Prince Robert, the guest of honor, was already moving through the ballroom early, greeting the attendees.

Even from his own perspective, it was clear that the focus of the attendees was not on him. The ball, hosted by the Emperor in Robert’s honor, was brimming with young noblewomen and noblemen with a particular purpose.

With the rising trend of free-spirited romances, anxious parents took advantage of the ball, where all attendees were of noble birth, to encourage encounters for their children. Many nobles even sent only their young sons and daughters.

Robert looked at the nobles, more interested in matchmaking than in welcoming him. Most of them seemed eager to secure marriages for their children at this event rather than pay attention to Robert himself.

‘Who would’ve thought that being overlooked could be an advantage?’

If Mav were here, he would certainly have some remark about the scene, but Robert actually found the situation comfortable. He didn’t mind if others could benefit from the ball in some way.

The Emperor knew that Robert held no high expectations for the ball, though the Emperor’s promise of a gift was sincere.

Prince Frederick gained the support of the Duke of Gareth, while Robert had urged patience regarding Wiscombe, suggesting they hold off on any reconciliation. But the Emperor had kept his eyes open for potential allies among other families.

The Emperor even thought that, should Robert attract enough potential suitors, Wiscombe might feel pressured to act. More than anything, the Emperor wanted to ensure that Robert found a suitable family alliance.

The Empress was the first to catch on to the Emperor’s intentions. Instead of refusing to participate after voicing her objections, she chose to restrain Robert by sending Frederick and Parma to reinforce her position.

Count Cressida and his wife had visited the Empress’s quarters multiple times, so it was no surprise.

Thinking of the Empress, the Emperor sighed. Despite over twenty years as empress, she still seemed more a stranger than a member of the imperial family.

‘My mother regretted her choices. Too late, but still.’

The Emperor asked Caliban nearby, “Where is the Empress?”

“She is preparing, Your Majesty. Would you like me to relay a message?”

“No, let her take her time.”

Caliban stepped back, knowing the Emperor valued solitude yet also knowing it was his duty to remain close. He stayed discreetly out of sight.

At the entrance to the ballroom, Frederick was there to personally greet Parma. Although he hadn’t met her often, each time, Frederick treated her with utmost respect, consciously aware of the Gareth family.

Duke Gareth, seeing Frederick’s effort to personally welcome Parma, was highly pleased, and Parma also wore a satisfied smile.

With a bright smile, Frederick helped Parma down from her carriage, saying, “I’ve eagerly awaited this day to see you, Lady Parma. Thankfully, I didn’t lose my sight with anticipation—what a shame it would have been to miss such beauty. Do you become more beautiful when I don’t see you, or are you simply more radiant with each day?”

Parma had come to the ball with words ready for Frederick, but his flattery melted her resolve, and she responded, “It’s been so long since you last saw me that perhaps I seem new and unfamiliar?”

Frederick, still smiling, replied, “Each time I see you, Lady Parma, I feel as if I am reborn.”

Hearing Frederick’s response, Duke Gareth felt his worries ease. For a moment, he had feared that Frederick might react to Parma’s teasing, despite his fondness for her strong-willed nature. But Frederick’s graceful handling of Parma pleased the Duke, who nodded in approval. Frederick then apologized to the Duke and escorted Parma into the ballroom.

The guests in the ballroom cheered at the entrance of Parma and Frederick. Prince Robert glanced knowingly at the Emperor, who then looked at the Empress.

The Empress, looking proudly at her son, thought, ‘True elegance shines like that. As expected of my son.’

Not long after Parma and Frederick’s grand entrance, Isabelle arrived, sparking whispers. Isabelle and Philip had come to the ball together, without their ducal parents.

The Emperor noted the Empress’s reaction. Initially, he hadn’t intended to send an invitation to the Wiscombe household, but Robert had suggested it.

“The one who most wants to avoid the Wiscombes now is not me, but the Empress. Since Frederick seemed interested in Isabelle, she’ll be on edge the whole time, worrying what might happen if they meet again.”

True to Robert’s words, as soon as the Wiscombe siblings appeared, the Empress, who had been watching Frederick with pride, could not take her eyes off Isabelle. Her expression shifted to unease, and she kept stealing glances at Frederick, anxiously searching for signs of his reaction. She urgently looked around for Countess Creole.

Noticing her gaze, Countess Creole nodded and positioned herself to keep an eye on Isabelle.

The Emperor smiled, enjoying the early reactions from the ballroom.

He thought, ‘I knew Wiscombe wouldn’t back down easily. I wonder if the Empress can actually keep them at bay.’

Because Isabelle had been out of sight for a while, her beauty now drew fresh admiration from everyone. While Parma caught the eye with a striking red dress and dark hair, Isabelle evoked awe with her pure and graceful charm.

Her blonde hair, white dress, and porcelain skin gave her a look as luminous as marble. She possessed a beauty worthy of being called a muse for artists.

