The maids lowered their heads in fear of a harsh reprimand, but Floyd withdrew his hand with a smirk.

“Dealing with women is difficult. Shall we go, Princess?”

Roxiana smiled softly and placed her hand on his slightly raised arm.

As they came outside, the knights in full uniform were waiting. They were to accompany them only to the palace gates, not entering the tea party venue.

While riding in the carriage towards the palace, Floyd asked.

“How do you feel?”

“Normal.”

“Good?”

“Yes, good.”

“That’s a relief.”

“How about you? Are you alright?”

“I’m always fine. But there’s one thing that worries me. I found out this tea party is grander than we expected. Quite a lot of nobles will gather.”

“Oh my.”

“The Queen hosts and holds such a grand tea party to welcome and congratulate me? And gathering so many nobles at that?”

“The Queen seems to have an interesting plan.”

“The Queen won’t directly touch me. I’ll protect you, but you should be careful too.”

“I’ll spread my power as soon as we enter the palace. I’ll also have the spirits find out what the Queen is plotting.”

Floyd furrowed his brow.

“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. If there’s a dark mage in the palace, they might notice your power.”

“That’s even better. They’ll reveal themselves.”

“My princess is quite bold. I thought so when you declared you’d become an audacious temptress…”

“Please, that mouth of yours!”

Floyd laughed as Roxiana covered his lips, then he took her hand and lightly bit her wrist. A sweet sensation traveled up her wrist.

Shaking off the strange feeling that started from her wrist, Roxiana gently pulled her hand away and said.

“We need to make the dark mage reveal themselves to us as soon as possible. As long as Elise has the dark mage, we don’t know what unexpected events might occur…”

+++

Though chilly at night, the gentle daytime sunshine made for perfect weather to enjoy a tea party in the garden. Several tables and chairs for the party were set up in the garden where grass had begun to grow.

The occasional chirping of birds created a pastoral atmosphere, giving a peaceful feeling despite the many people present.

Most of the nobles who received Christine’s invitation attended the party. Naturally, no one would refuse an invitation when it was said that the Duke of Ratean, who was hard to meet even if one went all the way to Torkan, would be coming.

Elise wore a dress she had prepared for today. It was a splendid green dress with a voluminous skirt adorned with lots of lace. The hairpin decorating Elise’s hair, the necklace with a large jewel, and the earrings – not a single item was anything less than extravagant.

Christine, who was already seated at the head table, inwardly sneered at Elise’s gaudy appearance.

‘She’s trying so hard to intimidate Roxiana Franche. Not realizing how ridiculous she looks.’

No matter how lavishly Elise, who became Crown Princess solely through Lucas’s affection and pregnancy, dressed up, she only looked as pitiful as nouveau riche desperately trying to appear noble.

Sure enough, some noble ladies were glancing at Elise, who was more lavishly dressed than the Queen, and whispering to each other.

Birds that had been pecking at things fallen on the grass suddenly flew up, startled by Elise’s skirt hem. Lucas quickly supported Elise and whispered.

“Be careful, Elise.”

At his gentle words, Elise felt inwardly relieved.

Yes, Lucas still doesn’t know anything. And by the time he finds out something, all evidence will be gone. Ranian has never failed to do what he was ordered to do.

Feeling reassured by entrusting things to Ranian, she had the leisure to enjoy the tea party. Elise showed an elegant smile towards the noble ladies glancing at her, then sat down on the chair Lucas pulled out for her and raised her chin.

She felt Christine’s gaze but ignored it.

“I’m glad to see you looking healthy.”

Only when Christine spoke first did Elise turn to her with a smile. As if there were no old feelings at all. Not knowing that such an attitude was exactly what Christine wanted.

“Yes, Mother. Thanks to your concern.”

“That’s right, health should be the top priority when carrying a royal child.”

The people gathered here knew that the Queen greatly disliked Elise, and they were also well aware of the rumors circulating.

Therefore, they were puzzled by the seemingly good relationship between the two, but thought that perhaps they had been mistaken about something and withdrew their hostile gazes towards Elise.

The nobles who knew that Elise had been volunteering at the relief center for quite a long time thought that perhaps the Queen had softened her heart towards Elise’s selfless actions. If Elise had gained the Queen’s favor, openly antagonizing her would be dangerous.

Even though Joseph V came out to the garden and everyone who was supposed to come had arrived, Floyd and Roxiana had not yet appeared.

