“Oh my, Your Grace.”

Rien turned around in shock, covering her mouth.

Claire also glanced back to see Dominic, who had fallen miserably from his horse and was being supported by his servants.

‘Serves him right.’

She smiled at him, deliberately raising one corner of her mouth to show him.

“Brother!”

Casion, the second son of House Shalom, ran over to Dominic. The third daughter, Bellesia, was holding her stomach and laughing hysterically.

Claire gave a thumbs up to the horse that was still snorting.

“Neeeiiigh!”(Praise! This is my first time being praised!)

“What’s wrong with this horse today? Brother, I think you should ride a different horse.”

“D*mn it! You useless creature.”

No wonder the horse disliked him.

The horse became even more frenzied at the insult directed at it. Claire quietly lowered her thumb and averted her gaze, pretending not to notice.

“We’d better leave quickly.”

“I think so too.”

They quickly left the area. Upon arriving at House Monteroz’s encampment, Claire casually asked Rien,

“Rien, did you happen to see Yerenica at House Shalom’s encampment earlier?”

“No. I didn’t even see her bidding farewell. The tea party will be held soon, so why don’t we look for her then?”

Claire nodded at Rien’s suggestion. It wasn’t as if she could visit House Shalom’s encampment.

While she felt good about teaching Dominic, her father’s dog, a lesson, she was disappointed not to see Yerenica.

But what could she do? She could only wait. It was better to avoid situations that might cause trouble for both herself and Yerenica.

“By the way, Sir Kaven. In a hunting competition, is it important how many animals you catch?”

“Yes. It’s also important what kind of large animals they are. Each animal is scored differently.”

In fact, if she didn’t have to kill, the path to victory was open.

“Excuse me, I need to go somewhere for a moment.”

It wasn’t that she was dismissing Cedric’s hunting skills. However, because of the rapport she had built with animals, hunting would likely be difficult.

“Your Grace?”

“I’m just going behind the encampment, it’s fine.”

Claire stopped Dame Alita and Sir Kaven who tried to follow her and lifted the tent flap to exit.

Looking around, she called a squirrel with “Pyok, pyokpyok!”

“Kyu?” (What’s the matter?)

“There’s a hunting competition happening. Tell the animals to play dead when someone in a blue cloak approaches them. Then they’ll be fine.”

“Kyu!” (Got it! I’ll pass it on!)

She planned to end this quickly. Since she couldn’t completely stop the hunting competition, she needed to protect the animals as much as possible.

After finishing her conversation with the squirrel, Claire returned to the encampment.

“Your Grace, shall we wait while having some tea? It seems the tea party will take a while to start.”

“Why not?”

Rien immediately prepared tea and refreshments. Claire invited Dame Alita and Sir Kaven to join them.

She sat at the table with everyone, drinking tea and chatting.

“His Grace will definitely come in first place.”

“I think so too. I’ve never seen Lord Aiden so passionate before.”

Sir Kaven and Dame Alita nodded as they conversed.

“I think I said something unnecessary.”

“Not at all. Everyone is excited because this is the first time House Monteroz is participating in an official event.”

It seemed more like they were admiring Cedric’s face. Even at the banquet hall, they couldn’t take their eyes off him.

“I suppose so. Everyone was quite generous with their admiration for His Grace’s face.”

“Wouldn’t you say they were more speechless at the sight of Your Grace?”

Rien said as she poured tea. She certainly had a way with words that made people feel good.

“Thanks for saying so, at least.”

“But it’s true! Dame Alita told me! Everyone couldn’t even make proper eye contact because of Your Grace’s beautiful appearance!”

“Well, that might be a different issue, but it was like that.”

It was strange how they avoided eye contact and would suddenly close their lips when talking about her.

“I hope nothing goes wrong at the hunting competition……”

“It will be fine. His Grace went fully prepared.”

I forced a smile at Kaven’s words. Even so, I couldn’t help but worry.

While we were chatting away, someone visited our encampment.

Rien went over to listen and then scurried back to me.

“Your Grace. I’ve just been informed that the tea party has begun.”

