Seating her beside him was no different from saying the emperor had already made his decision. It was the same as telling them to treat Rosana Arcadi not as the daughter of the Astrot ducal family, but as the empress.

“Could His Majesty truly have fallen for Lady Arcadi?”

Though intense emotion could be felt, the voice was kept extremely low. A noblewoman glanced at him and said:

“So the commotion at the boutique was true.”

Jade spoke, seemingly unconcerned with the nobles’ murmuring.

“Everyone, raise your heads.”

At his statement, the nobles who had been bowing their heads deeply raised them.

“Many may know of her, but few have seen her directly. So take this opportunity to see, hear, and judge for yourselves.”

It was a short, powerful statement. The judgment was theirs to make. Yet his sharp spirit warned them they must never be disrespectful.

“Your Majesty, may I step forward?”

“Of course.”

As Rosana stood, Jade felt his role was finished. He watched only Rosana’s back with a languid posture.

Rosana rose from her seat. The clicking of her heels rang out cheerfully. Receiving all eyes upon her, Rosana stood before the platform. Then she gently lifted the hem of her skirt with one hand before lowering it again.

Everyone admired her natural manner that flowed like water. Her grace and dignity were exceptional. And above all.

“Good evening, everyone. I believe you’re all well aware of the rumors about me. However, I ask that from this moment forward, you speak only of facts judged by your own eyes.”

Her intensely shining eyes were enough to elicit clearing throats. She was so different from the person they had imagined. Rosana declared they should not judge others by the measure of rumors.

The nobles observed Rosana with intrigued eyes.

Rosana’s mouth had gone completely dry. It wasn’t fear. But it was still difficult to remain composed under gazes piercing from all directions. However, conviction was etched within her. Through many events and experiences, she had become who she was now. She didn’t feel like she would lose.

Rosana didn’t bother looking back. She knew without seeing that Jade was guarding her back. Rosana calmly descended below.

‘Which nobles will be on my side?’

Rosana swept over the nobles with sharp eyes. Proving that people grow similar when together, Rosana’s gaze looked very similar to Jade’s. The only difference was that such a look flashed for only a brief moment. Rosana soon hid her expression and created a beautiful smile.

Thus the banquet began.

Jade still sat in the seat of honor while Rosana deliberately waded through the nobles. Whether due to lingering distance or because they were watching Jade’s actions, no one spoke to her.

“Lady Rosana!”

Then someone called Rosana’s name from behind. She immediately knew who it was from the pure white hair. It was Lily.

“Have you been well?”

Lily spoke familiarly. Rosana smiled brightly. She had been agonizing over the piercing gazes with no one speaking to her. Lily wore the gloves she had gifted her.

Lily immediately showed off the gloves, boasting. Rosana had sent various gifts to Lily, who could be called her first friend, and gloves were among them. Gloves were an excellent choice as accessories for a ball.

Lily let out exclamations while making somewhat exaggerated gestures, seemingly intending to show the gloves to people around them.

“Lady Rosana. Thank you for the gift. My hands are incredibly warm.”

“I’m glad they suit you.”

As a bonus, Lily linked arms with Rosana to show they were close. Lily quietly whispered:

“His Majesty isn’t staying by your side?”

She pointed to Jade, who sat in the seat of honor without moving.

“I requested it.”

“You did, Lady Rosana?”

Lily tilted her head, then turned to look at Jade. Many people had already gathered beside him. Many wanted conversation with him.

Duke Helpe was by his side just like Lily was by Rosana’s. Lily grinned and stuck her tongue out at Jade. Jade’s eyebrows twitched, seemingly slightly annoyed at meeting her eyes.

“He must be burning with anxiety.”

Rosana smiled back at Lily’s chuckling words. Even before coming, she had heard grumbling disguised as bickering. Rosana laughed softly.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Though Jade bristled at Lily’s mocking attitude from afar, seeing Rosana laugh made him think hosting this utterly boring ball had been worthwhile. He had been the one to think of creating an opportunity for Rosana in the first place.

“I’m glad Lily and Lady Rosana have become close. She sends letters often, so I’m grateful Lily doesn’t get bored at the estate.”

“She sends letters too?”

“Yes.”

“It’s better to hear and see someone directly than exchange words in writing.”

Jade spoke with a sulky air. The duke, belatedly understanding the meaning, laughed heartily.

“Won’t you go to Lady Rosana’s side?”

It was understandable to wonder, since Jade, who had acted like he wouldn’t be separated from Rosana for even a moment, now sat in the seat of honor without moving. He couldn’t possibly have failed to notice the murmuring and gazes directed at Rosana.

“…She said she wanted to be alone.”

“So you’re watching from behind like an abandoned puppy?”

“What? What are you saying?”

“Aren’t your sad, wet eyes chasing after Lady Rosana? Are you listening to me?”

Jade clicked his tongue, seemingly unable to refute.

“She’ll do well on her own. In fact, didn’t I change too?”

