I don’t know how long he had been there, but Lloyd was standing in that exact pose, just about to leave the room.

And he just stood there without saying a word to the crown prince, Leoprick.

“It’s been a while.”

Eventually, Leoprick spoke first in a stiff tone.

But even after receiving the greeting, Lloyd silently stood there and only slowly lowered his head after a brief moment of silence.

He seemed to be deep in thought.

“I greet the small sun of the empire.”

“Yes. I didn’t know you were attending here either.”

“I wasn’t feeling well, so I was just paying my respects and resting. I was about to leave just now.”

Lloyd answered, still with his head bowed.

Not feeling well.

Anyone who heard that would snort in disbelief.

A vigorous man who always has at least two or three women by his side claims to be unwell.

I tried not to sneer and averted my gaze, pretending to have no interest in him.

At that, Lloyd’s complexion seemed to change for a moment, but I didn’t pay attention to it.

I don’t know why he’s acting like he has lingering feelings now, but if I fall for it, he’ll just hold me back again.

He was cunning, knew how to subtly sway people, and was someone who got what he wanted by any means necessary.

Instead of showing any interest in him, I held Leoprick’s arm more firmly.

“If you’re unwell, it’s best you return soon, Viscount. We should also head back to the party venue now, Your Highness.”

And at the same time as bidding him farewell, I diverted Leoprick’s attention elsewhere.

At my words, the gazes of both men simultaneously turned to me.

Suddenly, it felt burdensome.

“Let’s go, Your Highness.”

I tried my best not to show my fluster and gently pulled Leoprick’s arm.

Watching that, Lloyd’s face betrayed his inability to hide his bewilderment.

As if he didn’t expect me to act this way in front of him.

“Let’s do that, Amelia. Well then, Lloyd, take care on your way.”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

With those final words, Leoprick and I slowly passed by Lloyd.

In a fleeting glance, it seemed like I saw Lloyd clenching his fists.

I pretended not to see it and walked along with Leoprick.

The party was enjoyable.

Or to be more precise, it was successful.

During the party, I met various noble ladies.

Most of the attendees belonged to either the Emperor’s faction or the moderate faction.

So instead of engaging in headache-inducing political discussions and power struggles, I chose to share stories of Leoprick’s virtues.

Stories like how he wanted to show me more on our honeymoon and changed the destination, how affectionate and gentlemanly he was at the destination, and how many gifts he showered me with.

No matter how much they live on the battlefield of high society, noble ladies are still women at heart.

Where would you find a woman who dislikes a romantic and charming man?

Needless to say for those from the Emperor’s faction, even the ladies from the moderate faction who initially acted indifferent approached me one by one, showing interest in my stories.

Those who approached in such a way all exclaimed at Leoprick’s romanticism and praised him until their mouths went dry.

And that ultimately led to favorable impressions of Leoprick.

“Why is it that most rulers in history have had many romantic affairs with women? I think it’s more so because most of them had political marriages. But His Highness the Crown Prince doesn’t have any of that at all, does he?”

“He must have learned from His Majesty. The Emperor has never taken any concubines or second wives either!”

“Truly, I’m so envious.”

Favorable remarks about Leoprick burst out from here and there.

Things like not knowing he was such an affectionate person, that Leoprick was different in a good way, and so on.

Perhaps they were implying that Leoprick would only know me even after becoming the Emperor.

And the pinnacle among them was:

“I’m so grateful that someone like him will become the Emperor.”

And that too, coming from a noble of the moderate faction!

From the beginning, today’s goal was to create a positive public opinion about Leoprick, so even without those words, it was as good as half a success.

But the most decisive thing was the conversation with the Marquise of Perge.

“Her Highness seems to enjoy gathering people.”

I was about to step out onto the terrace for a moment after spending time with others.

The Marquise of Perge, who had been conversing with other noble ladies, approached me.

I smiled softly at her.

“Perhaps it’s because I have a lot to talk about. I shouldn’t appear too frivolous though…”

“Not at all. I was just saying it’s nice that you’re so sociable. Don’t worry too much.”

