The morning approached, but the palace examiners had not called for me. Having passed both the written and practical tests, it was Princess Miliora’s turn to accept me unless she could come up with another excuse.

I thought I could spend the day leisurely while Princess Miliora pondered on it.

I took a few things and headed straight to the courtyard, finding Duke Rond sitting in the same spot as yesterday, still as a rock.

“Duke Rond!”

He frowned as if an annoying insect had flown by.

It wasn’t pleasant, but it was true that I was as bothersome to him as an insect, and I intended to continue to be so, so I didn’t mind.

“Duke, what are you doing?”

“…….”

“Yes, I plan to rest today as well.”

I started talking to myself, and Duke Rond opened his mouth as if giving up on the hope that I would leave on my own.

“Her Highness has a tea party later.”

He seemed to want to send me there, but why work when I could rest?

I took out a small bottle I had brought.

“Really? Shall we have some tea then?”

Duke Rond looked at me as if he was amazed but accepted the cup. He tasted a bit and surprisingly started gulping it down.

The sight of him, a man of rock-like build, sipping from a tiny teacup with large hands was surprisingly cute.

I poured him more tea and drank some myself. Sitting in the courtyard drinking warm tea, I couldn’t feel better.

“Have you greeted Her Highness?”

“No, why greet her. The examiners are probably looking for an excuse to kick me out today. I passed the etiquette test yesterday.”

“Who recommended you?”

“It seems to be the First Prince.”

“I see.”

“‘I see’? What does that mean?”

“It means it’ll be difficult for you to leave the palace for a while.”

“Ah. Yes.”

Should I be happy or not?

“The tea I brewed tastes really good.”

“Hmm.”

“But how did you—”

Just then, we both noticed a maid wandering around, looking for someone.

“I must go.”

Duke Rond stood up, stirring the air again.

However, the maid who spotted us called for me, not him.

“Roar, Her Highness calls for you.”

I saw a deep, sharp disappointment flash in Duke Rond’s eyes. I quickly took out a medicine bottle from my pocket and placed it on the bench, then followed the maid.

“Duke Rond, dissolve this in water and drink one cup a day.”

The maid with brown hair neatly braided down guided me briskly into the princess’s palace. What’s the hurry?

“I’m Lorisha. And you?”

“I’m Eria, Roar.”

She answered mechanically, showing no interest in further conversation.

When we stopped in front of the reception room of Princess Miliora, Eria spoke quickly and softly.

“You know how to greet Her Highness, right? You may bow when she gives you her attention or speaks to you.”

Yes, I know.

I stood nervously in front of the door. I was finally entering the space of Princess Miliora Tagar.

The door opened, and I walked into the reception room, marveling inwardly.

The interior, decorated with ivory frames and golden edges, was so dazzling that it created an illusion regardless of the lighting.

Young ladies sitting side by side on an antique red floral sofa looked like large flowers.

And at the center sat Princess Miliora Tagar of the empire.

Her straight silver hair reached her waist, her skin so pale it was perfect. Her face was small and detailed, with unusually large, shining green eyes. Though not particularly tall, her small frame made her look like a living doll.

Beautiful.

That was my first impression of Princess Miliora.

As I approached the sofa to greet her, young ladies who were elegantly sipping their tea turned their gaze toward me all at once. There was no small amount of tension in that brief silence.
But the princess seemed not to notice me, idly putting dessert into her mouth.

“Isn’t this really delicious?”

The woman seated next to the princess quickly responded.

“It’s the best, Your Highness. I even think about this macaron before going to sleep.”

“Oh my, you too, Keryl? So do I.”

“Me too. Ho ho ho.”

The women all laughed in unison, and with that, my presence in the room was erased.

I was preparing my etiquette as if a knight is about to draw his sword before a duel.

However, I became as invisible as thin air, and the princess continued her meaningless conversations and laughter with her ladies.

‘This damn…’

I sensed that Princess Milliora had decided to torment me after failing to remove me from her presence. She insulted me by ignoring me to the point where I would cry and run out.

‘What now… I’m not leaving.’

Regaining my composure, I glanced around the room. If the princess realized that I was unphased by this, she might become more malicious.

The reason why everything in this room was shining new was not because of her extravagance. It was always new because she kept breaking things.

So, it wouldn’t be strange if she threw an entire plate of macarons at me.

I was actually slightly hopeful. I wondered what face she would make if I caught the flying macaron and ate it.

That macaron looked really delicious.