Allen was shocked. Contrary to his expectations, the Empress of Rubek and her ladies-in-waiting stood out remarkably.

The audience gave a standing ovation when they saw the riding outfits they wore. It was that much of a fresh shock. Moreover, it was very elegant and luxurious.

If it had looked bizarre and alien, jeers would have erupted, but it was a riding outfit that maintained the appropriate level as women while ensuring practicality.

‘What on earth did they do? Did they really tear apart the riding outfits?’

Allen’s eyes moved erratically. He raised his hand to call his secretary. He too seemed surprised, rushing over with a pale face.

“Find out what happened.”

“Understood.”

Although he had intended to enjoy the competition with a joyful heart beside Emperor Teresa, his mood that had soared to the heavens plummeted to the ground in an instant.

Allen glanced at Terran and Grace. The two sat closely together, their faces full of smiles throughout the competition.

‘Where did it go wrong? Or did they manage to fix it in three days?’

Who, by what means, how? Several questions chased one after another in Allen’s mind.

‘Damn it!’

He felt angry rather than curious about why he always lost to Terran.

Moreover, the horsemanship of the Empress of Rubek and her ladies was as excellent as their novel riding outfits.

‘No matter how great the imperial tailor is, it would be difficult to remake them in just three days.’

And it wasn’t a task that could be divided among several people.

‘The general store will catch fire again.’

He had felt sick seeing people lining up to buy lace, but it looked like he would see that sight again.

‘Could it be Grace’s ability?’

Allen wondered if he had failed to recognize Grace’s hidden talents earlier, overshadowed by her beauty.

At first glance, she didn’t seem particularly intelligent. Rather, she looked like a woman who would only care about her appearance like a mirror princess and crave men’s attention and affection.

‘Well, she wasn’t ordinary.’

Even when invited to his house, she wasn’t intimidated despite being surrounded by men. At the time, he thought it was natural because she was a haughty noble lady.

‘Am I barking up the wrong tree?’

Allen felt doubtful. He had a strong feeling that he was either mistaking his opponent or unaware of something.

Meanwhile, Teresa admired the Empress of Rubek’s riding skills. She was agile, delicate, and very progressive.

“That’s how you should ride.”

It was close to a feat to ride a horse sitting sideways with a twisted waist. The sight of the Empress of Rubek riding fearlessly like a man was impressive.

“Chamberlain, try to contact the Rubek imperial people. Find out who came up with such a cute idea.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

If it was the Empress’s ability, it wasn’t something to be overlooked.

One might say it’s making a fuss over just a riding outfit, but a country’s change and development often start from one small thing.

Teresa felt jealous. Not only had Rubek won a great victory in the long war, but she had heard that the imperial couple was very young and didn’t hesitate to innovate.

On top of that, they had outstanding military nobles like Duke Terran Courtois.

Just then, one of the Galdencia riders fell while jumping over an obstacle. The audience buzzed with disappointment.

“Oh no! What if they hesitate again there?”

Despite all the instructions, the chronic mistake continued until the competition. At this rate, they wouldn’t make it into the rankings.

In contrast, the Rubek riders galloped as if cutting through the wind and lightly leaped over the obstacles.

Teresa felt irritated at the audience’s applause and exclamations.

“Tsk tsk, wrong.”

As Teresa shook her head, the chamberlain who had gone on an errand returned.

He whispered in Teresa’s ear for quite a while. It seemed he had gathered quite a lot of information.

‘The handiwork of the Courtois Duke’s fiancée?’

Teresa’s gaze naturally searched for the two. She knew Terran’s face, having seen him a few years ago.

But was that small, delicate woman next to him Grace Bizac?

Not only that, it was shocking to learn that the person who effectively managed the Hamilton General Stores throughout Galdencia was this baroness.

‘A beauty and brilliant to boot.’

On the outside, she looked so weak that she might not be able to carry even one book. While highly appealing to men, she seemed rather unappealing to women.

‘How pathetic, for an emperor of a country to have his judgment clouded by prejudice.’

Teresa reprimanded herself.

In the meantime, the competition ended with Rubek’s overwhelming victory. It was clear how much they must have practiced to prepare for a competition that lasted less than an hour.

The audience applauded to congratulate the victory. Especially the Rubek side of the audience was excited as if it were a festival.

* * *

After all the award ceremonies ended and the seats that had been packed with people emptied out.

Terran and Grace were so moved by Rubek’s victory that they couldn’t easily leave.

Of course, Sonya and Adolf were also delighted, as if they had been compensated for their recent emotional struggles.

“Lady Bizac.”

Vivian called Grace and hugged her tightly. Clearly, half of this victory was due to her.

“We won thanks to you, my lady.”

