“I don’t like those two people.”

Loren Logia grumbled discontentedly, bringing a pile of books related to high society from the inner bookshelf.

The waning crescent moon, gently closed, hung in a corner of the night sky, faintly illuminating the study desk.

Kasallin, flipping through an open book, asked Loren why she felt that way.

“I mean, as soon as you entered the palace, they rushed in and openly acted like they were the mistress of the imperial household.”

“Well, considering she’s His Majesty’s aunt and holds a prominent place in Renell Empire’s high society, I think she has enough influence to meddle.”

The question is, what does she hope to gain from it?

As if voicing Kasallin’s inner thoughts, Loren shook her head with a serious expression.

“In my opinion, she definitely has some ulterior motive. Offering to help select the maids this time—doesn’t it mean she ultimately wants to place her own people?”

“That’s probably true.”

“Aren’t you worried?”

“As a candidate for empress from a foreign land, I think it’s a natural process I have to endure. Above all, I rose to this position solely by His Majesty Parnes’s choice, without any support from the noble ministers.”

Kasallin replied nonchalantly, picking up the next volume.

A flash of admiration crossed Loren’s face.

“No matter what schemes she has or what intentions she approaches with, I’ll use and manage her in my own way. From now on, I’ll take control of Renell Empire’s high society, which her hands have touched everywhere. That’s the kind of resolve needed to qualify as an empress of a great nation, isn’t it?”

“Wow… That’s impressive.”

“It wasn’t meant to sound boastful. Just let it slide.”

Having said all she needed to, Kasallin, now belatedly embarrassed, focused on her book again.

Loren, peeking from behind, glanced at the book she was reading.

“Are you studying for the tea party scheduled for this week?”

“Yes.”

The book she was reading, Guide to Renell Empire’s Social Norms and Imperial Etiquette, wasn’t something Kasallin had specially ordered but was already in the Empress’s Palace.

Judging by the worn cover, it was likely something the Dowager Empress had read and studied in her youth.

For a woman who ran a small inn in a quiet rural village, far from high society or noble circles, how overwhelming it must have been to open this book for the first time.

How many tears must a girl who grew up running through vast forests and fields have shed to endure the glamorous battlefield of the imperial court?

“But you were already a recognized lady in the Kan Kingdom. Do you really need to read this?”

“I thought at first that it would be mostly similar to the Kan Kingdom, but I was completely wrong. The way to host a ball, the order of seating guests at the table, even the way to eat food—everything is different. I still have a mountain of things to study.”

“But don’t overdo it. Shall I make you some warm herbal tea?”

Kasallin gave a slight smile to Loren and said she’d be grateful if she did.

She left with an enthusiastic air.

The tea party, to be held in a few days.

It would likely mark Kasallin’s unofficial debut into Renell Empire’s high society.

As it was her first time meeting the noblewomen of the capital, Grandzer, getting off to a good start was of utmost importance.

Rubbing her increasingly heavy eyelids, Kasallin gathered her strength and picked up her pen again.

“This is the last ledger for you to review. You’ve worked hard today.”

Ludwig said, neatly gathering and organizing the scattered documents.

Having started at dawn and only finishing all state affairs after darkness fell, Parnes stood up and grabbed his coat.

One might expect him to collapse onto the sofa or at least take a moment with a glass of wine, but without any hint of human laziness, he headed toward the Empress’s Palace.

He thought he’d have to find a way to move either the Empress’s Palace here or the Emperor’s Palace there.

“I greet His Majesty, the sky and sun of the great Renell Empire. What brings you here at this late hour?”

Mrs. Dawson, who had been informed of the Emperor’s approach and hurried to greet him, said.

“Is Kasallin inside?”

“Yes. She’s in the small study on the second floor. She’s been studying continuously for the past four hours.”

“Until this hour?”

Parnes’s calm brow furrowed with displeasure.

Dismissing Mrs. Dawson and Ludwig, who were about to guide him to the study, he climbed the stairs alone.

Standing before the door where faint light seeped through the crack, he hesitated to knock and quietly turned the handle.

A small back, slumped over the desk, rose and fell with regular breathing.

Crossing the room without making a sound, Parnes stood still for a while, listening to her soft breathing.

As if it were the sweetest music, he tilted his ear toward it before his gaze shifted to the book under her hand.

His eyes traced the lengthy title, Guide to Renell Empire’s Social Norms and Imperial Etiquette.

