To be precise, it was closer to Roan’s typical interrogation, so Roa felt sorry for the crown prince for the first time.

If he had pretended not to know and walked past, nothing would have happened, but he deliberately acknowledged her and brought about this situation.

Roa’s face showed sympathy for Yvaine’s future of suffering from Roan’s troublesome behavior. Roa knew how painful it was from her own experience.

‘I just hope they don’t end up being late for the meeting while fighting.’

It would feel strange to hear they were scolded for being late after she had gone to the trouble of bringing the documents.

“Well, it’s not my concern if they’re late. Ugh, it’s a shame to just go home now, but why does the Slave Syndicate have to be so active at this time?”

Roa voiced her complaint that was close to grumbling.

She felt uneasy that she shouldn’t easily dismiss Roan’s words, but at the same time, she wanted to see the circus that was performing for the last time before leaving the Empire today.

Roa walked through the imperial palace, contemplating whether she should heed her brother’s advice.

Without the leisure to look around, Roa stared at the ground and walked straight ahead, considering two options.

A voice calling for Roa echoed through the corridor. Roa turned her head at the clear, pure voice.

“Roa! Where are you going?”

Roa raised her head at the voice calling her.

She saw Yvel poking her head out from behind a door guarded by knights, waving her hand after spotting Roa.

Seeing the welcome face, Roa felt both happy and afraid.

‘What if she’s angry?’

She had come to the imperial palace using Yvel’s name without thinking about the aftermath, but she hadn’t really thought she would actually meet her.

In this extremely embarrassing situation, as Roa stood still, blinking silently, Yvel urged her.

“Didn’t you come to see me? Were you going to just leave? I’m hurt.”

Yvel exaggerated her disappointment by lowering her eyebrows and the corners of her mouth.

“But……”

Roa hesitated as she approached Yvel with her stiff body, letting her words trail off.

She couldn’t bring herself to admit her crime of using Yvel’s name without permission in front of the imperial knights.

She was aware that it was an absolute crime she should never have committed. Yvel burst into laughter seeing Roa’s hesitation.

“You’re worried about what’s already happened.”

Yvel, whose name had been used for Roa’s escape, didn’t mind at all.

And she had no intention of punishing or holding her precious friend accountable for such a trivial matter.

Yvel grabbed the wrist of the hunched Roa and pulled her into the room. There was no time to refuse.

Boom— After closing the door, Yvel’s expression brightened with joy as she looked at Roa.

“Seeing you by chance makes me really happy.”

“I missed Your Highness too.”

“I’m honored that you wanted to see me.”

“I hope I haven’t disturbed Your Highness’s reading?”

“What disturbance? I was just about to take a break.”

She must have been reading a book just before discovering Roa, as books written in ancient language were spread out on the desk in the center of the room Roa had entered.

“There are so many books.”

“I’ll lend you any that interest you.”

Yvel’s study had books neatly arranged on bookshelves to the extent that the wallpaper was not visible except for where the door and windows were.

It was immediately apparent that Yvel enjoyed reading books and acquiring knowledge.

As Roa looked around the study, she burst into laughter at the peculiar aspect of the books being studied.

The book she had given was buried among thick books. She could sense Yvel’s desperate attempt to hide her hobby.

“Looking again, you weren’t studying but playing hooky.”

“Playing hooky? Can’t you call it a break instead?”

“A break enjoyed in hiding is also called playing hooky.”

Roa shook her head at Yvel’s dedication to enjoying her hobby in a place where she wouldn’t be disturbed.

She could imagine Yvel pretending to study while reading novels.

As Roa’s gaze turned toward the novel hidden among the ancient language books, Yvel’s face reddened.

Roa astoundingly noticed things that no one else knew. Somehow, embarrassing things kept happening in front of Roa.

“Ahem, laughing at the princess’s break time? You’ll be punished, Lady Roa.”

Yvel cleared her throat and put on a stern expression. Roa neatly folded her hands in front of her and bowed her head at Yvel’s joke.

“That was not my intention. Your Highness, won’t you please forgive my sin?”

“I’ll forgive you just this once.”

Yvel couldn’t maintain her act and laughed. Roa also burst into laughter following her.

“I’m glad that you like and cherish my gift so much.”

Roa’s innocent and bright smile had the talent of rendering people combat-ineffective.

That was also true for Yvel, who was already deeply captivated by Roa’s charm.

“I didn’t like it that much.”

“Heeng, really?”

