“Ah, something like that. There were things I wanted to say as well.”

Adelia answered while looking at a distant mountain.

Ariana, unable to see the evasive gaze while in her arms, nodded as if she understood.

‘I thought Dad and my little brother seemed to like it.’

It’s no wonder their eyes sparkled with such magic.

Thinking magic was really amazing, Ariana smiled broadly, unaware that those accustomed to seeing various magics daily wouldn’t be surprised by mere protective magic.

After taking Ariana to the palace, Adelia headed back to the Crown Prince’s Palace.

“I’m out of time. I won’t be able to see His Highness.”

Adelia muttered while looking at a clock in the corridor.

More time had passed than expected due to the Emperor and the Prince not wanting to let go of the Princess.

She turned her steps towards her room, choosing to rest with the remaining time.

The area around her room was quiet since all the maids who helped with dressing had left.

Only the sound of her heels echoed in the corridor when suddenly, a man’s footsteps joined in.

Adelia called out to the man approaching from the opposite side with wide eyes.

“Your Highness?”

“Weren’t you in your room?”

His low, pleasant voice filled the corridor.

As he approached swiftly, it felt as though everything around her brightened.

“Crazy….”

Adelia hastily covered her mouth.

Was this what they called a halo? Though there should only be a small light illuminating the corridor behind him, it seemed as if he brought along a chandelier from a banquet hall.

He usually wore dark-colored uniforms, but today he wore clothes that felt similar to hers.

The navy uniform was embroidered with white accents and silver threads, and he wore a white cape over his shoulders. The brighter clothes suited him surprisingly well than usual.

“No, Your Highness suits bright clothes more than I thought.”

“Do you think so?”

“How about getting some bright clothes tailored next time? Silver uniforms would suit you well too.”

It would be a national loss to keep this sight to myself.

Adelia empathized a bit with why the imperial men wanted to capture Ariana’s appearance so eagerly.

She resolved to tailor bright clothes for both the Emperor and the Prince as well.

“I shall do so. You also look truly beautiful today.”

“Thank you. I’ve received many compliments today.”

Adelia smiled softly, wrinkling her eyes.

Even if it was just formal talk, compliments were always pleasant.

Meanwhile, Lucian’s brows furrowed slightly.

Until just now, he had maintained a somewhat gentle expression, but now he seemed somewhat displeased.

“Who else complimented you?”

His tone was sharp.

Adelia, familiar with Lucian’s demeanor, didn’t take it seriously.

“The Princess. I was with her until just now.”

“Ah…. I see.”

Lucian frowned as if he hadn’t expected that answer, then quickly relaxed his face.

Adelia merely tilted her head at his puzzling question and decided it was nothing significant.

“But what brings you here?”

“I am your partner for today. I’m not so lacking in manners as to not escort you.”

Where did that person who doesn’t have manners go?

Instead of continuing with what she could have said next, Adelia chose to give him a light smile.

“It’s an honor.”

Wishing to stay in this land for a long time, she quietly placed her hand on Lucian’s arm.

On their way to the banquet hall, they exchanged trivial talks,

Adelia was mostly speaking and Lucian responded.

“Haven’t you reconciled with the princess yet?”  

“…I’m being unilaterally rejected.”  

As soon as the princess was mentioned, Lucian’s face brightened for a moment before quickly darkening.  

It was already well-known that he visited the princess’s palace daily to appease the sulking princess.  

The princess, having learned to be firm from the past portrait incident, did not easily forgive him.  

It was truly regrettable for Lucian, but Adelia took this opportunity.  

“There’s a good way to appease the princess’s heart…. Would you need it?”  

“…What do you want?”  

Lucian had her somewhat figured out.  

In daily life, she would offer favors without reason, but when she overtly offered a favor, it meant she wanted something.  

If she didn’t want anything, she would have subtly mentioned the method already.  

Seeing his quick-wittedness, she smirked.  

It was a villainous smirk, as though she was plotting a conspiracy.  

“Do you know about the rumor going around us lately?”  

“I’m not interested in rumors, but I know about the rumor you spread. That you used that thieving maid to spread the word that we are on good terms.”  

“Didn’t I tell you? We have to pretend to be on good terms. And it’s such a good excuse that we fell in love at first sight, despite this suspicious marriage with no benefits. You knew that, that’s why Your Highness didn’t stop it and just watched, right?”  

There wasn’t a single wrong word in her light tone.

Nobles’ marriages are made out of love or benefit.  

Their case was also a relationship formed for benefit, but it turned into a marriage without reason due to the contract that couldn’t be disclosed to the public.  

