Following the attendant, Arne found Cedric, whom she had just seen.

As Cedric turned toward Arne, the attendant bowed respectfully and withdrew.

“Could it be that you were looking for me, Lord Cedric?”

When he nodded, Arne looked around in surprise.

“I thought I explained enough at the boutique, so why.”

“I know you didn’t mistake it for kindness.”

Arne, who had been checking if anyone was coming, slowly turned her head toward Cedric.

“And I never mistook it for kindness either. So let’s talk.”

Looking at Arne who was staring at him, Cedric took one more step forward. Then, he took out a box from inside his uniform pocket and opened it.

“And you need this, don’t you?”

“The five-colored tiara……”

Arne’s eyes lit up. There could be no better gift to capture the princess’s heart, so of course she needed it. As clear desire settled in Arne’s eyes, relief spread across Cedric’s face.

Just then, an attendant standing a little distance away cleared his throat as a signal. It meant someone was coming.

Hiding his impatient heart, Cedric deliberately spoke playfully.

“You’re going to talk to me anyway. Since you like this tiara.”

“That’s true, but—”

“Then let’s move somewhere else.”

Cedric extended his hand to Arne, who met his gaze. Tension tightened his jawline. As she finally placed her hand in his, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and he adjusted his grip to ensure he wouldn’t lose hold of her.

As Arne walked, guided by Cedric’s hand, she glanced at his tightly fitted uniform.

“By the way, after finishing the formal wear fitting the day before, why did you come in uniform? You could have changed clothes.”

“Because you didn’t seem interested in formal wear.”

Arne raised one eyebrow quizzically. What did her lack of interest in formal wear have to do with him having to wear it at an imperial banquet where formal attire was obviously required?

“A handsome man who looks good in uniform is your type.”

Cedric tilted his head to the side and met Arne’s eyes.

“There might be men here who look good in formal wear, but I’m the only one who looks good in uniform.”

“……”

For a moment, Arne’s lips parted slightly and her steps halted. Cedric, who stopped walking to match her, stared at her dilated pupils.

“If you don’t walk, I’ll have to carry you. Someone is coming this way.”

“Ah.”

Unsure whether his words were a joke or serious, Arne resumed walking. A faint heat circled around the corner of her firmly pressed lips.

Before she could think more, Cedric grabbed her and turned a corner.

Somehow, he had discovered a hidden alcove nestled in the middle of the corridor.

Cedric glanced outside and clenched his fist. There wasn’t much time as he had thought. Meeting Arne’s eyes, Cedric spoke.

“At first, I thought what you told me was just an excuse and a lie. I already knew you hadn’t truly seen me. Though it’s still true that life in Renigrad isn’t peaceful.”  

Cedric’s red eyes flickered.  

“I believe that the engagement announcement with Lord Wayne wasn’t your choice, and that most of the rumors in high society were spread by the Duchess. So stop forcing yourself to prove these facts.”

“Do you really believe me?”

“I believe you. So stop pushing yourself. I’ll handle the rest.”

“What are you going to do?”

“What you were trying to do. I’ll make sure Renigrad is selected for the business the Second Prince will choose, instead of Ronia and Wayne. And I’ll expose the relationship between Lord Wayne and Lady Leverun.”

“Did you know about that?”

“Just circumstantial evidence. Hard evidence will come soon.”

As if she couldn’t believe this situation, Arne slowly blinked. Meeting Cedric’s unwavering, straight gaze, she spoke.

“Why are you suddenly doing this?”

Cedric stared at Arne’s clear eyes. Those burning, shining eyes that were almost hidden by her bangs that fell down as if to cover her face.

Did she know that just looking at them created heat?

“My lady, I……”

As Cedric was about to part his lips, the attendant urgently approached.

“Lord Cedric, you really must go now. I can’t stall for any more time.”

“I understand.”

The attendant nodded and moved ahead to keep watch.

Cedric turned to leave but then turned back to approach Arne. His low voice flowed into her ear.

“Don’t push yourself.”

Cedric, who quickly distanced himself, moved rapidly. Arne stared at his broad back embroidered with the Renigrad crest.

Somehow, the box containing the five-colored tiara was now in her hand.

* * *

Cornelia de Duven, noble lady and lady-in-waiting to First Princess Eloise, tilted her teacup and grumbled.

“The Second Prince, it’s really absurd! How can they recognize that rogue illegitimate child as a prince?”

“Cornelia, watch your words. Today is a banquet where His Majesty the Emperor specifically instructed to maintain formality.”

