As the weather suddenly turned cold, the winter banquet approached. The venue for the winter banquet was also the Imperial Palace.

Kana braided her brown hair and pinned it up, inserting a dark sapphire butterfly-shaped ornament.

Her necklace and ring featured pure pearl beads, while her earrings were adorned with small, unobtrusive sapphires.

The thick navy blue dress, custom-made by Bozetta, was decorated with jewel powder scattered like stars in the night sky, along with gold and silver threads. She wore shoes with low block heels that were relatively comfortable for her feet.

After finishing her subtle makeup and draping a sky-blue shawl, all preparations were complete. Lena clapped along with the maids and said,

“You look absolutely beautiful! As I felt before, Tower Master’s gifts suit you so well, Miss!”

“Indeed. He must have chosen them carefully and thoughtfully this time too.”

Kana nodded in agreement. Among everything she wore, only the necklace and ring weren’t gifts from Kiriel. Leaving behind the maids’ praises of her adornments, she summoned her spirits.

When Celia and Gnome each seeped into the pure pearl beads of the accessories, she gripped Nubes tightly and carefully checked her body and energy condition. Celia’s voice flowed from the necklace.

[Kana, you said the First Prince will act up at this banquet, right?]

‘Yes. Though the dress might make movement a bit sluggish…… if I use spirit magic well, there’s nothing I can’t handle.’

Kana slowly took a deep breath, closing and opening her eyes. Her green eyes filled with resolute determination. Celia clicked her tongue and said,

[What a headache that the setting is winter and the venue is the crowded Imperial Palace banquet hall. We’ll work hard to support our contractor.]

‘Thank you.’

The spirits were always reliable. Sometimes she felt lonely when she couldn’t be with them in novels that had almost no fantasy elements. She smiled faintly. Celia carefully asked,

[Don’t mention it. What about your friend?]

‘Alderaan said he’d pack weapons well in his spatial pocket. He planned to dress comfortably in less restrictive clothing from the start. We agreed to handle things from our respective positions and group up depending on the situation.’

Kana informed the spirits as she slowly left the mansion. Fine powder-like snow fell lightly from the slightly cloudy gray sky. Near the entrance, the Curtis family carriage was parked.

[Wow, it’s snowing.]

‘Yes. Though it seems it will be very brief.’

While she was absorbed in this fresh appreciation, Kiriel stepped down from the carriage.

He had neatly arranged his fine golden hair and wore black pants, a white shirt, sky-blue vest, and thick navy jacket. He even wore a brooch with sapphire and pearl to match her.

As expected of the sub male lead, he cut a tall and handsome figure. He adjusted his slightly crooked cravat and extended his hand to her.

“Miss Kana, let’s quickly get in the carriage since it’s snowing.”

“Yes.”

Kana boarded the carriage with his escort. As soon as they sat facing each other, the carriage headed toward the Imperial Palace.

Kiriel blankly stared at her sitting demurely before finally coming to his senses and speaking.

“Wow, you’re really beautiful.”

“Thank you. You look very splendid too, Lord Kiriel.”

Kana responded with a gentle smile. Kiriel rambled unconsciously,

“Never mind me, but Miss Kana…… When I ordered it, I imagined it would suit you well, but seeing you actually wearing it, it’s even better than that. So, um……”

“You don’t have to force yourself to continue. I understand what you mean.”

Kana gently soothed him as he stumbled over his words unusually unlike himself.

Kiriel buried his face in his hands out of embarrassment. Though his ears turned red, she pretended not to notice out of consideration for him.

Finally calming down, Kiriel changed the subject while needlessly looking out the window.

“The snow is stopping. It really was just a light passing snow.”

“Right.”

“Come to think of it, this is the first snow in the capital, right?”

“Yes.”

The north was originally famous for its harsh winters with heavy snow, while the south was an exception where it barely snowed at all.

Looking at his sentimental face, Kana unconsciously let slip a superstition from her original world.

“I heard somewhere that if you make a wish when the first snow falls, heaven will grant it.”

“Wow, there’s such a saying? I want to try it too.”

Kiriel made an interested expression and immediately closed his eyes. His sculpture-like handsome face and long, delicate eyelashes trembling created a naturally solemn atmosphere.

Kana quietly observed him. When he finally opened his eyes, she asked with curiosity in her voice:

“What did you wish for?”

