The front of the imperial palace was overflowing with carriages of nobles attending the banquet.

Among the numerous carriages lined up, only one carriage was leisurely passing through the castle gates.

A carriage drawn by a massive black horse.

The black carriage with red trim had a simple design without elaborate patterns, but exuded an antique atmosphere.

Its color stood in stark contrast to the brightly colored carriages lining the path to the imperial palace.

It was only natural that the eyes of the nobles, who had been waiting for a long time due to the unending line, would be drawn to it.

“Who could be riding in that?”

“Can’t you tell at a glance? Of course it must be the Belvedere family. Who else would have such tastes?”

The flag of the Agrian Empire depicted a golden dragon on a white background.

Thus, the first emperor had colored various parts of the imperial palace white and gold.

As time passed, those two colors naturally became symbols of power and wealth, leading the current nobles to generally prefer them as well.

However, the Belvedere family was an exception.

From their mansion to their carriages, and even the horses pulling those carriages.

The Belvedere family members stubbornly adhered to dark colors and exuded an eerie aura.

“Then could it be that Lady Belvedere is riding inside? I heard all the high-ranking nobles were invited this time.”

“No way. Even so, it couldn’t be Lady Belvedere.”

Even though a long time had passed since the incident where Ludovica had left the eldest son of the Weiss count family half-dead, people had not forgotten about it.

The incident itself was shocking, but the main reason was the punishment imposed on her.

Despite leaving the future count disabled, the punishment imposed on her was only three days of house arrest.

Many nobles protested against the disposition given to her, saying that her misconduct had been overlooked due to her status as a high-ranking noble. In truth, what they feared was something else.

A gentle and noble lady had suddenly become crazed and attacked someone.

If the punishment was not severe enough, the same thing might happen again in the future.

The primal fear that they could be next. This terror drove them to action.

It was so bad that some nobles even expressed their intention not to attend any future events where she would be present.

Thus, while high society was in an uproar for a while due to this incident, fortunately she voluntarily began to seclude herself, and eventually the commotion gradually subsided.

There was no way Princess Veronica could not remember this huge disturbance.

“Is it even conceivable to invite that madwoman on such a good day as a birthday?”

Everyone watching the Belvedere carriage had similar thoughts.

The villainess of the Belvederes, the red-eyed madwoman.

Because if they invited Ludovica Belvedere of all people, no one knew what might happen.

However, their prediction that she would not visit unfortunately turned out to be wrong.

Inside the carriage were not only Dietrich but also Ludovica.

Dietrich indifferently surveyed his sister, who was staring blankly out the window.

‘She’s been lost in thought often lately.’

For the past few days, she had seemed somehow different from usual.

It was typical for her to sit expressionlessly, then suddenly chuckle for no reason, and she couldn’t even focus properly on the training she usually loved so much.

She even dropped her weapon during a mock battle.

Not letting go of one’s weapon was as basic as it gets for a swordsman.

Yet for Ludovica of all people to make such a mistake.

While Dietrich felt puzzled by his sister’s sudden strange state, he tried to rationalize it.

Maybe she was going through a late puberty.

But after observing her for a few days, Dietrich could tell there was a different reason.

〈Ah, it was quite cute.〉

It was because of Ludovica’s muttering to herself.

Cute? Of all words, to use the adjective “cute”.

If Dietrich were to rank words he thought she would never say in her life, the verb “cute” would be number one.

Although it was just a passing remark, he couldn’t help but get goosebumps all over his body at his sister’s muttering.

Goosebumps that didn’t even appear when faced with a man-eating monster that had devoured hundreds of people.

‘Is she in love?’

At the sudden thought, Dietrich was greatly flustered and shook his head. Such an intense emotional expression was extremely rare for him.

His sister in love? It was truly a topic he had no interest in.

Separate from his affection for Ludovica, it was a story he never wanted to hear in his life.

While he was curious about who could have seduced ‘that’ Ludovica, Dietrich decided not to ask.

And so, the Belvedere family’s carriage finally came to a stop in silence.

They had arrived at the entrance to the banquet hall.

Meanwhile, Vivian had already arrived at the banquet hall.

‘It’s good I came out early.’

As it was quite a large-scale banquet, the front of the imperial palace was packed with lines of people trying to enter.

Fortunately, thanks to leaving early, Vivian was able to enter without much difficulty.

Upon arriving at the banquet hall, she quietly stood in a corner and observed the people.

‘As expected, they all seem to know each other.’

