“An invitation from the imperial family…? Let me see it.”

I opened the invitation I received from Mary with a dazed feeling.

The name ‘Rebecca Escaliff’ written at the bottom caught my eye first.

“Jade. Who is Rebecca Escaliff?”

“The Countess Escaliff who became the Emperor’s head lady-in-waiting last year.”

From Jade’s explanation, I realized it was an invitation sent by the Emperor through her.

[ Greetings, Countess Diane Boston.

I am Rebecca Escaliff of the Escaliff County.

Are you having a beautiful day with the blue sky shining brightly?

The reason I am writing this letter is that His Majesty the Emperor has invited the Countess to the greenhouse garden of Sunset Palace.

We look forward to your daughter, the young lady of Boston County, accompanying you as well.

Then, I eagerly await meeting you in the greenhouse garden soon.

– Rebecca Escaliff ]

‘The Emperor invited me to the greenhouse garden…?’

The greenhouse garden of Sunset Palace was a place that even royalty could not enter without the Emperor’s permission.

Not only did he invite me to such a space through the head lady-in-waiting, Countess Escaliff, but also…

‘He wants Blanche to come along?’

I wondered why he wanted to see a young child who hadn’t even had her debutante ball yet.

“Larien, what’s wrong?”

“Jade, look at this.”

After reading the invitation, Jade slowly furrowed his brow.

“He’s inviting you and Blanche to the greenhouse garden?”

“I wonder what it’s about. Moreover, Uncle has been neutral, so the Boston family hasn’t been particularly close to the imperial family for generations…”

The more I spoke, the harder it was to grasp the Emperor’s intentions.

‘It’s a bit difficult to refuse the Emperor’s invitation, what should I do.’

Tap tap.

“…Jade. I’m busy thinking right now.”

Jade lightly tapped the table and turned my gaze straight ahead.

“Larien. Don’t bite your lip.”

“Ah.”

I didn’t realize I had been chewing on it, and it stung a little.

‘I guess it’s better to go after some time has passed.’

I made a decision while rubbing my lip.

“Mary, please send a reply saying we’ll visit in about three days, and take this to the jeweler.”

I wrapped the topaz Blanche had spit out in a handkerchief and gave it to Mary.

“Oh my, what a beautiful topaz.”

“Tell them to make it into a necklace without damaging it, and you must watch over the craftsmanship.”

“Yes, young lady.”

Mary took the topaz and left the dining room.

“You’re making it into a necklace?”

“It’s the fastest to set the gem in a ready-made necklace rather than anything else. And there’s less worry about losing it.”

Jade moved his chin as if he understood.

“Mommy, Shu Shu is hungry. Can I eat?”

“Oh, of course. Let’s eat quickly.”

“Thank you for the meal!”

Blanche struggled to cut the steak, fumbling with the knife.

“Blanche, do you want Mommy to help?”

“No, Shu Shu wants to try!”

Right after refusing with a rather serious expression, Blanche dropped the knife from her hand.

It fell to the floor with a loud noise.

“…Hng.”

Jade, who was watching from the side, laughed at Blanche.

“Marquis, why are you laughing…!”

Blanche’s eyes narrowed as she puffed out her cheeks.

Jade picked up another knife and cut the steak into small pieces.

“Eat with the fork.”

He placed the fork in Blanche’s hand.

“It’s delicious!”

Blanche put a piece of steak in her mouth and swung her feet happily.

My eyes met Jade’s as he sipped his wine.

“What, Larien. Do you want me to cut yours too?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at his mischievous question.

“…No thanks. What do you mean, cut it for me.”

Jade brought a plate of Caprese salad with thinly sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil in front of me.

“Larien, you like this, don’t you?”

“…Thank you.”

I didn’t expect him to remember something I liked briefly in the past.

My face felt hot, and the air seemed warmer.

[This is the timeline separator]

The day to go to the greenhouse garden of Sunset Palace arrived.

I was sitting at my vanity preparing since morning.

Blanche, wearing a cape, was reflected in the mirror.

“Mommy, are you done?”

“Just need to do my hair. Give me a moment.”

“Okay!”

“Young lady, how would you like your hair done?”

“I think it’s better to put it up neatly.”

My light brown hair was tidily put up by Mary’s hands.

I took a pendant from the jewelry box and fastened it around my neck.

“This pendant is always amazing. Your appearance changed right away.”

Mary exclaimed, apparently seeing me as Diane.

‘If Uncle hadn’t given me this, I would have had difficulties managing Boston.’

I rubbed the pendant, suddenly missing him.

“Oh, the necklace is finished. As you said, I watched over the work, and there are no signs of damage.”

Mary carefully opened the velvet box she took out. The necklace made with the topaz caught my eye.

‘It will suit Blanche well.’

I liked that it wasn’t plain, but not too heavy either.

“Blanche, do you like it?”