“Shall we go then?”

I had people to find and needed to talk with Isabelle as well.

‘I wonder if Zeno is alright. There’s been no contact…… hmm.’

It seemed I would need to send a message first.

The tea party was better arranged than expected. Flowers adorned the tables alongside teapots.

I took my place at the tea party with my escorts. While drinking tea from my cup, I quickly scanned the area for Yerenica.

‘She’s not here.’

Perhaps she was being cautious. Since she hadn’t made her social debut, attending a tea party wouldn’t be easy for her.

“Sister.”

“Fortunately, you look well.”

I spoke with a sidelong glance as Isabelle approached me.

“It went over well. I don’t know how long things will stay quiet, but Father was very angry about the binding spell.”

“Well, I did meet Mother.”

“It wasn’t a pleasant meeting, I take it.”

I shrugged at Isabelle’s words. The eyes of those who saw us together began to sparkle.

“You came to me first on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Isn’t that what you wanted? Loving sisters. A chance to change your and the Grand Duke’s reputation. You were planning to use me.”

“If you hadn’t spread strange rumors in the first place, none of this would have happened, but thank you for considering it.”

Isabelle and I conversed while smiling with crinkled eyes.

“Sir Benjamin will win.”

Well, well.

“Wake up from your dream. His Grace needs to win.”

“He said he’d bring me the victory.”

Isabelle retorted with a snort. I couldn’t help but let out a sneer.

“Since when did you become so affectionate? It wasn’t long ago that you were saying nonsensical things about marrying His Grace. Though I support you.”

As Isabelle and I talked about winning, the ears of other ladies perked up.

Isabelle opened her fan to cover her mouth and moved closer to me.

“More importantly, have you heard from the wolf?”

“How could he meet with guards around? I haven’t received any special contact yet.”

“I found out where your mother is, but the security is tight. So I was thinking of sending that wolf.”

“……Hmm, Zeno could certainly go there easily.”

He was supposed to be gathering information from the divine beasts. Since we were planning to steal them all from Father once the airship was completed, it didn’t matter.

“Stop provoking Father.”

Isabelle seemed genuinely concerned about me.

“Worry about yourself. You’re the one staying in the imperial palace with him.”

“……I will.”

Isabelle turned her head away primly. As we were bickering, Rien jumped up as if signaling me.

Following her gesture, I turned my head and saw Yerenica, whom I had been waiting for.

I stood up abruptly.

“What’s this, looks like you were waiting for someone. An unexpected person……”

The sharp-witted Isabelle followed my gaze and grinned.

“I don’t know what you want to discuss with Duke Shalom’s daughter, but you need me to create an opportunity, right?”

I get nervous when she’s this cooperative.

Is it because she’s helped me a lot recently?

When I looked at Isabelle with suspicious eyes, she frowned.

Then she immediately stood up and went to Yerenica. The two exchanged some words.

‘Her expression is getting worse?’

Eventually, Yerenica left the tea party area. Isabelle walked back to me with a composed expression and sat down beside me.

“Don’t worry. Go to your encampment. I sent her there.”

“……Really?”

“Yes, it would be suspicious to talk here. I don’t know what you’re going to discuss, but I’m sure it’s something I’d approve of.”

Isabelle picked up her teacup and gracefully walked to another table. Were Yerenica and Isabelle close?

She didn’t seem like the type to comply so readily, and if my guess was correct, she wouldn’t have a good image of the imperial family either.

Since Isabelle was also favored by Father, she would not be a welcome figure to Yerenica.

“Your Grace, shall we return to the encampment?” Rien asked cautiously, and I decided to trust Isabelle this once.

“Just in case, Rien and Dame Alita, stay here. I’m planning to make it look like I’m just stepping away briefly.”

“Understood.”

I left the tea party area naturally with Kaven.

I whispered quietly to Kaven who was following me.

“Sir Kaven, if anyone follows us……”

I smiled sweetly as I spoke.

“Take care of them.”

“……Pardon?”

“Don’t kill them, just keep them alive. We need to know who’s behind them. Understood?”