It was time to think about a topic I didn’t want to think about.

The grass nearby suddenly rustled. Thinking it was someone, I jumped to my feet.

In fact, for a moment, I foolishly had a small hope that maybe Kyle had come to find me after I disappeared from the banquet hall.

But the person who soon revealed themselves was someone I had never expected.

“Daniel?”

“It was Vivian, after all. Hi, Vivian.”

It was Daniel, whom I hadn’t seen since graduating from the academy. 

“What brings you here?” I asked, a mix of surprise and joy coloring my tone.

“Well, I’m being honored by the emperor, and since I have to present myself to him next week anyway, I was invited to join him at the Founding Day banquet today. More than that, Vivian.”

Daniel put his hands on his hips, unnecessarily setting the tone.

“I even wrote you a letter saying I’d be here today, too. I asked to see you face-to-face. Did you throw it away without even reading it?”

“Of course not!”

I did read it. I was so focused on Kyle that I just kind of forgot about it. I really did forget.

The best thing to do when you’re at a disadvantage is to laugh. I chuckled and turned the conversation around.

“It’s great to see you after so long. Have you been doing well?”

“Yeah. But Vivian…”

He scrutinized me from head to toe. It was as if he was a tailor measuring me to fit clothes. Then, out of nowhere, he started clapping enthusiastically.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

It was applause that seemed to reach the venue in the distance. Perhaps because the garden was quiet, it sounded even louder.

I was startled and tried to stop him.

“What, what’s wrong? Why are you doing that?”

“Vivian, you look incredibly beautiful today, don’t you know?”

Daniel raised his thumb towards me.

“It’s not just empty words. You look really beautiful. That pastel pink dress suits you so well, and the small white rose brooch too.”

“You surprised me… Thank you.”

I let out a small sigh and expressed my gratitude. In truth, being called beautiful was what I wanted to hear first from Kyle.

I had put a lot of effort into dressing up today.

As I slumped my shoulders dejectedly, Daniel looked at me intently.

“Why are you like that? Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Then look at me. How do I look? Won’t you compliment me?”

“Oh, really.”

There’s no time for sulking. I lifted my head and quickly stood up, clapping my hands in front of Daniel as if to show him.

“Daniel Raston, you look incredibly handsome today.”

“Don’t say it so half-heartedly. I put a lot of effort into dressing up today. Take a good look.”

“Seriously, you have so many demands.”

I sighed and started carefully examining Daniel as he requested.

It wasn’t an empty compliment; Daniel had clearly dressed up quite well. He wore a deep navy-blue evening attire that looked brand new, and his lavender hair was neatly swept back.

Though not as tall as Kyle, Daniel had a decent height that gave him a charming presence. His well-proportioned body suited him well.

However, there was one noticeable thing.

“You’re not wearing flowers.”

“Yeah, I was curious about that. Why is everyone wearing floral decorations?”

Daniel asked with a puzzled tilt of his head.

Well, for someone like Daniel, it would be his first time attending the National Founding Day banquet held at the palace.

The Raston Viscounty wasn’t a family well-off enough to receive an invitation to the palace banquet as a norm.

If it weren’t for the commendation directly given by the emperor this time, there would have been no reason for him to come to the capital.

The floral decorations, which were only done on the day of the National Founding Day banquet, had become a customary internal culture exclusive to high-ranking nobles.

I kindly explained to Daniel.

 “It’s a kind of power display. Usually, supporters of the emperor wear white roses, while supporters of the nobles wear red roses.”

“I see. So, Vivian is indeed supporting Kyle.”

“…Yes.”

“I was really surprised when I heard that Kyle became the Crown Prince.”

It seems Daniel also heard about the emperor’s declaration. Well, there’s no one who didn’t hear it. It was announced in a gathering where everyone was present.

By tomorrow morning, news about the new Crown Prince would spread throughout the empire through the newspapers.

“I knew he was a prince, but Kyle just feels like Kyle, you know? Maybe because we attended the academy together?”

“Haha, true.”

“But why is Vivian not with Kyle and standing separately?”

Daniel struck at the core of the matter.

‘Because Kyle didn’t tell me he’d become a Sword Master, and because he and Sienna seemed to be getting along.’

