She managed to silence them somehow with the family’s money and power, but the damage to her previously flawless reputation was unavoidable.

‘If only it weren’t for you……’

Johanna gritted her teeth and blamed Shailyn. There was no sign of self-reflection to be found.

Anyway, Johanna, whose reputation had been cracked, was aiming for this year’s queen to make up for it.

If she occupied that position for four consecutive years, people would praise and look up to her again.

“I absolutely won’t go back to the old days.”

Johanna’s eyes gleamed bleakly as she recalled the time before becoming Lady Celsior.

Through their conflicts so far, she could easily predict that Shailyn would become her obstacle in this queen selection as well.

‘I can’t leave it like that.’

Her red lips twisted grotesquely. She intended to follow her father’s teaching not to discriminate between means and methods to achieve her purpose.

***

The queen selection was traditionally held in the imperial palace.

Participants had to enter by 10 AM, go through 2 hours of preparation time, and start the competition.

To provide the fairest environment possible, instead of getting dressed up at home, they were told to prepare within the time limit in the waiting room.

I got up early in the morning and prepared to go to the imperial palace. The Diart family also accompanied me as spectators of the selection.

“Even if you don’t get good results, don’t be disappointed, Shailyn. It’s enough if you did your best.”

The duke offered words of comfort and encouragement in advance.

But then I would fail the mission, so I’d be frustrated beyond just disappointed……

“But I have a good feeling about today for some reason? Hahaha, somehow I feel like you’ll become queen, Shailyn.”

“Isn’t that a bit burdensome? Sister, take it easy. You’ll do well.”

Deborah, who gave a hint to the heartily laughing Dain, held my hand tightly and cheered me on.

Either way, it felt good to have people supporting me.

However……

‘Why did His Grace come?’

I glanced at His Grace, who was looking outside with a strangely sunken face.

I was a little surprised that he would step forward to go, since I didn’t expect it.

I thought he wouldn’t be interested at all.

‘Besides, why does he have such a thoughtful face.’

Without realizing it, I was observing His Grace when my gaze met with his dark green eyes, making me flinch.

His Grace sent me an unreadable look, then turned his head away again.

What was that? Why was he acting like that?

At that moment when I was confused alone……

“Doesn’t the road seem too blocked?”

Dain suddenly said.

Come to think of it, the carriage hadn’t moved a single step since earlier.

Duke Diart frowned and opened the window to check outside.

“It seems there was some accident ahead. The fact that we can’t budge from way back there is unusual.”

“Won’t sister be late at this rate?”

Even though we left early, we spent time stuck in the blocked passage, so there was less than an hour left until 10 o’clock.

“We’ll have to go around.”

Duke Diart provided a brief solution.

So our carriage ran through a remote side road instead of the main street. At first it was good because we ran smoothly, but as soon as we emerged into the square, trouble came.

“Kyaaah! Fire!”

A fire broke out in a cargo carriage loaded with hay, throwing the area into chaos.

Moreover, the excited horse was running wild, dragging the carriage around, creating pandemonium.

Black smoke spread in all directions and surrounded our carriage too.

“Cough, cough!”

“What’s suddenly happening!”

“We need to get out of here quickly……!”

We all coughed from the smoke flowing in through the door cracks and tried to hurriedly leave the area.

But with a thud, the carriage tilted slightly to one side.

“I’ll go check!”

Dain immediately opened the door and rushed out. Shortly after, he urgently gestured and shouted.

“The carriage wheel is broken! I think everyone should just get out!”

At his words, we followed Dain and got out of the carriage. He and a few knights who had followed as guards helped with the evacuation.

We barely escaped to the outskirts of the square and stared blankly at where the carriage had been.

Thick smoke filled the air as people screamed and ran in all directions.

‘What is this……’

It was definitely a peaceful, ordinary day when we departed, but I don’t know why it changed like this.

We were just going to the queen selection……

‘Right, the selection!’

