“What? Money?”

“Yes! Father said that material things are the best way to express feelings.”

Liliana grew up in material abundance as the precious daughter of Duke Seta.

She never experienced hardship and had a naivety that didn’t match her age or status, having grown up overprotected among family members who adored her, leaving her ignorant about the ways of the world.

Acelia, unaware of this, was simply dumbfounded.

Offering money to someone she just met? Am I the only one who doesn’t understand this?

Acelia waved her hands dismissively.

“No need. I have plenty of money. You shouldn’t boast about money in front of the members of the imperial family.”

“Hmm…… My father probably has more money than Her Highness the Princess?”

“What?”

Liliana made this potentially disrespectful remark with a bright smile.

She didn’t seem to have any malicious intent, but Acelia couldn’t adapt to this type of person.

“Anyway, expressing feelings with money doesn’t seem like a good idea. The imperial household isn’t financially struggling.”

“Oh? But others liked it……”

What kind of people have you been meeting?

“Those people might have, but I don’t. A thank you is enough.”

“I’ve never met someone like Your Highness before……”

Liliana’s golden eyes sparkled like stars. I’ve never met someone like you either. Acelia laughed hollowly to herself.

“But I can’t leave without giving you something for saving me. That’s unacceptable. Father wouldn’t approve either.”

“What? Didn’t we finish that conversation?”

I said no, didn’t I?

“Since you hate material gifts, I’ll discuss with Father what else I could offer. May I visit again?”

“Well, I don’t mind you visiting, but……”

“Then I’ll take my leave for today! This was enjoyable.”

Would you please listen to what I’m saying!

The lady, deaf to others’ words, bowed perfectly as she had when they first met, then departed with her skirt fluttering.

Acelia, her hand still outstretched trying to stop her, muttered dejectedly.

“Who am I even talking to……”

She had seemed gentle like a spring breeze, but her visit felt like a typhoon had passed through.

Enough to momentarily forget her worries about Gale.

‘Surely she won’t do anything strange.’

* * *

“Really? Her Highness the Princess said that?”

“Yes, Dad.”

In the Seta ducal mansion, known as the Lily Mansion.

There, a white-haired, well-built man known as the messenger of the State Council was heartily laughing while watching his youngest daughter’s antics.

Liliana, nestled in the Duke’s embrace, chattered away about everything that happened at the princess’s palace today.

The Duke, unable to hide his delight, contemplated the princess who was the subject of their conversation.

“Hmm. The Princess is completely different from what’s known about her. Both her composure and abilities. If it weren’t for what my dear daughter said, I wouldn’t have believed the princess captured a gray great bear.”

“The Princess is truly amazing! Even the imperial knights backed away, but she flew like a crane and pierced the bear’s head with her sword like a hawk. You should have seen it, Dad.”

Liliana, who became especially clingy in front of the Duke, excitedly explained what she witnessed like a child.

The Duke acknowledged her words while mentally recalling the hunting competition.

When an emergency support request came, those scattered in the forest urgently returned to the waiting area.

People were shocked by the horrific sight of a giant bear’s corpse and splattered blood.

—What in the world happened!

—My goodness, isn’t this a gray great bear? Why is it here……

—Judging by its size, it’s an adult? Is it dead?

—Is anyone hurt!

And in the midst of this chaotic scene, the blood-covered Princess rose unsteadily to greet people.

—Ah…… You’re here?

Her slow tone didn’t match the situation.

When the surprised onlookers couldn’t say anything, the princess explained first.

—This bear appeared and we almost died, but fortunately it must have been injured somewhere because it suddenly collapsed.

The explanation was too brief, leaving doubt on people’s faces. Does that make sense?

The broken tent and torn-up ground clearly showed that the gray great bear had rampaged violently.

But dying suddenly? Why?

—I seem to have overexerted myself, so I’ll return to the palace first.

However, the princess, looking exhausted, left with her maids before anyone could stop her.

And the remaining witnesses testified that the princess had dealt with the gray great bear. Though no one believed it.

‘Yes…… No one believed it.’

Not even Duke Seta himself.

Later, when he discovered a scent pouch that attracts gray great bears on his youngest daughter’s body, he furiously suspected that his political rival Duke Wade might have orchestrated this.

However, he couldn’t pressure Duke Wade without evidence.

It was a miracle that Liliana survived when an adult gray great bear attacked.

And his youngest daughter said the princess saved her.

Her eyes sparkled so brightly that one might mistake it for love at first sight.

