By the time they returned to the palace, it was barely in time for dinner. Karina quickly changed clothes and met Aidan on her way back to the main palace.

“Thank you for earlier.”

Aidan thanked her for helping send Liam Smith’s family to the Hewitt duchy.

“I’m here now to support Your Highness, after all.”

She had judged that the earlier events were necessary to strengthen his position as prince. That’s why she had helped by using the Hewitt duchy’s influence.

“I’m grateful you think that way.”

They walked for a while afterward without much conversation.

“May I ask why you made that choice?”

Aidan turned his head to look at Karina when she asked the question. His expression suggested he didn’t understand which choice she meant.

“If the opponent was targeting them to use as hostages, we could have chosen to eliminate them entirely.”

Liam Smith had tried to kill Aidan. Logically speaking, it was hard to understand why he would save his family. It would have been more common for his anger toward Liam Smith to extend to his family as well.

Aidan made an “ah” sound and smiled wryly.

“No special reason. I’m just weak when it comes to the elderly and children. That’s all.”

“Does that mean if his family hadn’t been elderly or children, you might have made a different choice?”

“Well, I make it a point not to think about hypotheticals since there’s no use considering things that haven’t happened.”

That was all Aidan had to say. Though it wasn’t the answer she had expected, Karina found herself quietly exhaling.

Thank goodness he wasn’t the kind of villain who easily killed people.

But then she couldn’t help but laugh at herself for thinking that was something to be thankful for.

*

Princess Elena of Icinia showed even more fondness for Karina than expected.

“I grew up hearing stories about Consort Karina since I was young. Perhaps that’s why you don’t feel unfamiliar. I was actually really looking forward to meeting you.”

Perhaps because they were similar in age, Princess Elena kept addressing Karina, who sat across from her, throughout dinner.

“I hope those stories were good ones.”

“Of course! I’d say any girl my age in Icinia probably grew up hearing until their ears fell off that they should be like the young lady of the Hewitt duchy. Oh, I don’t mean that in a bad way. I mean they were all such good stories.”

The fact that Karina, who wasn’t even of royal blood, was considered an exemplary case even to Princess Elena of another country, had significant implications. It meant that even Griffith’s allied nations considered Karina as a potential future empress, and thought her perfect enough that it wouldn’t be strange if she became empress.

The Empress couldn’t have failed to understand the implications of Princess Elena’s words. Thanks to this, she maintained a displeased expression throughout dinner.

“We too have heard many stories about you, Princess Elena. That you are wise and beautiful.”

The Empress tried to shift attention from Karina to Princess Elena. However, Princess Elena shook her head with a bright smile.

“I’ve lived with quite a bit of pride, but now that I’m here, I see that Consort Karina is much more beautiful.”

Her tone was genuinely generous, without a hint of jealousy. Rather, the Empress who had tried to praise her seemed somewhat flustered. Aidan let out a small laugh until Karina nudged his foot under the table, making him quickly close his mouth and turn away. Though his lips still twitched with suppressed laughter, Karina didn’t point that out.

Karina already knew that Elena had a kind nature without grudges. Because of this, some people occasionally underestimated her, but she wasn’t entirely gentle. She could be quite resolute about matters she had decided upon. Refusing His Highness Lloyd without hesitation despite it being an international marriage proposal was one example.

“The gardens here are more beautiful at night. Princess Elena, would you like to tour the gardens after dinner? Prince Lloyd can guide you.”

The Empress subtly tried to pair Princess Elena with Prince Lloyd again. Prince Lloyd frowned, displeased, but received a sharp look from the Empress.

“A night garden sounds wonderful. Thank you for suggesting it. But could I request a different guide?”

Princess Elena asked with a pretty smile. The Emperor, who had been quietly continuing his meal, asked if she had someone specific in mind. Princess Elena’s gaze turned to Karina.

“I’d like to go with Consort Karina. Would that be alright?”

Karina met her gentle smiling gaze but couldn’t immediately answer. She saw the Empress’s face contorting. She glanced at Prince Lloyd. By now, he should have stepped in according to the Empress’s wishes, but he too was pretending not to notice and looking away.

“Why don’t you accompany her?” 

The Emperor asked. With this, rejection was no longer an option.

“I would be delighted to.”

Princess Elena’s face brightened at Karina’s answer. Seeing her joy like that of a child, a smile naturally spread across Karina’s face as well. The other person’s pure show of goodwill seemed to brighten her mood as well.

