I smiled to ease the tension and said, “So, what happened? The probation incident, I mean. Tell me all about it.”

Greta didn’t stay gloomy for long. Her story was mostly the same as Sir Wayne’s, but the details were different, making it more amusing.

“So, everyone avoids me and won’t even meet my eyes, but I don’t mind. They always spar with me, even while I’m suspended.”

“I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing…”

I shook my head, and Jane, resting her chin on her hand, asked, “How did Sir Murray react?”

“Him? He fainted the moment the door opened, so he didn’t see anything. Why, are you interested in him?”

“Of course not!” Jane responded in disgust. Greta laughed.

“He’s the only one who insists he hasn’t seen my body. I’m wondering if I should show him just once.”

“Greta, if you cause trouble again, you’re fired.”

Greta started trembling dramatically. I chuckled and let it go.

A few days later, the old apothecary woman was actually caught at the checkpoint. Surprisingly, the reason wasn’t that she was a wizard but because of the invitation I had given her. A Keppel family member stationed at the checkpoint found it suspicious and contacted me. The old woman stammered an excuse.

“I just wanted to keep it as a memento…”

I couldn’t help but laugh, even though I knew I shouldn’t. “I missed you, grandma.”

To think she had escaped in the dead of night only to be caught so easily. Or maybe it just showed how thorough the checkpoint was. I hadn’t realized they inspected belongings so carefully, so I was a bit surprised. It gave me chills to think that even if I hadn’t been caught at the concert, I would’ve been at the checkpoint. Regardless, I offered the nervous old woman some warm tea and asked, “You’ll come to the party, right?”

“…Would someone like me be welcome?”

“Running away doesn’t change anything.”

The old woman flinched.

“Escaping brings temporary peace, but the place you left behind stays the same. If you want this place to change, you have to be the one to change it. Of course, it’s too hard and overwhelming to do it alone, so you’ll need a lot of help from those around you.”

She gazed at me in silence.

“Both I, and Count Hersher, along with other wizards, and maybe even non-wizards, will help you if that’s what you want.”

What I said to her was also a message to myself. It wasn’t until after I had run away that I realized I’d been ignoring all the people who wanted to reach out to me. I had my reasons, of course. I didn’t want to burden others by complaining, I feared that if I showed weakness, the people close to me wouldn’t have anyone to lean on, and I worried they would be saddened by not being able to help me.

I had endured loneliness alone, but after I finally ran away, I was forced to confront the sincerity of the many people I had ignored. These days, even the slightest noise makes me fear someone might have fallen to their knees, and the briefest silence makes me worry that someone might have shed tears.

But once I realized that there were people who cared for me and wanted to help, I felt like I had the strength to fight, even though nothing had really changed. I hoped the old woman would feel the same.

“Or, if not that, you could help me instead.”

Maybe it was because my words made sense to her, or maybe it was because she knew she had no way out after being caught. Either way, she nodded in resignation.

“This old woman will do what she can.”

I sighed in relief. For now, I planned to talk to Benjamin about growing roscari in the Hershey region. If the climate wasn’t suitable, I’d push for a greenhouse and even use magic if necessary. Roscari could always be turned into a weapon to persecute wizards again, so we needed to research and prepare countermeasures in advance.

Besides, although we’re importing roscari at a steep price thanks to the goodwill of the Laran royal family, I don’t know if that goodwill will last after the divorce. Given the delicate nature of international relations, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being treated like a hostage.

Then, on the day of the party, I was taken aback by an unexpected guest.

“…Ellie.”

It was Benjamin, arriving late after finishing his work, and he had brought Crown Princess Eloise as his partner. I stared at them in surprise, and Eloise, looking somewhat awkward, asked, “Is this a party I shouldn’t be attending?”

“No, of course not. I’m just surprised you’d come to such a small gathering.”

I replied, glancing at Benjamin. He quickly tried to explain himself.

“I didn’t tell her. She just overheard me talking about it, and then she insisted on coming… Ow!”

Benjamin shut his mouth after Eloise jabbed him in the side. He had pointed toward Isabella, who was dancing enthusiastically with her partner.

They weren’t doing a noble dance but a traditional folk dance from Cadia. Even though her partner was dancing for the first time, he managed to keep up quite well. And despite being blindfolded due to his visual impairment, he still moved skillfully. He was the Lord of Light from Laran, who had recently been teaching Isabella magic.

“High society in Cadia is so dull and boring. But this looks like it might be fun,” Eloise commented, watching the lively dancing.

