“Hot...!”

Princess Anatoli froze stiff.

Her pale blue face was like she’d seen a ghost, utterly helpless.

As the princess’s lips quivered, Lady Paante stepped forward.

“Welcome, Your Highness. Glory to the royal family.”

“Glory to the royal family.”

“Glory to the royal family.”

Lady Paante spread her skirt wide and led the chant; the children echoed after her.

I lightly bent my knees as well.

Lady Paante smiled brightly and addressed Anatoli.

“Thank you for coming.”

“Y-Yes...”

“You’ve come at the Empress Dowager’s request, haven’t you?”

Lady Paante emphasized ‘Empress Dowager’ as she scanned the children.

She seemed eager to flaunt that the Empress Dowager had sent the princess on my behalf.

I looked at the princess.

Our eyes met, and her pale face tensed as she hunched her shoulders.

“I-I should be going now...”

Lady Paante was startled.

“What?!”

“You’ve shown your face.”

“B-But...”

Lady Paante was flustered.

Having brought the royal in with difficulty, to have her merely show up and leave—obviously just for appearances—was embarrassing.

She had wanted to boast about her strong ties to the royal family, so this was a difficult situation.

Trying to smile, Lady Paante said,

“Why not stay for a while? The Empress Dowager worries a great deal since you’ve been confined to the palace more than usual.”

The princess clearly seemed frightened.

If she’d been shut away, skipping social events altogether...

‘Exactly, why do such scary things?’

I chuckled, and the princess bit her lip hard.

“That’s enough, I’m leaving—”

“For the princess, Mother has prepared fine wine. Loren! The wine Mother prepared for the princess—!”

“Enough already—!!”

The princess shouted sharply.

Lady Paante turned pale, and silence fell over the hall.

‘Fool.’

Rumelisa Paante was the only daughter of Marquis Paante.

How much her parents doted on her was well known even in distant Astra.

But such a commotion at a party she hosted?

The children here would report everything to their parents as soon as the party ended.

The Paante couple would surely grind their teeth over their daughter’s disgrace.

‘Paante is the Empress Dowager’s natal family and a leader of the imperial faction.’

What would happen if they bore a grudge?

Childish fights turning into adult conflicts was common even in Yoo Hyemin’s world.

Lady Paante was at a loss from humiliation, and no one dared approach her in the hall.

Except me.

“Lady Paante, are you alright?”

When I asked, she snapped out of it.

“Ah... Yes. It seems I made an unreasonable request of the tired princess. Please forgive me, Your Highness...”

I wrapped an arm around Lady Paante’s shoulder and looked at Princess Anatoli.

“You seemed quite exhausted. Enough to shout at the party.”

“...”

“You came here yourself despite that, so we know how much you mean to Lady Paante.”

In other words:

How hard must it have been for you to come to the party in that state?

Would the princess have come in such condition if it weren’t her party?

So that shows how cherished you are in the royal family.

Others will understand that too.

Lady Paante’s expression brightened as she understood.

“Y-Yes!”

“Of course.”

The girl smiled widely and spoke to the princess.

“It pains me to hear you weren’t feeling well. You should return soon.”

“...”

“Sébice, escort the princess to the carriage. As host, I cannot leave the party.”

‘Prince Sébice is Lady Paante’s cousin, right?’

Making a cousin see off a royal guest—still some grudges remain, it seems.

“Ah, if you don’t mind, may I escort her?”

“The lady?”

“Yes. My partner is waiting outside. Unlike the ones from District 1, the entry procedure is quite strict. I thought I’d check how long it takes and come back.”

Loren, a woman wearing the badge of a noble’s nanny, bowed her head.

Lady Paante took my hand and said,

“Please take care of the escort.”

“Yes.”

With that, Lady Paante lightly bowed her knees toward the princess.

“Glory to the royal family.”

“Glory.”

“Glory.”

After the children’s salute, the princess fled through the door.

Of course, I followed behind.

