After the servants of the Grand Duchy learned that Olentia possessed holy power, their gaze towards her changed again. While they had hesitated and felt awkward when the scandal article broke, now they looked at her with quite respectful eyes.

Olentia scratched her head or turned away, embarrassed by those gazes.

“I hope the fact that I possess holy power doesn’t spread outside the Grand Duchy.”

Hearing Olentia’s wish, Dimidius confidently said,

“I’ve gotten to know the Grand Duchy’s servants better in the process of rooting out spies. There won’t be any information leaks, so don’t worry.”

“Is that so.”

“By the way, why are you trying to hide that fact? Isn’t it something that wouldn’t matter if it were known?”

It seemed everyone would probably think like Dimidius. But Olentia was somehow burdened and afraid of people’s thoughts that the holy power passed down in the Armenica family had been revived. At first, she had thought to reveal it when she gained stronger holy power, but now it seemed easier to hide it if possible.

Of course, it would all be useless if evil spirits kept appearing.

“I’m concerned about what people will say about it. Maybe I’ve grown to dislike being in the spotlight.”

Dimidius tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand her words.

“It’s quite awkward to hear the lady who has always been famous as the heiress of Armenica say such things.”

“His Grace is more famous than me. There are so many rumors.”

“So don’t worry about the scandal article. There are more rumors about me than about you, my lady.”

Olentia smiled faintly, as it seemed Dimidius was trying to comfort her. It felt like she hadn’t properly laughed with ease since having the prophetic dream of evil spirits appearing.

Dimidius led her to the Grand Duchy’s banquet hall. Olentia was surprised to see the interior was more shabby and dilapidated than expected.

“Why is it like this? Everywhere else in the Grand Duchy is splendid and magnificent.”

Dimidius replied in a sheepish tone,

“It’s been a very long time since we held a banquet in the Grand Duchy. So it’s somewhat run-down. We didn’t repair it separately, thinking there wouldn’t be any more banquets in the future.”

“I think it would be much better if we just changed the carpet and lighting.”

“That’s why I’d like to entrust the task of decorating the banquet hall to you, my lady.”

Olentia, who had never been in charge of anything related to the Grand Duchy before, opened her eyes wide. She suddenly worried if she could do the assigned task well.

But Dimidius looked at her directly and said,

“It’s fine as long as it’s suitable for hosting a party. The head butler will assist you, so you only need to make decisions, my lady.”

The reason for holding the party was all because of the scandal article. Olentia felt an inexplicable sense of responsibility and nodded.

Transforming the somewhat old and shabby banquet hall to match the dignity of the Grand Duchy.

After Dimidius left, Olentia met with Head Butler Alfred. He was holding several catalogs in his hands.

“These are catalogs for carpets, tablecloths, and lighting. Once you make your decisions, madam, I will prepare the order forms and call for workers.”

Olentia checked the overall atmosphere of the banquet hall and started with the carpet. There were so many types of carpets with various patterns and materials that it made her head spin. However, an elegant green carpet caught her eye. Olentia decided on the green carpet to match, as she wanted to fill the banquet hall with flowers.

She hoped for a fresh and lush banquet hall befitting the summer season. She chose a neat checkered pattern for the tablecloths and decided on the lighting to illuminate the hall.

When the head butler placed the orders and the items would change the banquet hall, she hoped the overall atmosphere would blend well.

Even after making the decisions, she kept worrying.

“It’s truly beautiful. This must be the treasure of the deep sea.”

Bobbie exclaimed in admiration as she saw Olentia wearing a white silk dress adorned with accessories made from the deep sea treasure.

A few days ago, Olentia had received the deep sea treasure, the prize for winning the hunting competition, from Dimidius and had kept it until now to wear for the party.

Dimidius said he had invited all the powerful nobles involved in central politics. Olentia couldn’t imagine what his feelings must have been when he, who disliked parties, sent invitations to numerous nobles.

Even if the nobles felt uncomfortable coming to the Belial territory, they wouldn’t have been able to refuse the invitation from Dimidius, the Grand Duke.

Olentia stood in front of the mirror for a moment, looking at herself. Indeed, as Bobbie said, the lapis lazuli accessories made from the deep sea treasure seemed to shine brightly even in darkness.

“I should go now. To greet the guests who have come to the Grand Duchy.”

Hearing Olentia’s trembling voice, Bobbie spoke kindly.

“You’ll be with His Grace. So don’t be disheartened because of the scandal article, and have a good time.”

