Not knowing exactly what she did wrong, Larisa sought out Juliana. Seeing Larisa come all the way to find her, Juliana, guessing that something was up, made a surprised sound.

“Don’t you know? Being invited during the princess’s tea time is such a huge privilege.”

“A privilege?”

Holding Larisa’s arm, Juliana quickly walked while whispering.

“Unless you were invited during the princess’s tea time, you won’t even get a greeting.”

“Huh?”

“Everyone is going crazy trying to get on the invitation list. But once they go, most of the time they can’t exchange a single word with her.”

Larisa asked with a bewildered expression, “Why does she do that?”

“What?”

“Never mind.”

Even asking Juliana, she couldn’t figure out the princess’s intention. Juliana sighed and said, “People who are excluded from the list might hold a grudge against you.”

“Well, can’t help it.”

“What?”

“There are too many people, and it’s hard to have a comfortable conversation. Of course, since it’s the princess, you should have at least the minimum staff like maids and guards nearby…”

Juliana was startled and stared at Larisa.

“You’re surprisingly bold. Is it because of Rodante? He’s a person, after all?”
Maybe. Larisa smirked. Because she thought of the Archwitch Gwynveria Rodante behind her, the palace didn’t seem intimidating.

On Friday evening, when Larisa returned home, she showed the puff pastry to Gwynveria with a “ta-da.”

“The princess gave it to me.”

“Surprising.”

“Hmm?”

Gwynveria chuckled and said, “When you were little, she told you to bring me as a friend. Did she tell you not to bring me again?”

“That was then. Now… she seems like quite an impressive senior.”

Contrary to Juliana’s worries, there was not a trace of resentment in Gwynveria’s eyes toward Larisa. There were expressions of admiration and scrutiny, though.

In the small social circle of the academy, there was a friendly atmosphere towards Larisa, as if they wanted to catch her eye instead of the princess.

“Honestly, I can’t fully understand what the princess is doing, but she’s undoubtedly working hard in her position.”

“…You can’t fully understand others.”

The princess was shaking the academy, and her influence would undoubtedly continue even after making her debut in society. Larisa thought it wouldn’t hurt to be on good terms with those in power.

“And if you build connections, you might be able to help William in his work.”

“I told you, didn’t I? You don’t have to do anything.”
Larisa smiled brightly. She couldn’t afford to show any displeasure in front of Gwynveria, so she pretended to be happy. However, her inner thoughts were different.

“It seems like she still sees me as a child.”

She wanted to repay the favor. It wasn’t about repaying everything; she just wanted to be of some help.

This made her no different from the cute doll that people talked about regarding the Rodante family in society. Loved and adored but that’s all.

“William doesn’t seem to have any intention of marrying me.”

There was no doubt that Gwynveria was looking at her like a little sister. She had occasionally suggested adoption as well. But Larisa was still bothered by what Gwynveria had said.

“The price… is you giving birth to my son’s child.”

Later, Gwynveria mentioned that if she didn’t like it, she didn’t have to get married or have a child. However, the initial statement must have been sincere.

Larisa went back to her room, let down her tightly tied hair, and looked at herself in the mirror.

“Am I pretty?”

Surely, she would grow into a remarkable beauty. Her mother was no less beautiful than the Empress. But honestly, she wasn’t confident that she could seduce William with this beauty alone.

Moreover, her mother’s words had also bothered her.

“Larisa, always present yourself well to Lady Gwynveria. But don’t just do as she says. Always listen to the voice in your heart and strive to live the life you want.”

“The life I want.”
Marriage to William and living that life didn’t seem bad, but if asked whether that was truly the life she wanted, Larisa wasn’t sure.

Honestly, Larisa had no dreams. She already had too much to consider having a dream.

Even without a noble status, Larisa was already an heiress with the continent’s highest dowry, and she had the Emperor as an undeniable protector.

Whether she married anyone or not, even if she lived her whole life alone doing only what she wanted, it didn’t matter much.

The life in front of Larisa was so flat that it could be called boring. That might be why she enrolled in the Knight Academy.

Despite everyone advising against it, Larisa stubbornly insisted on entering the Knight Academy, recalling Gwynveria’s initial suggestion.

The sense of accomplishment in overcoming challenges and the satisfaction of keeping her promise with Gwynveria felt good. She didn’t really want to become a true knight, though.

“Can I really live my life however I want like this?”

It was a night when the concerns of an adolescent girl deepened.