“Then, let’s guide Princess Elena well.”

The Empress added with a disgruntled expression. Finding it amusing, Aidan’s lips twitched again beside her.

“Oh, am I being shameless by taking His Highness Aidan away from Consort Karina during their honeymoon?”

Princess Elena belatedly glanced at Aidan.

“No, it’s fine. I should gladly yield if it means two ladies can spend an enjoyable time together.”

“Would Your Highness like to join us as well?”

Princess Elena suggested to Aidan, thinking it was a good idea. The more she did so, the more the Empress’s face hardened. She must have hoped Elena would get along well with Lloyd, but Elena showed no interest in him and only expressed fondness for Aidan and Karina, so it was natural for her to feel frustrated.

Aidan inadvertently turned his gaze and met eyes with the Empress, whose expression was about to sour. Though she tried to force a smile, it was clearly strained. Finding this amusing, he deliberately flashed a bright smile at her.

“It would be my honor.”

At his response to join Princess Elena, the Empress’s frown deepened. While internally suppressing his laughter, Aidan shifted his gaze to Princess Elena.

“However, unfortunately, I have matters to attend to.”

When Aidan politely declined, the Empress’s frown finally smoothed out. The amusing part was that Lloyd showed no interest in any of this. He was completely focused on his meal, seemingly eager to finish and leave.

“Will you make time for me tomorrow?”

The Empress asked Princess Elena.

“I’d like to serve you some of Griffith Empire’s finest tea.”

“Thank you. I look forward to it.”

“Lloyd, escort Princess Elena to my palace tomorrow.”

Though the Empress was smiling cordially, her tone was more commanding than requesting. This time, Lloyd quietly agreed. Karina noticed Princess Elena’s expression briefly harden at that moment, but when she looked again, the princess wore the same gentle smile as before.

*

After the meal, Karina headed to the garden within Aidan’s palace with Princess Elena. Actually, Karina wasn’t too keen on it since she had recently encountered Kate Spencer there during a banquet, but the servants recommended it as the most beautiful garden in the imperial palace, and Princess Elena wished to go there.

“It’s truly beautiful. Is this where the former Empress personally participated in the landscaping?”

Princess Elena exclaimed while looking around the garden. The white stone gazebo in the inner garden had a unique opening in the center, through which moonlight could be seen pouring down. It was a garden the former Empress had specially prepared for her son.

Sitting on a chair in the gazebo and looking up at the sky, Princess Elena let out a “wow” in admiration.

“Looking at it like this gives me a strange feeling.”

She said while keeping her gaze fixed on the night sky.

“It’s too beautiful, but I can only see the world through that hole. Even though there are so many beautiful things spread around, my gaze is forced to focus there. It feels like I’m being forced to look at only this because it’s beautiful.”

Karina stared at her at these peculiar words.

“It’s just like my life in the palace…”

At this mumbled soliloquy, Karina finally understood her meaning and swallowed a short groan.

“Ah, please pretend you didn’t hear that.”

Realizing what she’d said, Princess Elena quickly added.

“It’s alright. I think I understand how you feel.”

During those three years in her previous life, it had been the same for Karina. She had lived believing that making Aidan the Crown Prince and becoming Empress later was the only right path. Being the wise and beautiful Empress that everyone praised was her life’s goal, but it felt like looking at the sky through a tiny hole — beautiful but intangible, like an illusion.

If three years alone had been so difficult for her, how must it be for Princess Elena who had grown up in the palace her entire life? Though Icinia and the Griffith Empire were different situations, Karina thought Princess Elena must have her own hardships, considering every place had its circumstances.

A clear example was her being here as Lloyd’s potential consort candidate. Judging by her subtle reactions during dinner, she seemed unwilling about this marriage arrangement. Of course, Lloyd was equally indifferent.

Nevertheless, marriages between royal families often proceeded out of necessity. While there wasn’t an immediate need for a political marriage since Icinia and the Griffith Empire currently had friendly relations, the Empress seemed eager for it. If the Empress of the Griffith Empire wanted it, it wouldn’t be easy for Icinia to refuse.

Princess Elena, who had looked embarrassed at Karina’s words of understanding, took a deep breath and smiled brightly. Now that she thought about it, the princess’s frequent smiles seemed to be a way to hide her concerns.

“How is it? Being married?”