Duke Chantalis merely smiled, entirely unfazed by Germand’s blatant mockery.

[Indeed. Although you seem to be just as insignificant now as you were then.]

Evelyn bit her lip to keep herself from laughing.

Duke Chantalis had deliberately written the words in enormous letters, allowing even those standing far away to read them. Several nobles snorted with laughter.

Hearing them, Duke Germand flushed and tightened his grip on his champagne glass.

“Just because you can speak your mind doesn’t mean you should say whatever you please! Perhaps you should spend that time learning to show consideration for others!”

‘Consideration? Have I done something discourteous?’

“Yes! Do you have any idea how many people have been trembling in fear since they heard that child, that accursed child, would be here?”

Duke Germand pointed directly at Evelyn.

“Have you already forgotten the day the temple proclaimed that child the seed of evil?”

[Had I forgotten, I would never have made her wear such a dreary dress. We have fulfilled every condition demanded by the temple, so mind your accusations.]

The nobles who had been sneaking glances at House Chantalis now stared openly at the duke and his children.

Evelyn had expected this and remained perfectly composed.

Sachi tried to reassure her.

“Evelyn, it’s all right.”

“Yes, Brother. I truly am fine.”

And she was.

The only thing bothering her was Duke Germand’s grating voice.

“If you do not remove that child from the presence of our children this instant!”

At that moment, the herald called out.

“His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Obson, and Her Imperial Highness, Princess Maelia!”

Every noble immediately fell silent.

The doors opened, revealing Emperor Obson’s enormous figure.

Evelyn was impressed the moment she saw him.

‘What a nasty-looking man. He’s even worse than I imagined.’

Obson strode majestically to the throne, sat, and looked down upon the gathering.

The nobles bowed their heads respectfully.

Evelyn alone discreetly lifted her gaze to study Princess Maelia.

Standing beside Obson was a frail-looking girl who seemed as though she might collapse at the slightest touch.

‘Wasn’t she Aint’s twin sister? They do look alike. The princess seems much kinder, though.’

For a moment, Evelyn thought their eyes met.

The princess smiled.

Startled, Evelyn glanced around.

‘Am I imagining it?’

But the princess genuinely appeared to be looking at her.

Evelyn did not understand why, but the smile seemed friendly.

She returned it with an awkward smile of her own.

As warmth passed between them, Obson struck the floor with his crystal-tipped staff.

“You should consider yourselves fortunate to have been invited to tonight’s banquet. Enjoy the festivities to your hearts’ content.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the nobles answered in unison.

Obson burst into pleased laughter.

Evelyn wondered how long he would be able to maintain that smile.

‘At most, perhaps another ten years.’

She recalled Aint, whom she had encountered in the alley several days earlier.

The dragon now hiding in a shabby house would soon take flight.

“…If I establish the right connection now, I might strike gold.”

“What did you say, Evelyn?”

“Nothing, Brother Sachi.”

She giggled.

Sachi thought he had heard an unusual expression from Evelyn, but quickly dismissed it.

He led her toward a table overflowing with food.

‘First things first. Let’s fill my stomach.’

The banquet offered delicacies every bit as lavish as those served at the ducal estate.

Evelyn picked up her fork.

Now was the time to enjoy the feast spread across the enormous table.

***

Derrion sat inside a carriage, looking thoroughly bored.

The area surrounding the imperial palace was crowded with people attending the princess’s birthday celebration.

After receiving that infuriating letter from Obson, Derrion had declared that he would not set foot anywhere near the palace for some time.

‘And yet here I am, returning of my own accord. How ridiculous.’

He addressed Aymon, who had been nervously watching his mood for quite some time.

“Aymon, what do you think? What should I make of an emperor who regards the High Priest as nothing more than a playmate for his daughter?”

“What opinion could someone like me possibly offer? I merely believe it would be wise not to give the emperor anything he could use against you.”

“That would be the sensible course. Is that what you were going to say?”

Aymon nodded.

The reason he had been permitted to remain at Derrion’s side despite being only a novice priest was that he was not the sort to offer unwanted admonitions.

“As you are well aware, Your Eminence, now is not the time.”

“Yes. You’re right.”

Derrion leaned back with a weary expression.

It was true. The time had not yet come.

His body, his mind, and the authority he carried as High Priest all needed to mature further.

‘If I had been born an ordinary boy, I would be attending the academy or serving as a novice priest.’

But he could not escape the destiny bestowed upon him when he was born bearing Chara’s mark.

Derrion thought of Evelyn.

Like him, she had been born with a sacred mark. Yet she was despised as a servant of an evil god.

‘Oh Chara, will that child ever be allowed to find peace?’

Derrion frowned.

Realizing that his superior was in a poor mood, Aymon turned his head in search of something that might lighten the atmosphere.

Just then, he noticed the carriages of House Chantalis heading toward the carriage station.

“I see the Chantalis carriages. They brought four of them.”

“Did they?”

Derrion looked out the window.

The fact that the duke had brought four carriages meant that the young ladies of the family had accompanied him.

A spark of life returned to Derrion’s previously bored expression.

‘Perhaps I’ll have the opportunity to meet her again.’

Derrion straightened his High Priest’s robes.

This unexpected outing might prove more meaningful than he had anticipated.

***

Meanwhile, Evelyn drew a deep breath after escaping the commotion inside the banquet hall.

‘Whew. I can finally breathe.’

