As the banquet grew more lively, the sound of clinking glasses and laughter filled the hall.

Princess Eloise, recalling her deal with Cedric, carefully observed Amelia de Leverun, who was only drinking tea.

「But Cedric, how can I trust you? How do I know you’ll keep your promise to me?」

「Though our desires differ, what I want to do and what you want to do will be the same, so you’ll have no choice but to trust me. If you use this well, the Imperial citizens’ support will pour toward you, Princess. This is a gift.」

「A prescription?」

「It’s Amelia de Leverun’s prescription. I obtained it secretly. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes known as it’s not something that can be hidden, but I’m letting you know first, Princess.」

The princess’s gaze returned to Amelia.

‘I need to verify if Cedric’s words are true. If they are, it will cause an enormous ripple. Cedric will safely retrieve Lady Ronia, and I will regain my shaky position.’

Soon, the princess’s footsteps headed toward Amelia. Amelia and the other ladies, facing the princess, hurriedly paid their respects.

“Even though it’s a banquet, you’ve been drinking only tea all day.”

When the princess addressed Amelia among the many ladies, she smiled proudly.

“I am honored to meet the First Princess. I think I overdid it at the last tasting banquet, so I’m not feeling well. The doctor said I must absolutely abstain from alcohol. Otherwise, the cold medicine won’t be effective.”

Amelia answered the princess’s question while picking up and putting down a bottle containing cold medicine.

“Is that cold medicine?”

“Yes.”

At Amelia’s answer, the princess looked at the label on the medicine bottle and smiled meaningfully. Though it was written in a different species’ language, the princess, who spoke multiple languages, could read it.

‘Folic acid.’

Definitely not cold medicine. It’s usually a pill prescribed to pregnant women to help with fetal brain development.

“Take good care of your health. Summer colds can be dangerous.”

“Thank you. I’ve been feeling tired for a while, but it’s been worse lately. I’m worried I might pass it to you, Princess.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not contagious.”

“Pardon?”

“I meant that I’m robust and don’t catch colds.”

“Yes.”

Amelia awkwardly responded to the princess’s answer, which seemed to know exactly what kind of “cold” it was. However, no one dared to contradict the princess.

“Besides, you must have been upset by Cedric’s announcement today. Where is Marquis Leverun?”

“He probably went to meet the Grand Duke of Renigrad. Since Lord Cedric isn’t here now, he’ll likely give the obvious answer that they’ll discuss it later.”

“Are you alright, lady? Did you like Cedric very much?”

Amelia smiled wistfully and shyly. The ladies close to Amelia, who seemed to have been discussing Cedric, looked disappointed.

“I even confessed my love to Lord Cedric.”

“Oh my, and then he said such things today.”

“Was there really a need for him to do this? To wound a lady’s heart.”

Encouraged by the ladies’ responses, Amelia’s eyes grew teary. The princess’s eyes curved with interest.

“I think he didn’t like the cufflinks I gave him at the tasting banquet. I found some cufflinks by chance that were so pretty, so I had the same design made. But Lord Cedric said he doesn’t wear imitations.”

“You mean he treated you this way because of that?”

“It probably wasn’t enough for Young Master Renigrad. It’s all because my taste wasn’t good enough.”

“How could that be? The heart is what matters. Lord Cedric didn’t seem like that kind of person. How terrible of him.”

Knowing the whole story, the princess found it hard to contain her laughter. She barely kept her lips down and inwardly stuck out her tongue. Amelia’s face truly looked sad and pitiful.

When Amelia even took out a handkerchief, the princess finally burst into a cough while tilting her teacup.

“Princess, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“Here’s a handkerchief. I’ve been telling such gloomy stories.”

The princess smiled as she took Amelia’s handkerchief.

“It’s fine. Everywhere I go today, people only talk about the Second Prince, and it’s tiring. What gift did the Leverun family send? Everyone is desperate to send gifts to the Second Prince. I’m still considering, so I’d like some recommendations.”

Amelia couldn’t easily speak. Everyone knew that Princess Eloise didn’t like the Second Prince. She needed to choose her words carefully.

“I’m thinking of gifting a rare southern bird called lipor, and I wonder if the Leverun family knows any trading companies that could help.”

Fortunately, it wasn’t a question, as the princess continued.

“Isn’t it amusing? Abigail de Cargo, who was my mother’s storage maid, became Abigail Aschpen de Briseis. That storage maid caught a summer cold one day. That was the beginning.”

Princess Eloise, smiling meaningfully, put down her teacup.

“I’ve told too gloomy a story.”

The princess returned Amelia’s handkerchief. As if on cue, the hall stirred at that moment. People quickly gathered at the appearance of Emperor Eden and Empress Abigail.