All the way to the carriage, the princess didn’t say a word.

As she was about to board, I said,

“I hope you feel better soon.”

“You...!”

The princess clenched her teeth and glared at me.

“I’ll see how long you keep up that arrogance.”

I glanced at the palace coachmen and ladies-in-waiting.

‘The ladies I saw at the Empress Dowager’s palace last time... aha.’

I immediately understood how things were unfolding.

The Empress Dowager must have heard about the scandal at the Astra estate and assigned her people accordingly.

I furrowed my brows and looked up at the princess.

“Did I perhaps offend you, Your Highness?”

“Disgusting...!”

“Huh?”

“How much worse will you make things for me? I can’t even sleep because of you!”

“Is it about the matter with Father? I’m sorry, Your Highness. That’s something even I can’t control...”

“You—!!”

The furious Princess Anatoli grabbed my shoulder.

“Your Highness!”

The ladies-in-waiting hurriedly pulled her away.

The Empress Dowager’s lady turned pale.

I skillfully hid my smile and shrugged with a flustered look.

“Are you alright, Lady?”

The Empress Dowager’s lady quickly examined me.

“Ah, I’m fine... just a bit startled, so don’t worry too much.”

“My goodness...”

She looked at me with pity.

“Really, I’m fine!”

While I spoke, the princess shouted fiercely.

“It’s all that brat’s fault! Do you know what she said to me? Does Lord Daymond know you’re such a hateful girl?!”

She’d always been foolish, but today the princess was nearly out of her mind.

When anxiety peaks, people act like this.

Even smart people do stupid things when cornered.

The princess, already foolish, had become sleepless from anxiety, so losing reason was natural.

‘But what if she mentions my father there?’

Then people would think she’s causing this all because of him.

As expected, the Empress Dowager’s lady looked thoroughly fed up.

“Really...”

She sighed deeply and ordered another lady-in-waiting.

“Remember the Empress Dowager’s orders. Take special care so the princess causes no more trouble.”

“Yes...”

The lady looked at me.

“Lady, the Empress Dowager will compensate you generously, so don’t worry.”

I feigned surprise, waving my hands.

“No!”

“Huh?”

“If the Empress Dowager knew, she’d be heartbroken. The princess isn’t a bad person originally...”

“...”

“Elders in Astra say too much love sometimes hurts like thorns. The princess has been hurt deeply by thorns.”

“Lady...”

“And if the Empress Dowager compensates me, she’ll learn all about today’s events... my father will be saddened to know I suffered this.”

“Indeed...”

The Empress Dowager’s lady looked deeply moved.

Even the palace coachmen and Princess Anatoli’s guards looked at me with admiration.

Like, ‘Where else would a noble lady be treated like this? Yet she’s so dignified.’

‘But this is common in Astra.’

Maybe the princess grew up sheltered in the palace and had no strength at all.

It didn’t even tickle.

The Empress Dowager’s lady glanced at the still noisy princess and said to me,

“I will convey your sincere feelings toward the Empress Dowager.”

I smirked inwardly.

But my face remained sullen.

“I hope the Empress Dowager is not too upset.”

“My goodness... If the lady thinks so highly of Her Majesty, she’ll forget her worries quickly.”

“That’s a relief.”

I smiled brightly to the ladies-in-waiting.

“How long will this go on? How long?”

“Your Highness, please—!”

While the palace staff hurriedly herded the princess into her carriage, I silently mouthed,

Until you bleed to death.

The princess’s face turned pale as death.

‘See? Who told you to mess with me?’

I’m the type to return everything twofold.

Strictly speaking, what the princess did at the Astra estate can’t be punished as much as I want.

Her real crime was one thing.

‘She used medicine on a monster.’

But in the end, no one was hurt.

Since she attacked me deliberately, she’ll probably be barred from social activities for a few years.

There are ways to punish her more severely.

‘Complaints from Astra.’

But that would cause a deep rift between the royal family and Astra.

