There had only ever been four Sword Masters in the Empire in the first place.

I clasped Veronica’s hand in mine.

“You’ve really gone through a lot, Lady!”

Oh, haha. Yes, well, it’s not to the extent that the Lady should worry,” she said, trying to redirect the conversation.

“Oh, no! How can that be!” I exclaimed, pushing her further. “That wicked knight deceived an innocent and naive Lady. If I had known beforehand, I would have asked His Highness the Prince to punish the knight who deceived you.”

I put on my best sympathetic face and patted the back of her hand.

“His Highness has grown stronger to punish such people, after all.”

People like you who badmouth others behind their backs.

I could feel the atmosphere stiffen awkwardly for a moment, but I shrugged it off and smiled.

Anyway, they weren’t exactly on my side, and since the other party started scratching first, this level of restraint should be fine.

So, why scratch someone who’s just minding their own business?

Veronica slipped out of my grasp, avoiding my gaze. I let her go without a second thought.

At that moment, the princess, who had been silently observing our confrontation, spoke up.

“The Lady will also participate in the founding festival, I assume?”

“Yes. Indeed, Your Highness,” I nodded.

This Founding Festival is the starting point of the original story, so of course I’ll go. Kyle is crowned crown prince and the female protagonist appears. As someone who knows the original work, I have a duty to witness that moment.

The princess smiled sweetly and asked me, “What kind of roses are you going to wear at this year’s coronation?”

The Rose of the National Day.

Noblemen attending the annual banquet at the Imperial Palace were required to wear one of two colored roses.

One symbol is related to the myth of the founding of the empire…….

Without further ado, the white roses currently symbolize the imperial faction, centered on the emperor, while the red roses represent the aristocratic faction, including Prince Logan.

Originally, the act of wearing flowers represented harmony and reconciliation between the two factions, but over the years, it has degenerated into a way of expressing one’s political inclination.

Princess Rosaline was now asking me about the rose I would choose. Which side I will take.

It was a rather kind question from the princess, who had initially planned to deceive me and make me suffer during teatime.

I was silent for a moment. I wondered if it is okay to reveal my alignment here.

The friendship between Marquis Rosiere and Kyle, including myself, is already a famous story in the Empire. It’s only natural since we spent eight years together at the Arene Academy. But actually admitting it in public was another matter.

‘Although everyone will eventually find out after the foundation day….’

I decided to remain vague for now.

“I think both colors have their own charm. I suppose I should decide after choosing a dress.”

“I can give the young lady a nice dress as a present.”

That sounded like trouble.

I tried to maintain a humble and obedient expression as much as possible.

“Your kind words are enough for me.”

Princess Rosaline smirked. I felt upset, but I didn’t let go of my smile.

I really shouldn’t have come. I wanted to go back home as soon as possible. At least I didn’t have to attend these events when I was at the Arene Academy. No wonder I’m getting tired. 

I let out a sigh without realizing it.

That’s why I didn’t pay attention. Veronica, who was near me, showed suspicious movements.

Swish!

“Oh my!”

She pretended to accidentally spill her cup of tea onto my dress.

I was startled by the hot sensation on my dress and screamed, “Ah! It’s hot!”

“I’m sorry, Young Lady. Are you okay?”

Veronica, who spilled the tea, pretended to panic.

The tea stained the light cream-colored dress. 

I lifted the dress clinging to my thigh and urgently said, “Hurry up and get me some cold water to cool off.”

But no one responded to my words.

I looked around in bewilderment.

The maids who attended to the nobles had vanished into thin air. The young ladies stared off into the distance.

Then Veronica’s voice came once more.

“What should we do, young Lady? The maid servants have all withdrawn. Princess Rosaline doesn’t like having the lower ranks around during personal time.”

That meant there was not a single maid to bring me cold water right now.

“They’ll be waiting outside the greenhouse; would you like to go out?”

With the immediate suggestion to leave, I realized that this whole commotion had been planned all along.

Unable to speak due to my confusion, I heard laughter that shouldn’t be heard nearby.

“Hehe.”

The laughter belonged to Princess Rosaline.