She had no intention to reveal that she was a white mage or to announce the existence of the holy sword yet.  

The more people doubted this marriage and dug into it, the more likely that troublesome situations would arise.  

“So, let’s make that rumor seem real.”  

“Pretending to be in love with each other?”  

“There’s nothing we can’t do. Just accompany me today. If Your Highness comes to me first, everyone will believe that rumor.”  

Lucian, who generally lacked interest in people, knew even a small action from him would look like an affectionate gesture to others.  

He appeared to be pondering for a moment.

Pretending to be in love, just thinking about it was quite a comical play.  

“You can refuse. Just openly dislike me….”  

“Alright. Let’s do it. Pretend to be in love.”  

“Dislike… What?”  

Adelia looked at him in surprise, having expected a refusal.  

A gentle smile was lingering on Lucian’s face.  

Somehow, his expression seemed similar to that of the prince.  

“Then, may I have Your Highness’s name for today?”  

“Sure. Then shall I call you by your name as well?”  

“Yes. And it would be nice if you could ask me for a dance today.”  

“Sure.”  

“We have a deal then. This should reconcile with the princess.”  

Adelia handed him a piece of paper she took out from her space.  

It had a date and an address of some place, stamped with the guild master’s seal.  

“In a few days, there will be a new menu at the guild’s bakery. It’s usually closed that day, but it will be open just for Her Highness. Eating the unreleased new menu will surely melt the princess’s heart. Just say what you want, and they’ll bring everything out.”  

“Ha…”  

Lucian was dumbfounded by such a simple method but couldn’t say anything and quietly kept the paper safe within his clothes.  

Certainly, there was no better way to reconcile with Ariana.  

“Ha ha. Then I look forward to today. My loving fiancé?”  

“Likewise.”  

Lucian chuckled at her playful tone of voice.  

His enchanting laugh was so beautiful that Adelia naturally smiled.

* * *

“Are you here?”  

“Yes.”  

Adelia, who arrived at the waiting room first, greeted him with a fresh smile.

The response was still curt, but by the emperor’s standards, it was quite generous.  

Adelia now understood that the walls within the imperials’ hearts weren’t impregnable fortresses but paper painted with fortresses.  

Everyone was just too afraid to knock on them; just a light touch and one could easily enter their hearts. 
 
‘I didn’t know I would become so invested.’  

Thinking that imperials wouldn’t open their hearts to anyone other than family, she had decided to just build a small trust. She was satisfied with just winning over the cute princess.  

But having knocked on their hearts’ walls, there was no turning back.

What if one more person joins the story? As long as it ends with a happy ending, that’s all that matters.  

Since there was time until the imperials’ entrance time, Adelia chattered away nonstop.  

“How about trying bright-colored clothes next time? I think they would suit you more than you think.”  

“Bright colors get dirty quickly; I don’t really like them.”  

The emperor seemed to agree with the prince’s words by nodding.

Adelia let out a disappointed sigh at their response.  

“That’s too bad. The princess likes bright-colored clothes; I thought about matching couple outfits. Can’t help it then.”  

As she shrugged her shoulders, Lucian quickly interjected.  

“I said I would match with bright-colored clothes.”  

“Let the three of us match then. Wearing couple outfits and going out would be nice. I know a place the princess would like.”  

Adelia responded naturally with a lively face.  

“…Thinking about it, bright-colored clothes aren’t too bad.”  

“If it’s not during training, they won’t get dirty!”  

Adelia laughed heartily at their sudden change of response.  

Indeed, when it came to persuading the imperial family, nothing was better than involving the princess.  

The servants standing by the door had foolish expressions, as if they couldn’t believe what was happening before their eyes.  

As they continued talking about the princess, it was time for their entrance.  

“Your brooch is crooked.”  

“Ah, thank you.”  

Adelia naturally adjusted Lucian’s attire.

Their appearance was so natural that at first glance, they looked like a happy couple.  

The Emperor, with a curious face, gestured to a servant.  

Startled, the trembling servant steadied himself and announced their entrance.  

“His Majesty the Emperor, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness the Prince. And Lady Adelia Vita, are entering!”  

With the sound of trumpets, a booming announcement filled the air.  

The doors, made of luxurious velvet fabric, swung open, revealing the bright ballroom.  

Her dress shimmered under the grand chandelier.  

As Lucian escorted her in, countless gazes poured onto Adelia.  

“There are so many people.”  

“It’s a palace banquet after all.”  

“I see.”  

It was her first banquet, and though it was fascinating, she refrained from looking around foolishly.  

She walked forward with dignity, only looking ahead.