Ikarus narrowed his eyes, following the gracefully retreating figure of Reneve from the great hall.

“He must have noticed if he’s running away.”

However, such behavior from Reneve only reinforced Ikarus’s confidence. He had not been wrong in his judgment.

In fact, he was becoming increasingly fond of the issue.

One must quickly understand others’ intentions and not be swayed if they wish to survive long in the palace. And Reneve had sprung away just perfectly.

Although it was regrettable that he had sensed my intentions so quickly and fled.

With hair as smooth as seaweed, Ikarus gazed at the disappearing back of Reneve and smiled.

His gaze rested on the slender waistline revealed between the tightly clenched arms, holding onto the flowing dress.

“Ah…”

An uncontrollable sigh escaped Ikarus’s lips.

“How can a person be like that?”

He briefly doubted his eyes, thinking a divine manifestation breathed and lived right before him.

Reneve was incredibly beautiful today. So much so, he stared, momentarily forgetting to breathe.

Her partially rolled silver hair sparkled as if sprinkled with pearls, and the light purple dress, revealing her figure, complemented Reneve’s beauty.

By the time he thought he’d like to preserve this sight forever, Ikarus had made an impulsive decision.

There was never an intention to introduce Reneve to the influential nobles of Basukeru.

It was merely a conflict between not wanting to show her to others and wanting to announce she was mine. The latter won.

“Your Highness, I have something to report.”

At that moment, a voice made Ikarus reluctantly shift his gaze away from Reneve.

“What is it?”

After spending some time in the powder room, Reneve moved back to the great hall.

Though she didn’t want to return.

That’s when someone greeted her with a familiar voice.

“Your Highness, it’s been a long time!”

It was Princess Rachel.

“It’s been a while, have you been well?”

Seeing Rachel after a few months, she was still full of vitality.

As Reneve exchanged pleasantries with her,

A young gentleman with a somewhat handsome appearance approached and greeted both Reneve and Rachel politely.

Of course, he was a stranger to Reneve, but appeared to know Rachel.

“Princess, do you have a moment?”

Upon the young man’s question, Rachel looked at Reneve with a difficult expression.

Reneve communicated with Rachel through a glance.

‘I’m fine, go. If you like him.’

‘I will, then.’

Smiling, Rachel turned her head towards the young man.

“Of course.”

At Rachel’s permission, the young man’s face instantly lit up.

“Princess, you look truly beautiful today.”

Ah, the bloom of youth.

Reneve glanced at the two of them with a satisfied look and moved on.

Just as she entered the great hall,

“Countess Seiren, do you have a moment?”

A crystal glass filled with pinkish fruit wine appeared before Reneve.

She looked at the man offering the glass with puzzling eyes.

“…Lord Vain?”

“Weren’t you somewhat hopeful just now?”

“Hopeful?”

“I mean, didn’t you think that the young man who was captivated by your beauty would approach you?”

Grinning, Vain offered the fruit wine to Reneve. Taking the glass from him, Reneve chuckled.

“Not at all.”

“Not at all, you say?”

“Yes, not at all.”

It was then that Reneve shook her head firmly.

Dohan approached.

“Vain, you rascal.”

Dohan glared at Vain, smiling at the corner of his lips.
“I apologize on behalf of whatever just happened. Your Highness.”

Dehan was certain that Bane had been rude to Renev.

Adding, “Our child doesn’t bite,” Bane seemed to nod in agreement.

“I won’t ask.”

Renev chuckled softly as he looked at the two.

The murmuring noise slightly increased.

And soon the herald announced.

“Princess of Solti is entering.”

Renev turned his head toward where the nobles’ eyes lingered. Ashika was entering the hall with Duke Zalts.

“You’re quite late.”

Bane said, looking at Ashika, and Dehan chimed in.

“Yet you seem quite confident.”

Her entrance was considerably later than the time stated on the invitation.

The party was to continue until dawn, so being a bit late wasn’t a big issue.

However, since it was an event celebrating the Emperor’s birthday, most of the nobles had arrived on time.

Both Dehan and Bane seemed to consider this rudeness toward their lord.

“……”

Ashika entered the hall, escorted by Duke Zalts.

And the moment she passed by Renev.

Their eyes met.

Ashika’s eyes, filled with an innocent and charming smile, seemed more provocative than ever.

Renev furrowed his brow at her overly confident gaze.

He had anticipated some form of retaliation soaked in tree sap soon.

And he felt that today might be that day.

As Renev slightly furrowed his brow, Dehan asked.

“Why is that, Your Highness?”

Shaking his head as if it were nothing, Renev asked,

“Is it alright for both of you to be here?”

Today, the busiest people besides Ikar would be Dehan and Bane.

It slightly bothered him that both were wandering around him.

“……Actually, we were under the Emperor’s orders.”