Adelia said while swinging her legs back and forth.

Being here made her realize again that this wasn’t a novel but reality. Not just a simple story, but a place where people lived and breathed, where hidden places could be found, where people lived stretching their legs.

Not just a few volumes of books, but a truly existing world.

She would come here on days when she felt doubtful or deeply depressed. She also came here when contemplating existence.

This place held great meaning for Adelia.

They were both silent for a while. They spent time quietly watching the night view before them.

* * *

Even after the imperial palace banquet ended, people didn’t return to their homes. They attended small parties held at various townhouses.

The most crowded place was Count Vita’s townhouse.

Having recently moved to a large mansion beyond their means, they could accommodate many people.

The house was decorated lavishly throughout, with only expensive and fine things on display.

On the surface, it looked glossy and splendid.

“Oh my. Isn’t this the Crown Prince’s father-in-law.”

“Ah, Marquis. It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Of course. And you must be doing well too! No, you must be! After raising such a fine daughter! Ho ho ho!”

Count Vita was the most delighted when Adelia became known as the saintess. At first, he felt regret at not being able to control her in his grasp.

But this situation wasn’t bad either.

‘The power of both the imperial palace and Holy Kingdom is mine. Even without me saying anything directly, they’ll bring all the good things.’

The Count stroked his round belly while laughing heartily.

He still hadn’t escaped his delusions.

He still couldn’t believe that Adelia, who had once craved his love and obeyed him, had changed.

He thought she brought the land of Opimo Province as dowry to maintain her father’s dignity, and that she hadn’t contacted them because she was busy adjusting to her position as Crown Princess.

“I did raise one excellent daughter! She sends letters every day!”

“Oh ho! I heard the Crown Princess has been busy lately, but she still writes daily. What a filial daughter!”

Of course, he told lies to others and fabricated situations. Since people couldn’t hear Adelia’s side with her lack of social interaction, they believed the Count’s words.

The Count laughed heartily and quietly approached the Marquis.

“So, about this. I’m planning to start a business……”

“Eh? Didn’t you say you were starting a business last time too? Was it the fur business?”

“Haha, that’s going well. This is a different business. You see, I have some information that the Master of Eileen Merchant Guild gave to my daughter. I’m especially sharing this with you, Marquis.”

“Oh ho…… Eileen Merchant Guild?”

“Yes, yes! They’re having a trade with the Eastern Continent and they’re specially accepting only my investment. Ah, but the previous business hasn’t ended yet, so the money is a bit……”

Count Vita whispered false information into the Marquis’s ear.

Not even the Vice Master of Eileen Merchant Guild would meet with Count Vita, let alone the Master.

There were countless people approaching him just because he was the Crown Prince’s father-in-law. Since no one knew the Count family’s circumstances yet, many people willingly lent money to gain connections with the imperial family.

The Marquis before him was no different. He had made a name for himself in business in the provinces before coming to the capital a few years ago.

He had money but no powerful connections. So he clung to Count Vita, lending money and bringing gifts while trying to get his son into the imperial palace.

Count Vita rationalized as he borrowed money:

‘I can just tell her to bring the money later. She should take care of her family while managing the imperial household. This much money is just a small amount compared to what’s in the imperial palace.’

Thinking such thoughts made his round belly feel even more substantial. He was currently the Crown Prince’s father-in-law, but later he could become the Emperor’s father-in-law, and if he lived long enough, possibly the Emperor’s grandfather.

They couldn’t oppose a grandfather meeting his grandchild, so if he manipulated the child his daughter would bear well, an emperor to his liking would emerge.

Count Vita licked his lips. Though it was the distant future, if things went that way, he would be practically the Emperor himself.

‘I thought she was useless. But she’s the most useful. She already took care of all the territory work before leaving, so there’s nothing to do but spend money and enjoy myself.’

While the Count indulged in his shallow thoughts and happiness, Robelia’s irritation grew increasingly sharp.

Adelia was no longer a useless being. The more she shone and became beautiful, the darker the shadow grew for Robelia.

“How annoying! Nothing has gone well since that thing left!”

