The gazes directed at Lucian were of admiration and respect, with occasional jealousy and hatred, but not too intense. However, the gazes directed at Adelia were somewhat different. The foundation was jealousy. The curiosity and greed layered on top were unpleasantly clear.

It was obvious that Adelia held both the imperial family and the Eileen Merchant Guild in her hands. However, due to rumors of her weak health and fragile appearance, her position as Crown Princess was not solid.

Of course, this too was part of Adelia’s plan. It would be difficult for the Crown Princess who’s firmly established as a member of the imperial family to leave.

‘These gazes won’t last long either.’

The moment she revealed herself as the Guild Master after completing her revenge and stripping away the Count’s title, people’s gazes would surely change.

Currently, the Eileen Merchant Guild’s position rivaled that of most kingdoms. Their greatest strength was having a white mage as Guild Master, but with dozens of kingdoms connected through white magic and friendly relations with the empire, no one could touch them carelessly. They were known as the fourth power in the world.

‘Just wait until everything’s finished. No one will be able to move against us then.’

Adelia’s eyes crinkled until her pupils were barely visible as she snuggled into Lucian’s arm. Their upper bodies were close enough to touch.

Lucian flinched and took a short breath. His heart pounded at her suddenly approaching scent.

Unlike Lucian who tried his best to act composed, Adelia breathed easily.

‘It feels better being close.’

When she pressed against Lucian, the gazes directed at them mixed and became less unpleasant than before.

Adelia slightly relaxed her forcefully crinkled eyes and entered the banquet hall with a lighter heart.

The nobles in the banquet hall gathered slowly toward the entrance, watching their surroundings as Adelia entered with Lucian.

Who would speak to Adelia first? No, who would brave Lucian’s gaze to approach Adelia—that was the key question.

At that moment, someone quickly passed through the crowd and stepped forward before them.

“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

Conrad bowed deeply, his long straight hair swaying. His hair tied in a single tail flowed over his shoulder.

When he raised his head, his gold-rimmed glasses sparkled in the light. Conrad approached with a friendly smile that seemed somewhat sly.

“Thank you for accepting our invitation.”

“How could I miss it? Of course I had to attend.”

“We knew Your Highness the Crown Princess would attend, but we didn’t expect Your Highness the Crown Prince as well.”

“Considering the ties between the imperial family and the Eileen Merchant Guild, it’s not an event I could miss. Besides, I couldn’t possibly skip a banquet that Adelia is attending.”

Lucian calmly countered Conrad’s words.

His face was as peaceful as usual, but his heart was beating wildly.

‘Calling her name makes it feel like we’re real lovers.’

He hadn’t known that being able to proudly call her name without avoiding her eyes could be such a happy thing.

Lucian thought he wouldn’t mind attending such banquets every day if he could just speak her name.

At that moment, Adelia stumbled slightly beside him. Though not enough to fall forward, Lucian urgently pulled her into his arms with one arm.

Caught in his embrace, Adelia leaned back against him. Lucian then slightly lowered his head, bringing his face close.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes…… I’m just tired from the long carriage ride.”

With Lucian’s voice in her ear and feeling his body heat all over, her heart started racing for no reason.

She slightly lowered her head, worried her face might be turning red.

“How about resting while having a quiet conversation?”

“What do you think, Adelia?”

“I’d like that. Would you guide us, Deputy Guild Master?”

Thanks to Conrad bringing it up at the right moment, Adelia stumbled out of Lucian’s embrace. He seemed intent on matching everything to her by persistently asking for her opinion.

Though Adelia didn’t realize it, everyone except her couldn’t take their eyes off Lucian’s gentle behavior.

“Then I’ll escort you to the first lounge.”

At that moment, the banquet hall stirred.

This was because, by principle, no one in the banquet hall could enter the first lounge. Not even the Duke who owned the venue.

This was because that space was prepared for the Guild Master, the host of the banquet.

