Delegations from various countries, royalty, and key dignitaries of Pedroc were given priority.

The order of entry was used by the king as a means to exercise control over the nobility.

The invited VIPs assessed others based on their order of entry, gauging their power and worth.

‘Whether they’re someone to keep by my side or not. They’ll judge if they can be of help in business too.’

Elise recalled the days when she used to be among the first nobles to enter.

Was it when she was 26 years old in spring?

Before regression, it was three years ago; after regression, it became a memory from seven years ago, a bittersweet thought crossing her face.

“You were here.”

A pleasant voice reached Elise as she was about to sink into gloomy thoughts.

Then, other murmurs began to be heard.

“Is that the barbarian?”

“They will hear you. It’s the prince. But I thought the rumors were exaggerated; he’s actually quite well-built.”

Elise raised her head at the snide remarks tinged with envy and jealousy. Karan extended his hand to her.

“I thought about fetching you from the mansion, but waited here instead, expecting you would come to me soon.”

Karan paused for a moment, looking around.

Those who met his gaze quickly looked away and fell silent.

A sharp aura emanated from him.

“You have been through a lot.”

The silence around them deepened as Karan finished speaking.

The hardship Karan referred to was not just physical.

Elise, trying to ease his burden, smiled lightly and took his hand.

“Wait, Your Highness!”

Elise quickly stopped Karan as he was about to greet her, as he did when they met at the café.

Karan, halfway through bowing, looked at Elise, their eyes leveling.

“No need for formalities, Your Highness. Why are you here, anyway? You don’t need to stand in line.”

Karan was a foreign dignitary officially invited by Pedroc.

Naturally, his turn to enter should have been much earlier.

“Didn’t I tell you earlier? I intended to fetch you. I plan to enter with you, but is it uncomfortable for you?”

“Enter together?”

“Since we’re to be married. I heard in Pedroc, those about to marry enter together.”

There were no particular formalities in Titris’s social circles.

Therefore, Elise didn’t expect Karan to adhere to Pedroc’s customs.

This extended to her decision to enter the party alone.

Entering alone was not just about respecting Titris’s culture, but also for Karan’s sake.

‘It’s Karan’s first day showing himself in Pedroc. It’s inevitable to be the talk of the town, but there’s no need to stir people up intentionally.’
She could foresee that entering with Karan would focus attention solely on their gossip rather than Karan as a person.

“Your Highness, please go ahead and enter first. I’m fine.”

Elise’s firm refusal caused Karan’s facial muscles to tense.

“Do you dislike entering with me?”

“That’s not it.”

“Are you embarrassed by my appearance?”

“No, not at all.”

Elise strongly denied it. Today, Karan looked exceptionally dashing.

His formal attire, tailored from who knows where, accentuated his lean yet robust figure, and his normally covered forehead was exposed, making his handsome features stand out.

“Then, it must be my lack, after all.”

He misinterpreted Elise’s intention.

“Karan, you’re misunderstanding it deeply. It’s me who’s lacking for you. My decision not to enter with you today is because…”

“Elise, the only words I want to hear are ‘I will enter with you’. I’d prefer if you didn’t say anything else.”

His overly firm attitude was unfamiliar.

Elise remained silent, and Karan stood next to her, holding her hand as if the wait was not bothersome at all, even wearing a relaxed smile.

In the meantime, the line had shortened a bit.

“We should be able to enter in about thirty minutes.”

Karan calculated, to which Elise sighed.

A prince of Titris standing in line with those without titles or heirs to their families seemed like the worst outcome for his sake.

‘This is the worst. Then, I have to choose the lesser evil.’

Elise lightly shook Karan’s hand.

Karan, who had been looking ahead, turned his head.

“Let’s go.”

Upon Elise’s word, Karan smiled. His smile was as splendid as a painting.

When Elise and Karan appeared at the entrance of the grand banquet hall, a momentary silence fell.

It felt like an overt criticism.

Elise worried that Karan’s feelings might be hurt.

But Karan kept a faint smile on his lips.

Elise found herself admiring Karan’s resilience anew.

“His Highness, Karan Lysander, Prince of Titris.”

Hartvin presented the invitation to the administrative officer managing the entrance.

The officer placed the invitation in a small box, and a flash of light emanated from within.

The blue light proved the authenticity of Karan’s invitation.

“Please come in, Your Highness.”

The officer bowed respectfully, and the heavy doors of the banquet hall opened.

Ten elaborately dressed royal guards raised their swords in unison, signaling the start of the entrance music.

Everyone’s gaze turned towards the entrance of the hall.

“We are quite late.”

Elise commented calmly under the scrutiny of dozens of pairs of eyes.

“Yes, I had some business to attend to.”

What could that have been?

Karan didn’t seem like someone who would break a promise.

Noticing Elise’s puzzled look, Karan slightly leaned towards her.

“The welcome greetings in Titris were a bit rough. I just loosened up a bit.”

Hearing this only added to the mystery, but Elise couldn’t inquire further.

“It’s been a while, Elise.”

Chase, who had entered earlier, approached them.