“Ugh! Don’t make that unfair expression. You’re cunning. You know I can’t get angry.”

She can’t even pretend to be upset. Yvel realized she couldn’t win against this adorable creature and accepted her complete defeat.

Yvel pinched Roa’s cheek once and seated her opposite herself. Her smile was too irritating.

“What are you so happy about? After using the princess’s name without permission.”

“……I’m sorry.”

The memory she had momentarily forgotten while exchanging banter with Yvel came back.

Her confident demeanor from teasing Yvel earlier disappeared like a crab hiding its eyes. Roa lowered her head and looked at Yvel cautiously.

There was no sign that she was upset, but it wasn’t something Roa could easily judge.

“It’s the first time in my life someone has used the imperial token that way. You’re quite bold, aren’t you?”

Yvel recalled the events from a few hours ago.

* * *

There was only one way to hold the position of Grand Duke in the Levia Empire. Being born a son with imperial bloodline was enough.

Traditionally, princes who couldn’t become emperors received the title of Grand Duke. However, the current emperor, Levia Khan Yuniel, had no siblings.

“Grand Duke.”

And the exception was Mikel Helena, the father of Roa and Roan standing before Yvel. He was the one who presided over the law in the imperial palace.

“Thank you for granting my sudden request.”

* * *

Maile Helena, the head of the Helena family, was the only survivor from that day of hell in history.

In the early days of the Levia Empire, the Helena family’s power was higher than the imperial palace.

It was said that without their family, which had accumulated large businesses and immense wealth, there would be no Levia Empire.

There were many who envied them. Above all, there were glances in the imperial family that looked at them with displeasure.

[Your Majesty, how long will you just watch them? The Helena family will end up ruining the discipline of the imperial family.]

The princes hated having the Helena family above them, but the emperor at that time thought there was no need to be at odds with the Helena family.

[They have sworn allegiance to us. They have never tried to stand above us and have stepped up for imperial matters. Stop these unnecessary speculations.]

The emperor’s strong trust created that day’s hell.

Several families united to bring down the Helena family. The princes at the center took advantage of the loopholes in the law.

The youngest prince died. They staged a self-inflicted act that cost his life and claimed the Helena family was behind it.

All evidence pointed to them as the culprits. The emperor did not listen to the Helena family’s cries of innocence.

[All soldiers, listen. The Helena family is sentenced to death for the crime of assassinating the prince. Kill them all, leaving no one alive.]

The Helena family became a sea of fire. Their relatives and family members were all killed unjustly without exception.

Maile Helena, who was only 5 years old at the time, survived because of the death of his mother, who was a maid, and his father, who was the second son of the Helena family.

He was an illegitimate child. He could survive because he was a child the imperial palace didn’t notice.

[I will definitely reveal the truth about my parents’ death.]

The child who lost his parents was determined to reveal this unjust death. Later, he revealed the injustice of his family before the emperor.

He was granted the title of Grand Duke and created laws in a disorderly world so that no one would suffer the same injustice as him.

That was today’s Levina Legal Code.

* * *

“What brings the Grand Duke, who is rarely seen unless laws are broken, to me? I doubt I’ve committed any crime.”

The man who held the position of Grand Duke despite not being a prince, who presided over the laws of the imperial palace, drew a smile at Yvel’s joke.

“Today I’ve come for a strictly personal matter, so you needn’t worry.”

“Is that so? Let’s hear why the Grand Duke has sought me out. Would you like some tea?”

“Tea from the princess? I’m honored, but I’m fine, thank you.”

Mikel responded to Yvel’s words. Then he awkwardly glanced at Yvel.

“I wanted to ask if it’s true that you arranged to meet Roa today.”

“Pardon?”

Yvel stopped drinking her tea and looked at him at Mikel’s sudden question. Yvel couldn’t understand the current situation.

‘Did we arrange to meet today?’

Yvel unconsciously put the teacup to her lips at the question that arose in her mind. But it didn’t take her long to grasp the situation.

Mikel’s pupils were trembling.

‘It seems Roa wants to go out.’

Yvel never imagined Roa would use the imperial token she had given her like this.

Yvel found herself laughing at Roa’s bold move to use the princess’s name.

‘What should I do?’

Yvel contemplated as she looked at Mikel. She knew well that Roa was sickly and couldn’t go out often.

For someone else, it wouldn’t have been a difficult decision, but Yvel thought of Roa.

There was no guarantee that this outing wouldn’t cause problems for her health.

