“What is that…”

“Where did she get that…”

Hup, sounds of inhaling breath could be heard here and there. Oh, or in the world, sounds of exclamation were also heard.

People were looking at Rustica Genesis, not Melphius. Under the dazzling chandelier, Ru, one of the recognized beauties among the Cata Mimes, sparkled as Hayden had anticipated.

It was an attire that could not be matched even by the most affluent in the Perseita Empire. White pearls intricately woven adorned her luscious brown hair, cascading down like a waterfall, naturally extending into earrings. She was the very symbol of the Southern Sage.

Pearls falling to her shoulders were layered several times with pearls hanging on her neck, and there were no other accessories. However, that alone was perfect.

“You’re the Southern Sage.”

Amidst the voices, glances that stared at Ru and those that acknowledged her as the Southern Sage and maintained some distance intersected.

Someone would try to approach Ru, and someone else would treat her as a distant person. The new Sage had to keep the former away and the latter close.

“Mastress of Matap and the great Perseita Empire, the sun that governs, Emperor!”

The herald, who had put strength into his abdomen, shouted loudly. The nobles all bowed deeply, as if they had agreed. It was a reception held for the first time since the assassination attempt at the banquet. The nobles held their breath even more, and the Emperor shone brighter than ever.

The most powerful existence. Even Dragonlord, who had lived for six thousand years, saw an overwhelmingly majestic figure for the first time, a noble one with a mysterious power.

Everyone bowed their heads in admiration, but Dragonlord saw through that the Emperor was doing something like a male peacock. The Emperor knew very well that he was handsome. And he was using that handsome face not on the ladies who had come here to see it but on the young Sage next to Dragonlord, who was opening his eyes wide.

‘The most entertaining thing in the world is other people’s romance.’

Even after living for six thousand years, that was an unchanging truth.

Melpheus left some ceremonial words and gestured for Hayden to start the banquet roughly, but he noticed that Hayden was very conscious of Ru.

So he enjoyed it very much. It was a very interesting thing that a man admired by everyone looked awkward like a boy in front of only one woman.

“I can’t even put words together.”

“Why, still, Countess Plache’s Lady Freya, right? We’re both nobles, what’s the big deal?”

“That side must have lived for hundreds of years, right?”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll ask for a dance even if you don’t like it.”

Even among the gentlemen invited to mingle with today’s heroines below, there was a lot of noise as they approached Ru for a dance invitation.
It might be incredibly annoying for the Emperor, but in reality, the banquet wasn’t just a place for revelry, drinking, and dancing. It was also a social scene and a place where politics flowed.

“Your Majesty.”

As the attendants gradually approached to greet, they would likely congratulate on meeting the Sage and try to involve Ru in talks about diplomatic relations with the Caletta Empire. Melphius chuckled and turned to Ru.

“How about dancing with me?”

“Me? Oh, but shouldn’t you dance with Lady Ophelia first? Since she’s the host.”

It was better for the Emperor to dance with her, and it seemed like the Emperor was busy at the moment.

“Hello, Your Excellency. Nice to see you again.”

There was a gentleman who pretended to know Ru. The sharp gray eyes immediately turned towards her.

“Uh? Count Keka!”

Ru’s face brightened, and the gray eyes were completely enchanted. However, Ru was unaware of that. Perhaps she had become indifferent because she was used to receiving the gazes of men, even in a place where all the beauties gathered.

“Long time no see! How long has it been?”

“Well, it hasn’t been that long, but with so much happening, it feels like we’re meeting after a long time.”

Nirva Ambassador Felix Keka smiled warmly at Ru, pretending to be pleased to see her.

“Yeah. Even from my perspective, too much has happened.”

It had been about three months since Ru came to Perseita, and the seasons were gradually changing.

During that time, Ru’s status changed countless times. From Caletta Ambassador to Lady Freya of Plache, a remarkable lifelong knight who protected the Emperor, to the Southern Sage, as a critic said, she was “penetrating the hierarchical system of the Perseita Empire vertically.”

“Did you win the bet?”

“Oh, about Ambassador Caletta enduring for a week? I won. She held out just as promised for a week. She couldn’t endure for two weeks, so I lost that one.”

“I didn’t mention that in advance.”

It was a relationship that had lasted for less than a week when they met during the week-long ambassadorship of Caletta. In Shalea, where there were not many people she knew, he was a welcoming person.

“You’ve been invited.”

“Yes, I was invited. Actually, even most diplomats were trying to squeeze into this place.”