I heard that a total of ten ladies would participate in the selection. They would enter the reception hall one by one to pay their respects to the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

“Lady Elena Delfi.”

As the first candidate appeared, people’s attention was drawn. The lady was smiling with her lips raised, but extreme tension was evident on her face.

“Terran, am I right?”

“Coincidentally?”

From the first candidate, she appeared in a white dress with large feathers on her head.

Her gait looked very unnatural as she walked to the upper seat.

‘She must be very nervous.’

Lea empathized with the pressure the ladies must feel.

It wouldn’t be much different if she were in that position. As the lady greeted the Emperor and the Crown Prince, silence fell for a while.

The Emperor’s face was covered with a veil, making it difficult to gauge his thoughts from his expression. Moreover, the Crown Prince didn’t seem to be someone who easily showed emotions on his face.

The complete opposite of Salame. The blue eyes visible through the gold-rimmed glasses looked fierce.

“I don’t like it.”

Lea sighed and confessed her true feelings to Terran.

“You mean the way of choosing a lifelong partner?”

“Yes, they’re examining and judging like it’s an object.”

“The Crown Princess is destined to become the Empress. Political interests take precedence. They’re representing their families, so honor is important too.”

“I know, but it’s not very pleasant. That lady doesn’t have a choice, does she?”

Lea looked at Terran for a while and smiled.

“Why are you doing that?”

Terran was pleased that she smiled at him, but he was puzzled by her suddenly sorrowful expression.

“I’m fortunate. To be able to marry the man I love.”

At her words, Terran’s eyes sparkled. In fact, he had been thinking the same thing.

Moreover, he was glad she wasn’t from Galdensia. Otherwise, she might be standing there right now.

Terran felt the urge to kiss his lovely fiancée, but he settled for kissing her hand instead.

Afterwards, several ladies entered the reception hall in turn.

“Grace’s prediction was accurate.”

Indeed, as if by agreement, they were all adorned in white dresses with fluttering lace. Some ladies even wore white cloaks.

It seemed they all shared the same desire to look like pure and noble saints.

‘It’s Rivet’s turn now.’

Lea waited for Rivet to appear.

She was curious how people would react if she came out in a wedding dress, even if it was white like the others.

Above all, she wanted to see Empress Teresa’s expression the most.

‘Oh right, I can’t see because of the veil.’

It was truly regrettable. At that moment, the chamberlain called Rivet’s name.

As the door opened, all eyes in the hall turned towards it at once.

“Oh my!”

“Wow! She’s so beautiful!”

“I thought a saint had descended.”

“She could get married to His Highness the Crown Prince right now.”

“But doesn’t that lady look like the former Emperor?”

There was much buzz and chatter at Rivet’s appearance. Unlike the other ladies, the reaction was heated.

No one here would have expected her to appear in a wedding dress. In terms of beauty, she was undoubtedly first.

Rivet wore an expression full of confidence. Her gait was more relaxed and elegant than the other ladies.

“I have to admit Chainer’s skill.”

Terran clicked his tongue at the dress Rivet was wearing. By now, all the women must be wondering the same thing in their heads.

‘Where was that dress made?’

“It’s amazing that human hands can weave lace so intricately.”

Lea also marveled at the dress. However, it was strange that Empress Teresa rested her chin on one hand and tilted her head askew.

She must have been surprised to see something that looked like her former self.

This too was Rivet’s thorough plan. Everything was identical to the dress and accessories Empress Teresa had worn at her wedding, even down to the marigold bouquet.

“Lady Rivet MacDowell.”

Teresa called out to Rivet.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What is the reason for participating in the selection wearing a wedding dress?”

Teresa’s voice was quite stern. Contrary to people’s expectations that she would be impressed.

“I wanted to present Your Majesty with the most dazzling day of your life.”

“Who said that the most dazzling day in my life was my wedding day?”

Teresa’s voice grew increasingly agitated, and the atmosphere in the hall cooled as if cold water had been poured.

“Well, for a woman, her wedding day is the most shining and memorable day.”

“Bullshit!”

“!?”

Everyone was shocked as if they had heard something they shouldn’t have. Who would have thought the Emperor would openly rebuke with ‘bullshit’?

Soon, Rivet turned pale, and Allen, looking at his younger sister, also had a hardened expression.

“The lady is quite arrogant. Not clever either. There’s no taste of humility like the other ladies.”

“I deeply apologize!”

