Despite all her complaining, Erenia’s maid returned with no fewer than six dresses in just a few hours.

Since the style Erenia had requested was still unfamiliar at this point in time, managing to find even two dresses that more or less matched her instructions was a fairly decent accomplishment.

‘She’s quick on her feet. Not that I intend to keep overlooking what she’s done.’

Erenia planned to make use of her for the time being, then replace her with a new maid.

After all, she could hardly expect deep loyalty from a relationship held together by nothing but leverage.

“Your Highness, what do you think of this dress? It is not made of the silk you requested, but I obtained it from the most popular dress shop in the Empire. It is also the work of a designer Princess Joanna frequently wears.”

The maid cautiously offered her opinion, her manner noticeably more respectful than before.

But Erenia thought otherwise.

“I’m tired of things like that.”

“F-Forgive me! Then… is there a dress among these that pleases you?”

Erenia did not take long to decide which of the six dresses to choose.

“Don’t wear dresses in such pale colors. Bright, vivid red suits you much better, Sister.”

The simple pale-pink silk dress Joanna had tried so hard to dissuade her from wearing.

Erenia immediately held the dress up in front of the mirror.

‘…Just as I thought.’

The truth was, even in her previous life, Erenia had wanted dresses like this.

But whenever her opinion clashed with Joanna’s, she had forced herself to dismiss her own judgment, believing that her taste must simply be lacking.

Even though the very styles Erenia had wanted later became wildly popular throughout the Empire.

‘Why did I never think to trust my own judgment all this time? I was right.’

Erenia regretted how she had never been able to follow her own wishes because she had been so preoccupied with Joanna’s opinion.

From now on, she intended to do exactly as she pleased, without caring about anyone else’s gaze.

“…You look beautiful, Your Highness.”

Even the maid, who had reluctantly helped dress her according to Erenia’s orders, murmured as though entranced.

Compared to how ridiculous Erenia had looked in the past, there was simply no comparison.

“It’s time to go to the banquet hall.”

The sun had already set, and the banquet would begin soon.

She was already too late to arrive on time, but she did not care.

Whether Erenia arrived punctually or late, she was already equally out of favor.

There was no longer any reason to force herself into the standards of the Empire.

‘It’s an Empire I’m going to abandon anyway.’

* * *

The Grand Banquet Hall of the Hyen Imperial Palace.

Adorned more extravagantly than ever with dazzling golden decorations and flowers in full bloom, the hall made the emperor’s affection for Princess Joanna abundantly clear.

Alongside the nobles of the Hyen Empire, delegations from all manner of foreign nations filled the hall, which buzzed with excitement in the sultry summer-night air.

“Her Highness Princess Joanna de Hyen and Sir Lucius von Dmitri are entering!”

By the time the atmosphere in the banquet hall had grown lively, the two guests of honor finally entered side by side.

Joanna walked in with a bright smile, her ash-blond hair braided into a single plait and a teal dress draped around her figure.

Her deep amber eyes sparkled cheerfully.

Lucius, standing beside her, seemed somewhat stiff by comparison, but no one paid any attention to it.

“My goodness! Princess Joanna! You look absolutely beautiful tonight!”

“If you’re this radiant at your engagement banquet, just imagine how dazzling you’ll be at your wedding!”

“Congratulations on your engagement, Your Highness!”

The young unmarried ladies who adored Joanna eagerly showered her with praise.

“It is such a great blessing for the Hyen Empire to have a princess as beautiful and wise as you.”

“Oh, no. Sister Erenia is far more beautiful than I am.”

“…Your Highness is far too kindhearted.”

“But it’s true. By the way, has Sister still not arrived?”

At Joanna’s innocent question, the young ladies exchanged awkward looks.

“Exactly. This is her only sister’s engagement banquet, yet she still hasn’t appeared even after the guests of honor have arrived….”

“Could it be that she’s jealous because Princess Joanna found such a wonderful match before she did?”

“Well, I suppose anyone would be envious.”

Sharp remarks about Erenia passed between the young ladies behind the fluttering fans in their hands.

“Oh, I’m sure Sister will find a good match eventually, even if it takes her a little longer.”

Though Joanna appeared to be defending Erenia, she subtly drew attention to the fact that her sister still had no suitors.

“…Hmm. Do you think so?”

“Well, who can say?”

The atmosphere turned strangely awkward as no one readily agreed.

Then—

“Her Highness Princess Erenia de Hyen is entering!”

At the attendant’s announcement, the doors to the banquet hall swung open.

“My. She appeared right away, almost as if she’d been listening in.”

