From early morning, Alita knocked on the door. 

 “Your Highness the Grand Duchess, there’s news from the Grand Duke’s residence.” 

 “Mmm, news?” 

 She stretched with drowsy eyes, not fully awake. Having slept deeply in Cedric’s arms, her body felt light and energetic. 

 Spending all day just eating and sleeping was quite boring. Though there was much to do in the capital, it was difficult to go out since she couldn’t maintain a disguise for long. 

 Meanwhile, Cedric, unlike her, was enjoying his leisure. The commotion in the city must have been effective, as several invitations arrived at the mansion. 

 Though she contemplated whether to go or not, she decided against it. Since the goal was to get Father’s attention, there was no need to waste more energy. 

 “Where is His Highness the Grand Duke?” 

 “He’s reviewing documents.” 

 This early in the morning? 

 She received and opened the letter from Alita. 

 “It says a Marquis visited the residence. They managed to handle it, but…… Sir Kaven in disguise was briefly seen……” 

 But why did it say he seemed frightened? 

 Though it mentioned being seen from afar, she wondered what had happened. Not having been there, she had no way of knowing. 

 “Shouldn’t you return right away?” 

 “We’ve achieved what we wanted, so now it’s time to obtain something else.” 

 The problem was that no good method came to mind. With less than a month until the Harvest Festival, they needed to come up with a decent plan before then. 

 “What documents is he reviewing that he hasn’t even eaten breakfast……” 

 “He said he’s sorting through suitable men from noble families in the capital.” 

 “What?” 

 She wondered why he was suddenly sorting through men. Perhaps he had thought of some good plan. 

 She called Rien to change clothes and headed to Cedric’s office. 

 Knock knock knock. 

 She carefully knocked on the door. 

 “Your Highness, it’s me. May I come in?” 

 Without answering, he opened the door to welcome her. Looking at the documents on the desk, it seemed he had reviewed more than just one or two people. 

 “I heard you’re sorting through suitable men from noble families in the capital.” 

 “You’ve come at a good time. I’ve narrowed it down to about five people, but do you know what type Princess Isabelle likes?” 

 Someone like Cedric. No, Cedric. 

 That was all that came to her mind. 

 Tap– 

 Cedric’s hand lightly tapped her forehead. Lost in other thoughts, she opened her eyes to look at him. 

 “Ouch.” 

 “Wife, I can see exactly what you’re thinking.” 

 “Don’t lie.” 

 If even Father couldn’t read her thoughts, how could he? 

 She slightly pushed out her lips and sat in the chair. She began reading the information about the five candidates that Cedric handed over. 

 “Hmm, how did you even get portraits?” 

 “You know well enough.” 

 He showed a capitalistic smile. She looked at the documents with a knowing expression. 

 ‘The first is the heir of House Leschutaine.’ 

 House Leschutaine had consistently produced prime ministers. Particularly, the eldest son Medici Leschutaine graduated top of his class at the academy with his brilliant mind. 

 Despite his handsome appearance, he wasn’t popular due to his timid personality. Though he would make a good groom, women didn’t seem to find shy men attractive, so he remained single. 

 If one only looked this far, he might seem like quite a decent person…… but what she knew was somewhat different. 

 Medici Leschutaine. Though known as a man devoted to loving only one woman, he later awakens to carnal desires and becomes known as a legendary womanizer. 

 Indeed. As they say late-blooming passion is dangerous, after marriage he discovers women during a chance visit to a club house. 

 Having realized that love with multiple people is even hotter than love with one person, Medici becomes such a playboy that there’s hardly a woman in the empire he hasn’t touched. 

 “This person won’t do.” 

 “I thought his reputation was quite good?” 

 “We’ll be lucky if Isabelle doesn’t cut off his lower half later.” 

 “……What do you mean?” 

 Oops. 

 She furrowed her brow and shook her head. Pointing at Medici’s face with her finger, she said: 

 “His physiognomy, look at his physiognomy here. The look in his eyes shows he likes women, and though handsome, his wandering eyes indicate he’ll look around everywhere.” 

 Clicking her tongue, she flipped over House Medici’s documents. Cedric’s blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. 

 “Wife, you can read physiognomy as well?” 