Rivet fell to her knees and bowed her head.

It was clear that her attire had angered the Emperor.

“Did the lady have too much confidence that she would be chosen?”

Even the Crown Prince, who had remained silent until now, criticized Rivet.

Wearing a wedding dress as if she were already the bride, when the selection wasn’t even confirmed, was arrogance.

Teresa waved her hand as if telling Rivet to disappear from her sight.

Lea observed Allen’s reaction.

‘Too much is as bad as too little, Allen.’

Only now did Lea understand the meaningful words Vivian had said to her. She had told her to recreate it perfectly since she was already making a wedding dress.

‘The Empress must have known. That Empress Teresa’s married life wasn’t happy.’

Lea felt sorry for Chainer’s dress that Rivet was wearing.

If Rivet had just restrained herself a little, the result would have been different. No, how could one stop the Allen and Rivet siblings from being equally greedy?

Anyway, it was certain that Rivet was excluded from the selection.

‘Thank goodness, it would have been terrible if Allen had gained power as wings.’

Lea felt elation. The small thrill that started in her solar plexus quickly spread throughout her body.

“Only Adele is left now.”

At Terran’s words, Lea put aside her joy for a moment. Soon, the chamberlain called out the name of the last participant.

“Lady Adele Wellington.”

The hall, which had been fierce, stirred again. They must all be hoping. That the last lady would not offend the Emperor’s mood.

Lea watched the slowly opening door. And there, Carmen, dressed in a red top and voluminous black skirt, appeared.

Until now, not a single lady had worn a dress with red and black.

“She’s charming.”

Lea couldn’t help but admire Adele. She doubted her eyes whether this was really the usually shy bookworm Adele.

Adele had become a completely different person. Above all, every time Adele moved her hand, light flashed from her fingertips.

It wasn’t a dress anyone would wear to a Crown Princess selection, but it strangely captivated people’s attention.

Adele walked while looking straight at Teresa and the Crown Prince, and politely paid her respects.

“Could it be Carmen?”

This time, the Crown Prince stood up abruptly and asked Adele.

“That’s right. I was curious how it would look if Carmen from the opera appeared in the palace.”

“Why Carmen? She’s a gypsy, a prostitute, and a bad woman.”

“And also a charming woman. I couldn’t actually become such a woman, but I wanted to recreate it like this at least.”

At Adele’s words, Teresa laughed out loud.

One came wearing a wedding dress, and now another appears as a character from a play.

On the other hand, the Crown Prince showed favor towards Adele. He couldn’t take his eyes off her throughout.

“Lady, the Crown Princess selection is not a joke. I don’t want to see a cheap village play.”

“Your Majesty and Your Highness, I sincerely participated in the selection. Of course, I don’t expect to be chosen. Then I didn’t want to waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“You didn’t want to waste it?”

“I wanted to enjoy it. I know well that it’s a terrifyingly scary and difficult place. But rather than leaving it as such a memory in my life, I wanted to make it a joyful memory without regrets.”

Adele spoke her true feelings as they were.

What’s more interesting is that every time she spoke and moved her hand, people’s gazes followed the flashing light.

It was the same for Teresa.

“Who is the lady’s chaperone?”

At Teresa’s question, Sonya, who was standing behind, bent her knees and bowed.

Teresa soon found women wearing the same cyan silk dress as Sonya.

Grace and several women. If her hunch was correct, it might be Grace’s work, just like when she made Vivian’s riding outfit.

“Whose work is that dress?”

“Lady Grace Bizac and Duke Courtois sponsored it.”

At Teresa’s question, Adele pointed to Sonya and Grace, and the people of the Courtois ducal family briefly stood up and greeted the Emperor.

Followed by cheers and applause from the people. At that moment, the Crown Prince came down from the upper seat and approached Adele.

“Lady, your attempt to recreate a fictional character was very novel.”

“I’m honored, Your Highness.”

“If the lady were to be chosen as the Crown Princess, what would you like to do? Tell me.”

At the Crown Prince’s question, everyone held their breath and waited for Adele’s answer.

“I would like to create a public library in the capital where anyone can use it freely, regardless of status or gender.”

“That’s a wonderful idea.”

People didn’t show much reaction, but the Crown Prince was very satisfied.

Even while smiling, Lea watched Allen standing across from her. His face was pale blue with despair.

‘Did you think everything in the world would go according to your will?’

Lea sneered inwardly to her heart’s content.