“Dad, I want to become friends with the princess. Do you think I can?”

“Oh, what’s this? This is the first time my daughter has wanted to befriend someone first, isn’t it?”

“The Princess smells comforting. I smelled the same scent when she lifted me up. Above all, when she said, ‘I’ll take care of it, wait here, my lily,’ she was so cool! Kyaa!”

“Is that so?”

Though he responded lightly, Duke Seta didn’t dismiss Liliana’s words.

Of course, his daughter was cute, smart, and pretty enough to cherish dearly, but that wasn’t the only reason the Duke adored his youngest daughter.

An eye for people. Liliana had that.

Since childhood, despite receiving everyone’s attention, she surprisingly discerned people well despite her innocent personality. Those whom Liliana avoided inevitably caused trouble later, while those she kept close achieved greatness.

What about the princess, whom she wanted to befriend first?

The Duke gently stroked Liliana’s head.

“My dear daughter easily befriends anyone, so I’m sure you’ll become friends with Her Highness too.”

“Really? You think so? Then I should bring lots of things I like to show her. She said I could visit again!”

Liliana, excitedly shaking her body, remembered something she had forgotten.

“Oh, how should I repay her for saving me? She said she hates money.”

“Then we must give Her Highness a gift so wonderful that she absolutely cannot refuse.”

“Dad, you’re amazing!”

“Of course! This dad can do anything Lily wants!”

Hahaha. The cheerful laughter of father and daughter echoed throughout the Lily Mansion.

* * *

“Someone must be talking about me……”

Acelia, lying listlessly on her bed, scratched her itchy ear.

Several books were scattered around her.

Books with titles like ‘Psychology of Young People Today—Apology Edition,’ ‘Do Popular People Apologize Well?,’ ‘How to Apologize Tactfully’ all covered the same topic.

How to apologize.

Gale hadn’t visited for a week now.

Acelia was withering away with guilt day by day.

It wasn’t just her imagination.

She had really lost weight.

‘This isn’t the time for this.’

The Last Leaf had about 50 days left.

She needed to increase her damage level quickly to solve the poison, but Gale’s hurt eyes kept appearing in her mind, draining her motivation.

She felt like the worst garbage in the world.

“I wonder what Gale is doing now……”

Gale seemed to have no friends either, so she wondered if he was pathetically eating street food alone somewhere.

While Acelia was flipping through books, acutely feeling Gale’s absence……

“Your Highness, Lady Liliana Seta has arrived.”

“Again?”

Acelia made an “ugh” face.

She was a frequent visitor to the princess’s Palace lately.

She had indeed said it was fine to visit again, but she never expected her to come every single day without fail.

She didn’t do anything special during her visits.

Liliana would bring interesting items to explain, and Acelia would respond with bewilderment.

At one point, Acelia suspected Liliana was trying to sell these items to her.

But her goal was truly just to show off what she had.

Does Liliana have no friends either?

“Bring her here. I’m too lazy to go to the reception room……”

They had met in the reception room consistently until now, but today, even that felt bothersome.

After a brief wait, Liliana entered with the head maid’s guidance, looking extremely excited.

“Wow, is this Your Highness’s room? It has such a modest and cozy atmosphere!”

“Welcome.”

Acelia was now accustomed to Liliana’s way of speaking.

She knew well there was no malice in those words.

Seated, Liliana blushed and fidgeted.

“Inviting me to your room makes me feel like Your Highness has finally opened your heart to me. I’m truly happy.”

“We’ve seen each other daily, so I’m starting to feel some connection.”

“Really?!”

No, no. How can a lady active in social circles not understand when someone is politely suggesting she visit less often?

Considering that Ensia, who has lower status than Liliana, is called the flower of social circles, could Liliana possibly be ostracized?

Unaware of her concerns, Liliana smiled brightly,

“But Your Highness, why do you look so down?”

“Well…… Maybe it’s the hot weather affecting my appetite.”

“Did you fight with His Highness the Third Prince?”

Liliana pointed at the books Acelia had carelessly put aside.

Oh no. I didn’t expect her to be this perceptive.

“Hmm. Come to think of it, His Highness the Third Prince has been keeping to himself lately. He used to be spotted frequently in various places.”

“……!”

Suddenly, Acelia’s ears perked up.

That’s right! I can ask Liliana for news about Gale. Like what he’s been up to lately.

Acelia unconsciously grabbed Liliana’s hands tightly.

“Do you know anything about Gale, lady?”