The Grand Duke’s residence was busy from early morning. Aidel was being dressed by her maids to attend the imperial banquet.

Standing beside her, Marlin carefully instructed her, considering it was the Grand Duchess’s first imperial banquet.

“Today’s imperial banquet is to commemorate the Grand Duke’s wedding, but it is also to celebrate the return of His Majesty the Former Emperor from his travels.”

“What kind of person is His Majesty the Former Emperor?”

Aidel, who had not been able to engage in any social activities so far, had no opportunity to see the Former Emperor in person. The only information she knew about the Former Emperor was the official content reported in newspapers.

“His Majesty the Former Emperor is…”

At Aidel’s question, Marlin fell silent for a while, lost in thought. The years she spent by Empress Meriel’s side in the imperial palace flashed through her mind.

– I have never seen a woman as remarkable as the Empress. Isn’t the ancestor of the Roman ducal family also a direct descendant of the first emperor? Indeed, a woman from such an amazing family is different!

– Your Majesty, I merely expressed my opinion. It has nothing to do with the will of the Roman ducal family. It’s solely for the imperial family and the empire…

– Enough! I know all too well how much the Empress thinks of the imperial family and the empire. Sometimes she’s so devoted that it makes me, the Emperor, feel ashamed.

Whenever Empress Meriel expressed her opinions on political affairs, the Former Emperor would often mock her with an unpleasant expression.

The Former Emperor and the Empress were usually on cold terms. Even during their tea time, the only regular private meeting they had, their conversations always ended on a bad note.

– Marlin, I feel the rift between His Majesty and me is deepening. I wanted to be an empress who could be his strength by his side… Is my approach wrong?

– No, it’s not. The day will come when His Majesty the Emperor will understand Your Majesty’s sincerity.

Though she offered words of comfort… the day she had waited for until Empress Meriel closed her eyes never came.

Marlin’s gaze, tinged with deep regret, fell upon the profile of the Grand Duchess, who was finishing her preparations.

The more time she spent with the Grand Duchess, she could fully see and feel not only her intelligence but also her kind heart. At such times, the image of Empress Meriel naturally overlapped.

“His Majesty the Former Emperor may seem strict when you first meet him. He’s not one to easily show affection.”

“I see.”

“Are you worried about meeting His Majesty the Former Emperor?”

“I’m a bit nervous since it’s my first time meeting him.”

Aidel nodded and fiddled with her fingertips, stiff with tension. Marlin patted the back of her hand and gave her a warm smile.

“I’m sure you’ll do well.”

“Thank you. I have to do well.”

It was not only a meeting with the Former Emperor but also the start of her official social activities as the Grand Duchess. As Aidel was making a resolve with a sense of duty, a maid approached to deliver news.

“Your Grace, His Grace the Grand Duke has just arrived and is preparing as well.”

Due to unexpected storms causing disruptions in the trade business, Caeron had not been able to come home since attending the entrance ceremony.

The busy situation of not being able to see his face for the past few days was rather a comfort to her. It chased away the remaining sleep without giving her time to linger between dream and reality after waking from the honeymoon dream.

Having finished her preparations, Aidel headed straight to the Grand Duke’s dressing room. It was to finish the Grand Duke’s preparations for attending the official event.

‘This is the duty of the Grand Duchess, and it’s what I should do.’

With determination, Aidel opened the door to the Grand Duke’s dressing room. Her eyes fell upon Caeron, who was wearing his formal uniform for the banquet.

Seeing him again after a few days, her heart rate increased slightly, despite her resolve. Aidel approached him, trying to maintain a calm expression.

“You’re here now. I’ve come to help you prepare.”

Caeron had been looking at Aidel from the moment she entered the dressing room. From the moment the door opened and her scent reached his nose, his gaze naturally turned to her.

As her scent, which he hadn’t smelled for days, entered through his lungs, the muscles under his shirt tensed. He pressed his lips together and then released them, feeling the change in his body.

