I couldn’t understand what kind of logic it was, but a noble who approached timidly greeted the Imperial Princess.

The Imperial Princess responded brightly, exchanged some words, and then turned her back on me.

“Think about it carefully. Understand? Then, see you next time, Madam.”

Leaving only a request and a nod.

I muttered as I watched the Imperial Princess’s back moving away.

“It’s chaotic.”

“Indeed. But…”

“Hm?”

“Did you agree to become friends with Prince Joshua?”

Ah. That’s right. I hadn’t told Dante.

For some reason, agreeing to be friends with the imperial family felt like betraying Dante, so I had kept it a secret.

Thanks to the Imperial Princess blurting it out and leaving, there was no point in keeping it secret anymore.

I nodded with an awkward smile.

“It just happened that way. Are you concerned because they’re royalty?”

“No. It’s not because they’re royalty…”

Not because of that?

However, instead of continuing, Dante avoided my gaze.

Could he be upset?

That could be. The male lead tends to be more sensitive than expected.

I hurriedly whispered to Dante as if making an excuse.

“Still, you’re number one in my heart, Dante.”

“Is that really true?”

“Of course.”

“Then, what rank is the Prince?”

Huh? Why is he curious about that?

Still, since he asked, I pondered the answer.

Hmm. Mari and Siena are tied for second. Barhan is fourth. Heterson is fifth. Markops is sixth. Ena is seventh. For now, that’s the ranking that comes to mind…

“Maybe around 8th or 9th? Possibly even lower.”

Dante nodded slightly upon hearing my answer. Somehow, he seemed satisfied.

What’s this about?

Ah. But that’s not what’s important right now.

“More importantly, did you see earlier? Me winning.”

Didn’t I proudly achieve victory in the fight with the Prince?

I couldn’t help but boast, feeling proud of myself.

“I saw. You won decisively, Madam.”

“Right? From now on, if the Prince picks a fight, let me know. I’ll make it 100 wins out of 100 fights.”

“That’s reassuring.”

We looked at each other and nodded lightly.

“If anyone gives you a hard time, tell me too.”

“Will Dante scold them for me?”

“Yes. I’ll at least win 10 out of 10 fights.”

Why does his 10 out of 10 feel more reassuring than my 100 out of 100?

I smiled, burying my forehead into Dante’s shoulder.

“I’ll trust you.”

Somehow, a smile spread across my face.

I became certain that this ballroom had bad energy not long after that.

I had already dealt a blow to the First Prince, so I was thinking it might be time to head back…

“Serpina.”

A dreadful voice held me back. I turned around creakily.

There stood Count Adeline, his wife, and Laura.

The three of them greeted me as if we were truly an affectionate family.

Throughout my awkward and stiff expression with my mouth shut, they shamelessly pretended to be family.

The reason for acting so friendly now was obvious.

They must have become greedy seeing that I was getting along well with Duke Richter.

Fortunately, I didn’t feel as afraid as before.

Only extreme displeasure dominated my entire body.

After keeping me standing there for a while and chattering among themselves, the three of them bid farewell with seemingly regretful expressions.

“We must be going now. But when do you plan to invite us to your home? As a mother, I should visit where my daughter lives at least once.”

I responded to the nauseating act with silence.

The Countess, arbitrarily interpreting this as agreement, said she would soon write a letter with a suitable date before leaving with the Count and Laura.

Only after they disappeared from sight could I finally exhale the breath I had been holding.

“So it was them.”

“…What do you mean?”

“The people who frightened Serpina.”

Dante’s eyes were filled with anger as he said that.

If looks could kill, those three would already be corpses.

Seeing Dante get angry on my behalf somehow made me feel comforted.

I nodded with a smile.

“That’s right. It’s them. The nightmare I find terrifying.”

“There’s no need to invite them.”

“No. I don’t want to invite them. I hate the idea of inviting them.”

Of course, they’re not the type to stay away just because I don’t invite them.

But at least I won’t invite them with my own hands.

I don’t want to receive them as guests.

‘Uninvited intruders’

If they set foot in the Richter estate, that’s the only position they’d be allowed.

I took another deep breath and let go of Dante’s hand.

