Helen was taken aback when Parma accepted her invitation so readily. She had only extended the offer as a formality, noticing Parma’s unusual interest in her school. She hadn’t expected Parma to actually agree.

Scrambling to prepare for Parma’s visit, Helen found herself tense, as this was her first and likely only opportunity to interact with a noble lady like Sophia.

Helen sought the school’s cooperation, and upon learning who the guest was, the school began making an unnecessary fuss. They even had Helen rehearse with the staff in advance.

Returning from school, Helen relayed the situation to Mrs. Finega and Sol.

“The Gareth family really is something else. Sol! Just give up! It’s hopeless!”

Sol shot her a sharp glance and replied,

“I know. The Gareth family has a long history, a reputation for loyalty, and they’re the Empire’s sword. Right now, Sir Gareth is working hard in Ariel. They’re already extraordinary, and their reputation will only grow, especially with Lady Parma in the family.”

Helen, adopting an exaggerated tone, teased,

“Sol, Lady Parma Gareth is visiting our school. Why don’t you tag along and follow her around? Maybe she’ll be glad to see a familiar face.”

Sol’s expression soured, but he quickly shook his head.

“I’m busy. I’ll pass.”

“What are you busy with?”

“Studying.”

“Huh? You’re already good at studying.”

“I’m preparing for the academy.”

“Sure you are.”

“No, I’m serious. I’m planning to enroll this summer.”

Helen, in a lecturing tone, responded,

“If it’s this summer, you’ll need to take the entrance exam beforehand. Do you think you can just waltz in because you feel like it? No way. I’ve heard it’s especially tough for commoners like us, with strict standards and high expectations.”

“I know. That’s why I’m studying. If I pass the test, I’ll get in.”

“The professors administer the test, right? Only geniuses take those exams. You’re a model student, but a genius? I’m not so sure.”

Annoyed by her condescension, Sol retorted,

“Exactly. That’s why I’m studying. At least I want to get close. So leave me alone.”

“Oho, young man. Are you trying to become a genius just to get closer to Lady Parma Gareth? You’re making me tear up here.”

“There’s a huge gap in status and age, so I need to close at least one of them. So just understand that and don’t bother me.”

Sol’s serious tone left Helen momentarily stunned.

“My once-cute little brother is gone, replaced by a love-struck boy. What a shame.”

Mrs. Finega, observing their conversation, shook her head.

“I shouldn’t have sent him to Oberon. I risked it, hoping he’d grow, but look at him now. Sol! I’ve heard Lady Parma Gareth is beautiful, but I also heard her engagement to Prince Robert is almost certain.”

With confidence, Sol responded,

“That’s not true. Neither Prince Robert nor Lady Parma seemed interested in each other. In fact, Prince Robert seemed far more focused on Sophia. And if we exclude the prince, there’s hardly anyone in Uranus who could match Lady Parma. She’s unlikely to rush into an engagement or marriage.”

Despite Sol’s certainty, Mrs. Finega shook her head, believing that Sol was simply interpreting the situation too optimistically because of his feelings.

She sighed deeply, torn between supporting her son’s efforts and convincing him to face reality. She missed her wife’s presence during moments like this. Helen, sensing her father’s hesitation, pulled him aside.

“Just let him be. He’s only thirteen. Even after his birthday, he’ll only be fourteen. Failing despite his best efforts will be a good experience for him. He won’t listen to anyone trying to dissuade him anyway. Don’t you remember Ellie?”

Mrs. Finega sighed.

“Other parents worry their children won’t marry. I’m worried mine are too obsessed with romance.”

“We’re working hard, aren’t they? Look how happy we all are—Ellie, me, and now Sol. Let him go until summer. If he fails, he’ll give up on his own. Sol has such high standards because he admires Lady Parma so much. It’s not a bad thing.”

Mrs. Finega agreed that hard work wouldn’t harm Sol and decided to let him continue.

“Even if love doesn’t work out, at least his skills will remain.”

***

Lady Parma’s primary concern had shifted once again. Her biggest dilemma now was how to get rid of the person in front of her.