“That’s why I’m even more angry! To care about such an illegitimate child, how can I not be upset? And there’s only us here.”

The highest place on the second floor of the Grand Hall where the imperial banquet was held was a place only the imperial family could use, and now only Princess Eloise and her lady-in-waiting Cornelia were there.

“I know how much the princess loves the Empire and the imperial family. I also know how much effort and preparation you’ve put in to succeed His Majesty the Emperor.”

Eloise simply tilted her teacup and looked down at the people in the banquet hall.

“Moreover, the Second Prince, who has no qualifications, abilities, or dignity, only covets what he would enjoy as Emperor. If he becomes Emperor, the Empire will be ruined!”

“……”

“Has he dedicated himself to the Empire? Has he sacrificed? He doesn’t even love or cherish the Empire and the imperial family, I feel so wronged, Princess!”

“……”

“Yet His Majesty the Emperor holds banquets like this to support the Second Prince. It’s really upsetting.”

At that moment, the princess’s eyes narrowed as she looked down at the banquet hall. She saw Lord Wayne, who had arrived late, approaching Lady Leverun.

“Cornelia, this is also a test from His Majesty. Naturally, I don’t intend to let Liam pass that test. I can’t just stand by and watch.”

“That’s right, Princess!”

“Cornelia, to avoid losing everything to Liam, I need people who will support me. Someone influential who can empower me despite His Majesty’s wish for Liam. It seems difficult to find now when everyone is busy courting Liam, but—”

“How about Duke and Duchess Xenon who are maintaining neutrality, or, oh, Young Master Renigrad who came in uniform when everyone wore formal attire according to His Majesty’s instruction?”

“……”

“Princess Eloise?”

Eloise’s pupils gradually dilated as she looked down at the Grand Hall. Lord Wayne and Lady Leverun, who had been standing with their backs to each other, secretly joined hands and interlocked fingers.

While Lord Wayne drank wine and Lady Leverun ate refreshments.

“Wasn’t Young Master Renigrad rumored to be engaged to Lady Leverun?”

“That’s right.”

“How cunning.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. Would you secretly call Cedric here? I think things will turn interesting.”

“I understand!”

Eloise’s lips curved upward.

* * *

“I greet the First Princess. I heard you wanted to see me.”

Cedric bowed with the restrained movement characteristic of a knight. The princess’s lips curved strangely at his stiff appearance.

‘Unexpected.’

Though he was properly polite in accordance with etiquette for the imperial family, he gave off a strangely arrogant impression. Perhaps it was due to that indifferent face even before the princess.

The men who stood before her were only those who sparkled their eyes, wondering if they could become members of the imperial family by marrying the princess and possess the Empire.

‘They say Cedric uses accumulated marriage proposals as kindling, making him the most coveted man in the Empire. Is that why he’s indifferent?’

The princess’s eyes narrowed.

‘He has something oddly similar to me.’

Moreover, the rumors about his good looks were not unfounded, as Cornelia unknowingly couldn’t take her eyes off Cedric.

Seeing Cedric’s face, which seemed familiar with and sick of such gazes, showing no emotion, a faint smile spread across Princess Eloise’s lips.

Eloise signaled, and Cornelia withdrew to keep watch. At that, Cedric’s eyes narrowed.

“Sit down. I called you because I think we’ll communicate well. I seem to have learned an interesting secret. It seems Lady Leverun has someone else in her heart besides you. Don’t you want to know who?”

“……”

No man wouldn’t be upset to hear his woman has eyes for another man. But Cedric’s face was excessively calm.

“You’re not surprised. Did you already know?”

“……”

“You’re not even angry.”

“……”

Cedric crossed his legs and interlocked his fingers. His gaze turned to the banquet hall below. He stared intently as a lady named Patricia approached Arne, who had returned to the banquet hall.

The princess’s gaze followed Cedric’s and landed on Arne, who had greeted her earlier.

‘What’s this? Why is he looking at Lady Ronia with her infamous reputation?’

Cedric, who had been tapping his index finger on his interlocked fingers, spoke.

“What do you want from me?”

“I want you to be my strength. Then I’ll be your strength too. So you can become a Grand Duke.”

“Unlike the princess, I’m the sole heir, so I’ll become a Grand Duke even if I do nothing. It’s not a particularly attractive offer to me.”

The princess exhaled sharply. Strangely, she felt an urge to distort that languid and arrogant face. At the same time, she liked his audacity.

Cedric unconsciously looked down at the banquet hall again.

At that moment, a smile spread across the princess’s lips as she tilted her teacup.