Mikel felt that the time waiting for Yvel’s answer was passing particularly slowly. He hoped for a negative response from Yvel’s lips.

“I called her because I have something to say today. Is there a problem?”

Yvel didn’t meet Mikel’s expectations and told a lie. Mikel inwardly sighed.

“No. I just wanted to confirm if it was true since the butler contacted us.”

Knowing it was a lie, Mikel could only offer a bitter smile. Yvel apologized to Mikel in her heart.

But she thought they couldn’t be responsible for Roa’s life forever.

Their job wasn’t to suppress Roa’s freedom.

It was to help Roa, who was preparing to stand on her own, practice living independently.

Yvel respected her friend’s choice.

“Next time, I’ll speak to the Grand Duke first.”

Mikel bowed to Yvel and left. His shoulders seemed somehow more slumped than usual. Yvel’s heart wavered once more.

“It hurts my heart, but Roa is not a pretty doll.”

Yvel filled her mouth with sweet tea. The warm wind carrying sunshine shook her hair.

* * *

Recalling the Grand Duke’s back that looked particularly small as he left her office, Yvel tapped Roa’s hand.

“I’ll overlook you using the imperial token for your escape just this once.”

As soon as Yvel finished speaking, Roa nodded.

Although Roa had used the imperial token because she wanted to go out, her heart was beating severely.

Yvel smiled at Roa’s remorse and propped her chin.

To Yvel, who was completely smitten, Roa’s boldness in using the imperial token and then being afraid of being scolded looked only cute.

“The Grand Duke seems more open-minded than I thought.”

Yvel, who had only seen one side of Mikel, told Roa, even though she knew it was a lie, the Grand Duke hadn’t pressed her to the end.

“I’d also like to recommend that you boldly say you want to go out rather than using tricks like today.”

Yvel spoke lightly, feeling sorry for Roa who made excuses every time she wanted to go out.

But Roa shook her head and showed a negative reaction to Yvel’s solution.

The father she knew was someone who prioritized her health.

‘Even if I say I want to go out, Father wouldn’t allow it.’

Roa could guarantee that he had reluctantly permitted it only because the person she claimed to have an appointment with was Yvel.

As evidence, she could see it from Reno, who always came to visit her home because her outings were strictly controlled.

“Your Highn…… Yvel, you don’t know. You don’t know how sensitively Father reacts to my health.”

Roa collapsed on the desk with a sigh, emanating a gloomy aura. Yvel comforted her by stroking her head.

It seemed that her hasty judgment, based on just one conversation with the Grand Duke about Roa, had given Roa quite serious depression.

“Don’t worry. The day will come when they understand your feelings.”

Roa closed her eyes at Yvel’s careful touch, who was awkward at comforting others.

Yvel silently looked down at Roa, then checked the clock and scratched her cheek.

Although she had planned to buy books at the bookstore, she hesitated whether to invite Roa to join her.

‘Should I invite her? But it would be a big problem if she gets hurt.’

While the imperial palace was safe, she didn’t know what might happen outside.

Unlike her own health, which was exaggerated to be worse than reality, Roa was truly a sick patient, making it difficult to make a decision.

Faced with this difficult dilemma, Yvel expressed her inner feelings outwardly. A groan escaped her lips.

“Your Highness?”

Startled by the sudden painful moan, Roa looked at Yvel. Yvel made her decision after reading the word ‘concern’ in Roa’s eyes.

I can’t ignore a friend’s wish. Her back stiffened and tension mounted. Not wanting to regret, Yvel clenched her fist.

“I’m going to the bookstore today. Would you like to come along?”

“What? The bookstore?”

The words from Yvel’s mouth were unexpected, making Roa look dubious.

Confused by the surreal invitation, Roa froze in place without any reaction. Yvel waved her palm in front of Roa’s eyes.

“I’m going to buy books. I thought if you came with me, the Grand Duke might understand.”

“But the Slave Syndicate is rampant right now……”

My brother said so, Roa swallowed the rest of her words and looked at Yvel.

Yvel sighed at Roa’s words, which hid the meaning ‘Is it really okay to go out?’

She was well aware of the news that her father had declared war on the Slave Syndicate. As a princess, Yvel couldn’t help but be quick with news.

Yvel continued with a heavy heart.

“All the nobles are in turmoil these days.”

Information kept coming in that noble ladies, who were the main targets, were refraining from going out, leading to a surge in depression due to inability to relieve stress.

And most nobles had even gone so far as to lock their doors out of fear that the same thing might happen to them.

