“I’m sorry for not acting like an adult last time.”

“No, Your Majesty, please don’t mind.”

“Yeah, I thought you’d understand. You’ve always been kind, both when you were young and now.”

Smiling kindly, the empress lightly patted Alicia’s hand that she held.

Watching this, the Duchess exchanged glances with the Duke.

Although the Duchess had used more of a threat than a threat during their last encounter, this reaction was more exaggerated than expected.

“Oh, I’m Sarah, so I’ve been friends with your mother since we were kids. So, we used to meet whenever Sarah came into the palace. Do you remember?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. My memory is not that good.”

“That could happen. We were very young back then. We used to play well with Harry too.”

Unknowingly, the empress, while speaking amiably, glanced at the emperor with a forced expression, trying to hide his embarrassment.

It was true that the Lancaster Earl and Countess had brought Alicia into the palace before.

However, every time they did, no matter how much the empress threw a fit, the emperor had made it clear not to allow family visits.

Thanks to that, Alicia had lived quietly so far, but now, the empress’s attitude was enough to make the emperor suspicious.

Nevertheless, the empress’s kind words continued.

“Come to the palace often, just like before. Maybe it’s because I don’t have a daughter, but there aren’t many people to talk to these days, so it’s quite lonely.”

This time, not only Alicia but everyone was more confused.

Especially William, who was standing behind, asked with his eyes, ‘What on earth is going on?’, but Eric also didn’t understand a thing.

In the end, the emperor, after surveying the atmosphere, spoke to the empress in a low voice.

“Empress, let’s go now. It seems a bit awkward for the Duke to cling too much.”

“Oh, dear. Get a grip on yourself. I’m just so happy.”

The empress, looking embarrassed, smiled again and turned her head to Alicia.

“Then, Alicia, let’s see each other later. Let’s have a drink and enjoy some delicious food with Harry, just like before.”

“…Yes.”

Alicia, taken aback, answered hesitantly as the empress, while patting Alicia’s hand once again, moved away with the emperor.

Passing by Eric’s side, the empress stopped for a moment.

“Oh, Count Russell.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t monopolize Alicia too much.”

“Yes?”

“Overprotection is not good. Alicia might suffer later in social circles due to jealousy from other young ladies.”

“…Yes.”

“Of course, I’ll keep an eye on her, but I also have limits to being involved in the entire social circle.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Well then, have a good time.”

Leaving these parting words, the empress left with the emperor.

Following them, William shrugged his shoulders and passed by, and Harry, trying to avoid the gaze of the Duke, hurriedly walked away.

Once the Duke and Duchess, Eric, and Alicia were left behind, they finally spoke after they moved away.

“What on earth is going on?”

“Mother, she said you had a match last time, but I can’t believe[—].”

“I didn’t go that far. And a match? Where did you learn such an ignorant word?”

‘It was Prince William’s words.’

But wisely, Eric kept his mouth shut.

Glaring at Eric, the Duchess asked Alicia with a curious look.

“But was the lady really friends with the empress?”

“Oh, well, about that[—].”

Mother had said they were acquainted, not friends. Moreover, judging by her tone, it didn’t seem like they were on good terms.

Alicia, embarrassed about how to answer, laughed awkwardly and mumbled.

“Well, yes. I didn’t hear the details, though.”

“Is that so? In various ways, you seem to have a deep connection with the royal family.”

“I was also close to Prince Harry.”

Finally, Eric added with a mischievous smile.
Now, Harry finally understood why he called Alicia by her name at the opera house.

However, Alicia, no matter how much she tried to recall, slightly furrowed her brows at the memory that did not come to mind.

“But I really don’t remember. Was it something His Majesty mentioned?”

“Oh, forget it. It could be because it happened when you were young. Anyway[—].”

The Duchess pushed Eric and Alicia forward.

“The waltz is about to start soon. Shouldn’t we go and join?”

Until the moment when the music started, and Eric, holding his posture, began to step, Alicia was quite nervous.

She had no memory of waltzing since her debutante ball, and it was burdensome from the moment she entered the dance floor with people fleeting glances.

As if noticing her tension, Eric whispered into her ear.

“Luckily, I’m good at leading. Trust me.”

His arms firmly supporting her waist and the hand she held gently were reliable.

So Alicia nodded with a smile.

“It feels light.”

Despite being tense, Alicia followed Eric’s lead lightly and elegantly.

When Alicia completed a turn and rested her arms on Eric’s again, she met his eyes, and her tension seemed to release as she smiled brightly.

“Is it manageable?”

“Thanks to you.”