Kirian watched his sister choosing jewelry through the window crack.

Rather than Reina choosing, it was more accurate to say that she was silently watching the duchess and Eliza fussing at the side.

Dressed in a violet dress and with half of her hair braided with jewels and the other half left to wave long, the sister shone no matter which piece of jewelry she held against herself.

Surely she would appear at the party, escorted by Prince of Kxia, looking just as dazzling.

Unable to be invited to the party, all he could do was watch from afar.

As Kirian clenched his fist, the tree where he was hiding shuddered its leaves.

His mother turned her head sharply towards him as she sensed something strange, but Kirian had already hidden himself within a deep shadow after leaving the tree.

If he didn’t want to be discovered, it would be right to stay away from the party tonight.

He felt like he had already been caught by his father, but he had narrowly escaped his mother’s most dangerous eyes each time.

At least his father wouldn’t try to catch him in the middle of the party, throwing off uncomfortable shoes and sprinting full force, but his mother would do it if she said she would.

But imagining Reina dancing with Prince of Kxia, hand in hand amidst everyone’s congratulations, his insides twisted and he couldn’t stay still.

Without realizing it, Kirian’s steps were already headed towards the party.

(This is a time separator.)

Count Magine unfolded his fan with a dry gesture and then closed it.

It was a party that really had no appealing aspect at all.

From the gathered common children, to the ridiculous fuss about giving some stupid presentation, to his daughter, whom he was even ashamed to call, refusing to attend altogether because she was afraid of giving a speech in front of people.

Count Magine glanced disapprovingly at Esmeralda, who was quietly playing with the students in the corner.

Count Magine clicked his tongue.

“If a child doesn’t want to present, she must be forced on stage even if dragged.”

Now it seemed that no one knew that Esmeralda Magine had attended the party.

Count Magine, keeping a close eye on the Duke and Duchess, sent a signal to Esmeralda as soon as there was a gap in the crowd around them.

Esmeralda grimaced for a moment and grabbed her ear, but soon stepped towards the Duke and Duchess with the Count.

“Mother, Duchess. Have you been well?”

The Duchess first looked at the approaching Count Magine and hesitated.

“You……”

But then she saw the following Esmeralda and smiled brightly.

“Ah! It’s Count Magine. Has young Esmeralda been well too?”

“Hoho, of course.”

Count Magine talked without even giving his daughter a chance to open her mouth.

“But, I don’t see Prince Kirian.”

Count Magine blatantly scanned the banquet hall.

“Ah, Kirian.”

Strength involuntarily entered the Duchess’s temples.

“I find it hard to see him these days too.”

The Duke stroked the Duchess’s back, casually turning his eyes towards the third terrace on the opposite side of the banquet hall.

The night wind was cold, so the curtain was tightly drawn, but the Duke’s senses were sharp enough to feel even the small breath on the other side.

“It’s really a shame.”

Losing interest all at once, Count Magine trailed off. But he kept smiling and brought Esmeralda closer.

“Our daughter helped Princess Reina a lot in planning this party……”

As Reina was mentioned, the Duchess immediately clapped her hands.

“The party is very original, isn’t it? The intention is good, and it’s fresh.”

The Duchess pointed to Reina, who was talking to the King of Kxia with her fiancé, with a proud face.

“Doesn’t the King of Kxia seem satisfied too? Hoho, it’s a bit odd for me to say this, but our daughter has always been loved wherever she goes, having such a personality.”

Count Magine’s emotionless gaze fell on Reina.

“That’s true. I’m jealous. I wish my daughter was loved like that too.”
The Duke of Magine tightly held Esmeralda’s hand and gave a thin smile. It seemed that some action had to be taken for the true protagonist of this party to appear.

“Nice to meet you, I am Reina Istira.”

Though my mouth was dry with tension, I smoothly raised the corners of my lips in greeting. King Ksia slowly nodded his head once.

“Yes, you are Reina.”

It was an expression impossible to gauge.

“I heard you’re the host of today’s party.”

“Yes. I did my best, though it might not be enough.”

Fortunately, the King’s expression slightly relaxed.

“I’m also interested in education, and I think it’s a rather good intention for the party.”

That was exactly what I was aiming for. I smiled even more broadly and pointed at His.

This was the perfect opportunity to boost His, who was competing for the Crown Prince’s position.

“Actually, it was His’s idea. He, too, seems to have a great interest in educational projects, similar to Your Majesty.”

His narrowed his brow as if he didn’t understand.

“No, there seems to be a misunderstanding. It was Princess Reina’s planning from beginning to end.”