The ladies started to exchange glances at this. A few quick-witted ones realized it was Delina who had danced the last dance with Ashud during the debutante ball.

“…So you’re saying that the lady was too heavy for me to lift?”

Ashud, who had caught on, sounded colder. Sylvia’s shoulders shivered.

“Yes, that’s right. If she were lighter, there’s no way Your Highness wouldn’t have been able to lift her.”

Sylvia spoke desperately, trying to placate Ashud. The atmosphere of the tea party grew colder. Everyone was waiting silently for Ashud’s response. Finally, Ashud licked his lips.

“…It’s not because she’s heavy.”

Huh?

It was different from what Delina and everyone had expected.

“She’s average.”

“…”

“I was just a little, just a little bit lacking in strength.”

His voice was low, but it reached Delina’s ears clearly.

‘He admitted it?’

That he had a shortcoming. It was a shocking admission for anyone who knew even a little about Ashud. As if embarrassed, Ashud snapped.

“What are you so surprised about?”

“…”

“Royalty doesn’t lie.”

“Uh…yes.”

Still looking surprised, Delina nodded. Then Ashud abruptly turned and walked away.

“Anyway, if you’re going to eat that kind of cookie here, just stay here.”

Then Noah tilted his head and smiled next to Delina.

“Going to continue dieting here?”

“…”

“Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to go out and eat a fattening cookie?”

“…Let’s go, go.”

The smile that made many ladies’ hearts flutter did not have the same effect on the recipient, Delina. As she looked at the five of them, Delina let out a small sigh.

And so the tea party came to an end. Sylvia, the hostess, excused herself because she wasn’t feeling well, and one by one, the ladies also took their leave, gauging the situation.

Even as they headed for the carriage with the five children, Delina sent empty glances at those around her.

“…Why did you bring that in the first place?”

“For research.”
Bansent tightly clenched the diet cookie in his hand, as if he found it truly worth studying. Calyx turned his head away, as if he couldn’t bear to look at it.

“So, His Majesty the Emperor has summoned children sponsored by the duke’s family? That’s why His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince came to pick me up?”

“Yes.”

Delrina had heard the general situation from Noah while coming out. Upon hearing that they really had to go to the imperial palace, Delrina’s complexion worsened.

“But you know, couldn’t you have waited until the social gathering was over to pick me up?”

Given that everything had already been revealed to the young nobles, it was obvious that rumors would spread. Even now, as they headed towards the carriage, Delrina quickly whispered, under the continued gaze of the young nobles.

“At first, I thought about waiting, but then I heard you wore a red dress to a gathering with a blue dress code, so I figured it was better just to take you.”

“How did you find out?”

“I asked the servant of the count’s house where you were, and he rattled on and on out of fear, without even me asking.”

“…….”

Upon hearing that, Delrina had nothing more to say and quietly approached the carriage. The knights also didn’t seem too pleased, perhaps having heard that they had to go to the imperial palace.

‘Yes, really, to the imperial palace….’

It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought about such a day, just that this meeting had come much sooner than she had anticipated. Firming her resolve once more, Delrina climbed into the carriage.