The current mood was almost like that. The feeling that even Elaine Barnes had acknowledged that this side represented the main figures who would lead the next generation of social circles by opening the Garden of Masterpieces.

Elaine Barnes had properly lost her face today.

“We have one more new face today.”

This time it was Kirsten.

She had somehow approached behind Saena and smiled while embracing her shoulders.

“My lady, would you give us a brief introduction?”

Though Her Highness the Princess naturally received greetings while seated due to her status, Saena couldn’t do the same. She carefully stood up.

Countless pairs of round eyes gathered to one spot.

Somehow the gazes felt more burdensome than during her debut…

“Hello. I am Saena of House Debov. Pleased to meet you all. I look forward to getting along with everyone.”

She didn’t have the ability to make witty comments like Her Highness the Princess. She just gave a formulaic greeting while maintaining a faint smile just enough not to appear cold.

Clap clap clap.

And Saena was satisfied with just the fact that there were no negative reactions.

Back when she lived as Viscountess Hollander, there was no good meaning in the gazes people threw at her. Saena was content that they weren’t looks of contempt or pity. Besides, she shouldn’t draw more attention than necessary with Her Highness the Princess present.

After the overall greetings finished, it became time to focus on individual tables.

The five people seated at table 2 briefly introduced themselves to Saena, the new face, and naturally entered into conversation.

“…So that young lord suddenly got down on one knee.”

“Oh my, really?”

“I heard that’s why red roses are sold out at flower shops these days.”

“Ah, I tried to use roses for the accent color but had to change to something else, so that was why? Goodness.”

Perhaps because it was early, topics like recent events, social circle gossip, and trends were exchanged.

Though this was Saena’s first time, she had heard this tea party was a long-running gathering that was very selective about participants. Perhaps that’s why everyone seemed close despite being randomly seated at the same table.

Though it was obvious they were especially kind to Floria, the Duke’s daughter. That was natural so Saena just nodded along appropriately while drinking her tea.

‘This is completely different from when it’s just the four of us.’

There was no trace of her cute behavior calling “Sister, Sister” to Kirsten and Evian. Floria’s prim and proud expression as she dealt with the other ladies was cute in its own way.

“Now everyone. Have you had good conversations with those at your table?”

Kirsten stood up and walked forward as she spoke. Though her voice wasn’t very loud, everyone immediately quieted and focused on her.

“But it would be good to become friendly with others as well. Her Highness would also like to converse with various ladies.”

It seemed time to change seats. Though the other ladies probably wanted this more desperately than Her Highness.

Even though it was a long-running gathering, not everyone could be close with everyone else. Usually, even with just three people, two become closer — that’s how human relationships work.

Also, if there are close relationships, there must be relationships of dislike too. And with random seating, those who dislike each other end up at the same table.

But you just need to endure briefly. Because they change seats like this midway.

Even without that, in social circles where it was natural for major powers to sit together at the main table while those from weaker houses took the lowest seats, this seating arrangement where you could sit with high nobles if lucky was closer to a blessing.

‘But it’s even more impressive that they didn’t fall too deeply into fairness.’

This format would actually receive double the criticism if it went slightly wrong, because it deviated from convention. But the seating here satisfied people while appearing more in the realm of interest and fun rather than fairness.

It was clearly not easy to balance giving fairness to the majority of participants while not forgetting the core of social circles.

Saena felt she could never do it if asked. This was definitely a realm of talent in some sense.

Kirsten extended her right hand with an elegant gesture. A servant approached and handed over a rectangular silver tray. The tray was lined with luxurious velvet cloth and five cards laid face down on top.

Kirsten took the tray and approached the Princess.

“I’ll ask our new guest to draw first for today’s lottery. Your Highness, would you please draw one card? For reference, the order is random.”

“Oh. I’ve heard rumors. You really change seats midway?”

“Yes. It’s a method for various encounters, so I hope you’ll join in.”

“Of course.”

The Princess picked up and turned over the middle card.

“Hmm, it’s 2.”

“Oh my, Her Highness drew your seat. You’ll need to move, is that alright?”

Seat 2 at all tables becomes subject to moving.

“That’s fine.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Holding the tray with the remaining four cards, Kirsten approached Saena next.

