Hurrying to the corner, Hinael quickly crossed the hall, but before she could take a few steps, a group led by Seilla stopped her.

“Oh my! Isn’t this Hinael? I haven’t seen your face in so long, I wasn’t sure it was you.”

The royal Princess Seilla’s voice oozed a sense of superiority.

Eloquent, overflowing with nonchalance, and with an appropriate firmness.

Hinael slowly turned around. Just as Dea had said, the ladies’ attire was uniformly vulgar.

Seilla was no exception. Displaying her beauty like a peacock, she stood with a haughty demeanor.

Glancing at Hinael’s ample chest, Hinael stiffly opened her lips.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Princess.”

She couldn’t bring herself to call her ‘sister.’ No, she had never dared to address her that way.

The hierarchy of the royal family was as unyielding as a rock. It was because of the purity of their inherited bloodline that they were divided into ranks.

‘I’ve experienced it countless times, but I can’t help feeling hurt in my pride.’

Seilla and the noble ladies clinging to her side looked smug, as if they had just received a bow from their subject.

They seemed intent on undermining Hinael’s self-esteem.

“Ah yes, it’s been a while. I heard His Majesty has specially summoned all the princesses today? Such an opportunity doesn’t come often, so let’s enjoy it to the fullest.”

Seilla deliberately glanced around the room. Then, with a sullen expression, she jeered.

“The Count hasn’t arrived yet, I see? If he had come sooner, he wouldn’t have left you so lonely.”

Despite her words, her face showed no trace of sympathy. Inheriting her mother’s venomous nature, her frivolity only evoked a pitiful feeling.

Avoiding confrontation was the wisest course, so Hinael replied with a mild expression.

“I hope you have an enjoyable banquet.”

It might have seemed like she was cutting off the conversation abruptly, but her demeanor was so docile that no one dared to sharpen their tone. However, she couldn’t stop the giggling sounds from behind her.

One of the noble ladies spoke up in a shrill voice.

“Even though you’re about to become a countess, you’re not arrogant at all.”

“Of course she shouldn’t be. Whether she becomes a countess or a duchess, our dear princess must still show proper respect.”

Wrapped in the guise of praise was a mocking undertone, causing Hinael’s face to flush. The heat that burned her cheeks then spread to her heart in the following exchange.

Seilla picked up the women’s words.

“She might even become the prince’s consort.”

“The prince’s consort? That’s too much of a jest.”

“But Her Highness’ words have some merit. Wasn’t it said that she went to the palace where the Trycas envoys are staying, in the dead of night, to meet Prince Viant?”

“Oh, how scandalous!”

While they didn’t explicitly name Hinael as the target, their barbed words were clearly aimed at her, fueling the chatter’s amusement.

Hinael couldn’t suppress the burning feeling in her stomach. She needed to take a deep breath.

‘Just a little longer. No matter what they say, I just have to leave Sarr.’

She hoped this unbearable time would pass quickly.

After sipping wine in the corner for a while, a familiar figure gradually approached.

All eyes turned to the man, then inevitably shifted to Hinael.

Hinael sensed the peculiar atmosphere and turned her head.

“Your Highness, it’s been a long time.”

A respectful voice. A tone filled with goodwill.

But the moment she heard it, she felt like insects were crawling all over her body.

It was him. Count Chetter Phil.

“I’m utterly captivated by your sheer beauty.”

His sticky gaze roamed over her body, lingering on her voluptuous br*asts. As her chest heaved from tension, Chetter swallowed hard.

With his pale skin and slender build, he radiated an air of nobility at first glance. But the venomousness lurking within was more vicious than a viper.

“Is your ankle alright?”

He abruptly bent down on one knee. Despite the shocked gasps around them, he paid no heed.

About a month ago, Hinael first encountered Chetter in the palace gardens.

He had simply caught her when she mistepped on the stairs. Of course, she hadn’t been injured at all.

But when was that?

Hinael pulled her foot back, evading his outstretched hand.

“I-I’m fine.”

“I’m relieved there’s no injury.”

Injury?

Ah yes, that was just how he was.

At first, he had treated her like a fragile porcelain doll, carefully guarding her.

But once her value diminished, he simply erased any trace of her.

