I was nervously looking at the Emperor’s laughter. After laughing for a while, he clapped his hands at me. 

 “To propose such a plan in front of me, you’re quite bold. The Marquis raised you well.” 

 Hearing that, I shook my head. 

 “I grew up on my own, Your Majesty.” 

 “Hahaha— Yes, a bold daughter like you couldn’t have come from the Marquis, indeed!” 

 As the Emperor laughed for a long time, there was a commotion by the door, followed by a knock. 

 “Your Majesty, the Marquis of Masipacius has arrived.” 

 The Emperor did not give a definite answer to my proposal and instead brought my father into the reception room. My father entered, holding a handkerchief and wiping his sweat, having struggled to get through the guards. 

 “I greet Your Majesty.” 

 When my father greeted the Emperor, the Emperor waved his hand dismissively, casually accepting my father’s greeting. Then he spoke to my father. 

 “You’ve raised a fine daughter.” 

 Father looked back and forth between me and the Emperor with a bewildered expression. 

 “She’s better than most sons. Hahaha—.” 

 With the Emperor’s laughter bursting out again, my father awkwardly joined in, trying to please the Emperor. 

 “Now, shall we discuss this business proposal? Have a seat.” 

 With that, Father sat on the sofa opposite me. 

 “Let’s keep it brief today as time is short.” 

 “…I apologize, Your Majesty.” 

 “No need, today’s events were quite enjoyable thanks to our conversation.” 

 As he spoke, the Emperor glanced at me. Then he carefully reviewed the documents again before addressing my father. 

 “I’ve heard the overall explanation of this business plan from Miss Masipacius. She’s quite… brilliant. It’s difficult to fully grasp a business of this scale at her age.” 

 “Haha, you’re too kind.” 

 Father looked at me with uneasy eyes. I smiled at him, pretending to know nothing. 

 “In conclusion, I have reviewed this business quite positively. And… I will allow you to purchase the land documents.” 

 At the Emperor’s words, Father’s face brightened. I focused on the Emperor’s next words, knowing they would determine whether he accepted my proposal. 

 “But, there’s one thing that concerns me.” 

 As he spoke, the Emperor placed a document in front of Father. 

 “Here, it states that the chief officer is Bershua Masipacius.” 

 “Ah, that’s my son. Actually, this business was proposed to me by my eldest son… However, I will be handling the overall responsibilities. After all, it’s not a small-scale or inexpensive project.” 

 “Well, that’s for you to handle. I’d like to have a conversation with this Bershua of yours.” 

 Father and I were taken aback by the Emperor’s unexpected words. Father was likely surprised by the Emperor’s unexpected request, and I was startled by the Emperor’s vague response to my proposal. 

 At that moment, the Emperor’s gaze briefly turned to me. 

 “And, since your children seem quite intelligent, I’d like to meet your other children when you bring Bershua.” 

 Father’s face blossomed into a smile once more. And so did mine. 

 The Emperor accepted my proposal. 

 I smiled at the Emperor and nodded once. It meant the contract was sealed. 

 The Emperor then instructed the maids outside to hand Father an invitation with the names of the Masipacius family members written on it. Father, receiving the invitation, seemed to read the names one by one before looking troubled. 

 “Excuse me… but someone is missing.” 

 The Emperor tilted his head at Father’s words. 

 “Missing? I recall your family having three sons and one daughter.” 

 “Well, recently a precious connection came to us. That connection deepened, and… a daughter was added to our family.” 

 Hearing that, the Emperor gave me a peculiar look, then instructed a maid to rewrite the invitation. 

 “Then, see you soon.” 

 Handing Father the invitation once more, the Emperor excused himself, citing a busy schedule, and left the reception room. Father continued to look at the invitation in his hand with a pleased expression long after the Emperor had left. 

 “Well, I suppose we should be going…” 

 Just as I was about to suggest to Father that we prepare to leave, the reception room door opened. Father, displeased at having his happy moment interrupted, looked toward the door, only to be startled and rise abruptly to bow. 

 “I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.” 

 “Ah… I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.” 

 I, too, was so taken aback by the sudden appearance of the Crown Prince that I forgot to greet him, hastily lifting my skirt to bow following Father’s lead. 