At my words, the Marquise shook her head with a picturesque smile.

She looked at me with warmth-filled eyes, saying that others also felt at ease because I was sociable.

Then, cautiously and in a lowered voice, she asked me again.

“How did you manage to acquire Madame de Par’s pieces? I heard it’s impossible to find her works these days no matter what.”

They say she’s taken a break for the time being.

The Marquise of Perge spoke in a confidential tone.

And the way her eyes sparkled as she looked at me, it seemed like she wanted to get her hands on Madame de Par’s clothes by any means necessary.

Perhaps this could be an opportunity.

I gestured to her with my eyes and we headed out to the terrace together.

The terrace would allow us to talk quietly without others overhearing.

The Marquise of Perge’s desire for Madame de Par’s works must have been great, as she quietly followed me, and only the two of us arrived at the terrace.

“If you’d like, I can send you a few dresses that Madame de Par sent me. If you plan to wear them right away, that is. As you mentioned, she said she’s taking a break for a while.”

“Oh my. Was that rumor true? And you’re saying you’ll send me some of Your Highness’s dresses?”

The Marquise of Perge widened her eyes.

Madame de Par’s clothes are so valuable that even if someone has worn them, they are put up for auction.

Anyone would make the same face as the Marquise now if someone offered to send them such clothes.

I smiled at her brightly.

“If you’ll be the one wearing them, I’ll send someone along to alter the size for you. Even if someone else wears them, they can quickly make adjustments.”

“No, I appreciate the offer, but… do you really mean it?”

The Marquise looked at me with shining eyes.

With a face that suggested she would do anything in return, the Marquise clasped her hands together tightly.

“Perge will not forget this kindness, Your Highness. In the future, we will grant you anything you desire.”

She looked at me with overflowing joy, as if she could hug me right away if I allowed it.

I smiled while slightly pulling back, seeing her enthusiasm over just a few dresses.

It was an excessively high price to pay for something as simple as dresses, but I knew why she was acting as if she would do anything for me.

I could also roughly guess who would be wearing the dresses.

“No need. Just let me know who will be wearing them. I’ll send the most suitable ones.”

I declined her good offer for an even better opportunity.

If I didn’t have a specific purpose, I would have gladly accepted the Marquise’s words…

“It’s for my daughter.”

I knew what was more important than that.

So when she hesitantly brought up her daughter with an awkward expression, I could go along with the conversation by appropriately responding.

“If it’s for your daughter, you must be referring to Lady Elizabeth Perge? For that young lady, I think vibrant and brightly colored dresses would suit her well. I’ll have those sorted out and sent then.”

“Ah, that’s, well…”

At my words, the Marquise’s face was painted with embarrassment and bewilderment.

Because in addition to the socially active Lady Elise, that family had one more daughter.

Publicly, they were known to have one daughter and one son, but in reality, she had another daughter.

“Actually, it’s for my second daughter…”

“Oh my. When you say second daughter, you mean the one who doesn’t often attend social gatherings? I’m not very familiar with her face…”

“That’s probably because she… doesn’t engage in social activities much. She doesn’t really enjoy them either.”

“Is that so?”

Elze Perge.

The only worry and one of the few pure joys of the Marquis and Marquise.

Elze Perge was an imbecile.

Born with a mental defect, her existence was acknowledged, but she couldn’t venture outside the mansion.

Usually, others born like her are abandoned at birth or live through all sorts of abuse, but Elze belonged to a very special case among them.

As her parents spent time with her and her siblings, Elze learned what sociability was.

But even that was still unfamiliar to her, so forget about social communication, she still struggled to take care of herself.

With a daughter like that, I thought they would do anything to get her what she wanted.

The image of the Marquise of Perge before the regression, deeply immersed in sorrow after Elze passed away early, flashed through my mind.

“If it’s alright with you, I’ll send a few dresses that I think are suitable. Choose the one that suits your second daughter and have her wear it.”

“Would you really do that for me?”

At my words, the Marquise of Perge beamed with a smile.

Almost to the point of tearing up.

I smiled back at her.

For the sake of the blessings to come.