“I’ll ask our first-time participant, Lady Saena, to draw the next card.”

She winked slightly so only Saena could see as she held out the tray. Saena felt a strange tension as she picked up one card and held it out to Kirsten.

“Number 1. I’ll draw just one more card. Would anyone like to volunteer?”

A lady at table 3 raised her hand. Kirsten approached and held out the tray, and she turned over a card.

“Hmm, it’s number 5. Now then, would those seated in seats 1, 2, and 5 at each table please move to different tables?”

The ladies seemed used to changing seats. Those affected stood up and moved to different tables. It was the next table in clockwise direction.

The servants also seemed familiar with this, quickly clearing away existing teacups and setting new cups, cutlery, napkins etc. as soon as the ladies found their new seats.

Five people per table. Three tables total.

Though it could have been chaotic with over half the participants moving, the whole process flowed very smoothly.

Saena was one of those who didn’t move. And strangely, another person who remained was Floria.

‘Ah…!’

Seeing the newly seated people, Saena firmly held her lips to keep her mouth from falling open.

One of them was the Princess.

The Princess sat to Floria’s right, directly across from Saena so their eyes met whenever she raised her head.

“Now then, shall we introduce ourselves again since we have new faces?”

“That’s a good idea, Your Highness.”

Starting with the Princess, they went around clockwise from Floria, giving brief introductions. When the brief introductions finished, the Princess first addressed Floria, who had been the starting point.

“Is Duke Aberdeen well? I heard news that you’ve been struggling with particularly abundant demonic beasts this and last year.”

When the Princess mentioned the Duke, the young ladies’ eyes began to sparkle. News about an unmarried duke naturally piqued their interest.

“Yes. There were unusually many. But guarding the northwestern border and subjugating demonic beasts is Aberdeen’s duty. Thank you for your concern.”

The young ladies who clearly wanted to hear personal stories about the Duke showed slight disappointment at Floria’s noble yet typical response.

However, their eyes sparkled again at her next words.

“And I believe it’s almost resolved. Since the Week of Protection approaches, I expect he’s preparing to come to the Imperial Capital.”

Strangely, Floria glanced at Saena while saying this.

‘…Why is she doing that?’

Floria’s attitude toward Saena often had many ambiguous aspects, making it difficult to fully understand. Though since it didn’t seem hostile, she just accepted it.

Meanwhile, the young ladies cheered at the news.

“That’s when all four Dukes will gather.”

“Yes. I can hardly contain my excitement already.”

The Week of Protection refers to the last week of the year when all four ducal houses gather.

The Noble Council also assembles to discuss major events of the year and deliberate on new national matters for the coming year. She heard the Imperial Family and the four ducal houses also meet separately.

While nationally important, Saena honestly didn’t have much interest.

‘How nice it would be if they had parades during the Week of Protection too.’

She said, simply because it wasn’t an event where she could see Guardian Spirits. A simple criterion.

Though she knew Guardian Spirits weren’t mere spectacles and the four Dukes weren’t people you could meet often, since she couldn’t see them even when she wanted to, Saena couldn’t help but grumble.

“You’re the lady from House Debov, right?”

While briefly lost in thought, the Princess shifted the topic toward Saena. Floria lightly kicked her foot under the table, making her start back to attention.

“…Yes. I am Saena Debov, Your Highness.”

She felt slightly sweaty having almost ignored the Princess’s question.

“So you’re that lady? The first one to become partners with Duke Kramer.”

An awkward topic emerged. The young ladies’ eyes began sparkling again at the mention of another unmarried Duke.

“…Yes. Somehow I received such an honor.”

“I don’t recall seeing you before this year’s Founding Festival, is that right? Please excuse me if my memory is incorrect.”

“No, you’re right. I made my debut at this year’s Founding Festival, so Your Highness’s memory is accurate.”

“Is that so? Isn’t that quite late for a debut?”

The other young ladies joined in with questions, apparently curious as well.

“Yes, was there some reason?”

There was no need to lie. Saena told the truth. It was somewhat known information anyway.

“I was preparing to debut last year but suddenly fell ill, so it was postponed.”

“Is that so? Oh dear, are you alright now?”