“You both say exactly the same thing.”

“Both?”

“Never mind.”

The princess, still struggling, buried her face in her skirt and inhaled while waving her hand.

Lady Ronia might not have much power, but as Cedric’s weakness, she already had enough value.

Reading the princess’s eyes, which seemed friendly yet strangely uninterested, Arne took out a box from her handbag.

“And this is my gift to you.”

“That’s enough. Anyway, Ced……”

Clack. When the box opened, the princess couldn’t believe her eyes.

“The five-colored tiara, how did you get this?”

“The five-colored tiara was sent as a pretend gift of peace from the enemy country to His Majesty the Emperor. To lure the leader who invaded the imperial palace that day and buy time for His Majesty to escape.”

Eloise’s eyes trembled.

“The late Empress wore this five-colored tiara while dressed in the Emperor’s clothes in this Grand Hall.”

“……”

Princess Eloise’s breathing became rough again as if she were seeing a vision. Remembering what happened, she buried her head between her legs and breathed in and out.

“This was left as a keepsake for you by the late Empress. Along with a blood letter. Of course, you lost it one day, but you’ve been looking for it all your life.”

How did she know this story that even Cornelia, her lady-in-waiting, didn’t know? Aside from receiving Cedric’s attention, she was definitely not an ordinary person.

“It has finally found its owner. This belongs to you, Princess.”

Arne met the eyes of Eloise, who had her head buried between her legs, struggling to breathe.

As she faced those eyes filled with clear sorrow yet fighting desperately, Arne slowly placed the five-colored tiara on Eloise’s head.

“So Princess, raise your head. That’s the only way the crown won’t fall. It’s time to move on from that day and wear the crown. Which was originally yours.”

At that moment, Eloise’s pupils trembled.

Cedric, I think I understand why you like this woman.

She stirs the deepest part of one’s heart.

With a smile spreading across her face, Eloise raised her head and asked.

“Tell me. How can I help with your business?”

* * *

Cornelia, who had been looking around, urgently ran over when she spotted the princess and Arne.

“Princess, are you alright? You just told me to wait, and I was so worried.”

“I’m fine. But what about the banquet hall? By now……”

The princess turned her head toward the murmuring hall.

“There’s chaos right now. Lord Cedric went on monster subjugation alone twice this time, right? Because of that, His Majesty the Emperor had instructed a congratulatory speech for the monster subjugation, but during that speech, he announced there was no engagement with the Leverun family. Naturally, the hall is in chaos!”

Arne’s pupils gradually dilated as she heard Cornelia’s words. What did she just hear? Arne, who forgot to walk, slowly blinked her eyes.

“I see, finally. Let’s go quickly, Cornelia.”

Arne hurriedly moved her feet to follow the princess, who was already heading to the hall.

Just as she entered the hall, her eyes met with Cedric, who was standing at the top of the banquet hall. His red eyes settled on her intently.

“I repeat, there is no engagement between Renigrad and Leverun.”

Cedric took his gaze off Arne. People’s gazes clung to him as he descended from the top of the banquet hall.

As he got closer to Arne, Cedric clenched his fist tightly. When his fingers turned white, he passed by her coldly. Though he felt Arne’s gaze, Cedric deliberately didn’t look back.

After leaving the hall, Cedric closed his eyes tightly and exhaled deeply. His eyes were sharp as he moved again.

‘Not yet. Not until everything is cleanly resolved.’

As Cedric furrowed his brow and inhaled, Warren approached.

“Are you alright? I think it would be better to return to the banquet hall a little later.”

“I will. You prioritize guarding Lady Ronia and report immediately if anything happens.”

“I understand. And as you instructed, I threw bait to the Wayne family. I was surprised they took it so quickly.”

Cedric’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“Kale de Wayne……”

Remembering the messy footprints on Arne’s dress, he regretted not squeezing his neck more. The rising killing intent made Warren step back.

“He should be completely ruined. After what he did to her.”

* * *

Arne blinked her eyes slowly. The impact of Cedric’s words was significant. The entire hall was talking only about him.

“Did you hear that? Young Master Renigrad said he has no intention of getting engaged to Lady Leverun!”

“Maybe that rumor is really true. They say Lord Cedric coldly left Lady Leverun behind at the Leverun family banquet last time.”

“Why?”