Most of the nobles were busy chatting in small groups.

Some wandered around in groups, drinking the wine that had been prepared.

It was a stark contrast to her, who had visited alone.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Vivian remained standing in the corner, tapping the floor with the tip of one foot.

‘It would have been nice if I had a friend.’

Since she couldn’t rely on family, she wished she at least had a friend.

However, having been unable to go outside as a child, and then living among commoners as she grew up, there was no way she could have noble friends.

‘No, wait. I do have a friend.’

Vivian suddenly recalled the red-eyed woman.

Ludovica Belvedere. The female protagonist of the original work.

It might be a stretch to call her a friend, but they had agreed to become friends nonetheless.

Lost in thought about Ludovica for a moment, Vivian startled and shook her head vigorously.

‘What am I thinking? Being friends with Ludovica is impossible.’

Though worried about being alone throughout the banquet, thinking of Ludovica seemed quite inappropriate.

And besides all that, Ludovica would not be coming to this banquet.

According to the original story, she had never accepted an invitation since a certain incident in the past.

‘It’s rather fortunate, I suppose. If I were to encounter Ruby here, I’d have to reveal exactly who I am. Above all, how would I handle it if the fact that I’m the kidnapper was exposed? Really now.’

Vivian nodded to herself, lost in thought.

“Mm, mm. That won’t do. That’s not right.”

“What won’t do?”

“What won’t do… Eek! W-Who are you?”

Vivian, who had been muttering to herself, turned her head in fright at the sudden voice in her ear.

“Hello, Vivi?”

Hiiik.

Startled by the sudden appearance, Vivian was shocked as if she’d seen a ghost.

Golden hair as if spun from sunlight, ruby-red eyes sparkling like jewels.

It was a different appearance from before when she wore a wig, but Vivian could recognize her at a glance.

That the person before her was Ludovica.

At the same time, the Schmidt Marquis family also arrived at the banquet hall after a long wait.

“There are particularly many people today.”

As the Marchioness elegantly surveyed the interior of the banquet hall, Leonie, standing beside her, nodded with a bright smile.

“Indeed, there are too many people. But I wonder if sister Vivian entered well?”

“Oh you. To think of that child even at a moment like this. Though you’re my daughter, your heart is truly pure.”

“Well, she’s my sister even if we have different mothers. I’m especially worried since her dress was ruined last time. Sister’s expression was really dark…”

Leonie lowered her head sadly and covered her mouth.

The Marchioness’s heart ached at the sight of her daughter struggling to care even for a useless person.

With her face lowered so that her complexion couldn’t be seen, Leonie was surely making a tearful expression.

However, contrary to her expectation, a cunning smile was plastered on the hidden face.

‘Ah, really. It’s especially hard to hold back laughter today.’

Though she pretended to worry about her sister’s dress and whatnot, in fact, all of this was planned by Leonie.

From the day she learned that Vivian had received an invitation, she immediately began planning to torment her.

She deliberately ruined the dress and apologized to her with ridiculous excuses about crows.

‘Her expression then was really… hehehe.’

Empty eyes. A mouth gaping as if in despair.

That truly miserable expression at that time.

It was difficult to hold back the laughter that leaked out just from recalling the satisfying sight.

When she later heard that her mother had even prevented her from buying a dress, she almost laughed out loud in front of the maid without realizing it.

It was regrettable that she couldn’t witness firsthand the sight of her being turned away at the boutique, but it was alright.

Because today, she would be able to see Vivian’s cowed appearance.

‘With no noble acquaintances, she’ll probably be crumpled up alone in a corner where she belongs, right?’

Due to her mother’s interference, she wouldn’t have been able to prepare proper attire, so her appearance would be laughable.

Even if she had managed to obtain a dress with difficulty, it would obviously be tacky.

Leonie was so delighted just imagining Vivian that she wanted to meet her as soon as possible.

She wiped the smile from her face and furrowed her brows like a sad person.

“This won’t do, Mother. I’m too worried about sister Vivian. She won’t be used to banquets either…”

“If you insist so much, it can’t be helped. Go look for her. However, we must greet the Belvedere young lord today, so don’t take too long.”

“Of course, Mother!”

Leonie made a relieved expression and began looking around.

‘Lavender hair, lavender hair…’

With an eager heart, she stood on tiptoe and wandered among the people.

“Ah, found her.”

Spotting Vivian’s silhouette in the distance, Leonie approached her with an evil smile.