“His Highness the Grand Duke has departed early due to urgent business. The carriage is prepared behind the theater building.”

Caeron’s attendant delivered the news. A faint shadow fell across Aidel’s face.

The Grand Duke’s schedule was packed tightly by the hour. She understood intellectually that it was already quite an imposition for him to attend the matriculation ceremony.

Still, had she wanted to receive congratulations directly? The disappointment seeping into her heart was unavoidable.

“Go on ahead. I’ll finish up the remaining tasks and then go to the carriage.”

Aidel dismissed the attendant, trying to shake off the feeling of disappointment. She planned to stop by the library briefly to borrow some books.

Just as the attendant had left after politely bowing, and she was about to turn away,

“Lady Aidel!”

Aidel turned her head at the sound of a man’s voice calling her. Her eyes widened slightly as she recognized the man’s face.

“Ah, you are…”

“Have you been well? It’s been a while.”

“Mr. Rainien, isn’t it? It has been a while.”

A smile spread across Rainien’s face as she remembered his name.

“You remember me.”

Joy welling up from deep within his heart swirled in his blue-green eyes. His bright smile reminded her of the clear sea she had seen on her last journey.

“I listened intently to your matriculation ceremony speech. It was excellent, captivating everyone who heard it.”

‘So much so that I couldn’t take my eyes off you for a moment.’

Rainien swallowed the latter part and gave a gentle smile.

“You flatter me. Thank you.”

Aidel’s eyes also filled with gentle goodwill at the compliment that felt completely sincere.

“Where are you headed?”

“I was on my way to the library. I wanted to borrow some books.”

He had been hoping to make time to talk with her today, even if deliberately. Rainien leaned slightly towards Aidel, showing interest.

“That’s perfect. I was also wondering where the library was. If it’s alright with you, may I accompany you?”

“Of course.”

As they headed to the library, the two walked side by side, maintaining about a hand’s width of distance between them.

Rainien matched his pace to Aidel’s, walking slowly. His thoughtful consideration was evident, maintaining appropriate etiquette so as not to make the other person uncomfortable.

“What kind of books do you like, Lady Aidel?”

“I like all genres of books, but I often read social science books in particular. They contain diverse perspectives on viewing the changing times.”

“The exploration of social phenomena like politics, economics, law, and history is interesting. The authors’ perspectives explaining the laws governing the era also differ from each other.”

“That’s right. They perceive and interpret the same social phenomena differently. There may not be a correct answer to value judgments, but I think the direction of inquiry should be the same.”

“The direction of inquiry?”

To Rainien’s questioning look, Aidel posed a question instead of answering.

“Do you know what the difference is between natural sciences and social sciences?”

“The biggest difference would be the subject of inquiry, right?”

“That’s right. Natural sciences observe natural phenomena, but social sciences observe human life.”

Aidel continued speaking while looking at people walking in the distance on the campus.

“It needs to be based on affection and interest in people. I think anyone exploring social sciences should not lose this direction.”

The words seemed like a pledge to herself as well. Her eyes sparkled with a bright, undulating vitality.

Rainien unconsciously raised his hand and pressed it firmly against his chest. Her brilliantly shining figure seemed to pierce forcefully into his heart.

“Affection and interest in people… I won’t forget it either.”

He answered with a determined expression. Unlike her intended meaning, his heart was growing with affection and interest for one person.

As they walked, drawn irresistibly to her, they soon arrived in front of the Imperial University library.

“This is the library.”

“Indeed, it’s quite large in scale.”

Naturally, the two headed towards the stacks where the social science books were located.

Their reading tastes were similar, so they exchanged opinions about books they had both read, or recommended books the other hadn’t read yet.

“It’s Lord Lindor’s new book. It was an economic analysis based on unchanging human characteristics, wasn’t it?”

“That’s right. I found it interesting as a new interpretation that there are common human behavioral patterns that penetrate through changing times.”

“So you’ve read it too. Then how about this book? It’s about the changing social perceptions of women.”

“Have you read this book too, Mr. Rainien?”

Aidel looked at him with somewhat surprised eyes. She had been guessing he was of noble birth, though he hadn’t directly stated it.

While typical noble men might acknowledge changing society, they were reluctant to accept the changing roles of women within it.

The book he handed over was on a topic that most male nobles wouldn’t be interested in.

“Of course. I think women will be the ones to change society in the future. I believe that if women’s participation is added to areas that haven’t developed fully in the male-centered society so far, it will progress even further.”

Rainien conveyed his thoughts in a calm but firm tone. He met her eyes with an unwavering gaze.

“I hope there will be more women changing society in the future. Just like you, Lady Aidel.”

The simple but sincere encouragement seemed to warm her heart like a gentle heat. Aidel smiled softly, listening to the calm and steady pulse and heartbeat.

Today, as usual, regular guests were invited to Marchioness Katrina’s afternoon tea party.

“I heard that the Grand Duchess gave a speech as the representative of new students at the Imperial University matriculation ceremony.”

At Katrina’s words, Roselyn tightly gripped the handle of the teacup she was holding. The surface of the tea in the cup wavered like her heart.