Robelia, who had escaped to the lounge, stomped her foot in anger.

It was already irritating that Adelia was above her as Crown Princess, but now people were even revering her as a saintess.

She had finally attended the banquet wearing expensive and fine clothes, but everyone she met only talked about Adelia.

“You must be happy. Having the Crown Princess as your sister.”

“I’ve never seen such a beautiful person before. Her hair color was so lovely and pretty……”

“And how well she matches with His Highness the Crown Prince. I never knew His Highness could be so affectionate.”

“She had such a noble aura from the start, and it turns out she was chosen by God. Ah…… It must have been hard for you having such a noble sister with such an important mission.”

The group praising Adelia subtly envied Robelia. Anyone would envy having a sister who was the Crown Princess, had connections with the merchant guild, and now became a saintess.

But Robelia found those gazes terribly uncomfortable. Whenever people saw her, they would parrot on about Adelia like birds. She hated seeing Adelia being mentioned everywhere.

Robelia, who used to enjoy parties more than anyone, recently stayed cooped up in the lounge.

“Why isn’t she coming? She definitely said she’d come to today’s banquet……”

Robelia muttered while pacing around the lounge. Only two people sympathized with this terrible situation. The Countess, her mother, and her recently closest friend.

Just then, there was a knock at the lounge door followed by a maid’s voice.

“Miss, Lady Odor has arrived. Shall I open the door?”

“Tell her to come in right away!”

Robelia shouted, jumping up from her seat.

The lounge door opened smoothly without a sound. Through it entered Lady Odor, her magnificent purple hair swaying.

Her lavender dress swayed back and forth with her steps. Her confident stride transformed the dress, designed to emphasize delicacy and modesty, into a glamorous party gown.

Lady Odor half-covered her face with a fan made of dark purple fabric with black feathers.

“My lady! Welcome.”

Robelia scurried over to Lady Odor like a puppy waiting for its owner.

Since the last banquet, Robelia and Lady Odor had appeared as a set in social circles. More precisely, Robelia stuck closely to Lady Odor.

Though Robelia had some influence in social circles, that only applied among ladies of the rank of count and below. To those of higher rank than Robelia, she was just an ordinary Count’s daughter.

The inherent limitations of social status that could not be overcome no matter how hard one tried were offset when she’s accompanied by the lady.

“You’re later than expected.”

“I spilled wine on my dress at the banquet hall, so I had to change.”

“Ah, I see. Well, come this way quickly. You there, bring refreshments right away!”

Robelia urged the maid standing in front of the lounge. She dictated the lady’s preferences in detail, ordering them to bring expensive and luxurious items.

Lady Odor glanced at this scene before striding into the lounge.

‘It’s convenient that she knows her place well.’

Lady Odor had been manipulating public opinion and improving her fallen reputation by keeping Robelia around.

Due to her previous behavior of acting as if she were already designated as the Crown Princess, the lady had to endure people’s whispers. Moreover, her reputation had hit rock bottom due to her conduct at the banquet, and she had to face constant comparisons with Adelia.

However, by keeping Robelia around, people’s attitudes had softened somewhat. Though she hadn’t obtained the Crown Princess position, some even praised her for maintaining a close relationship with the Crown Princess’s sister.

Of course, the main reason she gained some freedom from public scrutiny was that people were more interested in Robelia, who had gained tremendous power as the Crown Princess’s sister.

“Miss, come here. We have much to discuss.”

Lady Odor closed her fan that had been covering half her face with a snap.

The smile on her face seemed somewhat out of place. In the social world where venomous words were delivered with smiling faces, even Lady Odor, who usually dominated such scenes, found it difficult to maintain her expression today. The corners of her forcibly upturned lips trembled slightly.

The lady casually sat down in the highest seat. Placing her elaborate fan on her lap, she pressed her forehead and let out a soft sigh.

Soon refreshments arrived, and Robelia carefully sat beside the lady. She cautiously poured fragrant tea into the cups while stealing glances at the lady’s expression.

“Miss.”

“Yes…… yes, my lady.”

“Did you know that thing had a mission unsuitable for it?”