I usually wear a hat with a wide brim, and I tightly tie the ribbon to prevent the hat from easily coming off.

“Even if you cover your face, beauty cannot be hidden.”

Hertian praised me generously, whether he knew my feelings or not.

“I know too!”

But now, covering my burnt face seemed urgent.

My fingers itched. Lips, unintentionally brought closer, tingled as if touched by something hot.

Although Hertian’s words seemed like a joke, in any case, it was as if he himself had placed the fingers that touched his lips on my lips.

‘I’m embarrassed.’

What if Hertian saw my foolish face?

I sat crouched in place, hiding in the bushes with my hat pulled down. While doing so, Hertian approached and brushed off the leaves stuck to my hat.

“Did it make you uncomfortable?”

He asked softly.

“No!”

I looked at him with squinted eyes. Rather than being uncomfortable, it was embarrassing.

I was worried that my reaction might make him uncomfortable.

“I just wore the hat to cover my face. Hertian, come sit here quickly. You’re tall, so you’ll be visible.”

I pulled the hat, slightly grabbing his sleeve.

Actually, Hertian’s appearance stood out more than mine. It was not the appearance that could be covered by the bushes. I realized his perfection more during my time in the palace. It was to the extent that passing maids and even courtiers would glance at him once.

“You’re focusing on your face.”

I poked a hole in the wide fallen leaves on the ground and handed it to him.

As small as my face was, the leaves fit perfectly to cover his face.

“I think it should be the lady who needs to cover her face more than me.”

Hertian placed it over my face again.

“I have a hat, so I’m fine.”

“Beauty cannot be hidden by a hat.”

Right.

Then, let’s both wear it.

I covered my face with leaves and handed the newly made one to Hertian. With satisfaction, he covered my face with the leaf mask.

Once settled, I checked the enchanted bracelet.

“The marker keeps moving.”

While Hertian changed into new clothes.

The marker that pointed to the empress’s reception room had moved to a different location.

I left the reception room, wandered around the palace, and took my place where the marker was pointing.

A prophet would appear here soon.

I couldn’t predict how she would appear.

Because it moved along with Violet’s mark.

“Are you worried?”

Hertian asked as I held my breath, trying to suppress my dry cough.

“Yes.”

I answered briefly, exhaling.

“Are you afraid because you might be the Grand Duchess?”

“Yes.”

I gave the same answer again.

Violet was nowhere to be found.

Although Sharpenan Ghas names were all listed on the participant list, Violet’s appearance could not be seen today.

Even Habell didn’t know where she was.

Therefore, fear turned into a growing lump.

“I think not.”

But knowing the original, I trusted Violet more than anyone.

I also had a conviction that the certainty, as large as the fear, was not Violet.

“Then it must be not.”

Hertian silently supported me, wearing the leaf mask securely, facing me squarely.

Soon, the marker approached.

My breath automatically became faster.

If I took a few more steps, someone would pass through between those columns.

Soon, the sound of footsteps could be heard.

Holding my breath, I waited for someone to pass through here.

Would they disappear if I closed my eyes? I opened my eyes wide and looked ahead.

Soon, beneath the grand columns of the palace, a figure in a black robe appeared.

“The prophet.”

She wore a black robe and walked briskly somewhere.
I shifted my body deeper and followed her gaze as she moved.

She stopped in front of a door.

‘Did she notice?’

Fortunately, she turned her body toward the door.

After glancing around, she entered the room.

I immediately turned on the enchantment.

On the map, I only saw a stopped marker.

“What are you doing here?”

“This… is a palace used only for receiving guests.”

“This time, the event is held outdoors, so the powder room is nearby.”

At that moment, a faint memory came to mind.

There was a space for children right next to here.

A place for young nobles or heirs, a space for caregivers.

As it was a long-lasting event, such a space was essential, and I remembered the map marked by the deputy director instead of the palace.

“We prepared a resting space for children.”

But both the prophet and Violet had no reason to be here.

While Hertian and I were looking for the reason, the door opened again.

And looking at the person coming out of the door, I couldn’t help but be shocked.

‘That’s…’

The one who revealed herself was a girl with purple hair that reached her waist.

“Violet…”

It was her.

As if hiding her face inside the robe, she walked forward smoothly and shouted when she saw someone.

“Father!”

At the end, Duke Sharpenen spotted his daughter and rushed to her in a few steps.

“Where have you been? Your husband and I looked so hard for you.”

“I’m sorry. I got lost while touring the palace.”

“You came to the palace more than once, and how could you get lost?”