31. Any noble lady of the Empire has enough qualifications to be considered a candidate for crown princess.

When Evelyn looked into the mirror as Madeleine instructed, she saw that her golden hair had indeed been beautifully styled.

“If we curl the wig and pin it up tomorrow, it’ll look even prettier. You have such fair skin that blonde hair really suits you.”

“Is that so?”

Evelyn quietly stared at her reflection in the mirror.

‘The blonde is too much… no, it’s just awkward!’

Unlike Evelyn, Madeleine was fired up with enthusiasm.

“I still have plenty of dresses I wore before I got married, so let’s pick one for tomorrow. Hehe, it’s been a while since I’ve felt this motivated!”

Madeleine suggested, glancing at the heap of dresses piled high on the table.

“No, Madeleine. There’s no need to take this so seriously. I’m just a scandal-diffusing partner at most.”

“Whether it’s to diffuse a scandal or not, this is the first time you’ve ever mentioned looking for a man other than His Grace the Duke. You think I’m going to let this chance slip away?”

Evelyn’s cousin of the same age wore a determined expression and clutched a gold-embellished comb tightly.

“Evelyn! Let’s shock everyone at tomorrow’s party!”

*

The vast grounds of the Imperial Palace were broadly divided into the inner and outer citadels.

Between the two, where the royal family primarily resided, stood a long and high fortress wall.

Numerous buildings in the outer citadel housed various government offices, charitable institutions, and quarters for the palace guards.

Especially in buildings closer to the city center, there were cultural facilities for the citizens of the capital. Among them, the Imperial Art Museum was the most famous in the Empire, both in scale and history.

A massive banner fluttered at the entrance of the Imperial Art Museum.

Not long ago, to commemorate the founding day of the Empire, art lovers from the capital generously donated the artworks they had collected over time.

In response, the Imperial Art Museum organized a special exhibition to show appreciation for this meaningful act.

“Ah, Duke Egenhart.”

The Crown Prince, standing before a large painting, noticed Rashid and greeted him first.

Rashid bowed politely toward the Empire’s Crown Prince.

“It is an honor to see Your Highness.”

Crown Prince Cairen and Duke Rashid Egenhart.

The two most influential men in the Empire met in the exhibition hall of the Imperial Art Museum.

“You must be busy, but thank you for coming in person, Rashid.”

“It is nothing, Your Highness.”

“The artworks you donated this time will be put to excellent use in enriching the cultural lives of the capital’s citizens. I express my gratitude for your generosity.”

Cairen offered his thanks with a genial expression.

An easygoing attitude.

Though he acted as if speaking to a close friend, Rashid maintained perfect courtesy.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

This was more out of consideration for the Empress than out of personal respect for the Crown Prince.

If Rashid were to display any hint of disrespect toward the Crown Prince, the schemers in the palace—those who eagerly awaited his misstep—would surely pounce.

Rashid was always mindful that the way he conducted himself could affect the Empress’s standing in the palace.

Cairen turned and briefly admired a painting on the wall.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen a depiction of the Empire’s founding myth.”

He commented, looking at the grand painting executed with a master’s touch.

Rashid gazed at the artwork he had donated with indifferent eyes.

Then he turned to observe Cairen.

“Did you come straight from the training grounds?”

Cairen was not wearing formal dress, but rather the uniform of the palace guard.

Draped in a dark red cloak and wearing a sword adorned with decorative engravings, Cairen gave a sheepish smile at Rashid’s words.

“No, I’m on my way to the training grounds. So, I had no choice but to wear my sword.”

The Crown Prince lightly tapped the sword at his waist.

Then he added with a joking tone, still speaking to Rashid.

“Unlike you, I’m an ordinary man—I can’t use any supernatural abilities through mana. This is my last resort for self-defense.”

Wearing a sword inside buildings on palace grounds was strictly prohibited.

So technically, Cairen wearing a sword inside the museum was a violation, but no one dared to point this out to the Empire’s Crown Prince.

Rashid’s comment was a subtle jab at that fact.

To Cairen, the respectful yet impertinent attitude of the Duke elicited a wry smile.

“By the way, is Lady Evelyn Berge doing well?”

At the sudden mention of Evelyn’s name, Rashid’s brows slightly furrowed.

“The last time she visited the palace, she didn’t look well. I’ve been concerned about that.”

“She is on leave until next week.”

“Please give her my regards. Tell her I hope we can enjoy a relaxing tea together next time.”

To that, Rashid gave no reply, simply bowing his head slightly.

There was a faint tremor in his otherwise sculpted and composed face.

Cairen smirked faintly, amused by Rashid’s sharp reaction.

“Oh, Lady Evelyn is attending the Marquis of Seormiden’s party, isn’t she? She’s the marquis’s niece, after all.”

“I heard she is attending.”

“Perhaps I’ll see her there? I’ve been invited to the party as well.”

Cairen pulled an invitation bearing the marquis’s seal from his pocket, and Rashid stared at him intently.

