“So, keep a close watch later.”

“Later? Do you mean… I can attend the banquet too?”

Raven cautiously asked, trying to hide his excitement. Michael shot him a sharp glance and spoke through clenched teeth.

“Why else would I go through the trouble of dressing you in that uniform?”

Michael recalled the knight he had knocked unconscious just to take the ceremonial uniform Raven was wearing. He could have come up with an excuse to make him take it off temporarily, but using magic had long since become a far more convenient option than fabricating excuses.

Such a useful power—it had to become entirely his as soon as possible.

Michael bared his teeth and growled.

“Since you’re going in the human form you wanted so much, keep a close watch.”

“Yes, sir.”

***

The banquet commemorating Michael’s visit was held in the grand ballroom of the Grand Duke’s castle. The spacious hall, with its towering ceiling, was adorned with luxurious silk, lace, and intricately carved ice sculptures. In one corner, a champagne fountain sparkled, while in another, a chocolate fountain stood in all its glory. 

The air shimmered with floating specks of light, likely the work of magic, and the chandeliers changed colors rhythmically, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

The decorations practically shouted the wealth of Norhart.

“Presenting the Guardian of the Snow-White Mountains and Master of Norhart, His Grace, Grand Duke Cedrion, and Lady Odelia Lure, daughter of the Marquis!”

At the chamberlain’s resounding announcement, all eyes turned toward us as we entered the banquet hall.

I swallowed dryly.

‘Won’t it seem odd that I, who was nearly engaged to Michael, am now engaged to Cedrion? There’s no guarantee that there aren’t people here who resent me like the servants of House Lure do…’

The banquet attendees were mostly Norhart’s vassals, lords of nearby territories, and influential capitalists operating around the Grand Duke’s castle. Despite the short notice of Michael’s visit, the hall was packed with people.

‘It could be due to Norhart’s sheer size, or perhaps their deep loyalty to the Grand Duke. Maybe both…’

After spending time in Norhart, it became evident that Cedrion was a ruler beloved by his people. Even the castle servants didn’t see Norhart as just another fiefdom of Arcadia but rather held pride in it as an independent duchy of sorts.

I had sensed this ever since I realized that even the rumors about me and Cedrion in Belvo were far from the truth.

“Oh, so that’s the famous Lady Odelia Lure.”

“They say she’s the most beautiful woman in Arcadia, and it doesn’t seem like an exaggeration.”

“And the baby His Grace is holding…?”

“My nephew works in the administrative office here, and apparently, she’s an orphaned child from a distant Norhart branch family that perished in Ampelan Village.”

“Ah, that place suffered a severe famine. Maybe they fell to bandits?”

“Her golden eyes prove she’s indeed a distant relative!”

“The castle servants say Lady Odelia took in the baby, and it was through her that His Grace met and fell for her.”

“See? The Belvo people have no eye for character. How could someone who takes in an abandoned baby be a villainess?”

“And considering that His Highness the Crown Prince is here, maybe that whole rebellion accusation was just a misunderstanding?”

“Exactly. One way or another, those arrogant Belvo nobles must have been in the wrong.”

It had been 300 years since Arcadia was founded and Norhart’s ancestors settled here. With Norhart’s power now rivaling the capital, perhaps such regional sentiments were inevitable.

As Cedrion gracefully escorted me inside, I perked my ears to the murmuring conversations around us. To my relief, I felt no hostility directed at me—just like when I first arrived at the castle.

Moreover, the public opinion seemed to align perfectly with what Cedrion had explained to me.

Especially regarding Angie.

‘The officials here really are competent.’

I thought of Cedrion’s subordinates, like Viscount Nielsen and Dame Greta, whom I had recently become acquainted with, and smirked.

“Oh dear!”

“She smiled at me!”

“No, wait—it’s me!”

At my unintentional smile, men and women alike gazed at me with dazzled expressions, as if they were already welcoming the new Grand Duchess.

Feeling amused, I lightly tapped my fingertips against Cedrion’s arm in rhythm with our steps.

“Hm?”

Thinking I was calling him, Cedrion tilted his head toward me.

“Oh, no. I just feel good.”

“…You do.”

It was a simple remark, yet Cedrion momentarily seemed to freeze as if he had malfunctioned. His ears even looked slightly red…?

“Are you hot?”

“…”

“The fabric isn’t that thick.”

I fiddled with his sleeve, but he still didn’t respond.

Was he embarrassed about being sensitive to heat?

Compared to me, someone weak and frail, Cedrion’s warmth was understandable. And since he was from the North…”

“Coo”

At that moment, Angie, cradled in Cedrion’s arms, laughed as she looked back and forth between me and Cedrion. She had been in great condition all day, so she seemed to be in high spirits.

