Since a prominent figure in the publishing world was invited to the engagement ball, newspapers and magazines were nearly overwhelmed with news of the royal engagement celebration. Articles welcomed the royal family’s effort to break down social class barriers.

The magazines’ articles were openly trying to make the event seem more significant, as if attending it added prestige to their publications.

They suggested that freedom of the press and societal reform were advancing together, and that this ball was one such achievement. Lastly, they included a few words congratulating Prince Robert on his engagement.

Meanwhile, for the first time, the royal ball was covered as a political and social story rather than gossip—though gossip magazines were still actively reporting on it.

As the engagement party attracted attention, so did Sophia. Her debutante ball was also brought back into the spotlight.

Helen, excited, had an article titled “The Happiest Woman in Uranos!”—a playful reference to “The Unluckiest Woman in Uranos!”—framed and gifted to Sophia.

Sophia was pleased that her past wounds were now transformed into an opportunity. Even if it wasn’t genuine, she much preferred being mistakenly seen as happy rather than pitied as unfortunate.

* * *

Isabelle and Sophia’s debutante ball at the Wiscombe estate was now widely known.

That day marked the first meeting between Prince Robert and Sophia, as well as Prince Frederick and Isabelle.

With the engagement ball for Prince Robert and Sophia constantly in the news, attention also returned to Frederick and Isabelle, who had been somewhat forgotten.

Curiosity remained about how their relationship was progressing, which was only natural.

Recently, Prince Frederick hadn’t appeared in society. After breaking off his engagement, everyone expected him to pursue Isabelle more openly, but instead, Frederick had completely withdrawn.

In reality, Prince Frederick was trying to change his ways. He didn’t want to appear as if he had broken off his engagement with Parma on a whim, just to pursue Isabelle. Isabelle felt the same way.

A week after announcing his break with Parma Gareth, Frederick spoke to the Empress.

“I won’t be attending any more parties.”

The Empress responded suspiciously, “You’re not planning anything behind my back, are you?”

“Mother! If I started pursuing another woman right after ending my engagement, how would people see me? At the very least, I need a period of mourning—for Parma’s sake, too.”

The Empress agreed. Even if he eventually became engaged to Isabelle, they had to show consideration for the Gareth family. The Empress believed that the Wiscombe family had sabotaged Frederick’s engagement.

“Those cheap novels! This clearly has the Duchess of Wiscombe’s touch.”

The Empress was still uneasy about Frederick’s potential union with the Wiscombes. She wanted to delay their engagement as long as possible.

Frederick’s retreat gave her a credible excuse to postpone things, so she allowed it. Prince Frederick refrained from hunting and limited his outings.

However, during his isolation, with the Countess of Creole’s cooperation, Prince Frederick continued to meet Isabelle. The Empress never suspected the Countess of Creole would betray her.

Indeed, the Empress believed she had the Countess of Creole completely under her control. After all, how else could the Countess, with all her scandals, still navigate high society without the Empress’s protection?

Prince Frederick’s decision to seclude himself was largely due to Isabelle’s encouragement. Reading those novels also made Frederick reflect on his situation.

Isabelle tearfully and earnestly pleaded with Prince Frederick.

“Prince Frederick, many blame me for your break with Parma Gareth. They even say I was behind those novels circulating among the public. If I were to meet you now, they’d say even worse things. Your Highness! I am still afraid of people’s judgment. Please give me time. I want to wait until the public’s interest wanes. Afterward, I feel that we could spend more happy times together. Could you do that for me?”

Prince Frederick replied, “During that time, I will work to gain the strength to protect us both.”

Prince Frederick was prepared to do anything if it meant marrying Isabelle. He even felt that such hardships would make their love more valuable.

When Robert announced his engagement to the Sophia, Frederick was thrilled. The Empress and Count Cressida had been anxious that Gareth and Prince Robert might form an alliance following Frederick’s broken engagement.

For the first time, Count Cressida, Frederick’s grandfather, scolded him harshly. Frederick was delighted, thinking the pressure would ease due to Robert’s engagement.

“No,” Frederick shook his head.

“I can’t afford to be afraid of Count Cressida. How can I feel joy over something like this?”

Frederick couldn’t forget the look Duke Gareth had given him. Under that gaze, Frederick felt as if he were weak and foolish.

Determined to repay Duke Gareth for that unpleasant feeling, Frederick knew he had to endure. And, after all, the duke’s words weren’t entirely wrong.

“I must break free from Mother and Grandfather’s influence.”

The Emperor, hearing of Frederick’s change in behavior, sent pre-selected tutors, who began pressing Frederick to excel.

Frederick wanted to escape but couldn’t, bound by the Emperor’s condition.

“If you can endure the tutors I send without running away, I will grant you one request. Something the Empress would never agree to, and for one year, you must withstand the tutors. Do you accept?”

“If His Majesty could help me get away from Count Cressida and the Empress…”

Since that day, Frederick spent his mornings and afternoons attending classes in his quarters and completing assignments in the evenings. The occasional notes from Isabelle were his only joy.