Even Prince Robert found himself unable to look away from her for a moment, and though Parma stood by his side, Prince Frederick, too, was captivated by Isabelle.

Isabelle cast her gaze downward briefly and moved to a corner of the ballroom. Philip escorted her, exchanging greetings with familiar family acquaintances along the way.

Whenever Philip introduced Isabelle, she greeted them warmly and engaged in conversation.

All eyes seemed to follow Isabelle. Meanwhile, Parma was struggling to maintain her composure, but her grip on Frederick’s arm tightened.

Despite the tension, Frederick seemed oblivious, his eyes still fixed on Isabelle.

Parma tried calling his name softly a few times, but when Frederick remained entranced, her voice rose in frustration.

“Prince Frederick! Your Highness!”

Everyone nearby turned to look at Parma and Frederick, including the Empress, who was watching with tense eyes.

At last, Frederick seemed to snap out of his reverie and spoke up.

“My lady, I apologize. I was momentarily lost in thought. Did you know that Philip and Robert have severed ties?”

Parma gave him a puzzled look, unsure of what he meant. Frederick continued.

“I couldn’t believe it at first either, but seeing it myself makes it real. They were always inseparable, yet now they don’t even make eye contact.”

Parma’s expression softened slightly at his explanation. Frederick then said to her, “I thought I’d take this chance to confirm the rumors myself, Parma. Aren’t you feeling thirsty?”

Parma nodded, and Frederick signaled a servant holding a tray to bring a drink. The servant soon returned with a tray carrying a single glass of red beverage.

Frederick handed the drink to Parma, whispering in her ear, “A special drink I created just for you, Parma. I call it the Lovely Parma.”

A satisfied smile appeared on Parma’s face. She took a sip, then looked at Frederick and said, “It’s delicious. Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Please, call me by my name, Parma.”

“Very well, Frederick.”

The atmosphere between the two became amicable. Parma walked around the ballroom, holding the red drink that matched her attire.

People soon recognized it as a special gesture by Prince Frederick for Lady Parma. She relished the glances and admiration directed her way, thrilled to hold such a unique token from Frederick.

Although the name of the drink was somewhat gaudy, she didn’t mind. This was the moment she had been waiting for.

‘I am Parma Gareth, after all. My fiancée is destined to be the future emperor, and he’s gone as far as to make a drink for me!’

Everyone looked at Parma with envy and admiration, and she basked in her sense of triumph, any prior irritation completely gone.

As long as Frederick played his role as her trophy, Parma had no complaints. She took pride in being a Gareth and in securing the future emperor.

Though it annoyed her that Frederick had been distracted by Isabelle’s entrance, his efforts to appease her felt like enough.

Frederick soon separated from her to greet his friends, leaving Parma momentarily.

Around Parma, young ladies gathered, discussing the drink Frederick had specially prepared for her and his affectionate manner.

***

Meanwhile, Isabelle and Philip, too, had formed their own circle, engaged in conversation. Countess Creole circled around them, but Philip, visibly annoyed, ignored her.

‘It’s clear the Empress is wary of Isabelle, sending her ‘guard dog’ here.’

Many disapproved of the Duchess of Wiscombe, who, known for her romances, had risen to a duchess’s rank through sheer luck. Countess Creole was among those leading the charge to exclude the duchess from social circles.

In the days when her late husband, the Earl of Creole, was alive, the Countess had held significant influence and prestige. Now, though, her reputation had dwindled to the point of rumors that she’d poisoned her husband.

A woman of extensive social connections and constant rumors, she, despite nearing forty, still drew admiring glances from older noblemen in the ballroom with her fairy-like beauty.

Countess Creole was the Empress’s loyal ally. Despite her questionable reputation, the Empress’s support allowed her to navigate high society with boldness.

Parma sighed as she noticed Countess Creole sticking close to Philip and Isabelle, even in the face of being openly ignored.

Though she’d offered her help to Parma, the latter had no desire to associate with or accept help from someone like Countess Creole.

The Empress’s interference was also unwelcome.

‘What a nuisance.’

Parma had declined Countess Creole’s assistance, but under the Empress’s orders, the Countess dutifully continued as Parma’s shield.

Whenever Parma encountered someone irritating at a gathering, Countess Creole would step in to resolve the situation.

In other words, she handled the “dirty work” for Parma’s sake, all under the pretext of protecting her reputation as the future bride of Prince Frederick.

Turning her gaze from Countess Creole, Parma glanced at Isabelle. Isabelle looked uncomfortable, caught in the attention of several young men, and hid slightly behind Philip.

Seeing this, Parma’s spirits lifted. As long as Isabelle kept up her demure persona, Parma could remain the center of attention at the ball.

She would continue to receive Frederick’s affection and the admiration of those around her. This would be her spotlight, now and forever.

To sustain it, she would tolerate Frederick’s occasional glances toward Isabelle and the presence of allies like Countess Creole.