“His Highness the Grand Duke of Ellios and Her Highness the Grand Duchess are entering.”

As the Grand Duke couple crossed the banquet hall towards the high seats, they drew the gazes of the crowd. Murmurs of admiration, both loud and soft, flowed from the lips of those watching the pair.

The Grand Duke, dressed in a black formal uniform with a golden sash, was as imposing as ever.

In contrast, the Grand Duchess, wearing a pale gold silk dress, appeared delicate but exuded elegant dignity in her unwavering gait and expression.

As the Grand Duchess’s face became clearer as she approached… uncontrollable ripples began to form in Rainien’s lake-colored eyes.

“Is that… Her Highness the Grand Duchess?”

Rainien asked blankly, with an expression of utter disbelief.

“Yes. The Grand Duchess of Ellios. From the Fluor Count family.”

“Her name is… Lady Aidel.”

“Correct. You know her well.”

At Pascal’s confirmation, Rainien tightly closed his eyes. Even when he opened them again, the dreamlike situation remained unchanged. Rainien’s complexion gradually faded as he gazed at the Grand Duke couple now right before him.

Meanwhile, Aidel inwardly concealed her bewilderment at unexpectedly encountering familiar faces.

She was surprised to see Roselyn standing beside Pascal again, just like last time…

‘Sir Rainien…?’

The man standing opposite the Emperor was Rainien, whom she had met and gotten to know at the Imperial University.

She had expected him to be of noble birth, but they hadn’t revealed which families they belonged to. She thought they had met as equals, as students, rather than as Grand Duchess and nobleman.

It was disconcerting to face him as the Grand Duchess at such an unexpected moment. Although it was something she would have to reveal eventually, she had hoped to become closer as like-minded friends before naturally letting him know.

Judging by Rainien’s stiff, frozen expression, he seemed shocked to see her as well. However, her duties as Grand Duchess took precedence at the moment.

“We greet Your Majesty the Emperor and Your Majesty the Former Emperor.”

“We apologize for the unavoidable delay. Former Emperor, this is the Grand Duchess of Ellios.”

As Caeron introduced Aidel, Rainien’s body visibly flinched. It felt like another bullet piercing his already shot heart, as if to confirm the kill.

Unaware of Rainien’s feelings, Aidel bent her knee to greet the Former Emperor.

“I am Aidel of the Fluor family. I hope you will graciously understand the rudeness of my late greeting.”

“So you are the Grand Duchess of Ellios.”

The Former Emperor’s sharp gaze began to scrutinize Aidel. Her posture, as well as every small gesture, displayed flawless etiquette.

This appearance stood out even more in comparison to Roselyn, who had greeted him earlier. Although Roselyn had also managed to display decent etiquette, only the Grand Duchess exuded an innate elegance.

Katrina, standing nearby, couldn’t help but notice such differences. Her eyes narrowed as if trying to find even the smallest flaw in the Grand Duchess.

“Well. Belated congratulations on your marriage. When the Grand Duke suddenly announced he was getting married without any prior mention… I was curious about what kind of woman you might be.”

“That was my fault. I fell in love with her at first sight and simply couldn’t wait.”

It was customary for high nobles like the Grand Duke to go through a long engagement and preparation process before marriage. The Grand Duke had not only skipped these procedures but also announced the already decided marriage news as if merely informing others.

Caeron readily admitted to the improper procedure in response to the Former Emperor’s barbed words, which still held a trace of resentment. He explained the reason for his uncharacteristically hasty decision, just as he had done to Pascal before, by saying he “fell in love at first sight.”

“Fell in love at first sight…?”

The Former Emperor’s eyes widened in surprise at the Grand Duke, who not only admitted his mistake but also spoke freely about falling in love at first sight. To think such words would come from that cold face that seemed incapable of shedding even a drop of blood if stabbed.

The Former Emperor wasn’t the only one surprised. Although Katrina had already heard about it from Roselyn, she flinched at witnessing the Grand Duke’s blatant display of affection firsthand.

“My! How surprising indeed. Grand Duchess… I shall be watching you closely.”

The Former Emperor gazed intently at the Grand Duchess who had changed the Grand Duke. As if to divert the Former Emperor’s gaze, Caeron turned the topic to Rainien standing nearby.

“Ah, Prince Rainien is here as well.”

“Ah… I greet the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess.”

Rainien barely managed to open his mouth at the sound of Caeron calling him. His voice was unusually subdued.

‘I fell in love with her at first sight and simply couldn’t wait.’

Rainien’s mind, already shocked beyond measure, was filled with this one sentence from the Grand Duke.

He too had fallen in love with her at first sight. He had been waiting for the chance to naturally meet her again while preparing for his studies abroad.

But that waiting had led to this situation he didn’t want to accept. Why hadn’t he approached her immediately when he first saw her and fell in love… Vain regret enveloped him.

‘Prince Rainien…?’

Aidel looked at Rainien with surprised eyes. She had thought he was the son of a noble family she didn’t know about… but a prince…!

‘There shouldn’t be anyone called a prince in the Yupiter Empire…?’

It was strange. The only princes of the Yupiter Empire were Pascal, who had become Emperor, and Caeron, who had become Grand Duke. Her question was soon resolved through Rainien’s self-introduction.

“I… greet Your Highness the Grand Duchess. I am Rainien, the Third Prince of the Lisandro Empire.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Prince Rainien.”

Although surprised at learning his true identity, Aidel carefully concealed her expression and greeted him calmly.

