I looked around at the Crown Prince’s remark. All the envoys, except for us, were seated. I hadn’t realized that the greetings had gone on for so long because I was so happy to see him.

I stepped away from Iscallion and lightly patted his shoulder.

“Let’s talk more later. Enjoy your meal.”

Though he grumbled in dissatisfaction, Iscallion quietly returned to his seat.

I also took a seat at the end of the table.

The food of Pontos was exotic but delicious, and the fact that it was my first proper meal after such a long time was moving.

The banquet naturally turned into a feast.

Only then did my tension ease, and my mood began to improve little by little. The feast was enjoyable, but more than that, the relief that the grueling journey was over was greater.

‘I’ll think about the return later…’

“Oh, this is the first time I’ve been to such a happy feast.”

Seren’s gaze was busily going back and forth between Pinion, Gined, and Iscallion. Now that I think about it, it was the first time all the male leads were gathered at one feast.

In the entire history of the continent, was there ever another feast as pleasing to the eye as this one?

I could assure you that every woman here, not just Seren, was thinking the same thing. Even the female priests were sneaking glances at the male leads.

I, ignoring the other male leads, was only looking for a chance to approach Iscallion.

But there were so many people surrounding him that I couldn’t find an opportunity.

At this rate, it seemed like it would take all night for my turn to come.

What was more annoying was that High Priest Emmanuel had stuck to me in the meantime.

“It must have been really tough for you to come all the way here. It was hard for me as well, so I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for a delicate lady like you.”

“Oh, really?”

Even though I openly showed my annoyance, he either didn’t notice or pretended not to and didn’t seem to plan on leaving.

I pretended to drink and let my words trail off. Then I was startled by a burning sensation in my throat.

“It’s cold here, so the alcohol is strong.”

Someone took the glass from my hand. It was Iscallion. When did he break through that crowd? He chuckled at my face, which had turned red from just one sip of alcohol.

“I-it’s drinkable! I’ve had even stronger drinks before. I’m an a-adult, you know.”

I reached for the glass, trying to show off.

Iscallion quickly raised the glass high. Even though I stood on tiptoe, the overwhelming height difference made me look ridiculous.

“We haven’t seen each other in a while, and you’re only talking to other people?”

“There were too many people around you, so I couldn’t get close.”

“I was waiting for you to talk to me, but only strange guys kept coming, so I was getting annoyed.”

Iscallion, who was grumbling, frowned even more when he saw the Shahar in my hand.

“You brought that stone all the way here?”

“Yes. It’s separation anxiety.”

Of course, the omitted subject wasn’t Shahar but me.

Iscallion looked at Shahar disapprovingly.

“What a picky stone.”

I was worried he might start another weird argument, but fortunately, he soon shifted his gaze from Shahar.

“So… how do you like the feast? I prepared it as grandly as possible, hoping you’d like it.”

Iscallion asked, awkwardly touching his chin. His tone was so serious for such a trivial concern that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s really wonderful. I like it much better than the imperial palace feasts. I’m glad I came.”

“I was worried because the journey was tough. I wanted to go to Arcadia, but the old men strongly opposed me leaving the territory again.”

“You did well. I would have been a bit disappointed if you had come back. A man without a sense of responsibility is the worst.”

“Really…?”

Only then did his face relax.

Unlike the other male leads, whose true feelings were hard to read, his emotions were always transparent. That made me care about him even more.

“Let’s dance, Sister. I’ve practiced a lot.”

“Really? Let’s see how much you’ve improved.”

Although I was very tired, I gladly accepted since one dance wouldn’t be too demanding.

Whether he had really practiced a lot, he led me much more skillfully than before.

“You’ve really improved a lot.”

“Right? You know my birthday is just a few days away?”

Counting the days, it was indeed just around the corner.

‘It’s already December…’

That meant there’s only a month is left.

The alcohol buzz vanished completely. If I didn’t completely win Iscallion’s heart within that time, everything would truly be over.

I looked up at Iscallion. Even during the time we were apart, his feelings seemed unchanged. Smiling down at me, he looked like a boy deeply in love.

