The news that Teresa had become the Crown Prince’s maid spread quickly.

My father was even grateful enough to send me a letter.

He seemed to have had a hard time because of the matters with the Menisil family.

“Indeed, treat them well when they’re around.”

It was true that my father had been neglectful of the Menisil family.

Should I call it the vulgar abrupt wealth of a suddenly prospered lowerclass family?

But at least this was different from the original work, and I was glad for it.

In the original, the relationship between the two families had deteriorated to an irreparable extent.

Because of that, Maximilian couldn’t even attend Teresa’s funeral.

“No, let’s stop thinking like this.”

I shook off the negative thoughts and watched Teresa’s back as she toured the Imperial Palace.

She was still alive.

“Your Highness, there is the Crown Prince.”

“Huh? Ah.”

Nathaniel was walking with a deeply furrowed expression, as if something was on his mind.

“Nathaniel!”

I waved my hand frantically, calling his name, and he turned his head towards me.

Seeing Teresa and me, he approached us.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, it’s been a long time.”

Nathaniel accepted Teresa’s greeting and then looked at me.

“What are you doing wandering around?”

“I was guiding Teresa around the palace.”

“You?”

The fact that I was directionally challenged was a public secret.

I had been caught lost and wandering in the Imperial Palace several times.

“I… I don’t get lost anymore.”

“Jaina, your neck is red.”

At Nathaniel’s casual remark, I almost screamed.

“It looks like it’s going to burst now.”

“Let’s go see the work.”

As I pushed him away with my elbow, Nathaniel obediently retreated, laughing.

He bent over and whispered in my ear.

“See you at dinner.”

I stood still, caught off guard by the sudden whisper, and Nathaniel went on his way.

Touching the spot where his gentle lips had touched, I suddenly realized that Teresa was next to me.

“Hmm.”

“Eek, what?”

Teresa jabbed me in the side with a knowing grin.

“You seem to be doing well lately?”

“What, what?”

“With the Crown Prince, I mean. You two seem to have become quite close.”

“Oh, well…”

We were getting along.

Contrary to my fears, Nathaniel was quite affectionate. But that was all.

At my vague response, Teresa said with a stern expression.

“Your Highness has always been like this. Very interested in others’ feelings and affairs, always meddling, but with no interest in your own feelings.”

“Are you calling me dull now?”

She had spoken indirectly, but that was what she meant.

Teresa smiled slyly and took my hand.

“That’s part of Her Highness’s charm, but maybe it’s time to take care of your feelings too? You two really suit each other, and it’s clear to me that you like each other.”

She looked genuinely pleased as she smiled brightly.

I became lost in thought at Teresa’s words.

To me, Nathaniel was just a man I happened to have married.

Sometimes he was cute when he took on the form of a little dragon.

It felt like raising a puppy.

That was all.

My lips were pouting when Cassian came running over with a pale face.

“Cassian, you shouldn’t run in the palace…”

“Your Highness, something terrible has happened!”

Before I could scold him, Cassian pulled us towards the reception room.

He closed the door and even sent out the maids before whispering softly.

“Did you hear that story?”

“What story?”

“They’ve made a law that allows a concubine into the Imperial family.”

For a moment, I wondered what Cassian was talking about.

A concubine?

This country had adopted a monogamy system.

So I never had to worry about concubines…

“What nonsense is that?”

“Why, there was a temporary national assembly recently, right? That’s when the matter was raised, led by Count Trevia.”

Only then did I realize why the Empress had said she would regret it.

And why she wanted to put Groban Youngae as my maid.

“Isn’t the Empress herself at a loss? In fact, it seems more likely that the Emperor would take a concubine before the Crown Prince.”

“Your Highness, we have to do something!”
“It must be that desperate.”

For some reason, the Empress seemed quite sincere about this matter.

It meant that just because they did not accept the Grand Princess as a maid, it was not something that could be easily passed over.

“It’s not set in stone yet, so I think it’s best to calm down and watch for now.”

Teresa grabbed my hand and comforted me.

The anxiety that I thought had disappeared began to rise again.

(This is a time separator.)

Soon after, the Empress, as if waiting, called me and forced an issue.

“A debutante ball?”

“Yes. Sadly, Diana couldn’t have a debutante ball, could she? Since the debut age will pass this year, I’m thinking of gathering young ladies of similar age to hold a debutante ball.”

It was an absurd story.

It was impossible to gather young ladies for a debutante ball at the end of the season in midsummer.

“It seems to be a bit rushed, how about waiting for the little season in the fall?”