I showed the necklace to Blanche as well.

“Mommy, it’s so pretty. It sparkles.”

She couldn’t take her eyes off the necklace, apparently liking it.

“Young Lady Blanche seems to like anything that sparkles, just like you.”

Mary muttered softly beside me.

“Well, all children this age like that sort of thing.”

I cleared my throat, embarrassed by the implication that she took after me.

“It’s a gift, Blanche.”

“Huh, it’s for Shu Shu? But it’s not Shu Shu’s birthday?”

I put it around Blanche’s neck as she got very excited.

“It’s very important, so you must never lose it or give it to anyone. Understand?”

“I understand! It’s so pretty, hehe.”

I glanced at the clock while watching Blanche, who was delighted with the necklace.

‘I guess it’s time to head to the imperial palace.’

After brushing off Blanche’s slightly wrinkled cape, we moved to the imperial palace.

[This is the timeline separator]

“What is your business?”

“I received an invitation from Countess Escaliff.”

I showed the invitation I had brought to the imperial knights guarding the greenhouse garden of Sunset Palace.

“Confirmed. Please enter.”

I felt slightly nervous as they stepped aside after carefully reading the invitation.

‘The security is indeed strict.’

Countess Escaliff was standing in front of the greenhouse garden.

“Countess Boston. Thank you for coming. His Majesty the Emperor is waiting inside.”

Guided by Countess Escaliff, Blanche and I stepped into the greenhouse garden.

“Oh, you’ve come, Countess Boston.”

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor, the great sun of Langransha. May glory always be with you. It is an honor to be invited.”

I bent my waist, lifting both sides of my dress at the Emperor’s voice as he noticed me.

Blanche followed me, lifting her dress in the same way.

“Ho ho, please be seated comfortably.”

The Emperor showed satisfaction at the greeting that didn’t deviate from etiquette.

A young boy with blonde hair was seated next to the Emperor.

‘Blonde hair, and sitting right next to the Emperor…’

It wasn’t difficult to guess the boy’s identity.

There was only Prince Serendio, who had died from the depletion of divine power, among the young children growing up in the imperial palace.

‘Since Oscar hasn’t ascended to the imperial throne yet, I shouldn’t call him Prince or use the title of His Highness.’

“I greet Your Imperial Grandson.”

I greeted Serendio in the same way I had greeted the Emperor.

“Pl-pleased to meet you, Countess Boston.”

Serendio opened his mouth softly.

“My, the Imperial Grandson is so shy.”

The Emperor clicked his tongue and sighed towards Serendio.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

Serendio hunched his shoulders at the Emperor’s continued scolding.

“I’ve shown you an unseemly sight, Countess.”

The Emperor looked at Blanche with a pleased smile.

“How old is the Countess’s daughter?”

“She is 4 years old, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm, the same age as the Imperial Grandson, yet so poised. Imperial Grandson. Go sit next to the young lady.”

Serendio hesitated for a moment before approaching Blanche’s side.

Blanche pulled out a chair for Serendio to sit on.

“Th-thank you.”

It was pitiful to see him straining while watching the Emperor’s reaction to avoid stuttering.

“The Countess must have been surprised by the sudden invitation. Well, I heard a rumor that Marquis Rowe helped the young lady up when she fell while mingling, so I wanted to see her.”

The Emperor, mentioning the story of Jade helping Blanche up when she fell on the virgin road, showed his curiosity.

“With Marquis Rowe… No. Actually, I called the Countess today to discuss something else.”

“Your Majesty?”

The Emperor put down his teacup and pointed at Blanche.

“I would like to betroth the young lady to the Imperial Grandson.”

A moment of silence passed.

‘Betrothal… Blanche and Serendio?’

I forced out my voice that wouldn’t come out due to bewilderment.

“Your Majesty. Isn’t it a bit early to discuss the betrothal of my daughter and His Imperial Grandson?”

“Hmm, in the imperial family, we sometimes arrange betrothals even before birth. If anything, this isn’t too late compared to that.”

The Emperor persistently asked questions, as if it wasn’t just a casual mention.

“What does the Countess think?”

While subtly urging, he pressed for an immediate answer.

“…Your Majesty. I’m worried that my daughter’s weak constitution might not suit the imperial family and might burden His Imperial Grandson.”

“Worries. Don’t they get along well with the Imperial Grandson? There’s no need to be modest. Or… is it because of her birth mother’s background?”

The Emperor was now asking.

If I was hesitating because the Imperial Grandson, a precious bloodline of Langransha, was born an illegitimate child from a commoner.

‘If I say the wrong thing here, it could be tantamount to insulting the royal family.’

I didn’t want to accept the betrothal proposal.

As I was contemplating how to escape this situation,

Countess Escaliff entered.

“Your Majesty the Emperor. Marquis Rowe urgently requests an audience.”