“Lady Leverun is already not a woman to you. That’s why you’re not angry. You don’t care what she does. Because someone else already fills your heart.”

At that moment, Cedric’s head slowly turned toward the princess.

“Now all my questions are answered. It seems I have your weakness.”

Cedric finally faced the princess properly.

“Having feelings for Lady Ronia, who has her announced engagement, is not what a gentleman would do.”

“……”

“But considering the rumors Lady Ronia spread, it seems you and the lady had feelings for each other, but the Duchess interfered.”

“……”

“You want to break off Lady Ronia and Lord Wayne’s engagement, so you’re deliberately overlooking Lady Leverun’s misdeeds.”

“……”

“You’re shrewd enough to already know about the relationship between Lord Wayne and Lady Leverun, and you’re waiting for the right time, which others can’t even guess, but you’ve figured out who’s really behind the Grand Ducal family’s engagement.”

“……”

“Your face shows I’ve hit the mark. The social world is in the palm of my hand.”

Princess Eloise smiled brightly.

“And your expression is quite transparent. You can’t move freely because you’re afraid Lady Ronia might get hurt.”

Though he tries to appear indifferent, his eyes boil whenever he sees Lady Ronia. Then, Cedric’s lips twisted into a strange smile.

“I deliberately let you know. I thought someone who could notice this would be able to make me a proper attractive offer.”

Princess Eloise burst into laughter. Testing the princess. Right, he needs this kind of audacity to go against the Emperor’s will and help her.

“What do you want, Cedric of Renigrad?”

“I want Arne not to push herself. She’s a woman who willingly risks recklessness to get what she wants, so she’s often precarious.”

Cedric stared intently at Arne in the banquet hall again.

“The social world is in the princess’s palm, so I hope you’ll become Arne’s supporter. So she can be at peace.”

Cedric’s face was bitter as he uttered his final words.

“Lastly, I want to resolve this entire situation without Arne getting hurt. As you said, there’s a lot entangled in the Grand Ducal family’s engagement, so that woman with nothing is easily broken. Of course, I’d prefer if she didn’t know about this deal.”

Princess Eloise couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief as she listened to Cedric listing his demands.

“Raniarne, not Arne. You’re not even trying to hide it anymore?”

“I’m far from being a gentleman, so it doesn’t matter.”

“I didn’t expect such desperation. When her engagement announcement with Lord Wayne is nullified, you’ll propose to her right away. Not just a proposal. You’ll be planning children and causing a commotion.”

“……”

“I was joking, but your expression makes it seem serious.”

The princess slowly blinked her eyes.

“Since when did you become like this?”

Cedric easily ignored the princess’s question and asked.

“So can you do it, Princess?”

Princess Eloise opened her mouth with a smile.

“Our deal is……”

* * *

Princess Eloise tilted her teacup. The tea tastes good. She raised the corner of her lips as she looked at Cedric’s untouched teacup and empty seat.

“He’s crazier than I thought. What is it about the lady that he likes so much? It makes me curious.”

The princess stared intently at Arne in the banquet hall. The deal was made.

As Cedric said, he was the future Grand Duke of Renigrad, so there was nothing more reassuring than having him become her strength.

“Cornelia, let’s begin.”

“Yes.”

Princess Eloise moved toward the banquet hall with gleaming eyes. Her footsteps stopped in front of Arne, who was chatting with Patricia.

“I greet the First Princess. I am Patricia de Avile.”

Patricia hurriedly bowed. Her heart was pounding. The princess came to her directly! Arne was equally surprised.

“Lady Avil, that’s a peridot necklace I haven’t seen before. It suits you well.”

“Lady Ronia gave it to me as a gift.”

“I see. You have good taste, Lady Ronia.”

The hall immediately stirred. It was rare for Eloise, the First Princess known for her high standards, to give a compliment.

“Lady Ronia, recommend something for me next time too.”

“It’s an honor, First Princess. Especially that ruby bracelet, isn’t it ‘Noble Sacrifice’ that Ella personally made for the late Empress? It’s beautiful. And it really suits the red dress you’re wearing.”

“Is that so? Would you like to try it on?”

The nobles’ eyes widened as the princess removed her ruby bracelet and held it out to Arne. Only Cedric remained unaffected.

‘I’m keeping my promise properly, Cedric.’

The princess confidently grabbed Arne’s wrist and put her bracelet on her, causing Cedric’s eyes to narrow strangely.

“How is it? Do you like it, Lady Ronia?”