As Princess Eloise rose elegantly and walked, people parted on both sides.

The Emperor’s gaze turned to the five-colored tiara on Eloise’s head. The princess smoothly raised her lips and elegantly tilted her head.

“First Princess Eloise greets Your Majesty the Emperor and Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Eloise, I didn’t expect you to still be at the banquet.”

The Emperor greeted her awkwardly and uncomfortably. His gaze kept turning to the five-colored tiara.

‘Eloise definitely said she had lost it.’

The five-colored tiara, a keepsake of the late Empress, evoked unpleasant memories for the Emperor. It stimulated his guilt toward the late Empress, as well as his incompetence and shame at having to flee after the imperial palace was invaded.

Eloise’s face, which closely resembled the late Empress, had the same effect.

That’s why his heart kept going to Liam.

“Today is a day to celebrate the Second Prince, and everyone has sent gifts, but I heard the princess hasn’t sent any.”

“I’m preparing something very precious to send, so it’s taking some time. It will arrive soon.”

“I see.”

Seeming uncomfortable with the conversation with Eloise, the Emperor quickly turned his gaze away. Upon spotting Duke Ronia and Lord Wayne, who were looking excited, the Emperor opened his mouth warmly.

“I heard rumors of an engagement between the Ronia Ducal family and the Wayne Marquis family. Congratulations.”

“We are grateful for Your Majesty the Emperor’s attention.”

“Ronia is one of the four founding families loyal to the imperial family. I should personally look after you. Though there’s talk in society, you haven’t formally announced the engagement at a banquet. The ducal family has its dignity.”

“As a matter of fact, we were about to hold a banquet for a formal announcement soon.”

“Is that so? Then I will personally attend.”

Duke Ronia’s eyes widened at the Emperor’s favor.

‘Perhaps the laccarine herb I sent to the Second Prince was highly effective. That must be why His Majesty looks favorably upon our Ronia.’

With a smile stretching from ear to ear, Duke Ronia bowed his head.

“It’s an honor! Your Majesty the Emperor!”

Watching this scene, Princess Eloise spoke up.

“The rose garden in Ipellita Garden belongs to me. Let’s hold it there. The scenery is beautiful, and there’s a banquet hall where prestigious families often hold engagement and wedding ceremonies with my permission.”

Not expecting this agreement, the Emperor’s gaze turned to the Princess. Thinking that she felt threatened by Liam becoming the Second Prince and was trying to impress him, the Emperor nodded.

“……That’s a good idea.”

With the Princess’s support also pouring in, Duke Ronia bowed his head even deeper.

“Your Majesty the Emperor and First Princess, thank you. Ronia will never forget this grace.”

“Let’s proceed with it as soon as possible.”

“Understood.”

At Duke Ronia’s answer, the Princess smiled brightly.

“I’ll take good care of everything. I’ll send someone to Duke Ronia’s residence soon. I’ll excuse myself now to arrange this matter.”

* * *

Once outside the banquet hall where no one was around, lady-in-waiting Cornelia anxiously asked the Princess.

“Your Highness, is it wise to make such a big deal of this? You’re even holding a formal banquet to solidify the engagement announcement between Lady Ronia and Lord Wayne.”

“It’s Cedric’s request.”

“Lord Cedric?”

Cornelia opened her round eyes in surprise and asked again.

“But can we trust Lord Cedric? I’m so worried as things get bigger whether they’ll turn out well.”

At Cornelia’s worried expression, the Princess’s lips curled up.

“Do you think I’d act without certainty? Look at this. The different species physician of the Leverun family, who must have some weakness exploited, gave this to Cedric.”

Cornelia puzzledly took the paper the Princess handed her and unfolded it.

“Lady Leverun asked for cold medicine for headache and mild fever after the banquet, and he gave her this. Seeing that she still thinks it’s cold medicine and takes it, it seems even she doesn’t know yet.”

“This is a folic acid prescription? With alcohol prohibition.”

At the Princess’s meaningful expression, Cornelia’s mind raced.

“Surely not Lord Cedric and Lady Amelia…!”

“Cornelia, Cedric is not a mediocre man. Men with much to lose don’t play carelessly with their lower parts. Not unless they’re prepared to risk everything they have. The position of heir to the Empire’s only Grand Ducal family is no small matter.”

At that moment, Princess Eloise’s lips twisted.

“Or unless you’re the Emperor.”

At the Princess’s bitter expression, Cornelia bit her lips tightly. Soon, the Princess’s lips twisted into a sneer.

“If not the Emperor or Cedric, then who else could it be?”

The Princess’s twisted lips slowly formed a smile.

“Undeniable evidence is growing. We need a grand banquet for everyone to know.”