“Disrespectful bastard. Mother personally held this party to congratulate him, yet he’s late? Quite arrogant just for killing some monsters.”

No one agreed with Lucas’s muttered words. After all, killing monsters was indeed something to be very arrogant about.

Moreover, due to the Franche royal family incident and his marriage to Elise, Lucas’s reputation had hit rock bottom, so none of the high-ranking nobles gathered here wanted to get on his good side.

They thought that if Cazar ever returned, he might push Lucas aside and take the Crown Prince position.

At last, Floyd and Roxiana appeared.

At the entrance of the Red Tiger who exterminated monsters and the ill-fated princess, everyone stopped their conversations and watched them approach.

Roxiana walked slowly with her arm lightly linked with Floyd’s. The skirt of her dress, which had no trace of gaudiness, swayed gracefully with her steps, like flower petals fluttering in the wind.

A few strands of hair that had fallen from her updo shone like jewels in the sunlight, looking like an expensive ornament in itself.

People inwardly admired that royalty is royalty even if they’ve been exterminated, as they gazed at Roxiana’s elegant beauty as she walked slowly with a faint smile.

Lucas felt the same way.

‘Was Roxiana always this pretty?’

Lucas glanced at Elise sitting beside him.

Unlike Elise, who had become gaunt from the Queen’s harassment and various problems, Roxiana was shining as if emitting a soft light herself. Moreover, though he hadn’t paid attention earlier, their attire was also in contrast. Elise was too excessive while Roxiana was just right.

While Elise glared at Roxiana with a frown, Roxiana was looking straight ahead as if Elise wasn’t even worth noticing. As if leisurely enjoying a stroll.

While Lucas was comparing the two women, Roxiana and Floyd arrived at the empty seats. At the square table, the royal couple sat on one side, the Crown Prince couple on another, and Roxiana and Floyd were seated opposite the Crown Prince couple.

As Floyd pulled out the chair, Roxiana gave him a slight nod and sat down. Seeing this, Elise felt sick to her stomach.

‘What is she that he treats her so well?’

As Floyd also took his seat, Lucas, who had been waiting for this moment, opened his mouth.

“Isn’t it too late when Mother specially arranged this gathering because you were coming? I wonder where you learned your manners…”

“I never learned any. Where would I have had the chance? I was too busy just trying to survive.”

Most people thought he was talking about hunting monsters, but nobles who knew the royal situation well recalled the tragic incident that occurred surrounding the king’s mistress in the past Roba Palace.

Lucas also knew that incident very well, and since it wouldn’t do any good for that to come to light at a time like this, he muttered “Such bad manners…” and averted his gaze.

Seeing Lucas back down like a defeated dog, Elise felt even more irritated.

‘Why make an attack that won’t work? Just showing the composure of a Crown Prince would have been enough.’

Elise had no intention of touching Roxiana at this party. No matter how annoying, jealous, and irritating she felt, it was a situation where nothing good would come from provoking Roxiana.

Rather, it would be better to act as if there were no problems with Roxiana for now.

‘Then, Roxiana who hates me will end up making a mistake. For now, it’s important to lower Roxiana’s reputation.’

But contrary to Elise’s expectations, Roxiana had no intention of provoking or criticizing Elise. Roxiana gave a gentle smile towards Elise, who was glancing at her while sitting in her lavish attire.

‘Struggle, Elise. Struggle hard to bring me down, to appear better than me. I’ll just float by like a cloud in your sky. I might occasionally rain down, but you’ll be too busy struggling to notice you’re getting wet.’

Amidst their various thoughts, the oblivious servants moved busily, filling the nobles’ teacups with fragrant tea from the teapots. For a moment, the rich and pleasant aroma of tea filled the garden.

Joseph V was lost in thought as he looked down at the tea poured into his cup.

‘How should I treat Floyd?’

Though he was his son, he had never been a father, and it was such a long time ago. Everyone who knew that Floyd was Joseph V’s son knew, but this was the first time they were having a conversation so close since Floyd left Gania.

Although Floyd was a Grand Duke, he was also the ruler of a powerful country, so Joseph V couldn’t treat him disrespectfully. But it also felt awkward to show too much respect to the son born of his seed.

So Joseph V decided to just pretend not to notice, even as he felt Floyd’s steady gaze. After all, avoidance is the easiest solution when faced with difficult situations.