The ridiculous reason was that she hadn’t submitted a participation application form.

“Since when was there a separate application form for the harvest festival?”

“It has always existed.”

Lynen continued.

“In principle, that is. However, unlike commoners, nobles were typically registered without issue just by sending a letter expressing their intention to participate.”

“That’s right, Master.”

Mihail, who was drinking juice, said.

“I just sent a letter saying I wanted to participate in the harvest festival without an application form, and it was accepted.”

“You’re participating too?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Noah became even more dejected.

But right now, Calliphe’s attention was focused elsewhere.

The butler who brought the letter said.

“There is one more thing to relay, my lady.”

“What is it?”

“The prize for winning the martial tournament at the harvest festival has changed. The prizes for the youth and adult divisions have been switched.”

“What?”

The winning prize changed?

Calliphe quickly searched her memories for whether such content existed in <Marino>, but there wasn’t any. The original work had suddenly changed.

‘Is this happening because I’ve been moving according to the original work?’

From this perspective, it wasn’t that surprising.

‘I can’t be shocked every time the original work gets twisted.’

All we need to do is adapt to the situation accordingly.

“Hmm. The substitute I worked hard to find has become useless. This means I need to participate in the youth division.”

“…!”

Noah’s ears perked up as he looked this way with sparkling eyes.

Calliphe wavered for a moment but shook her head.

“No.”

Dejected…

After sending the butler away, Calliphe fell into thought.

Lynen, who had instructed the children to put away the training equipment, sat across from her.

He quietly studied Calliphe’s face while she frowned in deep contemplation.

Before, he wouldn’t have cared whether Calliphe was troubled about something or not. But now, he felt displeased that her plans had been interfered with.

‘Rather than frowning, her smiling face is more… good heavens.’

Stop it, Lynen Ortega! Shut up!

He clenched his fist in front of his forehead.

“What are you suddenly doing by yourself?”

Calliphe’s dry voice followed.

D*mn. With his face slightly heated, Lynen deliberately cleared his throat.

“Ahem. You said you needed the harvest festival’s winning prize to gain the Vice Archmage’s trust, right?”

“That’s right.”

On the day they visited the Magic Tower, Calliphe had shared with him why she needed to participate in the harvest festival.

The adult division’s martial tournament prize. That was the key to obtaining fairy mint seeds.

So she had suggested Lynen participate in the martial tournament, but was rejected.

It would be unfair for a Sword Master to participate in the tournament, he had said.

He had actually been banned from participating before.

Though he was used to it since it had always been this way, this time Lynen felt particularly regretful.

But he could provide other help, like information.

‘This time, Baron Rotten’s information won’t be needed.’

Baron Rotten, who always brought useful information to Calliphe seemingly foreseeing the future.

At least this time, that man would have no chance to be of use.

Feeling a strange satisfaction he’d never experienced before, Lynen spoke.

“This harvest festival is being overseen by Crown Princess Lucilia.”

“The Crown Princess? Already?”

“What do you mean, already?”

“Ah, no, I mean… she’s so young. That’s what I meant.”

Lynen nodded.

“She wants to secure her position as soon as possible. This harvest festival is Her Highness’s first official event that she’s overseeing.”

“So you’re saying the Crown Princess is the one who rejected my application?”

“That’s highly likely.”

“Why would she pick a fight with me when we’ve never even met?”

“That’s exactly why. Because you’ve never met.”

Calliphe, who had been frowning in confusion, soon showed an expression of understanding.

Lynen also spoke somewhat heavily.

“As you know, House Ortega is the central force supporting Her Highness the Crown Princess. But I think she’s upset that I haven’t brought my future duchess to introduce her, not before the blessing ceremony and not even now.”

“She seems more angry at me than at you?”

“…”

That was true.

The Crown Princess’s arrow was clearly aimed at Calliphe.

“I’ll request an audience now. If we visit together tomorrow, Her Highness won’t be so stubborn.”

“No. That won’t do.”

This was clearly a battle of wills.

Not simply a relationship between an adult and child, but psychological warfare between a royal and a mere lady.

‘If I go to apologize, things might work out immediately.’

But what about after that?

The possibility of facing interference from the Crown Princess in everything she does would increase. Once you give in once, she’ll start treating you like her subordinate.

‘I know that kid’s personality well from <Marino>. She’s definitely not the type to leave someone alone once she takes a dislike to them.’

Giving in now would be like admitting that the Crown Princess’s thoughts about me are all correct.

‘Besides, she’ll hate me more if Lynen mediates.’

She’ll think I’m hiding behind Lynen. With the Crown Princess’s personality, she probably despises the current Calliphe Offensa as a ‘troublemaker freeloading off the Duke.’

The Crown Princess is strict about responsibilities and duties that come with position.

How many times did I fail the Prince ending in <Marino> for overlooking that?

‘I still remember. The meeting event with the Crown Princess.’

* * *

Among the places Noah could visit during outings was the imperial palace.

‘In reality, there probably wouldn’t be any kid who would visit the imperial palace alone whenever they pleased.’

But it was a game, so whatever.

Anyway, when Noah visited the imperial palace, he would naturally be stopped by the gatekeeper at the entrance.

In the early stages when etiquette stats were low, you could only talk to the gatekeeper.

But as etiquette and dignity stats increased, you could gradually meet higher-ranking people in the palace.

Of course, the Emperor was at the very top, but there was actually only one purpose for visiting the palace.

‘Meeting the future owner of the palace, the Crown Princess.’

To become the Prince who marries the Crown Princess.

If you repeatedly visit the palace with certain stats exceeded, one day you meet an unfamiliar figure.

A girl with gorgeous looks despite her plain clothes, secretly sneaking out of the palace.

[Unknown Girl]

―Hey you, move away from under the wall!

[Noah]

―Huh? A voice from above… Ah!

Crash!

[Unknown Girl]

―Ow ow ow… You, how dare you interfere with me? You were waiting for me on purpose, weren’t you?

[Noah]

―Why would I interfere with you? I don’t even know who you are.

[Unknown Girl]

―You don’t know who I am? Really?

―…Heh. You’re an interesting one. Alright, I’ll give you a chance to take responsibility.

―From today on, you’ll be my guide. Refuse and you die, commoner.

And so Her Highness the Crown Princess delivers lines that could come straight out of an otome game at their first meeting.

If you handle this first meeting episode well, you can meet the Crown Princess in disguise whenever you visit the palace afterward and see various affection events.

However, to become the Prince, you had to fulfill a hidden condition.

‘Just thinking about it still irritates me.’

None other than not having friendly relations with any nobles until becoming an adult.

If you fail to meet the Prince ending condition of ‘not forming friendly relations with nobles,’ a farewell event appears between the adult tyrant Crown Princess and Noah.

[Crown Princess]

―You were on good terms with that noble. That means you knew my identity all along, right?

―Tell me. What were you thinking every time I confided my worries to you? Did you feel a thrill manipulating the empire’s heir while giving advice?

―To think you were turning those little gears in your head while putting on an innocent face… Haha.