I checked the giant clock tower hanging in the middle of the square.

Only 15 minutes left……!

I had to enter by 10 o’clock to participate in the competition, but it was perfectly impossible now.

It takes more than 30 minutes to walk from the square to the imperial palace.

“What do I do, I’m ruined.”

I crouched down with a thud, held my head, and despaired.

I never thought I’d fail the mission due to something like this after even mastering the dance.

“Sister…… are you okay?”

Deborah worriedly patted my back. But I didn’t have the strength to smile even forcibly right now.

Ahhh, my favorability! I worked so hard to build that up!

“I’m really ruined……”

“You’re not ruined yet.”

A familiar voice came from behind, cutting through my gloomy voice.

Where I turned my head in bewilderment, a black-haired man sat on a horse wearing a mask.

“Carl……?”

Even with his face covered, I could recognize my bondservant.

I couldn’t hide my surprise when he, who had been stubbornly saying he didn’t want to go to the imperial palace until this morning and was left behind, suddenly appeared on horseback.

“No, how did you……”

“I was worried about my master.”

Carl, who pulled the reins, shrugged his shoulders lightly. Then he extended his hand to me.

“I’ll escort you to the imperial palace. Please get on.”

“……!”

It felt like a holy light was emanating from Carl with the sun behind him.

Ah, he’s completely my savior.

But I hesitated, wondering if it was okay to leave the Diart ducal family behind and go off alone.

“That worked out well. Hurry up and go, Shailyn!”

“We’ll be a bit late, sister. Go first.”

“Just in case, take my watch. Cheer up!”

They rather pushed me forward. Even His Grace nodded at me as if telling me to hurry and go.

“Thank you all for being considerate…… Then I’ll see you later!”

I waved my hands vigorously and got on the horse with Carl’s help.

Carl, who seated me in front of him rather than behind, whispered softly.

“Hold on tight to me.”

“Okay.”

Neigh!

The horse neighed long and powerfully kicked the ground.

Carl wrapped one arm around my waist and held the reins with the other hand, riding the horse quickly.

I held tightly to Carl’s arm to not lose balance.

We instantly escaped the square that had become chaotic due to the fire and galloped toward the imperial palace.

The imperial palace that had been faintly visible gradually came closer. I could see carriages of young ladies who were late like me crowded at the entrance.

When we hurriedly approached, a knight guarding the castle gate blocked our way.

“Please identify yourselves.”

“I’m Shailyn Sharofe, here to participate in the queen selection! The Diart ducal family guarantees my identity!”

When I showed the ducal family badge I had prepared in advance, the knight looked us over in confusion but opened the gate.

So this is the power of a ducal family badge.

“It’s almost 10 o’clock, Carl!”

“We’re almost there.”

It wasn’t over just by entering the castle; we had to arrive at the separate palace where the selection was held to pass.

I anxiously checked the pocket watch Dain had lent me. There were barely 2 minutes left until 10 o’clock.

Fortunately, we arrived in front of the separate palace with 1 minute to spare.

“Then I’ll go back to help the Diart ducal family. Will you be able to manage alone, Master?”

Carl, who helped me down from the horse, asked worriedly.

“Yeah, don’t worry. Once I go inside, I won’t be alone anyway. Thank you for bringing me, Carl.”

At my spirited answer, he looked at me for a moment, then turned his horse and rode away.

And I entered the separate palace alone.

At exactly 10 o’clock.

Then welcome and unwelcome people greeted me.

“Miss!”

Rain and Mandy, who had been pacing the lobby with anxious faces, called out to me in unison and ran over.

The two had arrived at the imperial palace earlier than me to prepare for dress setting and other advance preparations.

Mandy grabbed my hands and wailed.

“You don’t know how worried we were thinking you wouldn’t come.”

“Sorry, there were various incidents on the way here.”

“So that’s why your appearance…… became like this?”

Rain’s glasses tilted from shock as she examined me from head to toe.