For someone so impulsive as to decide on marriage at first sight…

Back then, she didn’t know Chetter’s true nature.

Even if she had, as someone bound by the King’s decision, there was nothing she could have done.

Taking advantage of her moment of contemplation, he finally wrapped his hand around her slender ankle.

Trying to push away his snake-like grip, Hinael tensed her foot, but Chetter only tightened his hold, looking up at her with a smile.

“If I could, I would always want to protect you like this.”

His formless words slithered like a tongue, caressing her bare skin. In her mind, she wanted to kick the mouth spewing such nonsense.

Whether they knew Hinael’s feelings or not, the people around her highly praised Chetter’s blind courtship. It was as if the noblewomen were utterly captivated by his pale appearance, surrounding the two and showering them with compliments.

“It’s really romantic. I’m sure the Count is someone who loves passionately.”

“Why wouldn’t he? How happy would it be to become the wife of such a man? He’s a rare talent, possessing wealth, power, and an outstanding appearance.”

“Oh dear, if your husband hears this, he might feel hurt.”

“It’s alright. He’s not the type to get jealous over such remarks.”

Ha ha, ho ho, what could be so enjoyable?

There were praises for Chetter but not a single mention of Hinael. It was unpleasant as it subtly indicated how fortunate Hinael was to find such a match.

Hinael, feeling a sudden surge of disgust, instinctively withdrew her ankle. This caused Chetter to stumble forward, and his expression twisted in embarrassment due to the public humiliation.

“Your Highness, what is this…?”

Barely regaining his balance by supporting himself on the floor, he stood up, dusting off his hands. The atmosphere instantly turned cold as if cold water had been thrown over it.

As Chetter took a step closer to Hinael, his breath, filled with anger, brushed her cheek.

The atmosphere became tense, but no one intervened.

Everyone knew too well that there was nothing to be gained by opposing Chetter, the largest mine owner in the Kingdom of Sarr. There was no way they would side with the half-royal Hinael.

Hinael shivered slightly as she saw the numerous eyes glaring at her.

She wanted to stand tall but her head drooped helplessly.

“I-I’m sorry. I’m not used to the touch and ended up being rude. Please forgive me.”

Only when she adopted a humble posture did a benevolent smile appear on Chetter’s face. He seemed eager to embrace Hinael as if she were already his possession.

Hinael anxiously scanned the banquet hall.

‘Why hasn’t he come yet?’

She hoped Lutz would step in before she got further entangled with Chetter.

“Are you perhaps… waiting for someone? You seem to be looking around as if you’re searching for someone.”

The soft voice pulled her wandering gaze back. Hinael forced a casual smile, trying to hide the fact that she was looking for Lutz.

“No, it’s my first time attending such a grand party, so I’m just curious.”

“I see. Once you enter the Count’s mansion, you’ll have to host many more banquets. Anyway, today, I will escort Your Highness.”

With a gentlemanly bow, he took Hinael’s hand. He was about to kiss the back of her hand.

“How did you get this scar…?”

It was a scratch from a jewel. The eyes of the goddess embroidered on the almoner were so sharp that the bloodstain was still vivid.

Hinael gently covered her hand. Chetter then blew on the wound, scolding an unseen maid.

“Such poor service. Tsk tsk!”

“I just brushed against a branch while walking.”

“It’s not something to be taken lightly. The servant should have cleared the branches.”

He acted as if a valuable item had been damaged.

Hinael looked down at Chetter. What she once thought was an outstanding appearance now seemed sly.

His fair skin and rosy lips were perfect for enchanting women, but to Hinael, he looked like a wicked white snake.

Though she hated touching him, she couldn’t outright reject him again in front of everyone.

‘If the marriage proposal with the prince goes through smoothly, I won’t have to endure this anymore.’

Her desperate eyes searched for Lutz again. She eagerly awaited him, especially since he had promised to pretend to covet her.

She was also curious if Chetter would show his greed so openly in front of Lutz.

Lost in her thoughts, Chetter, who was pitying her wound, lowered his head again. As he was about to kiss the back of her hand, a terrible aversion surged within Hinael.

She felt so nauseous that she might vomit at any moment.

“I’d be better off if you disappeared. So just disappear.”