“You always try too hard.”

It would be nice if you relied on me a bit more.

Swallowing the words lingering on his lips, Parnes carefully lifted her to avoid waking her.

Compared to when he first brought her to the Renell Empire, she had gained some weight, and he felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Crossing to the bedchamber, Parnes gently laid her on the bed and pulled the covers over her.

It seemed she hadn’t been sleeping properly in this unfamiliar environment.

As he touched her cheek, still in deep sleep with no sign of waking, a warm sensation flowed through him.

“It’s alright, Kasallin.”

No one will dare hold their head high before you.

Parnes whispered softly, brushing her lips with his fingertips.

Her innocent sleeping face was enough to awaken the greed buried deep within his unconscious.

Kissing her forehead gently, Parnes folded his desire-filled impulses and tucked them deep into a box.

As if the heavens were lending a hand this time, the morning of the tea party dawned exceptionally bright.

Since they would be drinking tea in the greenhouse and sharing snacks, Kasallin chose a dress with narrow sleeves and light fabric.

Having finished preparing, she walked briskly with Loren to the glass greenhouse, the appointed venue for the tea party.

Upon entering, lush flowers and ferns, like a summer in a distant southern land, greeted her first, and faint voices mingled from within.

“Oh, there she comes.”

Duchess Rudo, the first to spot Kasallin, stood up, and the other noblewomen who had arrived earlier followed suit.

The most difficult and crucial moment of first greetings.

As the well-trained daughter of a marquis, Kasallin flashed a polished, practiced social smile.

She greeted each person warmly, shaking hands with genuine delight.

“It’s truly a pleasure to be invited to such an honorable occasion on this lovely spring day, Miss Kasallin Robepon.”

“That’s what I wanted to say. It’s my first time, so there may be shortcomings, but I hope it will be an enjoyable time.”

“Shortcomings? How humbly you speak.”

Most of the noblewomen smiled pleasantly and nodded in agreement.

The atmosphere was better than expected.

Even Loren, who had been tense and pale since yesterday, looked visibly relieved.

“The black tea has a very unique flavor. Is it from the Kan Kingdom?”

A noblewoman sitting across from Kasallin asked.

With strikingly large lips and a prominent mole beside her nose, she was Viscountess Rondo.

She was the most talkative and active at the gathering, but it seemed she hadn’t yet been admitted to Duchess Rudo’s salon.

It was obvious she was trying harder to impress Duchess Rudo than Kasallin.

“No, it’s imported from the eastern part of the Renell Empire.”

“Oh, is it? It tastes distinctly different from the black tea we usually drink, so I was curious.”

Emphasizing “we,” Viscountess Rondo seemed intent on reminding everyone that Kasallin was from the Kan Kingdom.

There was likely some intent to exclude the foreigner.

This much was expected.

“I’ve long wanted to travel to the Kan Kingdom. I greatly respect their culture.”

“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to make time to visit. It could broaden your perspective.”

Viscountess Rondo, perhaps displeased by the response, showed a faint hint of irritation in her eyes.

It wasn’t exactly a wrong thing to say, so why the expression?

Sipping tea with jasmine petals, Kasallin shifted to another topic with another noblewoman.

However, Viscountess Rondo didn’t seem inclined to let Kasallin enjoy the tea party in peace.

“By the way, the engagement banquet is coming up soon. The palace will be busy for a while. His Majesty the King of the Kan Kingdom will attend, won’t he, Miss Robepon?”

Seizing the moment, Viscountess Rondo deliberately brought up Shallen, directing the question pointedly at Kasallin.

She wasn’t asking out of ignorance or curiosity.

She simply wanted to dredge up the complicated rumors and past surrounding Kasallin to make everyone question her suitability as an empress.

Most of the others, loyal followers of Duchess Rudo, were no different.

Including Duchess Rudo, no one at the gathering actively tried to stop or reprimand Viscountess Rondo.

It was a predictable development.

Those who followed Duchess Rudo likely expected Isabella to become empress, as it would benefit them.

“If I get upset and make a mistake here, I’d be playing right into their hands. I need to respond appropriately and move on.”

Kasallin calmly suppressed her emotions and opened her mouth to deftly handle the situation.

But she overlooked one thing.

“How can you all be so unfair to our lady?”

She had momentarily forgotten Loren’s fiery personality, unable to tolerate injustice.