Count Mekringger, who had no idea that Evangelin would come out of Klaus’s mouth, raised a teacup to hide his bewildered expression.

“Ahem, well.”

“……. ”

Klaus lowered his eyes with an expressionless face.

An uncomfortably awkward atmosphere filled the air.

But soon someone broke the silence and appeared.

“Your Highness!”

Lumie, dressed in a splendid golden gown, walked in as if floating.

Lifting the hem of her dress slightly, she walked perfectly, the epitome of Lady Elfriede.

Lumie’s gaze, as if she didn’t care about anyone else standing behind Klaus, was solely focused on him.

“Have you been well? I can’t thank you enough for promptly accepting my request, Your Highness!”

Ah, this is the first I’ve heard of this. Klaus promptly accepted Lumie’s partner request.

In that case, Evangelin hasn’t completely settled into Klaus’s consciousness yet.

Although it reached the recognition stage, it seems it hasn’t become Klaus’s top priority.

It’s natural since they haven’t properly faced each other.

“I just did as usual. I hope you don’t attach too much meaning to it.”

Klaus gruffly replied to Lumie. His expression remained unchanged.

I stayed silent. In front of Count Mekringger, I couldn’t casually reveal my presence to Lumie.

As a newly appointed aide, if I pretended to know Lady Elfriede, it might make others suspicious.

Fortunately, after Lumie spoke to Klaus, she subtly moved her eyes to look at me.

“……. ”

“……. ”

With a brief exchange of glances, our greetings were finished.

Klaus slowly stood up.

“Shall we go now?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Lumie smiled brightly and reached out her hand to him. Klaus, with an expressionless face, shook the hand she offered.

Mekringger and I followed behind the two.

Count Mekringger finally spoke to me.

“Miss Muzelle, it’s an honor to greet you like this. I’ve seen your face from a distance a few times. Nice to meet you.”

“Yes. I’ve also seen Count Mekringger from afar several times. It’s an honor to greet you like this.”

With that, he seemed to have nothing more to say and turned his gaze forward.

I inwardly chuckled. Even though I’m a new aide, my existence is so insignificant to Count Mekringger, a grand noble.

But for now, it’s better this way.

While Count Mekringger doesn’t guard against me, I need to lay the groundwork for the wealth tax.

The protagonist, Lady Elfriede, appeared in the grand ballroom. When she and the prince appeared, the attendees bowed to greet them.

Since I followed as Klaus’s aide, I stayed by their side as Lumie and Klaus greeted the people.

“May the glory of the gods always be with Your Highness and the Imperial Family. Indeed, there is no one more fitting to be by Your Highness’s side than Lady Elfriede.”

When someone said such words, Lumie responded with a full smile.
“Oh my, is that so? Being told that I suit His Highness the Crown Prince is the most delightful compliment I’ve ever heard.”

Klaus seemed to think the greetings had gone on long enough as he quietly released Lumie’s hand.

“Excuse me for a moment, Muzelle.”

He quickly called me before Lumie could say anything.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I need a drink. I’ll be sitting over there; please arrange it.”

Lumie promptly stepped forward.

“I’ll guide you to the seat where Your Highness will sit. Muzelle, please go and receive the prince’s instructions.”

She smiled brightly and grabbed Klaus’s hand again before he let go.

“……. ”

Klaus’s eyes twitched for a moment. However, due to the numerous onlookers, he didn’t say anything.

Lumie led Klaus away.

I bit my tongue.

“Wow…”

Lumie felt incredibly impressive. How many people can be so affable to someone they once clashed with?

I wondered if he was really the same person who used to stay at home, communicating only through social media.

Seeing someone change so much, I doubted whether it was really him.

Looking at it from Lumie’s perspective, being possessed by Elfriede was undoubtedly a fortunate turn of events.

Perhaps the saying that people never change needs a slight modification, at least in Lumie’s case.

The rule for serving the prince’s drink was to present it in a sealed, bottled state to avoid the risk of poisoning.

If Count Mekringger had a relationship equivalent to the Crown Prince’s staunch supporter, Klaus would have brought his own drinks from the palace.

Fortunately, Count Mekringger and the royal family had a very good relationship.

I found the butler of the noble family, who was scanning the hall with an eagle eye.

“I am the aide to His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness is looking for something to drink.”

“Oh, it’s ready. I’ll give it to you right away.”

A wine bottle that looked expensive even at a glance soon found its way into my hands. Carefully cradling it in my hands in case I dropped it, I headed toward Klaus.

Just as I was about to block Klaus’s view, a familiar voice called out to me.

“Oh my, Muzelle! I thought you couldn’t attend the party. How did you come?”

It was Mrs. Perner. I greeted her lightly.