“Actually, Lord Cedric liked Lady Ronia, but it’s an obvious story. He faced family opposition. It happens often, right? That’s why he followed Lady Ronia all the way to the Ella Roine Boutique. Plus, my maid is friends with a maid from the Xenon family, and guess what, actually the Duchess, no, never mind.”

“Why do you stop talking? Tell me quickly.”

“Well, the Duchess……”

Princess Eloise, seeing Arne’s blank expression as she listened to the murmuring conversations, held back a smile.

“Lady Ronia.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“I look forward to working with you from now on. I think we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

The princess extended her hand to Arne for a handshake. When Arne grasped it, the princess smiled brightly.

“Lady Ronia, stay close to me today. Though I’ve become something of a paper tiger lately because of Liam, no one in the social world would dare disrespect the princess. Consider it payment for the tiara.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, and don’t push yourself. If you do, I don’t know what that madman might do. And I’d have to deal with the aftermath.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. I didn’t expect him to really cause a scene today. Let’s go for now.”

“Yes.”

Arne followed Princess Eloise, feeling a bit dazed. Everyone was eager to bombard Lady Ronia with questions, but they were busy showing respect due to the princess beside her.

While following the princess, Arne stole a glance at Lady Leverun. Her eyes burned with venom as she glared at the spot where Cedric had stood moments ago. 

Even as she clenched her fist tightly, her anger showed no signs of subsiding.

‘You give me this shame and humiliation, Young Master Renigrad?’

Amelia, who had tilted her head to the side, met Arne’s eyes.

‘Is it because of Lady Ronia? But Young Master Renigrad, if that’s the case, I’ll definitely get engaged to you even more. I’ll get revenge for this humiliation. I can’t bear to see you two together. Anyway, for me to marry Kale, Kale needs to be engaged to Lady Ronia. Amelia de Leverun will not be denied anything.’

With her pride hurt, Amelia turned and left the banquet hall. Soon after, Arne turned her head at the sound of the princess’s voice.

“Lady Ronia, come over here. This is Duchess Xenon.”

Duchess Xenon greeted Arne warmly.

“So Lady Ronia was with the princess. I was looking for you.”

The princess’s eyes moved curiously between Duchess Xenon and Arne at this sight.

“You already know each other?”

“We’re doing business together, Princess. If it’s alright, may I have an urgent conversation with Lady Ronia?”

“Go ahead.”

The princess, who nodded readily, had eyes filled with curiosity and wonder. The Duke and Duchess Xenon were difficult people to form connections with.

Especially after the war ended, they used the excuse of focusing on finding their daughter to avoid political involvement. They had politely but repeatedly declined even the Emperor’s summons, making them people the princess was working hard to recruit.

‘Does Lady Ronia also have connections with the Duke and Duchess of Xenon?’

* * *

When Duchess Xenon opened the balcony door, Duke Xenon was already waiting.

They had agreed to meet at today’s imperial banquet so Arne could conduct a paternity test with blood or hair from a child at the Freya Orphanage. In exchange, the Duke and Duchess would provide Arne with precious tea from the south.

“Why are you only coming now?”

Duke Xenon, who had been waiting anxiously, bit his left lip. Duchess Xenon sighed softly and spoke gently.

“Darling, the imperial banquet has just begun. The lady also looks tired from getting the hair, so don’t be too harsh.”

“I’m sorry. I was just anxious. Since the Freya Orphanage isn’t open to the public, I was nervous.”

Duke Xenon rubbed his face and bit his left lip again.

“As the lady said, I hired the maid named Betty, spread rumors, and brought in southern tea. Since it must be exposed to sunlight during storage, the tea is in the courtyard of a mansion I secretly purchased, with two knight guards protecting it. Just give me the hair or blood for the paternity test, and I’ll give you the key to the mansion where the tea is. I’ll send servants tomorrow too.”

The key to the mansion gleamed in the Duke’s hand. After checking the key, Arne took out a box from her bag.

“Thank you for fulfilling my request. These are the hairs you asked for. Blood would be best, but since I had to secretly cause a wound, even bloodstains were difficult to obtain.”

When Arne opened the box, there were a few strands of platinum blonde hair. Just then, a red drop of blood fell.

“Oh my, lady! Your nose is bleeding……”

The Duchess hurriedly took out a handkerchief and handed it to Arne. The Duchess looked at Arne with concern as she received the handkerchief to stop the bleeding.

“I’m sorry. Blood got on the hair. Let me quickly wipe it……”

“It’s fine. The priest will handle that much. But I’m worried you might be pushing yourself too hard.”