In the original work, the 1st Prince completely ignored Floria as if she didn’t exist…

‘…is what they said?’

Unlike the original work, the 1st Prince stared down at Floria, who was paying her respects to him. He tilted his head and gazed at her silently for a long time, causing Floria to be unable to straighten her waist.

Only when the 2nd Prince stepped in did his gaze shift away. Finally able to stand up straight, Floria secretly glared at the 1st Prince before quickly hiding her expression.

‘What the, why is it different from the original work?’

I tilted my head and shrugged my shoulders. It was because I made eye contact with the 1st Prince who had been staring at me. No, since he was wearing a mask, it wasn’t exactly eye contact, but it was clear he was looking at me.

‘What, what is it.’

I hid my face behind a champagne glass and slowly stepped backwards to conceal myself behind a hall pillar.

‘Has he already realized that I’m Floria’s elder sister?’

Damn it, I tried my best not to stand out.

Well, it wouldn’t be easy not to stand out wearing these clothes. I flicked the red dress with my hand and peeked my head out from behind the pillar. Then I quickly hid again.

‘Why is he still looking this way!’

Even though the king was saying something, the 1st Prince was still gazing in this direction with the same posture as before. I was sure that I had been caught.

‘No. Eventually, the fact that I’m Floria’s elder sister will reach the 1st Prince’s ears while I’m in this banquet hall, so what’s the point of hiding?’

Whether he finds out sooner or later, it’s all the same. I slowly revealed half of my body again, and fortunately, the 1st Prince had his back turned, conversing with the king. Sighing, I stepped out from behind the pillar and tilted the champagne glass to calm my startled heart, but I paused.

“Wait, I feel like I’ve experienced this somewhere before…”

As soon as Cal’s smug face popped up in my mind, I waved it away with my hand. I should think of good things when I’m already feeling troubled.

As the sun set, the banquet grew more lively. When the lively music became richer, the men and women who had lightly asked for and accepted dances filled the floor, finding their partners.

Among the seemingly happy couples, Floria and Prince Eric stood out. Whenever the two danced in the center of the floor, the pure white dress sparkled dazzlingly under the spotlight. Floria, receiving everyone’s admiration and envy, seemed like the protagonist of this banquet.

That was because the 1st Prince, who should have been the most shining protagonist in this place, was standing to the side of the hall like a bale of straw. From his tightly crossed arms, there was not a single hint of intention to dance. It felt resolute.

Although there were quite a few ladies who gazed at him with awe and sneakily threw looks of admiration, the 1st Prince didn’t budge an inch as if he couldn’t see anything.

And I was also standing blankly in the hall, just like him. The difference was that he was entirely of his own will, while I was half willingly and half unwillingly. I never intended to dance in the first place, but no one asked me to dance anyway.

Fortunately, after earlier, the 1st Prince didn’t turn his gaze towards me again. So now, my mind was preoccupied with timing when to start pretending to be drunk. I had already drunk at least six or seven glasses of champagne, so it wouldn’t be strange to say I was drunk.

‘Huh?’

As I looked around the hall, gauging the situation, I spotted an unpleasant man.

‘Damn it, why is that crazy pervert looking at me!’

Gavis Palong was staring at me while sipping wine. The way he grinned was very unpleasant. When our eyes met, Gavis put down the glass he was holding on the table. Then he started approaching me.

‘Oh no, let’s run away!’

I turned my head, pretending not to see him, and quickly left the banquet hall. Fearing he would follow me to the terrace, I rushed straight to the back garden and hid. Fortunately, there were no signs of him following. Only then could I catch my breath.

Unlike the hall where magic created a cool atmosphere, the back garden was humid. Sitting in front of an outdoor table, feeling the hot wind, I suddenly felt resentment towards Floria welling up.

“Floria, you damn wench. Of all people, you’re trying to set me up with that pervert? She seems wicked and heartless. I hope she stumbles while dancing!”

“Calling the crown princess wicked and heartless.”

Startled by the sudden intrusion of a voice, I froze, certain that I was alone in the back garden. Blinking, I realized the voice sounded familiar. My eyes met the person who revealed himself, and I frowned deeply.

‘Why is this man here again.’

“Why are you here?”

“Isn’t it natural for an attendant to be in the palace?”

Cal shrugged his shoulders. Come to think of it, he was wearing an attendant’s uniform. He was a busy man, going from guild leader to attendant, from attendant to guild leader.

“Please go on your way.”

I waved my hand, not wanting to get involved. However, Cal brazenly smiled and sat across from me.