Arne, facing the First Princess’s suddenly overly friendly attitude, looked at the bracelet before belatedly answering. Of course, she welcomed the favor of the First Princess, the pinnacle of the social world.

“It’s beautiful. I’m just grateful for your kindness.”

A bright smile spread across Princess Eloise’s face at Arne’s gratitude. The nobles all murmured.

“What’s going on? The picky and high-standard princess not only praised her taste but even gave her own bracelet!”

“She’s even smiling!”

“The snow rabbit and the First Princess, what is this.”

Only then did Cedric unfurrow his brow and tilt his glass with satisfaction. The princess raised one eyebrow as if to show off.

When Arne’s eyes met Cedric’s as she followed the princess’s gaze, the princess hurriedly continued.

“Cornelia, my eyes feel dry from reading history books late into the night. I should have tea instead of alcohol. Would the lady join me? Lady Avil too.”

“It’s an honor! Oh, Princess, marigold tea is good for the eyes. We were just having tea and talking together.”

Patricia, filled with joy, offered marigold tea to the princess. The princess’s face turned pale. Immediately, lady-in-waiting Cornelia removed Patricia’s marigold tea.

“Patricia, the princess has an allergy to marigold!”

“I’m sorry!”

Patricia bowed her head and trembled. It would be terrifying if she were accused of attempting to assassinate a member of the imperial family. However, Arne calmly observed the princess’s expression.

“It’s alright. You couldn’t have known. Now, I’ll be going.”

Arne stared at the back of the First Princess, who hurriedly disappeared, even stopping her lady-in-waiting Cornelia from following.

‘Now’s the time. When I should meet the princess. I already know where she’s going, so I’ll follow slowly.’

Arne picked up her handbag while patting the sobbing Patricia’s back.

“Lady Ronia, what should I do? I offered marigold tea to the princess without knowing she was allergic.”

“Don’t worry. She’s not really allergic.”

“What?”

“Nothing. But Lady Patricia, I think you need to fix your makeup.”

“Oh, I’ll be right back.”

Leaving Patricia behind, Arne quickly walked toward where the princess had disappeared.

Though Cedric said he believed Arne, he wouldn’t have time to care about her business.

‘It’s a bit strange that she’s suddenly so friendly, but if I can use this opportunity to completely win the First Princess to my side, that’s even better.’

She would show everyone who had looked down on and tormented Arne—the Duke of Ronia, Kale, Amelia, and all the people in the social world—exactly who would have the last laugh.

And she had to show Vivian too. That mom didn’t give up on you. That she’s coming to you like this.

Arne’s eyes gradually began to shine.

* * *

After locking the door, Arne slowly opened the cabinet placed in the corner of the storage room. There was the princess, clutching her heart and breathing rapidly.

She held a paper bag she had brought in advance to the princess’s nose and mouth. Gradually, as the princess found her breath, she seemed to come to her senses and grabbed Arne’s hand holding the paper bag.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s hyperventilation. The main cause is usually mental stress. I’m Raniarne. I followed you because I was worried about you.”

“……”

Faint moonlight flowed through the gap in the open cabinet door. Relying on the dim light, Eloise met Arne’s eyes.

“As you know, I was a war orphan. When I was young, whenever I heard the sound of weapons clashing, I often hid in the closet of an abandoned house and waited for dawn. That’s how I knew it was hyperventilation. I experienced it too.”

That’s what war is. Its cruelty didn’t spare even the princess.

Once, when the Empire’s imperial palace was invaded, young Eloise hid in this cabinet. After drinking marigold tea mixed with transformation magic potion given by the late Empress.

That was the day the late Empress passed away.

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. It’s a secret you’ve been hiding for fear it might tarnish your qualifications as a successor, despite your struggles.”

Eloise’s eyes widened. Unlike the surprised princess, Arne’s face remained calm.

In her previous life, Arne had accidentally discovered the princess while hiding in the storage room during an imperial banquet.

When the princess’s hyperventilation worsened and she became disoriented, she murmured about that day.

Moreover, the princess revealed this story along with the five-colored tiara in front of the Second Prince after drinking too much, who was insulting the late Empress. The story of the late Empress who willingly chose death to protect the Empire.

That day, Arne saw the desire hidden deep in the princess’s heart.

“You’ve always dreamed of becoming the next Emperor.”

Eloise’s gaze toward Arne changed. Though she was looking after her at Cedric’s request, she had thought of her as just an orphaned lady who couldn’t even enter the social world, but she had better eyes than expected.

“You’re bolder than you look. I’m sure you didn’t follow me just because you were worried. So, what do you do?”

“I’ll help you, Princess. If you help me with my business.”