The food had been delicious, but listening to the nobles deliberately whisper about her within earshot had made her feel as though even yesterday’s meals were sitting heavily in her stomach.

If Sachi had not suddenly declared, “Ugly people certainly have a lot to say,” provoking practically everyone in the room and causing an uproar, she might never have found an opportunity to slip away.

“Just wait until I become successful. Ptooey!”

Even if they begged to join the Black Diamond Club later, she would never let them in.

Evelyn walked aimlessly until there was no one else in sight.

The imperial palace’s central garden, said to be so vast that one could become lost after a single wrong turn, was filled with rare flowers and trees.

Because the banquet was still underway, the garden was quiet.

Ignoring whether anyone might see her, Evelyn sat in the middle of the garden and stretched both legs out before her.

‘The princess won’t show everyone her myna bird until after sunset anyway. And Adonea doesn’t save that noble until afterward. I can rest for a little while.’

Evelyn sighed.

She could endure the nobles’ whispering well enough.

What truly discouraged her was the fact that she had not seen a single promising nobleman.

The experience had reminded Evelyn just how extraordinarily diverse human faces could be.

“Considering that, Adonea must have an incredibly strong stomach.”

Not only did Adonea smile sweetly at noblemen who were hideously unattractive, but she also catered to the moods of noblewomen who subtly looked down on her for being an orphan.

Evelyn had spent more than enough time flattering people in her previous life. She no longer possessed the energy for it.

“Ugh. If only I were a little younger.”

Of course, she was already young, more than young enough, in fact.

But her mind belonged to a jaded office worker who had been thoroughly worn down by society, making the disconnect between her mind and body difficult to reconcile.

Evelyn patted her perfectly healthy, practically brand-new lower back.

“Maybe it’s because I’m growing, but my entire body has been aching lately.”

As she massaged her body, the sun gradually began to set.

Her sense of urgency grew with it.

‘Did I wander too far? If I consider how long it will take to return, I should leave now.’

With a small grunt of effort, she pushed herself to her feet.

At that moment, a white-haired boy emerged from behind the tall hedges.

“So this is where you were.”

“…!”

Evelyn stared blankly at the strikingly beautiful boy.

“Derrion?”

Derrion frowned.

“What did you say?”

Realizing that she had addressed him far too casually, Evelyn covered her mouth.

“H-High Priest Derrion! I was simply surprised to see you here!”

She gave him an awkward laugh.

Her mind was already racing beyond its limits.

‘Why is Derrion here? Wait, was he always supposed to attend? And have I met him before in this life?’

Now that she thought about it, this was the Holy Empire. It would have been strange for the High Priest not to attend the imperial princess’s birthday celebration.

The temple loved ceremonial formalities, blessing prayers and the like, more than anyone.

Evelyn glanced at the sun disappearing beyond the palace.

‘D*mn it. I can’t afford to be delayed here.’

He should have gone to offer the princess a blessing or something. Why had the High Priest suddenly appeared in the garden?

This had not been part of the original plot.

Derrion approached her.

“It has been a year since our last meeting.”

“Yes, well…”

Evelyn carefully chose her words.

The way Derrion spoke as though they were already acquainted felt deeply unfamiliar.

‘Think. When could I possibly have met him?’

After searching her memories, Evelyn recalled the temple’s purification rituals.

Hadn’t someone said that Derrion had offered prayers for her soul’s peace ever since the day he became High Priest?

She could not remember clearly, but that must have been why he recognized her.

“It is good to see you again, Lord Derrion.”

Evelyn greeted him politely.

‘I don’t know what happened between us, but surely he won’t criticize me for being courteous.’

Derrion regarded her with a strange expression.

“I expected you to curse at me and run away. This is unexpected.”

‘…What kind of relationship did we have?’

“Ha-ha. Of course I would never do such a thing. I couldn’t possibly behave that way toward the High Priest.”

Derrion studied Evelyn’s strained smile before glancing around.

“What were you doing here?”

“I briefly lost my way. But I’m leaving now!”

“Is that so? Then go.”

He did not appear particularly convinced.

Evelyn gave him the most respectful bow she could manage.

“Yes. Farewell, Your Eminence. May Chara’s blessing be with you!”

She walked past Derrion and headed back toward the banquet hall.

Then he stopped her.

“You need to walk north to reach the banquet hall. Are you certain you know the way?”

“…”

‘I’m doomed.’

Perhaps because she had left in such a hurry, she could no longer remember the proper direction.

Or was being directionally challenged some sort of debuff attached to this body?

Evelyn, who had been called a human navigation system in her previous life, fell into despair.

Derrion began walking ahead of her.

“The sun will set soon. I’ll escort you back to the banquet hall.”

“Ah, but…”

“There’s no need to thank me.”

Evelyn hesitantly followed him.

‘Thank you? Who said I was going to thank you? Don’t get ahead of yourself.’

Regardless, the sky was rapidly darkening, so she needed to hurry.

She muttered under her breath.

“I’m usually excellent with directions. I just need your help today.”

“…I think I preferred it when you ignored me.”

“Pardon?”

“You used to look as though you wanted to curse whenever you saw my face. I’m beginning to wonder whether you truly are the same person.”

“That was a long time ago. I’m nearly eighteen now.”

“Even so, something about you feels different. Your manner, perhaps. Your entire presence has changed.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s almost as if you’re someone else.”

For a brief moment, a cold expression crossed Derrion’s face.