‘Looking at him like this, his physique is really similar to the 1st Prince’s.’

It seemed like such a physique would be rare.

“I thought you were drunk, but you’re fine.”

Cal raised an eyebrow as if surprised while staring at me. Was this man also in the hall earlier? Why did he think I was drunk?

“Of course. I’m not drunk at all.”

“Then you insulted the 2nd Prince’s wife in your right mind.”

Ahem. A dry cough got caught in my throat. Cal calmly patted my back as I coughed and continued.

“I was going to let it slide if it was the alcohol talking, but insulting a royal family member in your right mind is lèse-majesté.”

I quickly twisted my body and grabbed his arm. It was time to showcase the acting skills I had honed. I blinked slowly.

“What did I say just now?”

“Hm?”

“Ah, what! I’m not drunk at all, but I can’t remember. But I’m really not drunk at all, you know?”

“Your voice is completely slurred.”

Suddenly. Cal curled his lips in amusement. He didn’t believe me at all. Well, it would be strange to believe someone who was talking fine and suddenly pretended to be drunk. But as always, if I insist, it’s a done deal. What are you going to do when I say I’m drunk? My flushed face from embarrassment would also help support my claim.

“When you’re drunk, you usually say whatever comes to mind. It’s good manners to forget what someone says when they’re drunk…”

I glanced at Cal’s expression. Judging by how he sternly said I insulted the 2nd Prince’s wife, it was clear that Cal was on Floria’s side. Rather than being dragged in front of Floria, it was better to be treated as a crazy person. I just hoped he wouldn’t change his words about letting it slide if it was the alcohol.

“But I’m not drunk. I’m really not drunk at all, not at all!”

Cal stared at me for a moment, then covered his mouth with his fist and fake coughed.

“I got it, so stop.”

“But I’m really not drunk at all…”

“There are many eyes and ears in the palace, even if they’re not visible, so be careful with your words and actions from now on.”

“…Yes. I’ll be careful.”

He didn’t believe I was drunk, but it seemed like he was going to let it slide anyway. Sighing in relief, I waited for Cal to leave. However, instead of leaving, he crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair.

“Aren’t you going? (Just go already)”

“You’re back to normal already.”

“…”

Wondering if I had to do that embarrassing act again, I rolled my eyes, and Cal chuckled.

“I have something to say.”

“Right now? (Why don’t you just go?)”

“I was going to contact you anyway, so it’s fortunate to meet you like this.”

Cal’s expression turned serious. With a somewhat hurt pride, he hesitated uncharacteristically and slowly opened his mouth.

“About the request you made.”

“Yes, what about it?”

Are you finally going to return my money?

“I failed.”

“…What? What do you mean?”

“There was an accident during the delivery. The catalog was stolen.”

What the. Who would steal a free catalog? As I gaped in disbelief, Cal frowned and rubbed his neck. Judging by his serious expression alone, one would believe he lost a diamond ring, not a catalog.

“I tried to deliver it again, but a new season’s catalog had already been released.”

He’s being conscientious in a strange way. The person who demanded 160 gold for delivering a free catalog. No, wait. If the request failed, I can get my money back!

“So, I was wondering if you have anything else to request?”

“No, I don’t.”

I cut off Cal’s words curtly.

“I’m sure there is?”

“I said no.”

Stop messing around and give me my money, you human.

“Think carefully.”

Cal gazed at me with a strange look in his eyes. It was an expression urging me to spill everything I was hiding without holding back.

…What do you know?

When I looked at him suspiciously, Cal raised an eyebrow.

“Well, if you don’t want to, fine.”

“Then when are you going to return the down payment and deposit?”

“Ah, that.”

Cal rolled his eyes. Then he spoke confidently.

“It was stolen.”

“…What did you say?”

“So I can’t return it right away, so tell me if there’s something else you want to request.”

What, how can you say that so confidently? Moreover, his relaxed attitude as he leaned back in the chair was quite absurd.

“Stop joking around and tell me when you’ll give it back.”

“I told you someone stole it.”

This guy… Despite my glare, Cal just shrugged his shoulders. I wanted to grab his collar and shake him so badly.

“If you insist, then at least take this.”

Cal dangled a bracelet with a purple gemstone.

“This may not look like much, but it’s quite expensive. I’ll return the money soon, so hold onto this for now.”

Cal gestured with his eyes for me to hold out my hand. However, I shook my head and hid my hands behind my back, thinking he would just throw me a mere bracelet and call it even.