The moment a lady who was particularly hostile toward Erenia finished speaking, everyone turned toward the entrance.

What kind of pathetic appearance would she make tonight?

The faces of those who had been preparing to scrutinize Erenia from head to toe instantly turned bewildered.

“…I-Is that…”

“P-Princess… Erenia?”

“That can’t be.”

Erenia, who appeared beyond the doors of the grand banquet hall, was more beautiful than ever before.

No, beautiful was hardly enough to describe the noble grace that radiated from her.

Her shoulders, once hunched from constantly watching everyone’s reactions, were now straight. Her head was held high, and unlike usual, her gaze was calm as she received the attention of every noble in the hall.

As though completely indifferent to their stares, Erenia walked in at an unhurried pace.

Softly, softly.

With every step, the elegant silk dress brushed against her, shimmering in subtle shades of pink depending on the angle.

The glow made Erenia’s pale complexion stand out even more.

The design, with silk flowing gracefully along the lines of her body, was somewhat unfamiliar, but its rarity only drew more attention.

Above all—

Her brilliant platinum-blond hair, loosely pinned up, and her teal eyes, clear as a pristine lake.

They were proof that she had inherited the purest bloodline of the Hyen imperial family more strongly than anyone else.

She was the only member of the imperial family to have inherited the appearance of the founding emperor in its entirety—an appearance even the current emperor did not possess.

That was Erenia.

At least in this moment, no one in the banquet hall remembered that Erenia was the daughter of a deposed empress accused of treason.

They saw only the legitimate heir of the imperial family that had ruled this Empire for generations.

While everyone stood overwhelmed by Erenia as she walked toward the center of the grand banquet hall, Joanna failed to completely hide the displeasure on her face.

“Was the First Princess always… this elegant and beautiful?”

“And I’ve never seen a dress like that before. The way the skirt curves whenever she moves is almost… Which shop designed it?”

The admiring remarks of the young ladies who had been praising Joanna only moments ago grated on her nerves.

‘What is this? Why is that dim-witted girl acting like this today?! I’m supposed to be the center of attention!’

Joanna was supposed to be the victor today.

After all, this was the day she had taken Lucius, the secret lover Erenia had audaciously kept hidden for so many years.

Erenia had always obediently accepted the hideous dresses Joanna chose for her.

So why, of all days, had she appeared today wearing clothes and a hairstyle that actually suited her?

Joanna was briefly consumed by fury before suddenly jolting and checking Lucius’s reaction beside her.

As expected.

Lucius was staring at Erenia as though completely entranced.

Humiliation surged through Joanna, and she tightened her grip on the arm linked with his.

“…Ahem.”

Only then did Lucius belatedly compose his expression.

But Joanna was already too enraged to calm herself.

Whether Erenia knew what Joanna was feeling or not, she came to a stop in front of Joanna and Lucius.

“O-Oh my, Sister… You were so late that I was worried something might have happened to you. I’m relieved to know you were only delayed because you were dressing yourself up so lavishly. This style is completely different from what you usually wear too. What brought this on?”

Joanna, thoroughly provoked, feigned innocent admiration while subtly belittling Erenia.

‘You want to mock me in front of the nobles for making such a spectacle at your engagement banquet.’

But Erenia had no intention of falling for the bait.

“This is a celebration of my only sister’s engagement. As your older sister, it is only proper that I make an effort. And as a princess of the Empire, paying attention to my appearance is only natural.”

Rather than backing down, Erenia spoke as though gently instructing Joanna.

“Sir Lucius. Congratulations on your engagement. You truly make a wonderful couple.”

She even went a step further, offering her congratulations with a bright smile.

Faced with an Erenia so unlike her usual self, Joanna bit down on her lip in confusion.

So hard that all color drained from her lower lip.

‘Now I can finally see it. Just how calculating you’ve always been.’

And that was not all.

Erenia mercilessly ignored Lucius’s gaze as he continued staring at her.

‘Lucius. Whatever your reasons may have been, you were the one who abandoned me first.’

And with that, Erenia completely severed the lingering feelings she had once held for the first love who had caused her so much pain in her previous life.

“Joanna? Are you all right? You don’t look well.”

Then, conscious of the nobles watching them, Erenia added the question.

Joanna and Lucius had remained silent for quite some time despite Erenia’s congratulations. It was only natural that those around them would begin to find it strange.

“Th…ank you… Sister.”

“I am deeply honored, Your Highness the First Princess.”

Leaving the reluctant pair behind, Erenia turned her head toward the delegation from the Troka Empire.

At that very moment, Erenia’s pale, water-colored teal eyes met Seirn’s blazing red ones across the hall.