“The word ‘death’ is moving the hearts of the nobles.”

Yvel, with her keen eye on social circles, was seeing through the nobles’ hearts and feeling the seriousness of this situation.

If this situation continued, it would also severely impact merchants who did business with nobles.

“If I refrain from going out because it’s dangerous, the nobles will see my actions and take the situation more seriously.”

The nobles always watched what Yvel did. The clothes she wore became their trend.

Yvel, who led the trends, decided to be brave.

“There should be times when we show our courage to the intimidated nobles.”

Of course, being cautious wasn’t bad, but Yvel thought there was a need to let them know, ‘We’ll resolve this soon. So don’t be agitated and live as usual.’

She believed her outing would be a comfort to everyone, telling them not to worry.

“We can’t live our lives shrinking and avoiding.”

Yvel firmly rejected her father’s opposition, who suggested reconsidering her visit to the bookstore.

The emperor couldn’t break the stubborn Yvel and allowed this outing.

Yvel’s outing, which would provide a small courage and comfort to the nobles, was planned to be conducted publicly.

“It’s true that it’s dangerous. So we won’t go to crowded places.”

The carriage would go to the bookstore, and after a short outing, return to the imperial palace.

Although Roa wouldn’t be able to see the circus or the market she wanted, Yvel invited her to come along if that was okay with her.

Roa seriously considered Yvel’s invitation.

“If you’re worried, you don’t have to come. I won’t force you.”

Even Yvel couldn’t be 100% certain it was safe.

Since the news of her outing wasn’t hidden and all nobles would know, Yvel couldn’t predict how the Slave Syndicate would react.

The Slave Syndicate, dreaming of a big score, might target the princess.

“I don’t want to involve you if I can help it.”

“I don’t know anything about the Slave Syndicate. Would they threaten Your Highness?”

“Well, they might. They’re vicious people.”

Roa sincerely wanted to go along.

But she hesitated to make a choice, worried that she might endanger Yvel by distracting the imperial knights who should be fully focused on the princess’s safety.

Knowing the risk, Roa made her decision based on her friend’s kindness in inviting her.

“I don’t want to create a situation that puts Your Highness in danger because of me.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. When the Slave Syndicate is cleared out, could you invite me again then?”

Roa smiled at Yvel, convincing herself that her choice was right. Yvel, who had been staring at Roa’s face full of regret, reached out and stroked her head.

Roa prioritized Yvel’s safety even though she could have insisted on what she wanted to do.

“Of course. Whenever you want, let’s go together.”

“Ah! Could you buy a book for me when you go to the bookstore?”

Roa asked cautiously. Yvel handed her a piece of paper, indicating she could ask for anything.

Roa took the paper Yvel offered and wrote with a pen. She neatly wrote the title of the book she had been waiting for to be stocked today.

“⟨The 4D Noblewoman’s Rural Life⟩?”

Yvel raised an eyebrow questioningly as she looked at Roa’s note. The unfamiliar title was obviously not an academic book to anyone.

Roa became a bit embarrassed when the novel’s title came out of Yvel’s mouth. She timidly pushed the paper toward Yvel.

“You can read it first if you want. It’s a really popular romance novel.”

‘This is popular?’

It truly felt like discovering a new world. Yvel prided herself on having read almost all romance novels, but whenever she met Roa, different popular books appeared.

Yvel became excited as she put the paper away.

“I still have a lot to learn.”

“Ahaha, in this area, I know more than you, Yvel.”

Roa wore an expression full of confidence.

While she couldn’t satisfy Yvel’s curiosity in the knowledge of this world, Roa, who had come from another dimension rich in web novels and romance novels, prided herself that no one could match her in the romance novel department.

Seeing Yvel’s interest, Roa excitedly wrote down the titles of fun and interesting novels on a blank piece of paper.

“Ooh.”

Encouraged by Yvel’s response, Roa moved her hand quickly.

Roa was full of vitality as she wrote down the titles of popular books, including the novels she had published through Reno.

Yvel was equally full of vitality at the book titles she had never seen before.

Her legs swayed with excitement. Her body, which had been leaning against the chair, gradually leaned forward to focus on the paper.

Showing the highest concentration, Roa poured out the information Yvel wanted all over the paper.

Yvel covered her mouth with her hand as she looked at the paper with a period at the end.

“My goodness, I had no idea there were so many romances.”

“Hehe. The world is wide, and there are many things that please me.”

Thinking she should go on a secret outing soon, Yvel preciously held the paper and approached the bookshelf.