The Crown Prince couple leisurely entered the first lounge along with the Eileen Merchant Guild’s Deputy Guild Master.

People stared intently at the lounge they entered.

Though it was rude to deliberately try to look into the most private space in the banquet hall, no one pointed this out.

This was because there wasn’t anyone who wasn’t curious about who the Eileen Merchant Guild’s Master was.

“Tsk, can’t see anything. Can you see?”

“Nah! Can’t see a thing. There’s a curtain inside making a double barrier.”

“They’re thorough about hiding their identity. I wonder why they hide themselves so completely. Is their face so terribly disfigured?”

“Or maybe they’re royalty from another country? If not that, then a noble? I’m curious. Coming to today’s banquet must mean they’re planning to show their face. Well, everyone wants to maintain a close relationship with the Guild Master.”

“Haha, you have big dreams. Isn’t getting close to the Guild Master as difficult as getting close to His Majesty the Emperor? Give up.”

The door closed without anyone being able to see inside the lounge. People kept glancing at the lounge with regret while making various comments.

Many people gathered in front of the lounge hoping to catch any sound, but not even a breath escaped from inside.

As soon as the door closed, Adelia had put up a strong barrier. Thanks to this, the three could enjoy a comfortable rest. More precisely, only Adelia rested comfortably.

“This way please, Master. I’ve prepared refreshments.”

“Thank you. I was getting hungry anyway.”

Adelia slowly lowered her hand that had been holding Lucian’s. Though Lucian briefly caught her passing hand with regret, he soon let her go. He couldn’t let his desires stop her when she said she was hungry.

Adelia’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the table set with refreshments. Sitting on the prepared sofa, she picked up the tea first.

“This smells good. Your Highness, please sit down too. Conrad, one more cup.”

Adelia said while patting the seat beside her.

At that moment, expressions diverged.

Lucian’s face brightened. He quickly claimed the seat beside her. Before Conrad could scheme to change the seating arrangement, he swiftly picked up a fork to defend his position.

‘That! Fox-like person who has bewitched our Master!’

Conrad felt a sense of crisis as he brought out the teacups. Though he wanted to spill the tea and chase him away, life was always precious.

‘They match so well it’s irritating.’

Conrad grumbled internally while pouring tea. Like black and white, though opposite in everything, they matched perfectly as if they had been one from the start.

The slender, snow-white Adelia and the thick, pitch-black Lucian. Their intimate appearance as they sat chatting quietly was undoubtedly that of a married couple.

Conrad set down the teacup on the table with an irritated thud.

“Here you are.”

“You sit down and talk with us too.”

Adelia said, pointing to the chair in front of her. Conrad sat across from Adelia. Only after pushing the foods Adelia liked closer to her did he open his mouth with satisfaction.

“What story shall we start with? The story of the Count getting grabbed by the collar? The story of the Countess bringing her lover as a servant? Or the amusing story of Miss Vita groveling before Lady Odor?”

“The Count got grabbed by the collar? I should have seen that.”

“Of course I recorded it on a memory stone. I’ve also installed memory stones in the lounge where the Count is now, so I’ll send you those recordings too.”

“Ah…… You’re the best. It would be hard to find a subordinate who works as well as you.”

They exchanged trivial conversations in the lounge.

The nobles who were curious about what important and significant discussions might be taking place would be disappointed if they knew.

After resting adequately and filling her stomach, Adelia leaned back with a languid expression.

At that moment, a buzzing vibration sound came from Conrad’s chest. He pulled out several communication stones from his chest. As befitting the Deputy Guild Master, he had quite a few communication stones connected to various places.

After looking at the vibrating communication stone, he spoke with a brightened face.

“The Count has left the lounge. They guided him to the banquet hall since it’s almost time for the first dance.”

“Is that so? Then we should head out too.”

Adelia got up after looking at the clock on the wall. It was already time for the day to darken.

Though the start was the same as usual, the highlight – the first dance—was relatively late.