 “Miss Rowenloa, if you had informed me of your visit in advance, I would have adjusted my schedule…” 

 The Crown Prince, in a rather forlorn voice, accepted my greeting and approached me. It seemed Father no longer held his attention. 

 “Um… I apologize. I accompanied my father today…” 

 The Crown Prince seemed to glance at Father, then spoke in a cold voice. 

 “Ah, the Marquis is here too.” 

 His tone was completely different from when he spoke to me, startling me into a slight flinch. However, the most surprised person was undoubtedly Father. 

 Father seemed shocked that I knew the Crown Prince and by the chill in the Crown Prince’s demeanor. 

 “Ah. I came to see His Majesty.” 

 “Well, have you finished your business with Father?” 

 “Oh? Ah, yes. We were about to leave…” 

 Upon hearing that, the Crown Prince approached me. 

 “Then, Miss Rowenloa, would you mind excusing yourself with me for a moment?” 

 As before, seeing his face up close, so pure and beautiful… 

 “…Yes?” 

 But why do I suddenly have to excuse myself with His Highness the Crown Prince here? 

 Father’s expression briefly hardened at those words, then he nodded. 

 “Yes. I should return to the mansion as the sun is about to set. I’ll leave a few knights to attend to Rowenloa…” 

 “No need. I’ve brought people for Miss’s sake, so the Marquis need not worry.” 

 At the Crown Prince’s words, Father’s expression hardened, then he bowed and left the reception room. 

 I had often heard in my previous life that the Crown Prince didn’t get along well with the nobility… Was he always this rigid? 

 As I looked at him with curious eyes, the Crown Prince seemed to sense my gaze but didn’t seem displeased, smiling brightly and tilting his head. 

 “Is there any book you wish to read, Miss?” 

 “Ah… a book…” 

 As I pondered how to decline the Crown Prince’s kindness, the title of a book I had long wanted to read but couldn’t in my previous life flashed through my mind. 

 “Could it be… is a book about magic alright?” 

 “For you, Miss, anything.” 

 With that, I was guided by the Crown Prince… to the palace library. 

 Excuse me, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Why are you being so kind to me… I’m scared… 

 ***

 “Um… do you know that my coming-of-age ceremony is soon?” 

 While I was engrossed in reading the books I had longed to read, the Crown Prince cautiously spoke to me. 

 “Oh, yes. I’ve heard. His Majesty plans to hold a grand coming-of-age ceremony, and many nobles are looking forward to it.” 

 “Then… will Miss Rowenloa be attending?” 

 “…Where to?” 

 “To my coming-of-age ceremony…” 

 Um… 

 I couldn’t answer the Crown Prince’s question. 

 Because I didn’t know if I could go or not. 

 The Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony was an event attended only by those chosen by His Majesty, the Crown Prince, or the imperial family. And I had not yet received an invitation. 

 “Well… I haven’t received an invitation yet… I was thinking of asking His Majesty about it during a simple meal next week.” 

 “Ah, an invitation… right…” 

 The Crown Prince sighed, tapping his head as if he had forgotten. I glanced at him, then returned my gaze to the book. 

 After reading the two books I had longed to read, I saw the sunset through the large window. 

 “Um… Your Highness the Crown Prince. I should excuse myself now. Thank you for your consideration.” 

 Hearing that, the Crown Prince stood up, looking somewhat disappointed. 

 “Ah… then let me prepare a carriage.” 

 The Crown Prince instructed his escort knight outside the library to prepare a carriage. 

 “Oh, and… you said you’d be dining with my father, no, His Majesty next week? Could I ask when exactly?” 

 “Oh, in six days, we’ll have lunch in the garden.” 

 Hearing my words, the Crown Prince grinned. 

 “Then, I’ll see you again in six days, Miss.” 

 The Crown Prince continued to murmur to himself, seemingly excited about something, then extended his hand to me once the carriage was ready. 

 “Today, let me guide you, Miss Masipacius.” 

 I hesitantly placed my hand on his, glancing at the palace staff. The Crown Prince gently grasped my hand and led me. 

 The palace carriage I rode for the first time was very comfortable.