Olentia gave a slight smile to Bobbie, who was always on her side, before leaving the room. Then she found Dimidius waiting outside, dressed handsomely.

“I went to check a little while ago, and the banquet hall was full of flowers. It was very beautiful.”

Hearing his praise, Olentia lowered her head shyly.

“The head butler and the Grand Duchy’s servants worked hard. I only made decisions as you said, Your Grace.”

“That’s also a difficult task. Decisions come with responsibility, after all.”

But Dimidius had always worked in positions where he had to take responsibility, so how lonely and difficult must it have been for him.

Olentia linked her arm with his and moved to the banquet hall. Although she didn’t know what commotion might occur when she, the protagonist of the scandal article, appeared, she had to keep her wits about her as much as possible.

The banquet hall she had checked numerous times had become an elegant and refreshing place full of flowers. There, numerous nobles invited by Dimidius were engaged in conversation with each other. It was the atmosphere of a typical social party.

Olentia and Dimidius made their entrance there.

People briefly paused their conversations and stared intently at the hosts and protagonists of the party. Their gazes felt like thorns.

“Is His Grace really not bothered at all?”

“He must be so confident because the rumors are false, right?”

“But it’s still suspicious, you know.”

Occasionally, people’s voices could be heard. The gazes mixed with curiosity and doubt pierced Olentia’s heart. It seemed that everyone was not certain about the relationship between Regalis and her. Despite the Belial Grand Duke’s side having issued many rebuttal articles, they didn’t seem to have had much effect.

Dimidius held Olentia’s body tightly and said,

“Don’t worry, I’m by your side. If anyone speaks nonsense, I won’t let it slide.”

Since Dimidius often got excited about matters related to himself, it seemed quite possible he might actually do so. If that were the case, she would have to stop him.

Olentia, together with Dimidius, greeted the nobles who had come a long way to attend the Grand Duchy’s party.

There were familiar nobles, and there were nobles she was seeing for the first time.

Just as she was getting used to the party atmosphere, it happened.

Suddenly, the doors to the banquet hall opened and someone appeared.

A man with dazzling silver hair wearing a deep purple suit.

It was Crown Prince Regalis Pulfa.

Olentia was so surprised to see him that she covered her gaping mouth with her hand. A gasp escaped involuntarily, and her whole body trembled. Dimidius wouldn’t have invited him, so why on earth had he come to the Grand Duchy’s banquet hall?

Did he want to spread more dirty rumors?

The nobles also began to whisper upon discovering Crown Prince Regalis. The already piercing gazes felt even sharper. This was all because of the uninvited guest.

Dimidius said to Olentia, who had frozen in shock,

“Please wait here for a moment. I need to go speak to him directly.”

She had no choice but to follow his words. Olentia’s head was spinning and her heart was troubled.

Dimidius strode over on his long legs and stood before Regalis. Regalis raised his head brazenly and said to Dimidius,

“It seems you forgot to send me an invitation. So I came directly.”

Dimidius clenched his fists and spoke in a voice full of anger.

“You’re determined to ruin this party, aren’t you? Do you think I don’t know your intentions?”

“So what, are you going to throw me out like last time? Numerous nobles are watching me. Go ahead and do it if you can.”

If Dimidius were to throw Regalis out, there was a high possibility that the scandal would appear to be true. So he couldn’t expel the suddenly appearing uninvited guest.

Regalis was truly a man who intelligently tormented others.

Dimidius smiled coldly and said to him,

“It would be best if you behave and enjoy yourself. Don’t test my patience.”

“I’ll do so.”

Seeing Regalis answer so compliantly, Dimidius returned to Olentia. She had her shoulders hunched and was rolling her eyes. He could imagine how shocked and flustered she must be right now.

Dimidius embraced Olentia’s shoulders and said,

“Nothing will happen. Hold your head high.”

Olentia took a shallow breath and slowly straightened her shoulders. Her eyes shone with determination.

“You’re right. I’ve done nothing wrong, so I can’t act like a guilty person.”

Fortunately, it seemed Olentia had regained her spirits. Dimidius took Olentia’s hand again and greeted the nobles. The nobles receiving the greetings appeared somewhat stiff due to the Crown Prince’s appearance, but they managed awkward smiles.

Meanwhile, Regalis gathered with nobles close to him and burst into laughter. His laughter was very irritating and unpleasant.

Although it wasn’t clear exactly what Regalis intended to do by coming to the banquet hall, Dimidius had no intention of leaving him be.