Green hair was usually the hair color of other races. Among them, there might be immigrants who moved on their own… But mostly, they were illegal aliens or slaves. As a result, prejudices about hair color were inevitable.

Even a high noble having the green color of other races was enough to be pointed at. It was also proof that the blood of a legitimate noble family did not flow in them. After all, what they considered the most noble was the imperial blood passed down through lineage.

Noble lineage was not limited to the imperial family. It was very important, even in ordinary noble families. However, Marchioness Valerian was not a bastard.

“Grand Duchess…”

Amelia laughed at the sight of her—unable to scream at her or get angry, trembling and gritting her teeth in frustration, while leisurely fluttering her fan and covering her face.

It was unfortunate, but there was no choice. The biggest impact on them could only be made by doing such things. Attacking without manners wasn’t shocking enough. They had to belong to the same class as them.

“Really.”

“……”

As if clenching her teeth wasn’t enough, she looked at her with cold eyes as the corners of her lips twitched. The report brought by the Master was filled with many things. There wasn’t a single person here without a weakness. Though they pretended to be elegant and noble on the outside, their insides were dirtier and uglier than commoners.

That meant there were many with dirty secrets.

“It’s beautiful because it’s rare.”

To put it another way, it meant that green hair did not exist in noble society. Because it’s the color of other races. Imagine how anxious Marquis Valerian must have been about the possibility of his child being born with green hair.

“And my hair color is also rare.”

“……”

“Isn’t it?”

“Yes, it seems so…”

The Marchioness had no choice but to agree when her hair color was mentioned. To argue would make her seem strange. Indeed, Amelia’s hair color was rare too. But the meaning was entirely different. Silver hair might be rare, but it existed. Moreover, silver hair was a symbol of the imperial family, the opposite of green.

Being suspected as a hidden child of the imperial family versus being suspected as a lowly other race. It was clear which was better. Of course, it left a bitter taste in her mouth to talk this way.

“Thank you, Marchioness Valerian. It’s my first official party, and you compliment me like this.”

“Anyone would have… done the same.”

From the beginning, this was a predetermined fight. Marchioness Valerian had more to hide than anyone else. From her own birth to her children. Though it was known she wasn’t a bastard, in reality, she was indeed a bastard born between a maid from another race. Moreover, her second son is currently on trial for illegal gambling.

“I hope we can maintain a good relationship in the future.”

“Yes, yes…”

The outcome was already decided. Unless someone else instigated it, the Marchioness wouldn’t dare to bother her anymore. And she wouldn’t dare to disregard her carelessly either. Just as they wanted, the hierarchy was properly set.

Ironically, since the hierarchy was set according to status, being actually recognized depended on judgment. If they felt someone’s lowliness didn’t fit their status, no matter how high their status might be, it wouldn’t be accepted.

“Then your son’s issue will be resolved quickly.”

Amelia whispered softly so that only the Marchioness could hear. To others, it looked like she was hidden behind her fan and speaking indiscernibly. The Marchioness’s face hardened quickly at Amelia’s sneer. Most noble children were rascals, but Marquis Valerian’s second son was top-tier among them.

It was rare for a high noble child to be on trial. And for just illegal gambling at that. It wasn’t just one illegal gambling incident. It was due to multiple illegal gambling incidents and frequent scams that there was no choice but to reveal his crimes.

“Then enjoy the party.”

Leaving the speechless Marchioness behind, Amelia approached the old madam, who greeted her with a kind smile.

“You did well.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You’ll have to face it a few more times… but you’ve made a good impression at the start.”

There will be more times like this? It had to be since today’s instigator was Marchioness Valerian. The Marchioness wasn’t exactly a good card to play for attacking someone.

“But thanks to the madam, it got a bit better.”

People’s attitudes were all cautious, for sure. No matter how much respect Emila received from people, she couldn’t openly help her. That would have been bad for her instead. She might get past this moment, but thinking about the future, it wasn’t a good choice at all. She had to earn recognition on her own rather than overcoming crises through others.