News of Robert’s engagement celebration ball soon arrived, and Frederick couldn’t help but hope that Isabelle might attend. He found himself eager to join the ball for a chance to see her. Exchanging mere notes with Isabelle was no longer enough. However, her latest note dashed his hopes.

“I won’t be attending the ball. Please endure it, Your Highness.”

Frederick felt disappointed. He longed to see Isabelle. With a sense of reluctance, he decided to inquire about the possibility of attending and sought out the Empress.

* * *

The Empress, smiling for the first time in a long while, spoke.

“Don’t even think about attending the ball. You’ve skipped every party so far; one more won’t matter.”

“Won’t His Majesty say something? This is Robert’s engagement party, after all. He might question why I, his brother, wouldn’t be there.”

“There are plenty of others for the Emperor to be upset with. No one you know will be at this ball. Even Isabelle, whom you’re so fond of, won’t be attending, so there’s nothing for you to miss.”

Frederick kept his disappointment hidden, only nodding weakly.

The Empress, meanwhile, delighted in seeing numerous invitees declare they wouldn’t attend the ball. She intended to make it clear to everyone where Robert and Sophia stood.

“You’ll all see just how insignificant you really are.”

* * *

While Sophia remained in the capital as the prince’s fiancée, invitations arrived from time to time. However, once news of the engagement celebration ball spread, the flow of invitations ceased entirely.

But then, an invitation arrived from a completely unexpected person: the Duchess of Wiscombe sent one to Lady Sophia Ariel.

Sophia hesitated as she looked at the invitation.

“Did the Duchess of Wiscombe send this with good intentions? Especially when everyone else is avoiding me?”

Sophia felt curious.

“Is the Duchess planning to cajole me? Or perhaps to threaten me?”

Prince Frederick remained secluded, and Isabelle hadn’t shown herself in a long time.

“When are those two ever going to get engaged?”

Like everyone else, Sophia was curious about what was happening between them. She also wondered if the Duchess of Wiscombe truly believed in her engagement to Robert. Finally, Sophia’s curiosity got the better of her. After all, the Duchess was her relative.

“I might as well attempt to reconcile. Besides, I’m very curious about how Wiscombe will treat Robert’s fiancée.”

Sophia informed Prince Robert about the invitation from the Duchess of Wiscombe, and he suggested they meet to discuss it.

* * *

Feeling the glances of others, Prince Robert forced a nervous smile and asked,

“So, you’re saying this is more fitting for the list?”

The two were seated on the outdoor terrace of a popular dessert shop.

Sophia responded in a lively tone,

“This is a place Mav recommended. It really is good.”

Then she lowered her voice.

“This builds a friendly image. Look around; there are plenty of couples on dates. It looks modest and down-to-earth, just like an ordinary couple.”

Robert looked at the unknown cake before him and asked,

“Do you think the Duchess will try to sway you?”

“It’ll be either persuasion or intimidation. Or maybe she’ll try to threaten me while pretending to be friendly.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m very curious to see how the Duchess will act. Even though we’re engaged, not everyone believes it. I think the Duchess is among the skeptics. It’ll be interesting to see how she treats me. She won’t believe it, so she’ll likely try to probe me, throwing out hints here and there, all while attempting to treat me as the prince’s fiancée. It should be quite amusing, don’t you think?”

Leaning forward, Robert whispered,

“If it looks like another debutante situation might arise, tell me. Even if the Wiscombe family doesn’t believe it, they won’t dare to ignore you. As my fiancée, if you’re disrespected or slighted, I won’t tolerate it.”

Sophia leaned forward as well and whispered,

“If the Duchess wrongs me again, grab her by the collar in front of everyone. Let them know you’ll do anything for your fiancée.”

Robert laughed at her jest.

“Should I go with you to the Wiscombe estate, then?”

Sophia straightened up, gazing at him, as Robert gave a wry smile.

“I’m curious whether they’d welcome me or recoil.”

“Isabelle?”

“No, everyone.”

Sophia teased with a mischievous look.

“Shall we create a friendly atmosphere together? Not as mere companions, but as if you’re my impatient fiancé who couldn’t wait and came out to greet me personally. I’m sure the Duchess of Wiscombe’s reaction will be priceless.”

“I like it. Let’s do it.”

Sophia, excited, asked Prince Robert to come pick her up at the Wiscombe estate around 3 p.m. the next day, while she planned to visit the estate herself around 2 p.m.

With a slightly awkward smile, Prince Robert, unable to stay still, asked, “How long do we have to stay here?”

“As long as possible, so lots of people can see us… though, actually, we should get going. This place is popular, and we shouldn’t hog the seats. Let’s go, then.”

As he got up, Prince Robert commented, “So, this is Mav’s taste. Now I see why he’s always yearning for the capital. He must really like crowded places like this.”

Hearing his sarcastic remark, Sophia silently wished Mav well.

‘Is Mav really going to be okay? Prince Robert might be quite harsh with him.’