On the debutante ball day, Eshika believed she had surely captured Lucius’s attention. Just as in the original work, she received many envious looks from other noble ladies as she danced with him for the first time.

However, reality was not so straightforward.

According to the original work, Lucius should have visited Marquis Croft’s mansion and taken Eshika to the Paradisium Palace.

But Lucius didn’t do that. He had left Eshika alone since that day.

So, Eshika sighed.

To re-establish contact with Lucius, she needed to be invited to social gatherings he frequented and prepare dresses and accessories to attend.

So, she first built friendships with the nobles who had connections with Lucius.

Fortunately, they were captivated by Eshika’s beauty and sent various gifts. Thanks to them, she succeeded in acquiring dresses and accessories and received invitations to social gatherings.

The problem started after that.

How to capture Lucius’s heart!

At the debutante ball at the palace, Lucius invited Eshika to dance.

So, Eshika believed that Lucius must have fallen for her kind-hearted nature and beautiful appearance as she helped another lady in distress.

But reality was different from the original, and Eshika had to somehow become indispensable to Lucius.

Leveraging her knowledge of the original, Eshika gave some advice when she met Lucius again about his actions related to the future.

It was as if she had revealed the near future.

Fortunately, that event came true.

As similar events repeated several times, Lucius began to trust Eshika’s predictions little by little, and he eventually visited Marquis Croft’s mansion.

‘How did the noble lady know that this would happen? It’s like she foresaw the future.’

In response to Lucius’s question, Eshika answered like this.

‘I have the talent to predict the future.’

‘Ridiculous. Did she think I would fall for such absurd nonsense?’

Though she tried to exude a mysterious aura, Lucius was not as easily convinced as the Countess Derenberg.

So, Eshika crafted her words to be more realistic.

‘What the Crown Prince says is correct. In fact, I have accumulated vast knowledge and possess slightly better insight than others.’

Lucius didn’t seem to completely dispel his suspicions, but he seemed to judge that there was more realism in her ability to predict the future than in the claim.

So, Eshika drove the point home.

‘Please use my modest little ability for the Crown Prince’s great endeavors.’

‘What great endeavor is the noble lady talking about?’
In response to Lucius’s question, Eshika looked up at the setting sun and said:

“…The Empire’s sun has begun to set.”

The sun of the Empire, symbolically referring to the Emperor, was an exceedingly representative expression.

Even after that, Lucius confirmed Eshika’s ability through several verifications.

A special ability to see the future.

“Originally, the original work was a romance novel, so why…?”

Eshika couldn’t erase the thought that she seemed to have become one of Lucius’s subordinates.

It felt like being kept by usefulness, not out of love.

“Although the development has changed significantly, with Renev staying in Bashker instead of Paradium…”

For some reason, caught in an inexplicable sense of unease, Eshika relaxed in the hands of the maids massaging her body.

“Well, as long as the results are good. Let’s keep it simple.”

Eshika gradually drifted into sleep.

“Renev, do we really have to go this far?”

Patrick grumbled as he looked at his reflection in the mirror, seemingly dissatisfied.

“Yes. We must do it this way.”

Renev, indifferent, continued choosing outfits to match Patrick.

One side of the drawing-room was filled with men’s clothing, shoes, hats, and more.

“Is this better?”

Renev gazed at a cravat with layers of frills. Patrick’s violet eyes, following Renev’s gaze, shook anxiously.

“Lady, how about this?”

When Kieren pointed to a hat adorned with iridescent peacock feathers, Patrick’s complexion turned pale.

“Patrick, if you have a preference, just say it. I’m willing to accept opinions anytime.”

Despite Renev’s words, Patrick sighed, averting his gaze.

He had realized through experience that no matter what opinion he expressed, Renev would not accept it.

Renev had invited Patrick to the Bashker Palace for the upcoming New Year’s celebration.

Although it had not been long since the Siren Marquis left for the South, Patrick agreed.

Originally, Patrick had the duty to protect the Western part of Paradium as a representative of the Siren Marquis.

However, knowing that they would not initiate an attack from Bashker, there was no need to be overly vigilant.

Not long ago, Renev asked Icarus about the plans related to the Siren Marquis.

In response, Dahan answered like this:

“His Majesty wishes to form an alliance with Laina and Venice before the expiration of the peace treaty.”

And Icarus’s idea of an alliance was slightly different from the commonly used concept.

Although called an alliance, Icarus was, in fact, envisioning a bigger picture.

“As with the Siren Marquis trying to succeed the Marquis Submarquis, influential nobles in Venice and Laina will soon undergo a generational change.”

In response to Dahan’s words, even Renev had to nod.

This was not limited to just two countries.

Before the regression, Renev had gone through considerable hardship in this matter.

While building friendships with influential nobles to make Lucius the Emperor, there were often changes in the heads of families.

Mostly, they followed the intentions of the previous head of the family, but sometimes not.

For example, when the new head of the family started interacting with a different family instead of maintaining ties with the previous friendly family.

“Fortunately, both Laina and Venice have shown positive responses. His Majesty intends to introduce the concept of a ‘united nation’ during this New Year’s celebration.”