 “Well, after seeing so many people, I’ve developed a bit of, just a tiny bit, of intuition. Though it’s not exact, I do have good instincts…… ahem. Next person!” 

 She immediately looked at the second candidate. 

 ‘He has somewhat of a puppy face, but why does he look familiar?’ 

 Seeing the name, her eyes flew open. 

 “Wait, this person is the Knight Commander of the Second Imperial Knight Order!” 

 “So what? He’s unmarried, from a good family, and a decent person — isn’t that enough?” 

 “……Well, that’s true.” 

 In fact, the Knight Commander of the Second Imperial Knights was often described as quite a decent person even in the original novel. 

 He was also the only one who showed proper respect when she was at the imperial palace. 

 “I’m not sure if Isabelle will be okay with him.” 

 The Elliot family had produced imperial knights for generations and maintained high loyalty to the Emperor. This meant they would respect Isabelle. 

 However, Isabelle would likely hate him. He was practically Father’s man. 

 “Since she hates Father now, she’ll look for someone who will take her side. Sir Felix Elliot knows Isabelle too well.” 

 “Isn’t that good then? Having known her since childhood, it wouldn’t be strange if they developed feelings for each other.” 

 “You don’t mean…….” 

 Cedric nodded. It seemed he planned to explain Isabelle’s absence as an escape for love. 

 “Father won’t let Isabelle marry someone she wants.” 

 Of course, though he had signed a contract not to interfere with Isabelle’s marriage anymore, if Father kept refusing, that would be that. 

 “We’ll take the wolf.” 

 “……You mean Zeno? If we do that, we won’t be able to escape.” 

 “Having made the contract as we pleased, shouldn’t we accept that much?” 

 Cedric reached out and stroked her nape. He was more persistent than she thought. 

 She covered her neck with her hands and opened her eyes drowsily. 

 “The mark Your Highness left lasted longer, don’t you remember?” 

 “Perhaps if I leave another one, I might remember.” 

 “Not a chance.” 

 She shook her head while covering her neck with both hands. If he did it again, she couldn’t gauge how long she’d have to keep covering her neck. 

 To change the subject, she pointed at the documents placed beside them and said,

 “Besides Felix Elliot, this person is decent too.” 

 “I quite like Sir Benjamin as well. Though I heard there are marriage talks going on recently, no fool would refuse a princess.” 

 “The others won’t do.” 

 Cedric chuckled. 

 “Are these two’s physiognomies bad as well?” 

 “Yes. They’re terrible. Your Highness should stay away from them too.” 

 Because they’re absolutely terrible people. 

 Social reputation couldn’t be trusted. Just as rumors about Cedric had spread unfavorably, anything could be fabricated. 

 It would be even easier for sons of good families. One wouldn’t know how many rascals were running around unless they experienced it. 

 Though they might approach with gentle smiles and words, their hidden intentions were full of sharp edges. 

 “So we should choose between these two?” 

 “Yes, the choice must be given to Isabelle. That way she won’t regret it this time.” 

 Benjamin Alec. Though his family didn’t have much influence in the empire, he was a decent person. 

 He helped those in need and devoted himself to study. Benjamin was truly a man who knew nothing of women. A kind and serious person. 

 ‘He’s quite a catch too.’ 

 She hoped Isabelle would choose Benjamin. Then perhaps Isabelle would learn what it means to be loved. 

 “Things will become easier once the Princess and the wolf go to the imperial palace.” 

 “But it will become that much more dangerous. Father will read Isabelle’s thoughts.” 

 “Is there a way to prevent thoughts from being read?” 

 “Hmm…… it should be fine if she doesn’t make eye contact.” 

 Though not certain, it was difficult to read thoughts without making eye contact. 

 “I’ll remember that. I heard the Emperor sent a Marquis to the mansion.” 

 “Yes, Dame Alita told me. I wonder why he sent a Marquis when there should be the Commander of the Third Unit.” 

 “It must be to show he’s not rushed even with one restraint gone.” 

 “But we’ll send him soon. Before that, Isabelle needs to decide and come with us to the imperial palace.” 

 They needed to enter the imperial palace before the Harvest Festival. Then everyone would be busy, and they could seize the opportunity to make contracts with the divine beasts. 

 She intended to take everything Father possessed.