He seemed to have come down from the platform as soon as the Empress’s opening remarks ended.

But why did he go there?

He approached Duke Aberdeen’s side and stopped. Unexpectedly, he began chatting amicably with Duke Aberdeen.

Thump. At that moment, Saena’s heart beat strongly.

The Crown Prince and Duke Aberdeen continued talking about something, then simultaneously turned their gazes their way.

Duke Aberdeen lowered his head with a meaningful expression. Then he whispered something in the Crown Prince’s ear.

Following that, the Crown Prince’s eyes flashed, and simultaneously a brief sneer passed across his lips.

Thump. Saena lowered her eyes again feeling her heart pound.

At the same time, the Empress’s voice rang throughout.

“Open the first dance–!”

The sneer that had appeared on the Crown Prince’s face was already gone, and the first dance between the Crown Prince and Hebeta was presented with a gentle expression as if looking at something lovely.

Saena’s heart slowly settled again.

It was time for the main act to begin.

* * *

After the first dance ended, the Crown Prince disappeared somewhere.

Saena, who had expected him to come right over and try something, was rather confused. Instead, an unexpected person approached and spoke to her.

“It’s been a while, Saya.”

Using Saena’s nickname which she had never permitted, with a face full of flowery smiles.

It was Elizabeth, whom she was meeting for the first time since becoming Hebeta.

“…Congratulations on becoming Hebeta.”

“Oh my, no need to be so formal. We’ve known each other for more than a year or two.”

“……”

Had Elizabeth forgotten their last meeting?

Saena simply remained silent without adding any words.

“But… is that lady over there the Oathkeeper?”

Elizabeth’s gaze was directed over Saena’s shoulder.

She wore a strange smile on her lips.

Following her gaze with a glance back, Saena saw Constantine bowing his head and saying something to Darielle.

“They look quite close?”

“……”

What was the intention behind that question?

“I didn’t know the new Oathkeeper would be female. And young and pretty too. Hmm…”

Elizabeth looked at Saena with lowered eyebrows.

Like she’s worried.

“They must have a lot in common being Oathkeepers. They’re still sticking close together?”

“……”

“Well, being the first Oathkeeper in 500 years… In some sense, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she has an even greater status than the Duchess.”

Though her intention was unclear, she seemed to be trying to provoke or irritate Saena. But Saena’s interest lay elsewhere.

Darielle wasn’t the only one attending as Saena’s substitute. Yet Elizabeth spoke like that.

Though she started by asking if she was the Oathkeeper, her tone and flow ultimately seemed certain that Darielle was the Oathkeeper.

‘She probably learned through the Crown Prince.’

It could serve as evidence that the Crown Prince had been successfully deceived.

Though the combination of Lucas and the Crown Prince she saw earlier was concerning, Constantine said he had taken some measures, so there was probably no need for excessive suspicion.

“Oh my, the two of them… went out to the corridor together!”

“……”

“That way is… usually where people go for secret meetings…”

Saena responded feeling slight boredom at Elizabeth’s attacks.

“Lady Hebeta. I don’t think we’re close enough for such conversation.”

Of course, they weren’t close enough to speak informally either.

Since Saena had already cut Elizabeth off long ago.

“…What?”

“I don’t wish to be rude to you, Lady Hebeta. I’m worried we might cross lines if we continue such overly personal conversation.”

She indirectly asked to use honorifics while simultaneously requesting consideration of topics. For some reason, Elizabeth wore an expression as if she’d been hit from behind.

“…Can’t you understand a warning given with good intentions? You might end up getting badly hurt.”

Suddenly she spoke in an imperious tone as if she were royalty.

Whether it was Elaine or Elizabeth, somehow, upon reaching that position, they seemed unable to properly distinguish between Hebeta and the roles of Crown Princess or Imperial Crown Princess.

“I will handle my own affairs. I don’t think I need the imperial family’s help in matters like this.”

“Ha! The position of Duchess must be quite something? I wonder how long you can keep your shoulders so stiff.”

“I’m not being stiff, I’m merely stating facts.”

Did they learn some special way of making leaps in logic after entering the imperial family?

Though that couldn’t be it since the Princess seemed normal, perhaps the Crown Prince’s palace was the problem.

Seeing Saena’s expression remain unruffled and composed, Elizabeth seemed to grit her teeth but quickly recovered and smiled brightly.