Despite the disdainful look Parma gave him, Sir Dione smiled and said,

“I can’t understand why it’s so difficult to meet the young lords and ladies of Uranus.”

“Perhaps they are afraid that as soon as they make contact with Saturn’s delegation, they will be branded as traitors. Even in Wiscombe, it’s said that Philip Wiscombe is confined to his mansion because of Saturn’s delegation,” 

“Ah, so Lady Gareth has also read the article? I attempted to meet Sir Philip Wiscombe, but no matter how many requests I sent, there was no response from Wiscombe. The article mentioned, ‘Saturn’s delegation is not truly a diplomatic mission but malevolent adversaries sent to sow misunderstanding and suspicion in Uranus,’” 

“Do the people of Uranus believe such articles?”

“They do. The public’s trust in the press is surprisingly high. It’s quite frustrating because once a prejudice takes root, it’s incredibly hard to correct,” Parma replied.

“I see. Prince Robert seems to have such prejudices. Prince Frederick, however, might be more reasonable,” Dione commented.

“Do you think so? I heard that Prince Frederick has been tasked with accompanying two members of Saturn’s delegation to Ariel. Perhaps sharing a carriage with them will provide some insight,” Parma said.

“Indeed. Our return is faster than expected. I’ve heard there are many who wish to quickly remove us from the capital,” Dione observed.

Parma asked with genuine curiosity, “Knowing all this, why are you still here, Sir Dione?”

“To catch Lady Gareth’s attention even once more, of course,” Dione replied with a sly grin.

“That’s a lie. You claim to want my attention, yet you don’t listen to a word I say. It seems you have no intention of earning my favor. Saturn must be busy preparing for its invasion of Uranus, right? The article claiming Saturn’s delegation is here to delay and disrupt the atmosphere of Uranus’ capital is beginning to sound increasingly credible,” Gareth quipped.

Dione maintained a foolish smile, trying to brush off Parma’s comments. Parma shook her head at Dione’s smile and remarked, “Seeing you sitting here, Sir Dione, only confirms it further. If this mission fails, can Sir Enceladus survive? And what about you? Aren’t you two relatives? If Sir Enceladus perishes, even if you survive, the fallout will be immense. If his death causes such ripples…”

Dione’s smile began to falter, but he refused to let it drop completely. Parma, seemingly impressed, continued, “Well, Sir Dione, you certainly have patience. Your expression hasn’t changed at all. Considering you dared to come to the capital of Uranus, you must have thick skin. If you get another chance, you might be able to make a comeback.”

“Surely not everyone in Uranus has a sharp tongue like Lady Gareth,” Dione countered.

“If you’re curious, why not meet other ladies? Many are interested in learning about Saturn. You’re quite handsome, so I’ve heard you’re attracting attention. Ah, perhaps that’s why you were assigned to handle the ladies. Sir Enceladus seems to have been tasked with dealing with the elderly,” Parma said with a laugh.

***

Dione returned to his quarters and collapsed onto his bed, unable to muster the strength to remain standing. Seeing Dione return earlier than expected, Sir Enceladus asked, “Why are you back so soon?”

“To survive. I had to retreat to survive. I’ve heard the Gareth family is considered the sword of Uranus, but I didn’t realize their words were as sharp as their blades,” Dione replied.

“Was it that bad?”

“Oh, it was terrifying. She even threatened that you’d be purged if you failed. And she mocked me with the article claiming we’re here to stall and disrupt Uranus’ atmosphere,” Dione said, looking pale.

“By now, everyone in Uranus’ capital knows that,” Enceladus remarked.

“But no one else would dare say it to my face,” Dione replied. “What about Duke Gareth? Is he the same?”

“No, he simply sat there, smiling pleasantly. He barely spoke,” Enceladus said.

“Really? Who does he take after?”

“Prince Robert does all the attacking, so Duke Gareth doesn’t seem to feel the need to intervene,” Enceladus explained.

“Isn’t our visit merely elevating Prince Robert’s status?” Dione asked.

“It’s not as if we elevated him intentionally. Prince Frederick also seems poised to benefit from our visit,” Enceladus noted.