“I don’t doubt that. I’m just worried there might be people who lay hands on her. There are always fools who act out without knowing their place. No matter how much you brand it into them, there are people whose stupidity stands out.”

“Isn’t Lily by her side?”

“…That’s true.”

Rosana also wore a much more comfortable expression now that Lily had appeared.

“That was supposed to be my role.”

It was a sentence dripping with regret.

The nobles watched Lily and Rosana sticking together with unusual eyes.

“They look close with Duke Helpe’s daughter.”

“There was a reason His Grace mentioned Lady Arcadi. She seems to get along with the young lady too… His Grace appears to have acknowledged Lady Arcadi.”

Those around them chattered about Lily and Rosana’s friendship. That was because Lily stayed by Rosana’s side without leaving, taking on the role of closest confidant.

“Lily, how about we walk a bit apart? Everyone’s paying attention.”

Rosana carefully suggested releasing their linked arms, but Lily only asked “Why?” with a fresh face, acting like she knew nothing.

“Don’t the stares bother you?”

“It’s fine. Aren’t both you and I used to such gazes? Then it’s better to act as we please!”

“…You’re right.”

When surrounding nobles said they must be really close, Lily’s eyes sparkled. Rosana let out a hollow laugh. She knew Lily had deliberately linked arms ostentatiously. 

Rosana decided to play along with Lily’s tune. Rosana adjusted the shawl draped over Lily’s shoulders, saying it was crooked.

“Lily, your shawl is crooked. You’re not feeling well, so you need to be careful of catching cold.”

“Thanks to Rosana’s consideration, I’m staying warm. Even my father covets it. It’s Kel.pie. fur after all.”

Noticing Rosana’s action, Lily emphasized her words while looking at the surrounding nobles. Rosana smiled brightly and said:

“Is that so? I gave something to everyone I’m grateful to, but it’s still taking up warehouse space, which is troublesome. If you need more, please tell me anytime.”

Rosana held back the laughter that wanted to come out. Those pretending to be dignified while drinking wine perked up their ears every time words popped out of Rosana’s mouth.

They were surprised she occupied the seat next to Jade, surprised by her speech, and surprised by her attitude flaunting her special friendship with Lily. The nobles only kept drinking wine while glancing over.

However, with so many people gathered in one place, there were bound to be foolish ones. One group huddled together, murmuring about Rosana. Their tone was quite unpleasant, showing their displeasure.

“His Majesty may be blind and doting on her now, but won’t that just be temporary?”

“Isn’t Lady Arcadi the unfilial daughter who tried to poison even her own sister?”

It was a small voice like mosquitoes buzzing in their ears. Lily frowned deeply and grumbled.

“They think we can’t hear them?”

She snorted loudly, as if to say “obviously.” Lily looked coldly in that direction, but the group chattering away didn’t notice. At Lily’s chilly gaze, other nobles’ eyes also turned that way.

And naturally, the nobles alternately looked between them and Rosana. They anticipated Rosana’s next action. The group slandering Rosana continued chattering about her and making all sorts of fuss, seemingly having found an interesting topic.

“If she tried to kill her sister by poisoning her, who knows what she might have done to His Majesty. His Majesty didn’t originally look favorably on the lady. There were even rumors in the Astrot Empire that she’s a witch… Could she have fed him some strange drug? At this point, we should suspect His Majesty’s mental state…”

“Madam.”

A cool voice descended upon them. The noblewoman who had been laughing quietly stopped fanning and turned her head. Then she met icily shining eyes.

“Madam, you seem quite curious about me.”

“Th-that can’t be.”

“Is that so?”

Though the noblewoman was sweating profusely, she pretended to have said nothing and asked disgustingly if there was some business. 

The noblewomen sensed ominousness in Rosana’s action of tilting her head saying it was strange, and wanted to leave as soon as possible.

“I-if you have nothing to say, may we take our leave?”

Though she wore a smiling face, seemingly thinking to smooth over the situation, Rosana had no intention of letting it pass easily. She could feel people’s gazes even without looking. Along with his gaze too.

She heard murmuring voices. Eyes anticipating how she would handle this. Because nobles were originally that kind of people. They assessed and measured their opponents. Rosana was the same.

Rosana tilted her head and raised the corners of her mouth in a smile, saying that couldn’t be.

“I thought there wouldn’t be a single noble attending this ball who wasn’t curious about me. How adorable you all are. Unable to approach, saying this and that from afar. If you’re curious, you can ask me directly. I’ll answer sincerely.”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

Rosana covered her mouth and laughed pleasantly. At her leisurely-seeming attitude, the noblewoman trembled with anxiety. 

Seemingly planning to play dumb, she looked at empty air or gave looks to those around her, requesting support from her fellow noblewomen who had been chattering together. They all had the same guilt, so they agreed.

If she had been alone, the one isolated would have been her. But now it was different. Lily said sarcastically from beside her:

“Oh my, is there something wrong with my ears? I could have sworn I heard it too… How strange.”

“Th-that is…”