On the day of the Imperial Hunting Tournament, the crowd buzzed in hushed tones, heads bent together in gossip.

“Do you think the Duke of White will come today?”

“I doubt it. He probably won’t show again this year.”

“Well, ever since he ascended to the dukedom, he’s never attended—how could rumors not spread?”

The topic of the morning was whether Karsten would participate this year. Opinions varied, but most agreed he wouldn’t appear.

Then—

“Oh my, look over there!”

A carriage bearing the White family crest rolled toward the tournament grounds. All eyes turned, and a ripple of murmurs swept through the onlookers.

When the carriage halted and Karsten stepped out, the noise swelled.

“Oh my, he actually came. What on earth?”

“I know—what’s brought him here?”

Karsten was the first to escort Meliover out. As soon as she emerged, the whispers spread even faster.

“Good heavens, the madam came too.”

“Wasn’t she said to be unwell?”

“My, what is going on here?”

The noise made Karsten frown. Meliover, noticing his expression, gave his hand a light tug.

“Karsten. Don’t let it show on your face.”

At her quiet reminder, he immediately smoothed his expression.

Once Meliover had alighted from the carriage, Karsten turned and took Breti’s hand, escorting her down.

The moment Breti stepped fully into view, every gaze fixed on her.

“Oh my… that dress—”

“Isn’t that the costly fabric said to be used only in the Imperial Court?”

“I heard the duke visited the southwest and was received at the palace…”

“Perhaps His Grace was granted the fabric as a gift.”

Envy colored their eyes as they admired her gown. Breti pretended not to notice, taking her place between Karsten and Meliover.

Nearly every head was turned toward the Duke of White’s party.

Among them stood the Marquis of Etro—Jerron—his face drained of all color at Karsten’s arrival.

Jerron had been watching the members of the White household for some time when he quickly glanced around. Not far off, surrounded by a circle of young ladies, his daughter wore a triumphant smile.

‘Ha… what on earth has she done…’

The unexpected turn of events left Jerron feeling unsettled. Not only had his plan to curb Sierra’s obsession with marriage failed, but his long-held expectations had also been completely thrown off course.

As he sighed, the young ladies who had spotted Breti approached her in a flurry.

“Have you been well, my lady?”

“I was hoping you’d come to my tea party, but you didn’t—I was so disappointed.”

A little flustered by their sudden arrival, Breti answered politely.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t attend because I had an engagement with my mother.”

The young ladies crowding around her were all those who had been invited to Selenel’s tea party. Yet, there was no sign of Selenel herself among them.

While Breti was glancing around in search of her, one of the young ladies suddenly took her arm.

“Come join us over there for a chat, Lady White!”

“Ah, no… I think I should stay with my mother.”

Breti declined their invitation gently. If she followed them carelessly, she might only end up in an unpleasant situation—better to avoid it altogether.

But Meliover spoke with a smile.

“My dear, go on and have a chat.”

“But, Mother…”

“You’re worrying about me even after coming all the way to an event like this?”

Speaking in a coaxing tone, Meliover gave her a little push on the back.

Reluctantly, Breti followed the young ladies, though her gaze stayed fixed on Meliover even as she moved.

When they arrived, the group—minus Selenel—was gathered together.

“Is Lady Nox not here today?”

“Unfortunately, Lady Nox couldn’t attend.”

“Yes, she said she wasn’t feeling well. Only the count came.”

“I see.”

Breti felt relieved at first, but then a twinge of unease crept in—was it somehow because of her? The central seat where Selenel should have been was instead occupied by Sierra, who spoke with a triumphant air.

“Didn’t I tell you he would come this time?”

“Oh my, how did you know His Grace would attend today?”

“Why, of course—it’s because there are no secrets between His Grace and me.”

“So it’s true what they say—that His Grace holds you in high regard?”

“Of course. Our relationship is perfectly fine — so much so that he told me in advance that he would be coming today.”

Sierra cast a sidelong glance at Breti as she spoke.

‘Ah… so that’s why she asked me.’

It was only now that Breti understood Sierra’s intentions. She had been manoeuvred into helping clear Karsten’s name, but it felt as though she had ended up doing Sierra a favour. This left her feeling slightly disgruntled.

“Lady White!”

Sierra called out to her in a bright, delighted tone. Approaching quickly, she clasped Breti’s arm in a familiar manner.

The other young ladies exchanged glances at the sight of the two looking so close.

“You seem to be on very friendly terms.”

“Of course. We’ll be family soon, after all.”

The sudden, clingy display made Breti’s brow furrow. She didn’t like the way Sierra was using the situation to her own advantage.

Just then, someone placed a hand on Breti’s shoulder.

At once, Sierra and all the others lowered their heads.

“We greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Only then did Breti realize that the hand on her shoulder belonged to Fedriol. She quickly turned to face him.

“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Oh, there’s no need to be so formal.”

The young ladies nearby exchanged glances at Fedriol’s smooth tone. A faint, curious voice drifted from behind, prompting Breti to speak again.

“Not at all. It is only proper to observe the courtesies.”

She was all the more careful with her manners, determined to cut off any possible seed of suspicion before it could take root. Her efforts drew a faint chuckle from Fedriol.

Unmoved by the laugh, Breti stood with her hands neatly folded at her waist and her head slightly bowed.

“I was rather concerned that the Duke of White might not attend the Imperial Hunting Tournament again this year.”

Breti answered with a faint smile.

“It is, of course, an imperial event that warrants attendance. Please do not doubt my brother’s loyalty to the Imperial Family.”

“Is that what you believe?”

“Yes. Without a shadow of doubt, he harbors the deepest loyalty to the Empire.”

“I see…”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Breti spoke with conviction.

Suddenly, Fedriol broke into laughter, the sound stretching on for quite some time. Breti kept her head lowered, her gaze fixed on the ground at his feet, adding no words of her own.

“Very well. If the young lady says so, I suppose I needn’t concern myself further.”

“…”

“In the empire that I will one day rule, there will be no disorder.”

‘Disorder.’

The moment the word left his lips, Breti’s brow twitched. The way he so artfully phrased it—as if the House of White might commit treason—made anger rise in her chest.

“Hearing your words has reassured me greatly.”

“…I am deeply honored.”

“In that case, I shall gift you the largest game taken today from the tribute.”

At Fedriol’s words, the young ladies whispered among themselves, darting glances at Breti.

“They say Lady Nox and His Highness the Crown Prince have broken off their engagement. Looks like the rumor was true.”

“Oh my, it must be. But surely the reason isn’t…”

Though news of Selenel and the Crown Prince’s broken engagement had quietly spread, no one had yet suggested that Breti was the cause.

“Oh, it couldn’t be. Surely not.”

“Otherwise, why would His Highness…”

She could hear every one of their hushed words without missing a syllable. Breti felt as if the world was swaying before her eyes.

‘What should I do in a situation like this?’

A sudden fear took hold—that she might somehow bring disgrace to the name of Laterna. She barely managed to still the trembling in her hands and feet when someone grasped her wrist.

“How could I possibly accept a tribute intended to demonstrate loyalty to the Imperial Family?”