In fact, from the perspective of the Empire, if they were to wage a war of conquest, they could easily capture a small duchy.

However, there were complex political circumstances that prevented this from happening.

The duchy was a country founded by half-elves, and their magical power was more outstanding than anyone else’s.

Not only that,

It was also a place that had been drafted into the Empire’s continental conquest war a hundred years ago, fought admirably as part of the Empire’s alliance, and then gained the position of a neutral country.

Although small in scale, it was not a place that could be easily ignored as it possessed excellent talent and also held many natural resources.

‘Moreover, Father His Majesty has high expectations for the Mikel mine contract.’

The Crown Prince swallowed hard as he looked at Ambassador Heinrich.

The ore from the Mikel mine, mikel, was in a word a magic stone that could amplify mana.

It was said that a magician possessing a magic stone could exert more than a hundred times their ability.

As soon as the news spread that the Crown Prince had invited Ambassador Heinrich for the Mikel mine contract, the number of applicants for the position of Imperial Court Magician increased tenfold.

So he had to endure Ambassador Heinrich’s displeasing behavior for the time being.

Just as the Crown Prince’s face was about to contort, the carriage came to a timely stop.

“Your Highness, we have already arrived at the Imperial Palace.”

Ambassador Heinrich, who had come out of the carriage, looked around with an uncomfortable expression.

No matter how he thought about it, the protesters he had seen earlier bothered him.

‘Those protesters, their ears seemed somewhat pointed. Was it my imagination?’

People from the duchy could always recognize each other.

Unlike the typical continental people, they had particularly pointed ears due to their mixed elven blood.

‘But why would people from the duchy be protesting in front of the Empire? It doesn’t make sense.’

Ambassador Heinrich shook his head inwardly as he thought.

To begin with, the duchy was a closed place, and it was a location that prohibited external access except in special cases.

Moreover, he had not the slightest intention of antagonizing the Empire, especially the Imperial Palace.

Recalling his plan to sell the magic stones from the Mikel mine at the highest price possible and send talented individuals to study at the Empire’s academy, a fake smile spread across his face.

While this contract was important for the Empire, it was also a crucial matter for the duchy.

The most important thing was the development of the duchy’s technology.

However, when he entered the hall of the Imperial Palace where the celebration was to be held with the Crown Prince, he encountered a suspicious situation.

The atmosphere inside the ballroom, where his celebration was supposed to take place, was utterly chilly.

It was when the ambassador looked around the ballroom with a puzzled expression.

“How can this be? Bringing a young lady from a family that hasn’t even had her debut to the ballroom!”

“It’s unacceptable. This is truly unacceptable, Godmother.”

“The Mirmode family wasn’t even invited to the celebration!”

It was a strange scene where nobles were pressed against the walls, criticizing the people standing in the center.

Moreover, the two being criticized were a very handsome man with a cold impression and a tiny child who looked like a cute baby bird that would chirp if touched.

He had heard that this ball was held to celebrate him, the ambassador of the duchy, but for some reason, the unsettled atmosphere was uncomfortable.

Ambassador Heinrich glanced to the side and paused. He could see the Crown Prince grinding his teeth.

“Matthias Mirmode…”

The Crown Prince didn’t even seem to consider entering the ballroom. Not only that, but he also didn’t bother to look at Heinrich beside him. Heinrich cleared his throat a couple of times to draw attention.

“Is there some problem with the celebration, Your Highness?”

The Crown Prince, as if finally realizing the atmosphere, changed his expression again and whispered.

“No. Let’s go inside, Ambassador.”

Unfortunately for the Crown Prince, the atmosphere became even more solemn as they entered the ballroom.

Sien and Matthias were in the middle of bursting into happy laughter as if in their own world.

Was the problem that most of the attendees were anti-Mirmode family and pro-Crown Prince faction?

Because it was a celebration held at the Imperial Palace and the Mirmode family wasn’t expected to attend, even the Imperial Princess, who had come out for the first time in a long while, was leaning stiffly against the wall with her face hidden, breathing heavily.

Ambassador Heinrich, who had awkwardly leaned against the wall trying to converse with the Crown Prince, suddenly muttered.

“The atmosphere is a bit…”

Heinrich, who for a diplomat was unable to hide the fluctuations in his emotions, carefully moved his lips and then closed them again. The Crown Prince barely managed to put an elegant smile on his lips and muttered.

“Ah. The atmosphere is good. Even though an uninvited guest has arrived.”

No matter how uninvited a guest they might be, it was still the prestigious Mirmode family. Seeing the Crown Prince’s face tinged with discomfort, Ambassador Heinrich skillfully changed the subject.

“More importantly, I’d like to enjoy the celebration pleasantly. The orchestra’s performance is outstanding.”

At the mention of the orchestra, the Crown Prince’s expression brightened in an instant.