“I wished for things to go well with the person sitting across from me in this space right now.”

“Hmm, I see.”

She subtly avoided his gaze which held a strange heat. Somehow feeling a bit shy, she fanned her face with her hand when his playful voice pierced her ears.

“What about you, Miss Kana?”

“That’s a secret.”

“How mean. You’re going to say that a gentleman who pries into a lady’s secrets lacks charm, right?”

“You know well.”

Kana smiled mischievously. Kiriel stared at her directly and grinned.

“But I don’t feel bad about it. I guess it’s true that the one who falls in love first loses. I hope Miss Kana’s wish was similar to mine.”

“……I see.”

Kana smiled vaguely. As his emotions felt increasingly stronger, it became really difficult to nicely package and deliver formal lines.

Usually when working in novels, she always felt relieved as the ending approached, but for some reason this time her chest felt strangely tight.

Though Kana’s mask was solid, Kiriel picked up on her dampened emotions. He gently waved his hand in front of her eyes.

“Miss Kana, are you alright?”

“Yes. I just got a bit nervous as we’re getting close to the Imperial Palace.”

Kana casually made up an excuse without much thought, but his expression turned serious. Kiriel grabbed her hand and earnestly advised with care:

“Why, are you afraid of encountering the First Prince? I’ll stay close by so he can’t approach you.”

“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”

She felt warmth from the firmly held hand. The corners of Kana’s lips lifted slightly.

Just as a warm atmosphere enveloped the carriage, they arrived at the Imperial Palace.

She alighted from the carriage with his escort. The lightly scattered snow had already stopped. Looking around, other nobles were also arriving in succession.

Kana muttered as she entered the hall with Kiriel:

“Even though it’s the winter banquet at the Imperial Palace, quite a lot of people came.”

“As you know, important announcements will be made this time. No one can miss it. Though they don’t show it, everyone must be quite tense.”

“I suppose so.”

Kana responded to him while lightly scanning the interior of the hall. It was decorated splendidly like during the Imperial banquet, and the sparkling chandelier looked sturdier than last time.

‘Well, this time the problem isn’t the facilities or items, but Riden and his hidden bizarre subordinates.’

Her eyes narrowed as she watched certain points and key figures while covering her mouth with the opened Nubes.

Richard and Letie maintained proud and transcendent appearances befitting protagonists, while Ethan and Dain came alone exuding noble atmospheres.

Seria and Liriel were conversing closely as befitting their setting as friends.

As per the novel, Riden was escorting Cordelia, but surprisingly appeared neat and peaceful.

‘His mask will shatter the moment the Crown Prince position is decided.’

As she turned her gaze, she exchanged light greetings after making eye contact with familiar noble ladies. She spotted her industry friend who, like her, was thoroughly scanning surroundings with a partner beside him.

The gazes of the two supporting character actors intertwined in empty space. As if pre-arranged, they both smiled at the same time.

Because they realized they were thinking similar thoughts without needing any conversation.

Alderaan made gestures of repeatedly poking the air with his finger. Kana responded by silently laughing and gently waving Nubes.

It was a light signal reconfirming each other’s countermeasures.

Kiriel’s expression hardened as he quietly observed her actions from beside her. Though he wasn’t sure, he felt they communicated well with each other.

He tapped her shoulder and tried to ask kindly:

“Miss Kana, are you exchanging some kind of signals?”

“We’re just exchanging greetings and small jokes.”

“……Small jokes.”

Shadows fell across Kiriel’s handsome face. The her he knew rarely showed openings. She was kind but cool and solid too.

Though he’d heard they were friends before, they hadn’t met very long ago. But if they were close enough to break down mental walls and be comfortable, if they could communicate just through eye contact.

“A friend you became close with instantly despite having almost no connection? If that’s the case, I suppose your values match well and your areas of interest overlap too.”

“Oh, you mean romantically? Personally, I don’t believe men and women can be just friends. Even long-term relationships are precarious, let alone ones that became close quickly.”

“At that level, wouldn’t they be in that ticklish space between friends and lovers? At least one of them must have feelings.”

The excited chatter of the Tower’s mages suddenly crossed his mind. Complex emotions showed plainly on Kiriel’s face.

Until now, no main character had paid attention to even simple communication between supporting character actors. Perhaps someone who had confessed was different? Kana hesitated a bit before carefully testing him.

“Lord Kiriel, are you perhaps jealous?”