It was funny even as she said it, but that was their rule. Anyway, their territoriality was no ordinary territoriality. Without justification, one shouldn’t step forward, and only recognized high nobles have the right to speak. There were too many things to consider.

“Besides, if it was really dangerous, the madam would have stepped in, right?”

“There was no need for that.”

Perhaps the Marchioness Valerian’s wife was propitiated… by the two duchess? Or was it the Empress? It was impossible to determine who instigated it. At least most of the noblewomen didn’t seem to feel affectionate towards her.

“Would you like something simple to eat?”

“Oh, aren’t we having a meal later?”

The Grand Duke’s family usually dines at the same table as the imperial family.

“You look like you haven’t eaten anything since this morning.”

That was true. Someone woke her up early in the morning and carried her around. And right after she finished getting ready, he came to find her.

“Thank you. As expected, only the madam takes care of me.”

“I’ve prepared some with a low alcohol content separately.”

What did Raphael say for her to manage her alcohol intake? She couldn’t drink high-alcohol beverages anyway.

Accepting the madam’s kindness, Amelia sipped on an aperitif and snacks while looking around the party hall when she noticed Raphael, entirely different from herself. Heads of families and heirs all wanted to engage in conversation with him and were hovering around him. She felt like rushing over to Raphael right then…

“He wouldn’t allow it…”

Even now, he stood alone in the crowd, enjoying his solitude with dignity flowing from him naturally. Everyone understood why he was so desired. He embodied the very image of a grand noble that all nobles envied.

She wanted to see where the children were but couldn’t. The children were assigned separate rooms where adults couldn’t enter. That made her more anxious about what could be happening inside…

Was Aaron there? Normally, Aaron should have returned right after greeting.

“Your Highness? What’s wrong?”

“No, I’m fine. Maybe I’m just nervous because it’s my first Founding Festival celebration.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie. She didn’t know when or where someone would pick a fight with her again. The imperial hosts hadn’t risen from their thrones. Come to think of it, did the Emperor and Empress dance?

“This time, His Majesty and Her Majesty aren’t dancing.”

“I guess… they can’t dance.”

“Right, it wouldn’t be fair to compare.”

Even without looking, she could sense people around her nodding deferentially. So the imperial couple didn’t dance. Was it because they didn’t want to be compared to Raphael? It was such an imperial-like response.

“Your Highness, how about going out for a bit of fresh air?”
  
At the madam’s suggestion, she checked her reflection in the glass to see how pale she looked. As expected, she appeared even more haggard than Emila, who was leaning on a cane.
  
Was it because she danced with him? But the truth was, she really felt tired……. She thought some fresh air might help. The party was far from over.
  
“Alright.”

“When you use the balcony…….”

“Yes, I know.”
  
When using the balcony, one must go to an area without curtains and draw the curtains while using it. It was etiquette she had learned many times.
  
“Sigh…….”
  
When she arrived at the party, it hadn’t been dark yet, but now it had grown dim outside. Stepping from the dizzying hall to the cool outside felt life-saving. It must have been the strong scent of cosmetics and perfume that was so overwhelming.  
  
“That person… must be having a hard time.”

She had only briefly experienced it, but her body didn’t feel well at all. Yet Raphael had to smell it coming from her every day. Initially, she was angry when he mentioned the smell……. But having experienced it herself, it was torturous.
  
Thud, thud.
  
The sound of curtains sliding open was followed by footsteps from behind. She had been told that no one would enter if the curtain was drawn. Who could it be? Raphael? If it were him, he would have more than enough reason to follow her.  
  
“Did you follow me all the way here?”
  
Turning around to say that he should have just followed directly if he wanted to rest alone, she thought others might see it as making a fuss.
  
However, the person who had come looking for her wasn’t Raphael, but someone entirely different.