“Aren’t the people of the duchy of elven lineage? I don’t know if they can perform as beautifully as elves, but my younger sister, the Imperial Princess, put a lot of effort into arranging this celebration.”

“It seems Her Highness the Imperial Princess has a deep appreciation for the arts?”

“Yes, that’s right, Ambassador Heinrich. Would you like to have a conversation with my younger sister, the Imperial Princess?”

“Oh, that would be nice. After all, if they are subjects of the duchy who have inherited elven blood, they must all love artists and craftsmen.”

The Crown Prince gestured towards the Imperial Princess who had been standing silently against the wall. The Imperial Princess occasionally trembled her hands spasmodically, but to Heinrich, it didn’t seem like a serious problem.

She seemed to be gradually regaining her enjoyment as she conversed with him about the orchestra.

“Count Yoter is here as well.”

“Pleased to meet you, Ambassador Heinrich.”

“Nice to meet you, Count Yoter.”

Count Yoter, whom the Crown Prince introduced this time, was a dignified gentleman in his 50s with a splendid mustache.

There was a slimy feeling in his eyes. But Heinrich lightly dismissed it, thinking that people who run trading companies could have hardened eyes.

Rather, he thought there must be a separate reason why the Crown Prince was introducing Count Yoter.

Sure enough, the Crown Prince continued speaking while patting Count Yoter’s shoulder.

“Count Yoter here is my confidant.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“He’s also a close friend of mine. If the Mikel mine contract goes through, this friend is set to take some of the magic stones.”

At the mention of magic stones, Count Yoter’s eyes flickered with desire. Heinrich, instinctively feeling repulsed, awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth and said,

“So, what exactly does Count Yoter do?”

At that moment, Imperial Princess Anesa, who had been quiet as if she wasn’t there, quickly opened her mouth.

“Count Yoter also sells things. These days, he’s focusing on test kits.”

The Imperial Princess’s gaze turned towards the small lady in the middle of the ballroom who was holding her father’s hand. The Mirmode family, was it?

“He also does work inspecting the condition of crops. Above all, he’s establishing a paternity testing system for nobles and commoners to identify illegitimate children.”

“Oh, these are all topics of interest in our duchy as well. I knew that paternity testing research was also being done in the duchy, but it was at a standstill. It’s quite impressive that the Empire is implementing it first.”

A drawn-like smile appeared on the Imperial Princess’s lips.

“Because there are those who dare to pretend to be real when they’re fake.”

Count Yoter interjected.

“Haha, if I get the magic stones, I’ll be able to implement paternity testing right away. We could even pay some royalties to the duchy.”

True to being from the duchy, where they always view new technologies with interest, Ambassador Heinrich’s eyes sparkled as he responded.

“It truly is an exciting future to look forward to.”

But even as he shared rosy blueprints with them, Ambassador Heinrich was feeling a strange sense of discomfort.

‘Somehow, this conversation feels oddly empty.’

Moreover, the Imperial Princess’s attitude was quite suspicious. At first, she was trembling, but she seemed to have completely regained her happy smile at the point when the Crown Prince introduced Count Yoter beside him and declared that he would share the magic stones with him.

‘It’s strangely odd.’

As he was conversing while feeling this strange discomfort, the orchestra stopped.

And then he heard someone running towards him from afar with tiny steps.

It was the ten-year-old child who was in the ballroom earlier. The daughter of Mirmode, was it?

“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince, the light of the Empire! I am Sien Mirmode.”

The young lady behaved recklessly as if she didn’t know proper etiquette.

The expressions of everyone present, except for Ambassador Heinrich who was fond of young children, turned cold.

But the ten-year-old lady just stared at the Crown Prince, acting as if she didn’t notice such things.

The Crown Prince reluctantly opened his mouth to answer.

“Yes, I see the young lady of the Mirmode family. What brings you here so suddenly?”

Unfortunately, from the Crown Prince’s position, it wasn’t easy to publicly turn away a ten-year-old child inside the ballroom.

Especially if a foreign ambassador was present.

Sien Mirmode probably didn’t know this fact when she came, though.

Young Sien clapped her hands lightly, smiling innocently.

“I heard a foreign ambassador had come, so I was curious and came to see!”

It was out of the blue, but childlike. Ambassador Heinrich was kind-natured towards children. In a way that wouldn’t offend the Crown Prince, he whispered in a gentle tone.

“Ah, is that so?”

“Yes! Your ears are so cool!”

To the children of the Empire, the ears of people from the duchy with mixed elven blood must be fascinating. It would be their first time seeing them.

Ambassador Heinrich, treating the child’s curiosity as nothing special, smiled and said,

“We people of the duchy generally have pointed ears because we inherited elven blood.”

“Ah, is that really so?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s your first time seeing ears like mine, isn’t it?”

Sien tilted her head. As if she had encountered an incomprehensible puzzle.

“Hmm, that’s strange…”