Of course, everyone still found it hard to call Velia by her name, referring to her as “Princess.”

Rachel looked at Velia and smiled.

“Susan is right, Princess. You’re overexerting yourself these days.”

“No….”

“Prince Khaled glares at us every time we cross paths….”

Khaled?

Velia’s eyes widened.

“He exerts this silent pressure not to tire you out. It’s really intimidating.”

“Come on, surely….”

“So, Princess, you should now rest. Don’t do anything until the guests arrive.”

But that was a bit

She kept wanting to doublecheck that nothing had been overlooked.

A corner of her heart naggingly worried that something might go wrong, even though she knew it was an unnecessary concern. Even after checking multiple times, it still felt inadequate.

“If you keep going out to check, the servants will become uneasy too.”

Rachel spoke with feigned sternness.

“Alright.”

Finally persuaded by their words, they all exchanged smiles.

“Now, try the delicious dessert the chef made!”

Mia laughed brightly.

Time passed quickly as they chatted and laughed joyfully.

As the sun set and evening fell, grand carriages began to arrive one by one.

“It’s finally starting.”

Susan spoke, sounding somewhat shaky.

With a composed expression and posture, Velia rose from her seat.

A glint of seriousness was visible in her expression.

“Then let’s go greet the guests.”

(This is a time marker.)

Velia personally met and greeted every single visiting noble.

Though it would have been tiring, she maintained a smiling face to the end and paid close attention to every detail.

The majority of people attending today were interested in things other than the bazaar itself.

Some had come just to meet the increasingly talkedabout Princess Velia, while others were curious about what the Duke of Capri had put up for sale.

“It feels like a party rather than a bazaar.”

“Yes, it’s very classy, being an event hosted by the Princess.”

Praise rang out from every corner, as if directly targeting the tastes of the noblewomen.

Usually, bazaars ended quickly with only interested parties gathering.
But the event hosted by Velia was incredibly elegant, offering a variety of amusements. It deeply resonated with the nobles who prized refinement.

“The music is fresh, and the banquet is on par with a royal feast.”

“I heard that wealthy families like the House of Capri and the House of Saphio have been very generous sponsors this time.”

“Really? Is that so?”

“It seems that Princess Velia has a close relationship with these noble families.”

Rumors spread quickly.

“Have you heard?”

Ladies covered their mouths with fans, whispering secrets.

“Apparently, it’s an implicit statement that the House of Capri will support the Second Prince…”

“Ah, come on.”

Everyone shook their heads at the woman who broached the topic.

It was an utterly random remark.

“But especially, the young master of the House of Capri is said to be very close to Princess Velia. Given that even the Count sponsored the event… it does have some credibility.”

Everyone’s attention shifted to the secondfloor terrace.

There, Prince Khaled and Count Capri were already engaged in a lively conversation.

“…I heard the First Prince had a bit of an accident recently, leading to a shift in the Count’s allegiance.”

“Oh my God.”

“While Count Capri hasn’t officially declared his support, who knows what will happen later.”

As she finished speaking, a myriad of thoughts floated through everyone’s minds.

Would the Second Prince really enter the struggle for the throne?

What is the current status of the First Prince?

Is the House of Capri genuinely supporting the Second Prince?

“Then…”

At that moment, someone cautiously broke the silence.

“Is the House of Capri, along with the House of Tesa and the Kingdom of Ronica, supporting the Second Prince?”

The room went eerily silent, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over them.

It was no laughing matter.

If the Count’s house was indeed supporting the Second Prince, his influence would expand instantly.

It would mean the preconceived notion of First Prince Raul becoming the next Emperor could be shattered, sparking a royal struggle.

Moreover.

The rightful heir to the throne of the Ingot Empire was not Raul but Khaled.

At that moment, an unsettling truth settled into everyone’s hearts.

(Time separator)

“…So, what do you intend to gain by holding me here?”

“The Count is too perceptive; it’s annoying.”

Holding a champagne glass, Khaled let out a deflated chuckle beside the Count.

Leaning against a wall, Khaled gazed at the Count with mischievous eyes.

Then spoke lightly.

“Why should you care what I gain?”

“It would have been fine before… Unfortunately, due to my daughter’s affection for your fiancée, the Princess, I can’t.”

“Rachel, was it? The name.”

Khaled recalled the name of a girl who had been particularly noticeable around Velia.

“Tell Velia to stop following her. She’s constantly lurking around the palace, unaware of the dangers.”

Khaled’s tone was unmistakably displeased.

The increasing closeness between Rachel and Velia had substantially reduced the time he spent with either.

He didn’t like it.

“Haha. As you know, I can’t control my daughter.”

“…Be careful you don’t end up spreading rumors that you’re on my side.”

Khaled warned him, his voice tinged with coldness.

If he didn’t want that, he should at least pretend to step back.

He had planned to take advantage of the situation, but still wanted to give him an advance warning.

“Well, it might already be too late.”

Count Capri glanced down at the banquet hall.

Many were throwing glances this way, unable to contain their curiosity.

“So.”

Khaled’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“Do you really intend to take my hand?”