“I’m going to get some fresh air for a moment.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No, I want to clear my head alone. I’ll be back soon.”

Dante hesitated for a moment before nodding with a sullen expression.

What is there to be so anxious about when we’re just separating for a bit?

It’s not like I’m a three-year-old child. Or is it the opposite?

“I’ll really be back soon, so stay here. Even if someone offers you candy, don’t follow them. Understand?”

After leaving these words of caution, I headed towards an empty balcony located in the corner.

Ah. It’s refreshing.

Maybe it was because I came to an open space, but it felt like I could breathe easier.

I could feel my troubled mind gradually settling down.

Even under the dark night sky, the well-maintained imperial garden was visible at a glance.

Tsk. Seeing that makes me miss the Richter mansion even more.

I wanted to return to the north quickly. I wanted to check how much the potato field had grown and spend some meaningless time with everyone.

That’s when it happened.

Rustle.

I heard the sound of the curtain being drawn back, which I had closed to signify it was in use.

Is it Dante?

He might have rushed over, unable to wait even for that short time. He’s really something.

“Come on, I said I’d be back soon…”

As I turned around with a wry smile, I couldn’t help but freeze.

The person before me was unexpected.

“…Julia?”

“You know me.”

The veiled woman responded to the name I had guessed.

The woman, Julia, naturally closed the balcony curtain and stood in front of me.

I was dumbfounded.

“I didn’t invite you in.”

“I tend not to ask for permission for things I won’t be permitted to do.”

“Ah. You’re much more unreasonable than I thought. Well. That’s why you can betray people so easily.”

With no one else around, I openly took a confrontational stance.

“It seems you have negative feelings towards me.”

“It’s because my husband dislikes you. Isn’t my husband’s enemy my enemy?”

“…You two really seem to get along well.”

“Yes. Exceptionally well. It might seem inadequate compared to the love of the century that you and the Prince are having.”

The response was silence.

Through the veil, I caught a glimpse of tightly sealed lips.

“If you have nothing to say, why don’t you leave now?”

“May I offer some advice?”

…What do they call this again?

Group monologue, was it?

When people just say what they want to say. I shook my head in disbelief.

“No. Please don’t. I’m not the type who likes receiving advice from just anyone.”

“If you truly love the Duke, it would be better to give up.”

“I said I don’t want to hear it, yet you insist. Are you peculiar?”

“Duke Richter is not a good partner to love.”

“I see. You just can’t hear what I’m saying?”

Right. If you don’t like the temple, the monk should leave.

I shrugged and walked past the woman.

“I’m saying this for your own good.”

This ballroom really seems to have bad energy.

I’m worried we might need to call a shaman to perform an exorcism or something.

“Remember my advice. Don’t create something you’ll regret later.”

…What on earth is she saying?

I ignored what sounded like repeated advice or nonsense behind my back as I left the balcony.

And from there, I immediately grabbed Dante’s hand and left the ballroom as if fleeing.

Even though it wasn’t hot, sweat was pouring down my back.

“Remember my advice. Don’t create something you’ll regret later.”

It felt like Julia’s voice was still lingering behind me.

Why did she have to speak in such a desperate voice for no reason?

I shuddered with displeasure. Nevertheless, the voice that had once clung to me wouldn’t easily let go.

“…I missed it so much.”

The chilly air of the north.

The potato field oddly situated among the gardens.

The sturdy-built people of the Richter mansion.

I missed everything so, so much.

“Was the hunting festival that bad? For something like that, it seems you enjoyed it properly.”

Mari tilted her head, looking at me sprawled out.

I buried myself in the cozy bed and waved my hand dismissively.

“Don’t even mention it. That place has bad energy. We need to call someone to perform an exorcism.”

“What? What’s an exorcism?”

“It’s something. You’re better off not knowing.”

Ugh. This feels so good.

My heart felt at ease as if I had finally returned home. It’s funny.

In fact, if we count the duration of stay, the time spent in the north is the shortest.

I don’t know why this place feels the most comfortable.

As I lay there languidly, Mari placed a warm hot water bottle between my stomach.

“What’s this? It feels so nice.”

I groaned, hugging the warm bottle tightly, and Mari let out a small laugh.