Imagining her elder sister being the center of attention in front of people, hot jealousy rose from deep within her stomach.

“Even the Grand Duke, who is busy with external affairs, attended in person… His affection for the Grand Duchess seems quite profound.”

The Grand Duke’s affection pouring out to her elder sister! Even though Roselyn had witnessed it directly with her own eyes, she absolutely didn’t want to acknowledge it.

“Moreover, the newspapers were full of praise for the Grand Duchess. They wrote about expecting the Grand Duchess’s social moves, boldly shedding her dresses and entering Imperial University.”

Katrina pushed today’s newspaper across the table. There was a photo of the Grand Duchess giving a speech at the Imperial University matriculation ceremony.

“I heard that inquiries about tailored women’s suits are already pouring in at every tailor shop in the empire…”

“The young ladies around me are also very interested. I heard that the Grand Duchess’s outfit was a piece personally made by Madame Pomfenu of the Charlotte Atelier.”

People’s attention was drawn to the innovative design that had never been revealed before, of course tailored personally by Madame Pomfenu, who led fashion trends in the empire.

“I’ve repeatedly emphasized that those who lead trends lead high society. With this much influence from the Grand Duchess who hasn’t even properly entered high society yet… I’m already worried.”

At Katrina’s words, which sounded like a sigh, Roselyn unconsciously bit her lips. Roselyn glared at Aidel in the newspaper article with eyes that seemed to be burning fiercely.

Katrina smiled strangely as she looked at the naked emotion in the young lady’s eyes. Indeed, there was nothing like the underlying sense of inferiority to stimulate people.

Soon, Katrina shook her head with a seemingly disappointed face.

“Oh my, still can’t control your emotions? I thought I told you it’s troublesome to reveal the emotions inside. How can you reach the position you want like this?”

“I’m sorry, my lady. I’ll be careful.”

At the admonishing voice, Roselyn quickly exhaled and composed her expression.

She absolutely had to ascend to the more noble position of Empress than the Grand Duchess. For that, she desperately needed the help of Marchioness Katrina, the late Emperor’s mistress and a power in high society.

“The imperial banquet will be held tomorrow. Are the preparations going well?”

“Of course. I’m preparing without any hitches.”

Roselyn nodded confidently, recalling the noble young ladies she had already recruited.

“You know how important the position of the Emperor’s partner is at this imperial banquet, right? I’ve paid special attention, so keep that in mind.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be the star of this banquet.”

The unmarried Emperor Pascal, who still didn’t have a fiancée, chose one young lady from noble families as his partner to enter with at every imperial palace banquet.

This was decided by the House of Nobles, with the intention of naturally introducing women who could become future empresses to him.

The partner for this imperial banquet was Roselyn. It was the result of Katrina exerting her influence in the House of Nobles meeting.

“You’ll need to continue efforts in your relationship with the Emperor as well.”

“Yes, but it’s so hard to figure out what he’s thinking.”

Although she had continued meetings with the Emperor whenever there was an opportunity, the distance with him didn’t easily narrow. Roselyn frowned and irritably brushed up her side hair.

“Given how the Emperor treats you differently from other women, there must be a reason.”

That was also why Katrina had chosen Roselyn among the numerous noble ladies. Unlike the other women she had attached to Pascal before, only Roselyn was allowed by his side. Though at a distance that was neither close nor far.

The cunning Pascal probably had his own intentions for keeping Roselyn by his side. But that was fine. In an unguarded moment, he would gradually ignite because of the woman he kept by his side.

“The Emperor, who received the throne due to the sudden appointment of the Crown Prince, must have a burden in his heart. It’s about the gaze wondering if he became Emperor despite being inferior to his elder brother.”

Katrina continued speaking to Roselyn in a hushed, secretive tone.

“Dig into that point. Stay by the Emperor’s side as you are now and tell him the words he truly wanted to hear.”

“But will that allow me to win the Emperor’s heart? Besides, I heard that the relationship between His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Grand Duke is close.”

“Of course, the Emperor is young but not an easy opponent. His brotherly affection for the Grand Duke is also deep. However…”

Katrina gave Roselyn a meaningful look.

“Brothers of similar age would have naturally been compared as they grew up… Is there really only respect for his elder brother in the Emperor’s inner heart?”

It was right before their eyes, wasn’t it? Someone whose hands trembled with jealousy towards her elder sister. The closer the relationship, the more they were juxtaposed like a mirror seen every day.

“The Grand Duke’s power is still intact. Even within the House of Nobles, there are factions that have supported him since he was Crown Prince. I will deliberately divide the power in the House of Nobles. Into the Emperor’s faction and the Grand Duke’s faction.”

Katrina unfolded a fan intricately crafted with delicate lace.

“If the factions are divided, sparks will arise between the Emperor and the Grand Duke, even if they don’t want it.”

Then Katrina began to gently fan the opened fan.

“Your role is to fan the wind like this. To keep the sparks in the Emperor’s heart growing larger.”

Roselyn, understanding Katrina’s intention, nodded and curled up the corners of her red-tinged lips.