“I just arrived and was preparing. Belated congratulations on your admission.”

“I received the bouquet and gift you sent. Has the trade business issue been resolved well?”

“Yes, it’s been well concluded.”

“That’s a relief. You must have worked hard.”

Considering it was a formal uniform, the attendant handed over a sash instead of a cravat. Aidel took the sash and reached out to wrap it around Caeron’s shoulder to his waist.

Caeron clenched his fist as he stared intently at her face right in front of him.

Indeed, her scent must have withdrawal symptoms. It was clear when it stimulated his entire body like this after not smelling it for just a few days.

Thinking he had indulged enough during the honeymoon was clearly a misjudgment.

Caeron’s gaze slowly moved downward.

The dress the Grand Duchess was wearing was a banquet dress that elegantly revealed the decollete line, as if emphasizing her long, slender neck. Madame Pomfenu from Charlotte’s Atelier must have paid quite a bit of attention.

As the urge to tear that dress apart right then and there arose, Caeron sneered at himself.

“Ha…!”

“What’s wrong?”

At the sound of his soft sigh, Aidel tilted her head in confusion, not understanding.

“We should end today’s banquet quickly and return.”

“Is something wrong? Perhaps there’s still some trade business left…”

“Because the Grand Duchess will be busy.”

At the mention of her being busy, Aidel carefully recalled her schedule, but there were no other plans today except for attending the imperial banquet.

‘Could it be…?’

Aidel’s eyes widened as something dawned on her. Before she could respond, Caeron took her hand and left the dressing room.

“It’s going to be a busy day, so let’s depart.”

The carriage carrying the flustered Grand Duchess headed towards the imperial palace.

It was just before the imperial banquet. Count Ripenzer and Viscount Dessen of the House of Peers visited the Emperor’s audience chamber.

“Your Majesty, there are still not a few in the House of Peers who are loyal to His Grace the Grand Duke. They are the vassal families who have followed the Roman ducal family since the time His Grace was the Crown Prince.”

“We know that Your Majesty the Emperor has a deep brotherhood with His Grace the Grand Duke, but we are deeply concerned about the behavior of those who still seem to act as if His Grace is the Crown Prince.”

Despite their earnest voices, Pascal frowned and rebuked.

“The Grand Duke’s will and mine are one. Moreover, the Roman ducal family is also my mother’s family. What exactly is your intention in speaking like this now?”

“Intention! We are families who have sworn loyalty only to Your Majesty the Emperor. What other intention could there be in offering loyal advice to our lord?”

“That’s right. It’s just that there are still not a few who praise His Grace the Grand Duke as the reincarnation of the first Emperor Jupiter…”

Count Ripenzer trailed off and carefully observed the Emperor’s reaction. At the mention of the first Emperor Jupiter, Pascal’s face hardened.

“Enough! So what is it that you want to say? Are you suggesting that I should expel all the vassal families of the former Roman ducal family who follow the Grand Duke?”

“We reiterate, we are only concerned for Your Majesty’s well-being.”

“Moreover, the business in the Grand Duchy is flourishing day by day. We are worried that if their power continues to grow, they might one day surpass the authority of the imperial family…”

“That won’t happen. Stop worrying unnecessarily. The banquet will start soon, so let’s end the audience here.”

Pascal shook his head as if it was a headache. At his gesture to leave, Count Ripenzer and Viscount Dessen exchanged a glance and stood up to bow respectfully.

“We hope Your Majesty will heed our loyal advice.”

As they were about to open the door of the audience chamber and leave, the chamberlain Aizak announced the arrival of a new figure.

“Your Majesty, Lady Roselyn of the Fluor Count family has arrived.”

It was Roselyn, the partner for this imperial banquet. Count Ripenzer, Viscount Dessen, and Roselyn exchanged greetings at the doorway. In the brief moment of greeting, meaningful glances were exchanged between them.