I was relieved that she found it enjoyable, but then she suddenly gave me a sharp look and spoke.

“I thought you only invited people you were really grateful to. I guess you’re not grateful to me? Have you already forgotten how I worked tirelessly for three months to save you?”

“…That’s not it…”

At a loss for words, I looked over at Benjamin, but before he could say anything, Eloise spoke again, her voice full of disappointment.

“I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, but this magical heart chain that’s suppressing your rampaging magic is a special spell passed down only to ruler of the Laran royal family. It’s a really, really amazing and extraordinary spell, you know, one that could even turn a non-magician into a magician.”

She was totally making a big deal out of it, wasn’t she? I felt so guilty that I quickly tried to explain myself.

“I’m always grateful to you, Ellie. It’s just that this party is far too modest, too simple, and too… lackluster for someone of your stature. Haha…”

“…”

“I was planning to invite you to a proper party later. This one is just, uh, like a rehearsal?”

Only then did Eloise’s expression soften slightly.

“Then when will you invite me again?”

“Uh… I’m a bit busy right now… but once things settle down.”

Though it was still chilly, I could feel sweat beginning to form. Sensing my unease, Eloise spoke in a curt tone.

“You’d better hurry and settle things. I’ll be expecting it.”

With that, she dragged Benjamin to the center of the hall. She started pestering him to teach her the dance everyone else was doing, but Benjamin, having forgotten most of it, fumbled and stammered, and ended up getting his feet stepped on repeatedly by Eloise. Watching this made me laugh, but then the old woman approached me.

“That gentleman must be Count Hershey, I presume?”

“Yes, but it’s hard to talk to him now since the Crown Princess of Laran is his partner. I’ll arrange a separate meeting for you.”

“…The fact that she gifted you roscari must be a great gesture of goodwill. After all, she’s essentially offering the antidote to the poison that once endangered their kind to save their descendants.”

I agreed with her. I hoped that Cadia and Laran would maintain their friendly relations. Though I couldn’t say what Cade’s true feelings were.

“Wouldn’t it be a good idea to let them know that we have no other motives for cultivating it?”

Understanding her intent, I nodded.

“I’ll introduce you later.”

As the host, I slowly made my way around the room, observing the guests. Even though there weren’t many people, the hall felt lively, as if it were full. I couldn’t help but feel grateful to realize that nearly everyone here was on my side. I made my way to Bill, who was seated in a corner, chatting with Sir Wayne.

“Talking with Sir Wayne?”

“Duchess.”

Sir Wayne greeted me, while Bill’s face was already flushed, as if he’d been drinking too much. It was rare to see anyone in high society drunk, but Bill seemed uncomfortable in this kind of setting and had likely downed quite a bit already.

“He’s a fine commander. I have no worries. Haha.”

Still, he seemed to be in good spirits. Sir Wayne, too, had loosened his uniform slightly, suggesting he had been drinking with Bill.

“How’s the drink, gentlemen? I made sure to prepare a variety.”

“They’re all good. But nothing beats the Red Pub’s beer.”

“That’s true.”

Sir Wayne grinned and added, “If even the Duchess approves, I’ll have to try it sometime.”

“How about tonight?”

It seemed the two were already planning to head to the Red Pub after the party. Smiling, I looked around for Greta. To my surprise, she was dancing in the middle of the hall with a young knight, and I instantly knew he must be Sir Murray. Greta noticed me watching and, with a grin, dragged Sir Murray over.

“Let me introduce my fiancé, Sir Murray.”

“That’s not true. Duchess, my name is Murray Peanut.”

Sir Murray’s face turned bright red as he denied it. His last name was Peanut, and his face had a cute, innocent look to match. I couldn’t help but smile warmly.

“Sir Murray, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

It was a formal greeting, but for some reason, his ears turned red as well. Not wanting to tease him, I turned my attention to Greta.

“Greta, I didn’t know you could dance so well. You must’ve practiced a lot.”

“I can dance both the men’s and women’s parts.”

“Wow.”

I couldn’t help but be genuinely impressed. As the music changed, Greta offered her hand to me with a respectful gesture.

“Shall we dance?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the situation, but I gladly took her hand and joined the dance. The crowd made space for us, forming a circle around us. Greta, dressed in her white knight’s uniform, had her hair tied up high, and her ponytail swayed with each lively step she took.

“You’re really good! When did you learn?”

“I’m good at anything that involves moving my body.”

“The ladies must all want to dance with you.”

“Well, then you’ll just have to throw parties every day.”

Why is everyone so excited about my party?

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