“When will we leave? The emperor and princes of Uranus are making it abundantly clear they want us gone,” Dione complained.

“In about a week. The weather has improved, and there’s little risk of more avalanches,” Enceladus replied.

“Perhaps there’s a risk of landslides instead. Something about Ariel feels unsettling. Even if Ariel and Umbriel are closely linked, for them to go as far as an engagement… doesn’t that suggest there’s something significant in Ariel?” Dione speculated.

After a moment of thought, Enceladus responded lightly, “Perhaps so.”

“Sophia Ariel seems ordinary enough, so there must be something about Ariel itself. Standing next to Parma Gareth, she looked like a mere maid. Surely Prince Robert’s interest lies not in Sophia Ariel herself but in whatever agreement he has with Ariel,” Dione reasoned.

“As you said, there must be something. I thought it might be a salt mine,” Enceladus mused.

“If the engagement was a sham… perhaps it was all a ruse to deceive and make money?”

“Exactly. As Oberon suggested, the engagement was fake. It’s already been called off,” Enceladus confirmed.

“Then Ariel must have gained something in return. Their sudden elevation to a marquisate is certainly suspicious,” Dione noted.

“Indeed. In any case, Ariel’s situation seems to have improved significantly. We must act before the salt mine strengthens their border defenses,” Enceladus concluded.

Dione managed a faint smile at Enceladus’ jest. “Indeed.”

A week later, as planned, Saturn’s delegation departed for Ariel, accompanied by Prince Frederick. Meanwhile, Prince Robert remained in the capital.

Prince Frederick, though he had volunteered for the mission, couldn’t help but feel uneasy about Prince Robert remaining in the capital instead of heading to Umbriel.

“Will Wiscombe… handle things on their own?”

****

Prince Robert, after seeing off Saturn’s delegation and Prince Frederick, returned to his office. Sitting at his desk, he immediately voiced his concerns.

“Do you think Prince Frederick or those Saturn scoundrels might stage an attack on themselves?”

Vian responded, “They are already under surveillance, and even the Emperor’s inspector is accompanying them. Still, Cressida is bound to try something…”

“Of course they will. The Empress will never give up. She’s always waiting for an opportunity. She must hate that public opinion is shifting more favorably toward me.”

“Will Saturn’s delegation really return quietly? Or might they try to sway Prince Frederick?”

“Prince Frederick isn’t foolish enough for that. Though, if he pretended to be a fool, it might serve us well. Then again, with the delegation themselves acting like fools, they’d probably get along splendidly.”

Vian, looking weary, said, “The Prince’s Office needs reinforcements. With Acel gone and Mav tied to matters in Umbriel, the workload is overwhelming for the younger staff alone.”

“What’s the mood like regarding Acel’s disappearance?”

“It’s not great, but it’s not terrible either. It seems Acel wasn’t well-liked. Rumors are circulating that he eloped under the cover of night with Mav’s lover. Many people seem to think they saw it coming.”

“A nighttime elopement? Is that your take on it?”

Vian smirked. “It’s Mav’s narrative. He’s deeply shaken. Discovering that his lover was a Saturn spy, introduced to him by a friend who was also compromised, has been devastating. Whether it was Acel or someone else, the betrayal is the same. Feeling wronged, he decided to make Acel the scapegoat. But then again, Acel wasn’t entirely innocent.”

Prince Robert’s eyes burned with anger. “One in the administrative wing, another in the Prince’s Office—just the ones we’ve uncovered. It makes me suspect there are still more infiltrators among the staff in the administrative wing and the palace.”

“Three inspectors are already on the move. A re-investigation of palace staff is underway, using Saturn’s delegation as the pretext.”

“And now that the delegation has left, we’ve exhausted that excuse.”

“They’re cleverly spinning it, claiming evidence surfaced after their departure or that people were seen meeting with the delegation. The inspectors are handling it well; rest assured.”

“Most importantly, ensure the fact that Saturn’s spies infiltrated the administrative wing remains hidden.”

Vian nodded, aware of the gravity of the situation. If it became public knowledge that there was a traitor in the administrative wing, it could reignite attacks on the wing from the nobility.