“It is an unsurpassed honor to be Your Majesty the Emperor’s partner today.”

Roselyn, dressed in a deep rose-colored dress, curtsied and smiled as radiantly as a blooming flower.

“I too am pleased to be with such a beautiful lady.”

Pascal, seeming tired from the earlier audience, responded out of courtesy.

“Your Majesty, it’s time to start the banquet.”

“Let’s go to the banquet hall.”

Pascal escorted Roselyn towards the banquet hall. Walking hand in hand with him, Roselyn wore a triumphant expression as if she had become the Empress.

“His Majesty the Emperor is entering!”

As the chamberlain Aizak announced loudly, the nobles gathered in the banquet hall all bowed their heads at once. Receiving these greetings alongside the Emperor, Roselyn’s face was highly elated. The feeling of being revered by everyone after ascending to a high position sent thrills from her toes.

‘Indeed, this position is mine.’

The place beside the Emperor should have been hers. It should have been her who ascended to the most noble position in this empire. Roselyn once again made an inner vow and gripped the side of her dress tightly.

“You have arrived.”

“Roselyn of Fluor greets His Majesty the Former Emperor.”

Pascal looked at the Former Emperor seated at the head of the banquet hall. Roselyn also greeted him respectfully. Katrina, sitting next to him, whispered to the Former Emperor in a gentle voice.

“This is Lady Roselyn, the second daughter of the Fluor Count family. As I mentioned before, she is a young lady who possesses the refinement and dignity of a noble family’s lady.”

“So you are Roselyn. I heard about you through Katrina. I hear that social activities among noble young ladies have been active recently, centered around you.”

“It is an infinite honor that you remember my name.”

“I hope you will further develop Jupiter’s social circle in the future.”

“I will always engrave it in my heart and remember.”

Roselyn put her hand on her chest and curtsied to show her respect. Katrina watched this scene with a satisfied expression.

“But, His Grace the Grand Duke is not yet visible.”

“The Grand Duke is late.”

At Katrina’s words, the Former Emperor frowned in displeasure.

“I heard that the Grand Duke’s merchant ship encountered a storm this time… It seems he’s a bit late finishing up that matter.”

As Pascal explained the circumstances of the Grand Duke’s household, Roselyn muttered to herself, bringing her hand to her mouth as if surprised.

“To keep His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Former Emperor waiting… His Grace the Grand Duke’s prestige is indeed great!”

Her voice was just loud enough for Pascal nearby to hear, as she had intended. Pascal’s expression became subtle upon hearing Roselyn’s soliloquy.

It was then. A tall man approached and greeted respectfully.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Former Emperor.”

From the moment he appeared in the banquet hall, people who had shown interest with curious gazes began to focus on his greeting.

“You are…”

“I’m not sure if you remember, but I greeted His Majesty the Former Emperor when I was young. I am Rainien, the third prince of the Lisandro Empire.”

As Rainien introduced himself, sounds of surprise could be heard from people nearby who had been observing him. Especially the young ladies who had been showing interest in the gentle-looking handsome man began to sparkle their eyes.

Pascal shook hands with Rainien and welcomed him.

“Welcome to Jupiter. I heard you came to study at the Imperial University this time. I hope it becomes a good learning opportunity.”

“Thank you. I have wanted to experience Jupiter’s excellent culture and advanced scholarship for a long time.”

“I heard Prince Rainien is in the Department of Administration, is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“If it’s the Department of Administration, then it’s the same as the Grand Duchess. Have you met the Grand Duchess?”

“Unfortunately, I haven’t had the pleasure yet.”

“Then you’ll meet her soon.”

Pascal looked towards the entrance of the banquet hall, which had suddenly become noisy. Rainien also turned his head following Pascal’s gaze. Even from afar, the figure of Grand Duke Ellios was clearly visible.

And the moment he confirmed the woman standing next to him… Rainien’s pupils shook violently, growing large in disbelief.