“Prince Rainien will also be studying abroad at the Imperial University this time. Since he’s in the same Administrative Studies department as the Grand Duchess, it would be good for you to get to know each other well during this opportunity.”

Pascal, who had developed goodwill towards the friendly neighboring empire’s emperor, introduced Rainien to Aidel. Aidel bowed her head and replied.

“I look forward to our future acquaintance.”

“I… look forward to it as well.”

As they exchanged greetings, their gazes, filled with complex emotions, met briefly. Though it was just a fleeting moment, Caeron’s eyes sharpened as he observed the two.

Instinctively, Caeron grabbed Aidel’s waist beside him and pulled her close to his side.

“Please take good care of my ‘wife’ and ‘Grand Duchess’.”

Caeron’s intention seemed clear as he emphasized certain words. At his possessive words, Rainien clenched his fist.

He needed to respond… but a lingering attachment that refused to accept reality held his lips sealed.

As an awkward silence briefly fell, Pascal changed the atmosphere.

“Well then, now that we’re all gathered, why don’t we enjoy the banquet?”

At Pascal’s words, Roselyn, who had been standing behind, stepped forward with sparkling eyes.

“That sounds wonderful. I’d like to catch up on overdue conversation with my sis- I mean, Her Highness the Grand Duchess, whom I haven’t seen in a while.”

Katrina also chimed in, rising from her seat.

“I too have been curious about what kind of person Her Highness the Grand Duchess is. How about we ladies have a tea time together?”

Although Aidel wasn’t thrilled about spending time with Roselyn, she thought she should agree. She also needed to maintain an appropriate relationship with Katrina, the Former Emperor’s mistress and a central figure in social circles.

“Will you be alright?”

Caeron asked Aidel in a low voice. The Grand Duchess was still unfamiliar with social activities.

“I’ll be fine. It’s something I need to get used to.”

“…Alright. Go ahead then.”

Although Caeron was reluctant to send Aidel to meet with two people who were certainly not favorable towards the Grand Duchess… seeing Aidel’s eyes shining with firm resolve, he let her go.

Thus, Katrina, Roselyn, and Aidel moved to the tea room.

Rainien, unable to take his eyes off Aidel’s retreating figure, turned his head as he felt a knife-like gaze from beside him. His eyes met Caeron’s.

“Prince Rainien.”

“…Yes, Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

“I’ve suddenly become curious about something.”

“Please speak.”

“At the entrance ceremony last time…”

As Caeron suddenly mentioned the entrance ceremony, confusion spread across Rainien’s tense face.

“Did you meet the person you wanted to see?”

“…!”

“At last, we meet Her Highness the Grand Duchess.”

Katrina smiled brightly, her eyes curving. Her beautiful face, without a single wrinkle around the eyes, made it difficult to guess her age.

“I’ve heard much about your reputation, Lady Katrina. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Aidel met Katrina’s eyes with a calm face. She maintained a distance, neither too close nor too far, in her tone as she observed the other.

“Sister! Have you been well?”

As Roselyn addressed her with a face full of joy, Aidel opened her mouth with a composed expression.

“Roselyn. I have been doing very well.”

Although Aidel’s tone had been similar when she was at the Count’s house, now as the Grand Duchess, there was an added dignity and nobility that gave her an indescribable depth.

“However, I would appreciate it if you were more careful about calling me ‘sister’. It might be fine when we’re alone, but Lady Katrina is here, so we should observe proper etiquette.”

“…I apologize, Your Highness the Grand Duchess. In my excitement, I just…”

At Aidel’s words, Roselyn bit her lip with a wounded pride. Her hands trembled beneath the table.

‘Are you putting on airs now that you’ve become the Grand Duchess? You, who used to be bullied daily at the Count’s house!’

To think she would insult her instead! Roselyn felt bewildered and angry at Aidel’s changed behavior, so different from when she used to endure all sorts of contempt without a word at the Count’s house.

In fact, Aidel had merely advised on etiquette considering Katrina’s presence. However, to Roselyn’s eyes, all of Aidel’s actions seemed irritating.

Katrina, who had been quietly observing the situation, sighed softly and opened her fan. It was a signal to manage one’s expression. Receiving this signal, Roselyn gritted her teeth and spoke with a bright smile, changing the subject.

“By the way, there are so many people who want to see Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”

“Me…?”

“Of course! Lady Katrina here, and other young ladies too, how curious they all are about Your Highness the Grand Duchess! They all asked me to introduce you, and I was at a loss.”

“Would you mind giving me a list? It would be good to invite them to the Grand Duke’s residence next time.”

At Aidel’s words about inviting them to the Grand Duke’s residence, Roselyn smiled brightly and clapped her hands.

“That would be wonderful! However, since today’s palace banquet is also to celebrate the Grand Duke’s marriage… everyone is already here to see Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”

Already here? Before Aidel could ask for more details in her confusion, Roselyn signaled to the maid standing by the tea room door, and it immediately opened.

A group of noble young ladies began to enter one after another. They bowed their heads to Aidel as they entered, greeting her.

“We greet Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”

“…Welcome. Please come and have a seat.”

Aidel, caught off guard, invited the standing young ladies to be seated. The large table in the center of the tea room was soon filled.

Aidel carefully examined the faces of the young ladies who were said to have wanted to see her. She didn’t recognize a single face.

However, one thing was clear.

‘Their desire to see me…’

It was certainly not out of good feelings.

Because what was permeating in their eyes was a form of emotion that she had seen and felt countless times through Roselyn over the years.