chuckled, pleased; then, catching my eye, she snorted and clung to Princess Veloster. Prince Mercedes’s face darkened. The Congress royals beckoned to him.

“Over here, Mercedes!”

Christopher called; Mercedes strode forward. ‘Hm?’ His expression was odd—like Joshua’s: venom inside, a friendly smile outside. Yet today his face was cold and dark. The others looked puzzled. Christopher asked, “What’s wrong?”

Mercedes answered Salvatore instead.

“I must use Raontra’s comm line.”

“For that, I must know why.”

“...I need to confirm my mother’s safety.”

He glared at Princess Veloster as if to tear her apart. Everyone flinched. ‘What did she do to his mother?’ Empress Anas was famed for kindness—actually kind; in my first life, she protected the Astra exiles. Salvatore nodded. “Granted.” While Mercedes spoke, I slipped away to Father, who stood with Uncle Devon and Leo Taloff.

“Father, something’s happened in Raontra. Empress Anas... Father?”

They stared fixedly; Father looked rigid. “Father.” “...” “Why—” Then Princess Veloster and Dahlia approached us.

“Princess Veloster of Raontra. I’ve heard you will inherit the Red Star lineage.”

“....”

“I wish to establish a liaison for the future.”

“...Why?”

I stiffened, looking at Father’s broken expression—it was as if he awoke from near death. Instinct told me:

‘It’s her.’

Princess Veloster...

“Beltri.”

At Father’s words, I gripped my skirt and turned. The radiant silver-haired woman glanced at me. I could not speak and clutched Father’s arm. Princess Veloster said, “It seems your father mistakes me for someone else.” “....” Uncle Devon ground his teeth. “Do you think we wouldn’t recognize you? Explain yourself, Beltri!” Leo Taloff also spoke sternly. “What on earth is this? How could you...?” Princess Veloster looked down and smiled lightly. “Is it because you are arrogant nobles of Kalsoye?” “What? What do you mean—” She raised an eyebrow at Uncle Devon, then asked Salvatore. “What does the Prince Regent think?” “...Marquis Roche.” Salvatore summoned Uncle Devon. He remained frozen. “Beltri, you—.” “Dahlia, how do you punish someone who disrespected a foreign dignitary?” “Yes?” Dahlia answered, then tapped her temple. “Uhm, imprison them....” “Then imprison them. Guards, what are you doing?” At her command, the guards looked to Salvatore in confusion. He smiled lightly, clicked his tongue, and said, “Drag out Marquis Roche.” “...!” It was real. ‘Uncle Devon is pro-Emperor.’ Removing him now was fortunate. The guards seized Uncle Devon. ‘No—if he’s imprisoned, Salvatore will surely dispose of him!’ I rushed to clutch Uncle Devon. “Please forgive him, Princess! He mistook you for someone dear and made a grave mistake! I beg you...!” “Another who disrespects our guest, Dahlia.” Dahlia giggled and clung to the Princess’s back. I kneeled before Princess Veloster. “Please show mercy, Princess!” “Impossible.” Her cold voice fell like a decree.