Holding Sione’s hand and entering the banquet hall, all eyes were focused on me.

Just as the music had ended and a new piece was about to begin, the air itself seemed to stop, creating an illusion.

“Could that really be Princess Bella? Nobody has seen her in person, so who knows?”

“Use your eyes and look properly. Sione is by her side. If that child isn’t the owner of the Rose Palace, who would it be?”

“I guess so. She’s changed so much, I didn’t recognize her.”

Whispers spread throughout the quiet room.

It felt like insects crawling around a dark, silent room that had been extinguished.

There were dozens of chandeliers decorating the grand hall, so it was far from dim; it was dazzling to the point of death.

“What a cute princess. Isn’t the dress she’s wearing just adorable? Where could she have found such a design?”

“Never mind her pretty face! My God, who knew the royal family had such a treasure of a daughter?”

“She must take after the Lord. She looks like she wouldn’t hurt a fly, but why have they neglected her so much?”

Assessments of me poured from all around, but there was no one who approached or spoke to me casually.

The attitude towards the princess was incredibly insincere, but I couldn’t say I didn’t understand their situation.

Being a lone princess without any close relatives, and even their king, my father, is turning his back on me, so even light greetings wouldn’t be easy.

‘Why aren’t they playing the music again? It’s only making the atmosphere weirder.’

I looked towards the royal orchestra with an annoyed face.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, as a brownhaired lady who appeared to be a noblewoman gestured to the orchestra.

“That person is…”

The music began again, and the stiff atmosphere around us relaxed.

The noblewoman who caught eyes with Sione walked towards us with a delighted face.

“Oh my, look who it is. You’ve grown so beautiful, Sione!”

“……It’s been a long time. Lady Layla.”

With her hair elegantly curved to one side and wearing an incredibly extravagant and gorgeous dress, Layla exuded the aura of a typical aristocratic woman.

However, with her mischievous expression and overflowing vitality, she did not seem like an ordinary person.

“And who is this adorable little lady? Your sister?”

“This is Princess Bella, whom I serve. The Lord’s youngest daughter.”

Layla, looking quite surprised, momentarily covered her mouth before correcting her expression and giving a polite bow.

“I apologize, Your Highness. I am Layla, the head of the Danir family. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Danir family? Why does it sound familiar?

‘It’s similar to the name of the mining magnate Luca’s maternal family.’

I took a quick glance at Layla as she was smiling warmly and being courteous, when suddenly,

A dashing redhaired boy came running towards us, making a great noise.

“Wow, it’s Bella! You’ve grown so much. You look like a totally different person!”

Just as I thought. My memory was correct.

I alternately looked at my second brother, Luca, and Layla.

Comparing them closely, their expressions and feelings seemed similar.

Layla’s hair also had a slightly red tint, so it seemed she resembled her mother more than her father.

“Luca. Even if you’re a prince and my brother, you mustn’t be rude to the princess. The closer you are, the more you need to be polite.”

“But Bella is my sister. Ever since I was a child, you said that we should love and take care of our siblings!”

“……That was from a fairy tale I read to you when you were one. Anyway, what was that about earlier? It seemed like you met the princess before.”

Eek, Luca covered his mouth with both hands, avoiding Layla’s gaze.

With that one act, Layla seemed to realize that her son had secretly been going to the Rose Palace.

“I’m sorry, Princess Bella. I must have raised my son too rudely. I hope he hasn’t been impolite to you?”
“There was nothing in particular at that time. Lady Bella was quite young.”

“Anyway, I raised her cooing, and she secretly escaped the palace.”

Hmm, perhaps the love of mischief is the only thing Luca and I have in common.

I’ve been on the lookout for an escape opportunity since the lake incident, so I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“I need to talk to Luca a little more about this. It seems others are waiting as well, so I’ll take my leave for today. See you next time, Princess Bella.”

“What about the handling…?”

Only after Leira grabbed my son’s ear and disappeared did I realize that I was surrounded by people.

People lined up to greet me in that short time.

“Hello, Princess Bella. Nice to meet you for the first time. I am Hucklan from the eastern Bern territory. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“3rd Princess, nice to meet you. I am Shardina, the Duke of Changes…”

It took quite a while to make brief greetings while making eye contact with the crowded people.

Since Leira, of high rank, opened the first gate, everyone seemed to approach more comfortably.