“Your Highness will be attending the marquis’s party?”

“I don’t particularly enjoy social gatherings, but I have to show up sometimes. It’s one of my duties.”

The always affable Crown Prince furrowed his brow ever so slightly this time.

“By the way, did you hear that Her Majesty the Empress postponed the palace ball?”

“Yes, I was informed yesterday. It seems Her Majesty is putting great care into preparing the event.”

“Well, the truth is…”

Cairen looked sheepish.

“It seems the crown princess candidates will be selected at the upcoming imperial ball. I’ve heard invitations were sent not only to the most distinguished young ladies of high society but even to princesses from other nations.”

Cairen’s silver eyes shimmered with a meaningful light, and then…

“That being said, make sure that Evelyn Berge, the daughter of the baron, also attends the imperial ball, Lord Rashid.”

“……”

“After all, any noble lady of the Empire has enough qualifications to be considered a candidate for crown princess.”

Despite the crown prince’s insistence, Rashid’s expression did not change.

The handsome duke’s face turned toward the crown prince.

Cairen, in turn, smiled gently at the duke without backing down.

Then the crown prince added one more line.

“This is an order, Duke Rashid Egenhart.”

“Understood. I will deliver the message to Lady Evelyn.”

Cairen’s eyes sparkled once again at the flat response, delivered in a monotone voice.

At the same time, a playful smile appeared on Cairen’s face.

“Lord Rashid, while you may have supernatural powers, I have authority.”

Still speaking in a casual tone, as if among close friends.

But behind that tone was something akin to a declaration of war.

A faint smile touched Rashid’s lips.

“Are you attending the Marquis of Seormiden’s party as well?”

“Well… I haven’t managed to secure an invitation yet…”

“That’s a pity. I’ve heard the marquis is putting in quite the effort to prepare the event for Lady Evelyn’s marriage.”

Even at Cairen’s words, Rashid’s expression showed little change.

“Well then, I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Yes, Lord Rashid. Let’s share a drink next time.”

At the casual farewell, Rashid bowed his head in return.

Then he walked past Cairen and made his way toward the exhibition hall’s exit.

Once Rashid had disappeared, Crown Prince Cairen stared at the artwork and muttered under his breath.

“Duke Rashid Egenhart…”

The relationship between Rashid Egenhart and Crown Prince Cairen was a complicated one.

Their connection had started in childhood, but it felt strange to call it ‘friendship.’

And ‘brotherhood’ was even more ill-fitting.

The Crown Prince of the Empire and the First Duke.

A relationship defined by detached objectivity was the most accurate way to describe them.

Whether or not any friendly sentiment existed in that relationship was a separate matter altogether.

When the topic of the Marquis of Seormiden’s party came up, Cairen recalled Rashid’s subtly stiffened expression and chuckled.

“You’re never honest.”

That arrogant and strikingly handsome duke had always had a tendency to overprotect his playmate.

Rashid’s lukewarm reaction to even the simple request of passing along greetings was amusing to Cairen.

“A party Lady Evelyn is attending… Sounds like it’ll be interesting.”

Cairen reached for the invitation he had earlier tucked into his pocket.

“…Huh?”

His pocket was empty.

Thump, thump.

Descending the massive front steps of the Imperial Art Museum, Rashid held the party invitation in his hand.

“Testing me, are you…”

Rashid muttered in discontent as he glared at Cairen’s invitation.

Then flames burst from the invitation in his hand.

Fwoosh.

The fire, conjured by magical energy, incinerated the invitation in an instant.

Rashid roughly tossed the remaining ashes aside and climbed into the waiting carriage.

***

“What about the second son of Baron Warranty?”

“Pass. I heard rumors he’s addicted to gambling.”

“Really? Then how about Mr. Thomas Strand? He’s not a noble, but I heard his imported goods store is doing quite well.”

“Him too—pass. I met him during a previous business deal, and he’s shorter than me.”

“Huh? But just for something like that…”

Madeleine looked up from the guest list, puzzled.

“But there’s a limit, you know? I wasn’t even wearing heels, and I could see the top of his head. That’s a no-go.”

“Oh, that’s true. Then how about… Baron Spencer June? His age seems appropriate.”

“He’s bald. No thanks. I can’t tolerate that.”

“Let’s see… Royson Every. I heard he’s an editor at a newspaper…”

“Absolutely not! He has terrible skin—so many breakouts! And his nose is ugly too.”

“Evelyn.”

Madeleine closed the guest list and quietly called her cousin’s name.

“I hate to say it, but are you really in a position to be picky about someone’s looks right now?”

“……”

“Besides, your standards for attractiveness seem ridiculously high. What exactly do you consider ‘acceptable’?”

“All of this…”

Evelyn mumbled gloomily after hesitating for a moment.

It was all because of Duke Rashid Egenhart.

After a full fifteen years of growing accustomed to that man’s stunning looks, Evelyn’s standards for attractiveness had skyrocketed.