Why should we bear the risk when she caused the incident?

I hummed a tune watching the royal carriage leave.

Then,

“Impressive, truly.”

Alexis’s voice came.

I looked back to see the boy with the entry pass on his wrist staring at me.

“If you touch me, I’ll repay it twice over.”

“Yeah, you would.”

Alexis chuckled.

I shrugged.

“Shall we go? To the party?”

“Yeah.”

“You’ve roughly learned the etiquette?”

“You’ve been drilling me, of course.”

Alexis reached out his hand.

I stepped back slightly, bent my knees a bit, and lightly placed my index, middle, and ring fingers on his hand.

It was finally time to enter.

Everyone’s gaze instantly focused on the door.

A blonde girl with red eyes, as dazzling as a living rose, entered the party with a handsome boy.

It was well known that the commotion was due to the appearance of Lady Erilot Astra.

Groups of boys whispered “Wow...” in awe.

Erilot Astra’s beauty was famous.

Among the stunning Astra family, she was a rare gem.

A doll-like child who resembled Daymond Astra, famed as the empire’s most beautiful.

But when I heard the rumors, I thought they were exaggerated.

‘But truly...’

‘Yeah, truly...’

The boy who met Erilot’s gaze turned crimson and stumbled, dropping his juice.

Some boys forgot to talk and stared with open mouths.

Girls who adored beauty let out entranced gasps.

Golden eyelashes fluttered elegantly with each blink.

Below them, red irises sparkled brighter than any jewel.

A face so beautiful it could have been crafted by the gods themselves, lips like flower petals.

Her small nose gave her an adorable youthful charm.

Though this was her second entrance, the crowd gazed at Erilot endlessly.

Heidi, watching silently, puffed up proudly.

‘But who is that boy?’

A boy with looks that didn’t lose at all next to the stunning Astra Count’s daughter.

Black hair like gathered night skies.

Blue eyes as dazzling as a dawn castle.

Being beside Erilot, he lacked nothing in appearance.

‘Wow...’

‘Amazing...’

The girls inhaled sharply.

At that moment, Rumelisa Paante approached.

“Lady, did you see off the princess well?”

“Yes.”

Lady Paante grabbed Erilot’s hand tightly.

“Thanks to you, the party wasn’t empty.”

Her eyes shone with genuine warmth.

“It was nothing.”

“No, it’s your heart I appreciate. But... who is this?”

Erilot turned to look at Alexis.

“Ah...”

Alexis lightly placed a hand on his chest and said,

“I’m Alexis.”

The girls quickly /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ gathered around him.

“It’s the first time we see you in the capital. Which family are you from?”

Erilot’s eyes gleamed secretly.

‘I knew this question would come.’

She poked his side discreetly.

Alexis frowned briefly but quickly changed his expression and answered.

“There will be a chance to introduce me in time.”

“Oh my?”

Everyone’s eyes widened in curiosity.

Erilot smoothly changed the subject.

“But this party is really wonderful. It’s my first time at a capital party, so I’m amazed.”

Lady Paante’s mouth twitched in a smile.

“There aren’t many parties like this. I prepared it with great care.”

“Mrs. Gonalong said the Paante marquise’s parties are always magnificent. Seems you inherited your mother’s talent!”

Lady Paante’s face brightened.

“You think so? How delightful~.”

The party was warm and friendly.

But all eyes stayed fixed on Alexis.

Erilot smiled as she took the juice Lady Paante personally handed her.

‘There’s no topic hotter than beauty.’

The plan to focus the capital’s gaze on Alexis was a complete success.

Lady Paante returned home with a dazzled expression.

“How was the party? Did you enjoy it?”

The marquise chuckled.

“Absolutely!”

“Did the princess leave safely?”

“Don’t mention it. It was really too much!”

“Why?”

“If it weren’t for Lady Erilot, the princess would have been humiliated.”

A childish fight was turning into an adult battle.