She covered her mouth with a fan and whispered, “Leaving your seat before the host withdraws from the party is impolite, but I’ll forgive you today as a special case.”

She was acting as if she were bestowing a great favor upon me.

At that moment, Princess Rosaline looked like my late aunt.

She had been the same in my past life. If there was malice, it was very easy to make someone a fool.

There, I was isolated by myself, with no one to turn to, unable to pay for food and unable to repay the favor.

And it was still the same now.

Suppressing the sigh welling up, I lowered my head.

“Thank you…… for your consideration.”

“As you can see, the tea party isn’t over yet, so I won’t go out to see. Please go back safely.”

I didn’t even want to stay here any longer anyway.

Behind me, I could hear the young ladies giggling.

This must be amusing. 

Now that I’d properly entertained them, I turned around and quickly walked away.

Despite Veronica’s assurances that the maids would be waiting outside the greenhouse, there was no one outside. In fact, there wasn’t even an ant in sight.

I felt a surge of emotion at the thought of being completely isolated.

“Vivi?”

No, Vivian. If you cry here, you lose….

“Vivi!”

A moment later, someone grabbed my hand from behind. They caught me as I stumbled and lost my balance. I blinked my eyes as I caught a familiar scent.

“Kyle…?”

“I heard that you were attending Rosaline’s tea party today… Wait a minute. Vivi, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

Why is Kyle in front of me now?

In the midst of this sorrowful situation, as I faced the only person on my side, tears unconsciously streamed down my face.

“Hic, Kyle…”

“What’s wrong? Who made you cry? And why are your clothes wet?”

“Marquis Martin’s daughter, she… hic….”

I choked back my crying and poured out everything that had happened inside the greenhouse.

The look on Kyle’s face when I told him that Veronica Martin had spilled hot tea on me was horrifying.

Kyle grabbed my hand.

“Let’s go get first aid first.”

I nodded, a sob catching in my throat.

Kyle led me to the main building of the Emerald Palace, which was connected to the Sapphire Palace.

Originally, this palace was reserved for diplomatic envoys and important guests.

When we opened the door to an empty room, the neatly organized interior greeted us.

Kyle blocked the attendants who followed him and asked me.

“Vivi, where is your maid?”

“She didn’t come in with me, so she’s at the front gate of the palace….”

“You heard that?”

Kyle snapped his fingers.

“Go and fetch Vivian’s maid right now. Also, bring a change of clothes.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The attendant bowed and left the room.

Once the attendant disappeared, Kyle closed the door.

Then, he held my hand and led me into the connected bathroom.

The bathroom, neatly adorned with pristine white marble, had a state-of-the-art bathtub equipped with magical devices.

Kyle sat me down on the edge of the tub and kneeled right in front of me.

Then, he turned on the showerhead and spoke cautiously.

“Vivi, if water spills onto your dress, the fabric might stick to your skin. You need to lift your skirt.”

But I couldn’t just lift my skirt and show my thighs when Kyle was right in front of me.

I blushed and took the showerhead from him.

“I-I’ll do it myself. Close your eyes, Kyle.”

“Can you do it by yourself?”

“Yeah.”

Kyle obediently closed his eyes. Feeling somewhat relieved, I lifted my skirt and let cold water cascade onto my flushed thighs.

Ssshhh…

“Ugh.”

As the cold water touched my thighs, it stung a bit. Kyle, hearing my whimper, asked with a worried voice.

“Are you okay, does it hurt a lot?”

“A little… But it doesn’t seem too severe.”

It didn’t seem like the hot liquid had caused any major burns.

That was really lucky, because the dress was light and thin since it was meant for summer and I could’ve easily been scalded if the tea was hotter.

If I cooled down the heat and applied some ointment, the situation wouldn’t worsen.

Ssshhh…

The showerhead, reverting to its normal function, continuously sprayed cold water.

As the cool sensation spread from my thighs, the restlessness in my mind subsided a little.

In the midst of silence, Kyle, who had his eyes closed, spoke first.

“Veronica Martin spilled her teacup on you on purpose.”