Just as we reached the innermost part of the banquet hall, following the red carpet—

“The first bloodline of Arcadia, the Morning Star of Arcadia, His Highness Crown Prince Michael, the rightful heir of His Supreme Majesty, Emperor Julius II, enters!”

At the steward’s proclamation, Michael stepped into the banquet hall.

Dressed in a red coat and white trousers, with a white-furred cloak billowing behind him, Michael looked every bit the prince today as well.

Handsome and dignified, yet to me, he was the most ruthless prince imaginable.

“There’s no way a woman as arrogant and proud as you would throw away everything to seek refuge with another family unless it was for love”

“Only a place like Norhart would be grand enough to satisfy your pride. I don’t know how you managed to charm my brother, but…”

Recalling the things Michael had barked at me this morning, I clenched my grip on Cedrion’s arm.

Unconsciously, I drew even closer to Cedrion.

Michael’s words were all wrong, but the part about ‘to seek refuge’ might have been somewhat true. In moments like these, I inevitably found myself leaning on Cedrion.

Wait, why was Cedrion suddenly stiff?

The Norhart retainers watching us had a gleam in their eyes.

‘Ah, he must be conscious of their gazes.’

Then I should meet their expectations. Being mindful of the crowd, particularly Michael, I pressed even closer to Cedrion’s arm.

Just then, Michael approached, his face adorned with a pretentious smile. Behind him, the Imperial Guard knights trailed in two neat columns.

For the briefest moment, he flashed a sly smirk that only I could recognize before turning to wave at the gathered attendees.

Clap, clap, clap, clap. 

The applause that echoed through the banquet hall contained no cheers.

Considering Norhart’s deep loyalty to the Grand Duke’s house, they likely resented the royal family for issuing the Golden Decree.

“Hold this for a moment.”

“Mm, Angie. Come to sister.”

As Cedrion handed Angie over to me to greet Michael, murmurs of admiration erupted from the watching Norhart people.

“My goodness, they’re angels!”

“They look like a fairy and an angel!”

“A goddess and a fairy!”

Hmm, it seemed that the sentiments of Norhart were easily swayed by beauty…?

As I indulged in such frivolous thoughts, Cedrion positioned himself protectively in front of me, as if shielding me from Michael, and guided him toward the podium.

“Your Highness, this way, please.”

“Ah, brother! The famed Grand Banquet Hall of the Grand Duke’s castle is indeed as splendid as the rumors say.”

His voice carried an easy charm, but knowing his true nature, it sounded nothing but insincere to me. Half-hidden behind Cedrion, I discreetly followed them onto the podium.

“I am deeply grateful that such a grand banquet has been held in my honor.”

“As a servant devoted to Arcadia, it is my duty. Please, grant a word to the people of my domain, who have received the grace of the royal family.”

At Cedrion’s gesture, Chief Steward Ian approached with a tray carrying glasses of sparkling wine. Michael, Cedrion, and I each took a tall glass.

The effervescent golden liquid shimmered with flecks of gold dust.

“Oh, kind people of Norhart. I have come to this land today upon hearing of a joyous occasion in my distant relative’s house.”

Michael’s piercing blue eyes flickered over me as I stood beside Cedrion. Though he valued decorum too much to openly scorn me, his gaze was still as unpleasant as ever.

“Maah.”

“Mm.”

“Kayah.”

As if comforting me, Angie pressed her tiny hands against my shoulder and babbled.

Oh, are you trying to cheer me up, little one? Thank you. In my heart, I showered Angie with countless imaginary kisses.

“The Grand Duke has left the position of Grand Duchess vacant for too long, causing much concern for His Majesty. But now that he has found his beloved, it is indeed a matter for celebration.”

With those words, Michael raised his glass toward me in a toasting gesture.

“To my dear cousin, the Grand Duke of Norhart, and the arrival of spring in his life.”

“Congratulations, Your Grace!”

“You two suit each other perfectly!”

“Lady Odelia, please never leave His Grace’s side!”

“Be happy!”

“Spring has finally come to the Grand Duke’s castle…!”

Having remained silent until now, the people of Norhart seized this moment to eagerly lift their glasses and shower us with well wishes.

As the joyous chatter filled the air, Angie, sensing the excitement, wriggled happily in my arms with a beaming smile.

Michael, waiting for the cheers to subside, sipped from his glass as if merely tasting it, but his sharp gaze meticulously scanned the crowd.

“And this.”

Handing his empty glass back to Ian, Michael retrieved a rolled-up letter from his coat.

Sealed with golden wax and tied with an elegant ribbon, the letter undoubtedly bore the Emperor’s insignia.

It was surely an imperial decree regarding our engagement.