“N-no. It’s because of Her Majesty the Empress and the ladies’ excellent skills. You’re overpraising me. Please praise Sonya and Adolf instead of me.”

Grace deflected all credit to the two. Vivian approached Sonya and Adolf and extended her hand. They took turns kissing the Empress’s hand.

“Thank you too, Duke. But don’t expect me to hug you or receive a reverent kiss on my hand.”

Vivian said primly, looking at Terran.

“I don’t want that either.”

Terran grumbled in reply, but he was in a very good mood. Honestly, he was proud of what Grace had accomplished.

“If you’re so grateful, give my woman a reward, Your Majesty.”

“How cheesy to call her ‘my woman’. Of course I’ll give a reward, she’s the main contributor.”

The Empress didn’t show it, but she was quite surprised to see how much Terran had changed.

After the war, she couldn’t believe if this was the same Terran who had secluded himself in his mansion like a reclusive loner.

‘I didn’t know he could smile like that. I’m glad.’

As a friend, Vivian was very happy to see Terran looking consistently happy while looking at Grace.

She hoped that there would be no more trials for him and that sweet days like this would continue.

“There’s a celebratory banquet tonight, so I’ll see you all then.”

Vivian was about to leave the competition venue that everyone had vacated. But then she saw Teresa approaching from a distance, accompanied by her chamberlain.

Lea and Terran’s gazes turned to Vivian’s stiffened face.

“Emperor Teresa is coming.”

Terran said with a grin, arms folded. She must be frustrated, as Galdencia, which had won every year, didn’t even make the rankings this time, so her pride must be hurt.

As Teresa approached, everyone including Vivian paid their respects to her.

“We greet Your Majesty, the Emperor of Galdencia.”

“Congratulations, Empress Vivian.”

Teresa extended her hand to Vivian first, and the two women shook hands.

The two royals bickered for a while, congratulating and being humble. Then Teresa’s gaze moved to Grace.

“Is this young lady the one who planned those wonderful riding outfits, Empress?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

‘Has the rumor already spread?’

Vivian couldn’t hide her bitterness. She should have told everyone to keep quiet beforehand. It was natural for Emperor Teresa to be jealous. After all, she wasn’t a talent from Galdencia.

At the Empress’s answer, Teresa approached Grace.

“You’re a very clever young lady.”

“You flatter me. Those riding outfits are the work of Sonya and Adolf here.”

Lea deflected the credit to the two again, pointing at them. Of course, Teresa didn’t spare her praise for Sonya and Adolf either.

“Empress, no, Vivian!”

Teresa addressed the Empress informally. Terran explained the reason to Grace in a low voice. The two were distant relatives, he said.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I can’t stand losing to others, you see. How about we compete just between us? The outfits seem fair, so there shouldn’t be a problem?”

Vivian’s eyes wavered slightly at Teresa’s sudden proposal, but soon stabilized.

“As the winner, I accept your challenge.”

Vivian replied confidently, not backing down.

* * *

Only Teresa, Vivian, Lea, and the chamberlain remained at the riding grounds.

Terran had briefly left his seat due to an appointment with a foreign ambassador.

Teresa, standing at the starting line, rode a black horse while Empress Vivian rode a white horse. Then Teresa’s chamberlain explained the rules of the competition.

“You will start simultaneously and leave the riding grounds. Then you will immediately come to a hazelnut forest where a flag is planted.”

“So we just need to turn around the flag and return to the riding grounds first?”

When Vivian asked, the chamberlain nodded and answered.

The chamberlain said it was a distance that would take a good hour to return to the riding grounds. Soon he approached the starting line and shouted loudly.

“Start!”

With that sound, the two kicked up dirt and rode their horses.

To leave the riding grounds, they had to go around once and pass through the gate, but so far their skills were quite similar.

Lea clenched her fists and cheered for Vivian.

Just as the two were about to leave through the main gate. Teresa’s black veil came loose and fluttered into the air.

Lea stood up and walked quickly towards the main gate. She had to pick up the veil and give it back when Teresa returned.

She was about to pick up the veil that had fallen on the ground by the main gate.

“Take your hands off!”

The chamberlain shouted with a pale face.

“Why? I should give it to Her Majesty when she returns.”

“No one should touch it!”

‘What’s he talking about? What’s wrong with picking up this veil?’

Lea paid no heed to the chamberlain’s restraint. She wasn’t unaware of the reason.

Teresa needed to cover her face. She thought she should keep it safe for that very reason.

‘Won’t it be more troublesome without this?’

“I certainly didn’t see anything! My lady, you’ve made a big mistake!”

The chamberlain stamped his feet in place and then quickly ran away.

Lea blankly watched him flee with his tail between his legs.

‘Why is picking up the veil a big mistake?’