At this rate, a happy ending didn’t seem difficult.

‘If I just confess my love, it will all be over, right…?’

I had come all the way to Pontos, enduring hardships, for that reason.

But what was this uneasy feeling?

It felt like I was missing something very important.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Is there anything you want?”

I tried to shake off the uneasy feeling and thought of something I could give Iscallion as a present.

Iscallion whispered with a broad smile.

“You promised to kiss me. I don’t need anything else.”

He pulled me close by the waist. Perhaps because it had been a while since we met, his physical affection was bolder today. This caused our steps to become tangled.

“Careful, Sister.”

Iscallion quickly steadied my nearly collapsing posture. Unlike the last banquet where everything was clumsy, today he held the lead perfectly.

“Thank you.”

A sense of pride welled up in me. At least at this moment, he seemed worthy of being called the darling of society.

When the first song ended, the second one began immediately. More people than before took their partners’ hands and moved to the center of the hall. Seren was also mixed in with a man I had never seen before.

Iscallion seemed to want to continue dancing, but I was too tired, so I promised a next time.

Pinion and Gined were still in their seats.

While it was understandable for Gined, it was a bit surprising that even Pinion wasn’t dancing.

‘Maybe he can’t choose because there are too many options…’

Indeed, Pinion was literally surrounded by women. Among the three male leads, he was overwhelmingly popular.

In a way, it was a natural result. Gined, being a priest, was difficult to approach, and Iscallion stuck close to me, leaving no opportunity for other women.

But it was true that the Crown Prince had the most refined manners and eloquence among the male leads.

Moreover, amidst the rough and rugged people of Pontos, he looked like a prince straight out of a fairy tale.

Perhaps displeased by this, a drunken noble from Pontos suddenly picked a fight with the Crown Prince.

“Hey! Your Highness the Crown Prince. I admit you are quite beautiful. But a real man is not judged by appearance alone.”

The rough voice and provocative content immediately drew everyone’s attention. I, too, was startled and looked at the man. Duke Poel stood up abruptly.

“What insolence towards His Highness the Crown Prince! Apologize at once.”

Duke Poel, who had incurred the Emperor’s displeasure due to the incident with Ines, was one of the unfortunate victims forced to join the delegation. His already gaunt body had become even thinner from the physical and mental strain. Nevertheless, he remained a loyal subject.

“Stop.”

Pinion raised his hand to restrain the Duke. A smile of interest played on his lips.

“Are you saying I’m not manly enough?”

“If you’re not, prove it.”

My mouth dropped open at the man’s continued provocation. The other envoys were equally shocked.

Momentarily losing his judgment in the face of the man’s audacity, Duke Poel once again defended the Crown Prince.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is a descendant of the Sun God and the future ruler of the Empire. Why would he need to prove anything? Is this how Pontos treats its guests?”

“Hold your tongue, Duke Poel. If I back down now, I’ll be branded as unmanly.”

Pinion slowly rose from his seat.

“But how should I prove it?”

“I hear your swordsmanship is quite impressive. How about crossing swords with me?”

‘What on earth is happening…?’

At this point, someone should have intervened, but no one from Pontos stepped forward. Even the fake Grand Duke of Pontos watched with a look of interest.

“Very well.”

The Crown Prince readily agreed.

At the man’s clap, a servant brought out two swords as if on cue. They were real swords, not practice ones.

Seeing this, I quickly tapped Iscallion’s shoulder.

“Don’t just watch, stop them!”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why? How can we cause trouble on the first day?”

“Why is this trouble?”

Unfortunately, Iscallion seemed to have no understanding of my concern.

High Priest Emmanuel, who had been lingering around me, quickly interjected.

“There’s no need to worry. From what I understand, in Pontos, public duels like this are a way to foster camaraderie. This duel is not a provocation but a kind of procedure to get to know each other before building a friendship. I’m sure the Crown Prince accepted knowing this.”

At his words, I carefully observed the Crown Prince and the man. The man, of course, and even Pinion wore genuinely amused smiles.