I couldn’t bring myself to say it like that.

I vaguely turned the conversation around and replied, “Because he’s busy. Everyone’s flocking to him.”

“Right. Everyone seemed surprised. It was a surprising announcement following his appointment as the Crown Prince.”

“By the way, Daniel, if you’re here, does that mean Baron Raston is also here?”

“Yeah, my father is in the banquet hall. My mother came as well.”

“Baroness Raston is?”

I was taken aback and asked.

Baroness Raston had been ill for a long time.

Since our households had interacted, I had heard that she had gradually improved her condition by switching to better medication and having a doctor, but I hadn’t heard that she had fully recovered yet.

“Is she fully recovered?”

“No, not yet.”

Daniel’s expression turned sad. His mother’s illness clung to her like a stubborn shadow and wouldn’t easily let go.

“She’s definitely improving. She normally wouldn’t be able to attend a banquet because of her health, but she insisted on seeing me receive the commendation personally, so she accompanied me.”

“I see… Still, it’s good to hear she’s doing better.”

“And here’s something I’m telling you in advance, Vivian. It seems like my father is considering purchasing a mansion in the capital.”

I widened my eyes in surprise. Daniel coming to the capital was surprising, but more than that…

“So, my father wants to expand into the capital. He thinks the medical care in the capital would be better for finding a doctor to treat my mother.”

“I see. Then I’ll be able to see you more often.”

“Do you want to see me often, Vivian?”

Daniel raised the corner of his mouth, and a smile filled his eyes.

I stared intently at Daniel’s face. Looking at him like this, he’s quite handsome.

Rather than saying he’s a handsome man, the term “beautiful” suits his appearance better.

I answered his question.

“Well then. We’re starting a proper business now. We need to find a new office and there’s a lot to discuss, right?”

“A business?”

“Yes. Until now, I left the operation to my father while I stayed at the academy, but now I have to take charge myself. Your role is important too, Daniel.”

The extension of the preservation period for magic potions would have a significant impact not only on potion-making sorcerers but also on nobles involved in the business of selling these potions and the distribution companies.

As a co-owner, I thought I had said the obvious, but Daniel’s grin-like smile made my heart skip a beat.

However, Daniel quickly composed his expression.

“Right, you’re right. We should discuss that as soon as possible.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Then, Vivian, how about you enter with me at the ball that will be held on the last day of the banquet?”

With a somewhat abrupt change of topic, I tilted my head in confusion.

“Are you asking me to be your dance partner now?”

“Mmh.”

Daniel tilted his eyes slightly with a melancholic expression.

“Since we’ll be together all day, it’s a good opportunity to discuss the business. Besides, I’m new to the social circles in the capital. There might be people who ignore me just because I’m a young noble who came from the provinces.”

“Who would ignore you! You’re someone who will receive commendation from the emperor!” I immediately countered Daniel’s statement.

The news that Baron Raston would receive commendation had already spread throughout the social circles. Furthermore, although it wasn’t official yet, soon Daniel would develop a remarkable potion that could sustain his livelihood even without working for three generations.

When a hair loss potion is invented, the whole empire will praise him, not just the capital.

“If you asked someone to dance with you, I’m sure there would be plenty of young ladies who would jump at the chance.”

“But I still need a partner. Today we entered as a family, but don’t you think everyone else already has a predetermined partner?”

“That’s true…”

I mumbled my words. That was indeed a fact.

“Oh, do you have a partner already?”

“No, I don’t. I’m going in with my brother.”

Normally, my older brother wouldn’t be able to be my partner since he was already married.

However, my sister-in-law was currently in postpartum recovery, making it impossible for her to attend the banquet. I had just arrived in the capital and didn’t have the luxury or time of choosing a partner.

Actually, I had a slight hope that Kyle would ask me to be his partner…

‘Stop.’

I shook my head vigorously.

If Kyle had left a hint beforehand, I might not have known, but now there was no possibility of me being Kyle’s partner.

As the original story went, Sienna appeared, and Kyle had to escort Sienna.

Personal feelings aside, it was his duty as the crown prince of the empire.

‘But I don’t necessarily have to enter with my older brother only.’