I quickly put the dress on, and Emma, who had finished dressing me, began braiding my hair to one side.

“If you put a pin here, it will look good.”

The pin Emma took out was a small flower pin.

When the delicately crafted silver pin was inserted into my braided hair, it sparkled as if reminiscent of stars.

“It’s all done!”

It was truly high-speed.

Emma, who had finished my makeup in an instant, set up a mirror in front of me.
Reflected in the mirror, I didn’t look like someone who had just wandered out of a rabbit hole.

‘I like today more than yesterday.’

It would be perfect after taking off the coat later.

“Shall I bring the food?”

“Sure, will you?”

Today, each family should bring one dish, mobilizing the maids.

“Well, it won’t be too late if we go now.”

“Thanks, Emma. I’ll support your shop, the fifth branch.”

“Did I not say? I will love Lady Eileen forever.”

A passionate confession received a response from another direction.

“That’s a bit awkward.”

“Kashar?”

He was wearing a white silk uniform with a dark green coat.

It might seem excessive to others, but…

‘It suits him well.’

I didn’t know that bright colors would also suit him well since he always wore dark colors.

Standing side by side in front of the mirror, we looked well-coordinated as if we had planned it.

He extended his hand in front of me.

“Shall we go?”

“Of course.”

I laughed at his playful tone.

As we went outside, two carriages with Vladis’s pattern and three chicks were waiting for us.

“Eileen and Hyung-ah, come quickly!”

“We’re coming now!”

The little princes and the big prince looked handsome today too.

‘But Kashar is still the best.’

It was better to keep such thoughts to myself to avoid embarrassment.

We arrived at the banquet hall by carriage.

‘The toasts will start a bit late.’

There were nobles who had just arrived like us, so we weren’t the last.

As we entered the hall, all the noble gazes were focused on us.

“We will store your coats.”

Since it was winter, there were servants to store the nobles’ outerwear separately at the door.

As we took off our coats, admiration erupted from everywhere.

‘The clothes seem to be quite beautiful.’

Emma’s arrangements played a part too.

Today’s dress was an evening dress made by layering thin fabric layer by layer.

Although the back was deeply cut, the dress swelled generously from below the waist, and a pleasant friction sound was heard with every step.

Nobles alternately glanced at me and elsewhere.

There was Elias.

She seemed to be conscious of yesterday’s incident, so today she wore a relatively simple outfit, but it was a red dress with vibrant colors.

Amidst the murmurs of the nobles, Elias’s expression seemed to be subtly stiffening.

‘Well, Emma seems to have won.’

I tossed the ball to Emma, who had adorned herself for battle.

Beside Elias, a man approached with a serious expression.

It was a face I knew.

‘Is he partnered with the Crown Prince?’

Yesterday, they seemed close, and today it seemed like he had officially joined the Empress’s party.

Matching colors with Elias, Valentine wore a red fabric jacket with black accents.

It looked quite flamboyant on the outside, but…

‘What’s the fart captain going to do?’

Other nobles seemed to have the same thought as me and quickly turned their gaze.

“Since all the guests have gathered, we will begin displaying the food.”
Food was placed in succession on the table known as the Table of Blessings. Of course, the best seat belonged to the saint, and from her side, food was arranged according to the hierarchy. ‘Is it because of Kashar’s engagement status?’ Although mine was also placed at the top, it wasn’t as favorable as Elias’s. Finally, as all preparations came to an end, the Emperor rose from his throne and descended. Elias welcomed him along with the Empress and the Crown Prince. “I present my first blessing to Your Majesty.” The dish Elias introduced was a course meal. It included Mediterranean salad and light biscuits; for the main course, there was roasted duck with asparagus, and for dessert, a red velvet cake sprinkled with gold dust. It was a splendid and perfect meal. Dios, who had been silently looking down at it, raised his utensils. After lightly tasting only the main dish, roasted duck, he lowered his fork.
He lightly tasted only the main dish, the duck confit, and then lowered his fork.

“Blessings of the saint, well received.”

Considering he was a devotee of the goddess Shaina, it was a subtle reaction. However, it wasn’t a negative expression, so Elias smiled broadly.

The Emperor moved to the next spot with food.

Due to Elias’s prepared dishes being a course, they occupied a considerable space.

Soon, the Empress’s expression became filled with anticipation.

‘This must be the dish that Waiano prepared.’

It was a splendidly decorated roasted turkey. Of course, it probably wasn’t made directly by the Empress, but it looked exceptionally excellent.

The Emperor, as in previous years, tasted only a bit of the breast and moved on to other dishes.

The Empress seemed disappointed, but it wasn’t to the extent of a tantrum.

‘Considering she has never intervened in the food other than hers each year.’

Now, the obligatory act of eating had come to an end.

After passing numerous dishes, the Emperor suddenly stopped.

He asked the attendant standing by, “……Who made this dish?”

The attendant whispered to the Emperor.

After a moment, a voice announcing my name echoed.

“Eilin Halen. Please come forward.”

I walked towards the Table of Blessings.