Naturally, Reneb was envious at the time.

Looking at the red diamond, ten times larger than the one Lucius gave to Esika, Reneb furrowed her brow.

‘It’s alright… isn’t it?’

Slowly, Reneb began to worry about the treasury of Basuker.

The red diamond necklace wasn’t burdensome. Thinking of it as a rental, using it for a day, and returning it was fine.

The problem was the dress.

Even as the empress’s daily wear was luxurious, this dress was overdone.

It was adorned with Picuna fabric, available only in minute quantities even in its main production area of Benistan.

Unlike the necklace, the dress was tailored to Reneb’s physique, making reuse impossible.

It was at that time that Reneb worried about Icar’s finances.

“I’ve put cushions on the floor since you’ll be standing long.”

Pointing at the red pumps, Kierinen giggled. A smile spread across Reneb’s face.

“Thank you, Kierinen. You worked hard today.”

“Not at all! I’m the first person to see my lady dressed so beautifully. I’m so happy to enjoy this honor.”

His response was as if he were a daily manager of his favorite star from afar.

It was so cute and funny that a soft laughter escaped Reneb’s lips.

And then Reneb worried a bit late.

‘Did I just seem undignified?’

But whatever pleased him, Kierinen’s eyes sparkled like jewels as he looked at Reneb.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

“Yes! Mesmerize everyone attending the ball.”

At Kierinen’s words, Reneb lowered her eyes, touching her forehead.

It was embarrassing.

“……I’ll try.”

Having answered with difficulty, Reneb walked towards the door.

That’s when a knock was heard.

And immediately, a familiar low voice resonated.

“Are you ready?”

Icar seemed to have come at the perfect timing.

“We just finished.”

Saying so, Reneb opened the bedroom door.

“……!”

Reneb’s purple eyes widened.

The first thought that came to her mind upon seeing Icar was ‘Wow, unbelievable……!’

Because.

The neatly buttoned dark blue uniform up to his neck exuded an ascetic feel, and his neatly groomed commastyled forelock seemed slightly damp as if anointed with fragrant oil.
Like she just popped out of the bathroom?

To put it simply.

She gave off the feel of a devout priestess that should never be touched, yet simultaneously, the vibe of a flirt who doesn’t stop the coming woman or catch the going woman coexisted.

Was it a misconception that Icar’s eyes, looking at her, seemed sticky today?

She was thinking that, when Icar reached out his hand.

Reneb placed her hand on Icar’s large hand, like a lamb bewitched by a demon.

As before, Icar’s hand was not warm but hot.

It was when Reneb was looking down at her intertwined hands.

Icar adjusted his grip.

“……?”

The moment Reneb’s head tilted in puzzlement at the meaning of that action.

“……!”

Icar slightly pulled her hand and kissed the palm. The soft and mushy touch of his lips was very unfamiliar.

A tingling sensation spread all over her body.

Reneb’s eyes widened, frozen.

Icar looked up and met Reneb’s eyes, speaking.

“The dress, the jewels, they all suit you well. You’re beautiful.”

For some reason, Reneb’s throat tightened. For a moment, she stuttered like a broken robot and licked her lips.

“Your Majesty, you look really great today.”

Icar’s eyes sparkled, and the corners of his mouth curled up.

“I’m glad you like it. Well, let’s go.”

Icar slightly extended his arm, and Reneb placed her hand on it.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She could feel Icar’s solid arm muscles through the touching fingertips. Reneb made an effort to ignore that sensation and took a step.

‘But… when he smiles, he’s pretty cute.’

Recalling Icar’s smile from a little while ago, Reneb’s lips also drew a slight curve.

(This is a time separator.)

When Icar and Reneb entered the Great Hall, the nobles’ gazes poured onto them.

The looks were both familiar and strange.

Different from the looks she always received as Empress, these were mixed with curiosity about the presence of an unfamiliar foreigner, yet also rejection.

“Eat, drink, and enjoy as much as you want.”

Icar simply, no, plainly announced the start of the ball.

Reneb blinked.

‘Can’t be… is it over?’

Reneb, accustomed to Lucius, who used to make long speeches in front of the nobles, was a little taken aback.

So she looked around at the reactions of others.

A few steps away, Drehan and Bane were having a conversation, and other nobles were busy chatting with their partners.

Then she spotted familiar faces.

Viscount Belkein and Princess Rachel were together.

When their eyes met, Rachel tried to approach Reneb.

However, a young noble near her struck up a conversation.

Sending a glance to her to keep talking, a soft bass voice reached her ear.

“The first dance of the ball is always the Emperor’s.”