From afar, I could see Medea standing under the platform where the Emperor’s seat was located.

She was looking at me too.

“Everyone’s staring at us,” Brand muttered, puffing up with pride.

I didn’t take my eyes off Medea, and neither did she. After a moment, she turned her head as a group of nobles approached her.

The social flower, the pure and clear White Duchess.

That was the nickname given to Medea by the Emperor.

“Esdel, look over there. Those ladies are all staring at us.”

I glanced at Brand, who was gesturing subtly towards the Duke and Archadia beyond.

Indeed, a group of noble ladies was staring our way – or rather, at the Duke and Archadia.

‘They’re too obvious with their infatuation.’

It felt strange to be accompanying such handsome superiors.

It was like watching cats admiring black and white wolves.

Suddenly, the crowd started buzzing.

Soon after, a woman appeared from behind the long curtains under the platform, accompanied by a noble couple.

Her rich, vibrant green hair stood out even from afar, complementing her strikingly pale skin.

‘That’s her.’

The woman claiming to be the Emperor’s granddaughter.

She saw Medea surrounded by people and slowly walked towards her. The crowd parted as if making way for her.

The woman, approaching Medea, gently lifted the hem of her dress and bowed her head, a typical courtesy expected from a Duchess.

‘Still not officially recognized as the Emperor’s granddaughter…’

Medea merely nodded in response.

‘Does she consider her status higher?’

Typical Medea.

She knew the woman was an imposter, and there was no way she would play along with the charade of a fake.

Yes, that high self-esteem. That’s the difference between her and her father.

The Duke passed by the gathering nobles with an indifferent face, heading straight to the North’s designated area.

Since lower-ranked individuals couldn’t approach higher-ranked ones without being spoken to first, all the nobles present couldn’t initiate a conversation with the Duke.

As we all sat down at the table, the green-haired ‘woman’ approached us, or more precisely, the Duke.

‘Surely not…’

“Excuse me… are you the Duke of the North, Sion Belpast? I’m Cecilia. It’s my first time meeting you. You’re as handsome as the rumors say.”

She dared to speak to the Duke first, even without her status being confirmed.

Cecilia. That was her name.

The Duke just observed her silently.

Up close, she was beautiful.

Not overly flamboyant, but full of life, like a freshly blossomed apricot flower.

And those shining golden eyes. The same golden eyes as the Emperor.

I couldn’t let my discomfort show.

‘An imposter, why are you approaching the Emperor?’

As the Duke’s silence continued, Cecilia spoke up.

“Did Cecilia do something wrong? I’m still not familiar with the royal etiquette…”

“Oh, Lady Cecilia.”

The man from the couple who accompanied her stepped forward, bowed to the Duke, and then addressed Cecilia.

“You can’t speak to him first yet. Not until the verification with the Holy Sword on the last day.”

“Hmm. But I am the Emperor’s granddaughter, aren’t I? My memories are so vivid.”

Her sunny smile suggested genuine belief in her claim as the Emperor’s granddaughter.

‘What’s going on? She’s definitely an imposter… why so confident?’

Then, the Duke spoke.

“Are you Baron Schumael?”

“Yes! Indeed, I am. I’m Ernst Schumael, a member of the Defense Council. It’s an honor to meet the Shield of the Empire.”

The genuine respect in his voice was apparent.
His eyes shone as he looked at the Duke. His behavior seemed genuine, without deceit.

However… the multitude of gazes observing the Duke and all of us seemed not so honest. In fact, they appeared downright greedy.

‘Noble balls are exhausting.’

Suddenly, the woman named Cecilia muttered.

“Ah! There’s Grandfather!”

A moment later, the Emperor’s steward announced loudly.

“The Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor, has arrived! All pay your respects!”

From the center of the platform, golden doors opened, revealing the Emperor.

‘My… Grandfather.’

I couldn’t bear to look directly at the Emperor, my head dropping instinctively. The memory of him calling me a ‘monster’ still hurt.

Cecilia, bright and cheery, walked towards the platform where the Emperor stood. The Emperor’s gaze upon her seemed warm.

‘It hurts a bit.’

“Attention! Today we celebrate the peace of the Empire and the potential rise of a new star of the Empire! Enjoy yourselves and elevate your pride!”

“All hail, Your Majesty,” everyone chorused. The Duke remained silent, though.

As the orchestra began a bright, lively piece, Medea approached us.

She stood before the Duke, showing her respects, and waited for him to initiate the conversation. A tense silence ensued.

Finally, the Duke spoke.

“The daughter of the Duke of Lahert, I presume.”

“I am Medea Lahert,” she introduced herself, her smile sardonic, as if meeting for the first time.

Medea was radiant.