I examined the enchanted bracelet on my wrist.

The location displayed on the tracker had changed.

From the alley to the palace.

The prophet’s location was now indicated from where I was to the main palace, not far from there, where the Empress was.

‘I wasn’t exposed.’

I felt a sense of relief.

“Let’s see what brings you here today.”

I headed straight to where the Empress was. Since it was connected to the outdoor banquet venue, there were quite a few noble ladies who had come to greet the Empress at every corner on the way.

“What’s going on that the young men are so excited?”

“Isn’t it because they’re so beautiful that the men rush like that? Could it be because of their skills?”

“Probably.”

They exchanged unfamiliar conversations while stopping to greet me. I reciprocated briefly with greetings. As I tried to ascend to the floor where the Empress was, the ladies continued to come down in succession.

‘The Empress must have summoned the ladies because of the prophet.’

Otherwise, there was no way so many ladies would return at once.

However, as soon as I reached the floor with the Empress’s reception room, I realized that my thoughts were wrong.

It was bustling with loud and coarse voices.

The hallway was filled with men.

When I saw those men, I instantly understood what the conversation among the ladies earlier was about.

“What’s going on?”

It was a rare scene. Instead of elderly nobles, all of them were young knights of my age. In the middle, there were also nobles who had inherited their titles.

There was no reason for them to come to see the Empress, not the Emperor, and I didn’t need to wait for the prophet here now that I could track the location.

“I should go back.”

Just as I was about to turn around without hesitation.

“Huh?”

I made direct eye contact with someone in the crowd in front of the reception room door.

Thinking they recognized me, I gave a short nod to greet them and tried to leave. However, the man shouted when he saw me.

“Your Highness, the Grand Princess!”

Starting with that shout, every man’s head turned.

I involuntarily took a step back.

“Grand Princess!”

“Is it really… really the Grand Princess?”

“How is she here? Is this fate?”

The expressions of those looking at me weren’t serious.

Did they know me? No, no one had ever revealed their identity.

But from their gazes, it seemed like each person had a deep story with me.

I hesitated and gave a courteous greeting.

“Uh, hello?”

Trying to appear casual, I awkwardly smiled. However, the response from them was significant.

“The Grand Princess greeted us!”

“Ugh.”

Somewhere, a crying sound was heard. I felt like I was the only one who didn’t understand what was going on here.

Awkwardly smiling, I approached them and asked, “Did you all come to see the Empress?”

“No!”

They all answered at once. The knights’ voices were so thunderous that I felt dazed.

“If you have any questions, please ask me. I’m Nox.”

Nox, a man, said gently. Then others also introduced themselves. However, with several voices overlapping, it was hard to hear their names clearly.

“Oh… I see. Nice to meet you all.”

I pretended to understand, laughing.

“By the way, why are you all here? You should go to watch the swordsmanship competition soon.”

“That’s right. Your Highness.”

Nox spoke.

“There’s news that a skilled prophet has come to see the Empress right now.”

A prophet?

“These days, business hasn’t been going well, and everyone was feeling frustrated. We wanted to have some expectations, so we came here without any shame to see the Empress. Perhaps she might foresee our future.”
“I don’t usually do this. However, just for today. Since it’s a victory prayer event. Wouldn’t it be a good celebration if a skilled prophet shows off their abilities?”

They spoke loudly enough to be heard by the Empress.

“The prophet seems to be famous even in the capital.”

“Of course. It’s not every day that a prophet appears. The rumors have already spread through society. Moreover, they haven’t revealed their identity unless it’s in front of Empress, so the mystery deepens, and everyone is going crazy to see the prophet.”

All of them were members of a self-proclaimed prestigious family. If they continue to inquire about the prophet’s identity in society, it would be challenging to refuse, even for the Empress.

‘Even if I don’t reveal it, the robe should come off on its own.’

The prophet sister.

“Did Grand Princess also come after hearing about the prophet’s rumor?”

“No, I came to inform Empress that the swordsmanship competition will start soon.”

I stepped back.

There was no need for me to step forward. If I exposed myself here, the Empress would surely be suspicious of me.

I took the opportunity with the enchantment and contacted them; that was enough.

“Then I hope you all meet the prophet and get good answers.”

I smiled politely, hoping they would help remove the prophet’s robe.

“Yes!”

A loud response came from behind.

With that momentum, they seemed to be able to reveal the prophet’s identity immediately.