“Well then, nothing can be done. But unlike the Duchess, I greatly value past connections. I don’t cut them off ruthlessly according to need.”

“……”

“So if you ever need help, feel free to come anytime. My palace will always be open to the Duchess.”

What scheme was this now.

Though she didn’t understand why Elizabeth acted this way, her ability to control her emotions was truly remarkable.

Saena couldn’t help but admire it.

When she deliberately smiled, the surroundings brightened as if there had never been any unpleasant exchanges between them. Keeping that smile fully on her lips, Elizabeth turned and walked away.

After watching her for a while, Saena turned around.

She went to Wesley and quietly gave him a signal.

The Crown Prince is targeting Darielle.

* * *

The banquet hours continued to flow with an underlying tension like a buried bomb. On the surface, it was as grand and ordinary as any imperial banquet.

Saena also outwardly focused on socializing, first exchanging pleasantries with her close acquaintances as usual.

“Saya~”

“Ah, Lady Kirsten.”

Saena’s friends approached with faces full of smiles.

“Lady Evian, Lady Floria.”

“Wow, it’s been so long.”

Though they had continued corresponding by letter, seeing them in person was certainly different.

Being in public, they used formal speech with each other, but Saena and her friends exchanged genuine smiles as they asked after each other and began making small talk.

Of course, since Saena alone had been staying far away, questions bombarded her.

“How was the Northeast Territory? Wasn’t it cold?”

“What about the Duke? How is he? Has he treated you well?”

“Surely no one gave you a hard time about being new?”

Taking advantage of her husband’s absence, sensitive questions poured out.

Of course, they asked questions while confirming no one else was within earshot.

As they talked, formal and informal speech mixed occasionally, but sometimes that felt more natural and made them laugh.

Saena was busy answering questions while also monitoring the external atmosphere.

“But who on earth is the Oathkeeper?”

Even as proud members of The Millennium Olive Tree, they couldn’t hide the sparkle in their eyes from this curiosity.

“Hmm. I can’t reveal that with my own mouth yet.”

“Why?”

“It’s forbidden to reveal until the proof ceremony. I’m sorry.”

Saena apologized with softened eyes.

But there was no help for it.

Besides not being something to reveal in such a place, even if spoken quietly there was still a chance it could be discovered from outside. They say some people can read lips after all.

Evian seemed lost in thought after hearing Saena’s words. Meanwhile Kirsten, seeing Saena’s discomfort, made an understanding expression and changed the topic.

“I wonder if you know this then? That our Duchess is leading fashion trends in the Imperial Capital’s social circles?”

Saena was puzzled at that teasing tone.

“What do you mean?”

“Saya, the dress design you wore at the debutante ball is trending. Can’t you see?”

“…What?”

Saena looked around carefully wondering what on earth they meant and was somewhat surprised.

‘Oh, that design is…’

Goodness. It seemed true. There were many dresses with the peculiar style of wearing a lace cape.

To think others would copy what she had worn.

Finding herself in an unimaginable situation, Saena felt very awkward and embarrassed. It was a strange feeling of wanting to look away while continuing to stare.

Then Saena noticed a big difference.

Compared to what she had worn before, everyone’s designs were…

‘…Wow, quite daring.’

While debut dresses inevitably had to be modest designs, everyone had modified them in their own ways.

While the capes naturally covered most of the upper body, the lace material was characteristically sparse and light. So whenever the ladies wearing them moved, glimpses of skin underneath seemed to show through the fluttering fabric.

But the inner dress designs were another twist. With deeply cut necklines or completely backless styles, they created an alluring effect of being covered yet uncovered, with skin showing through making it even more suggestive.

Many ladies wore such designs, and seeing even more gentlemen stealing glances at those ladies, Saena felt rather strange.

Though she may have started it, Saena smiled inwardly thinking the other ladies’ modified designs were much prettier.

“They’re all better than mine.”

“What are you saying. Of course it’s easier to modify existing things than try something completely new. So this result is clearly your influence.”

Kirsten smiled proudly while lightly stroking Saena’s cheek.

“I agree.”

Princess Madielle approached with a smile.

“—Your Highness.”

“Despite being away from the capital, to have such influence—I wonder what would happen if you stayed throughout the social season.”