A carriage loaded with flowers arrived at the pre-reserved venue, making clip-clop sounds with its horse hooves.

People who discussed how to decorate with those flowers quickly moved their hands to trim the blooms.

As the tables and surrounding areas gradually became more vibrant…

The host, Bellia, appeared.

“I see the flowers have arrived. Please take care of them.”

“Of course! Don’t worry, Princess!”

Bellia was truly incredibly busy.

She inspected the pieces for the auction and separately checked the items sponsored by each family.

Afterwards, she reviewed the order of the party and carefully assessed the musicians’ positions and sound acoustics.

She even paid attention to the types of dishes being prepared by the chefs and their cooking processes.

Everyone was amazed by her meticulousness.

“Since the tableware is fancy, please don’t overdo it with the flowers. Make sure to highlight the accent colors.”

“Yes! Leave it to us!”

Bellia nodded as she looked at the maids responding enthusiastically.

Seeing this, the expressions of those holding flowers all brightened.

“Princess Bellia!”

“Princess!”

At that moment, a group of about five or six people called out to Bellia as they ran towards her from afar.

They were the artists sponsored by Bellia. They were also the creators of the works that would be auctioned today.

“Welcome.”

Bellia greeted them with a bright smile. Then, a young man mumbled hesitantly.

“We’re not sure if we should be in a place like this…”

He was worried about whether it was appropriate for them to be at an event filled with nobles.

“Why wouldn’t it be? Don’t worry and enjoy yourselves comfortably. I’ve prepared a place for you over there so you won’t feel uncomfortable.”

She had arranged their seats in a corner to minimize encounters with nobles. It was a thoughtful gesture to keep them visible to the party venue while shielding them from the nobles’ view to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

The artists’ expressions were moved with emotion as they realized this.

Princess Bellia’s words seemed casual, but the consideration evident in her actions always inspired such emotions.

“Look forward to seeing how much your works sell for today. It’ll be fun.”

Bellia said with a wink, then quickly moved to another location.

One of the artists staring at Bellia’s retreating figure spoke absentmindedly.

“…Princess Bellia’s arrival in the Empire is truly a great fortune for its people.”

Where else in the world would there be a princess who would converse with them so casually?

“You’re right. We should be truly grateful that the Second Prince is engaged to Princess Bellia.”

“Isn’t it the other way around?”

As his friend teased him for his strange wording, the man cleared his throat and hurriedly continued.

“Anyway, the Second Prince must be a good person. That’s why someone like her likes him, right?”

They naturally offered positive comments about Callid, who was soon to marry Bellia.

“I heard the Second Prince is coming today too. We’ll see when we actually meet him.”

“I’m telling you, my words are certain! Want to make a bet?”

“Haha. Alright. Then I’ll bet that you’re right.”

“What?! That’s not a bet then.”

Another man grabbed the shoulders of the bickering pair and led them to the seats Bellia had shown them.

“Hahaha. Let’s stop this and all go to our seats.”

The atmosphere was similar throughout the Empire. As Bellia’s small acts of kindness spread rapidly by word of mouth, her popularity swept through various places like a storm.

Moreover, as Bellia’s image improved, the perception of Callid gradually became more positive as well.

The story of Callid discovering a gold mine and rescuing Raul, who had gone to subjugate magical beasts, was newly highlighted, raising doubts about whether the existing rumors about the Second Prince might have been wrong.

“Princess! The preparations seem to be almost complete, so please rest a bit. You should rest now, because once the party starts, you won’t be able to rest at all.”

Susan from the Saphio Count’s family approached Bellia and spoke with concern.

Bellia had been moving without a moment’s rest. It was amazing how such strength could come from that small and delicate frame.

“I’ll just check the auction podium one last time.”

“We’ve already checked everything there!”

“But…”

“We’ve checked two, three times.”

Susan was firm.

She grabbed Bellia’s hand.

“Let’s go.”

“No, wait…!”

Bellia reached out with her free arm, but it was futile.

Rachel and Mia were already sitting and waiting for Bellia at the place Susan had led her to.

“Why are you so late!”

“The princess was moving here and there so quickly, it took time to find her.”

As Susan spoke as if exhausted, Rachel burst into laughter.

“The chef secretly made this for the princess earlier. Please try it.”

Mia said with sparkling eyes.

She was the youngest of the four, but she had a surprisingly sharp side that made it not at all awkward to be with her.

“Mmm. Thank you.”

Bellia smiled awkwardly as she picked up a fork.

“Really. I told you not to overdo it.”

Susan sighed.

Then she looked at Rachel and said,

“Rachel. Please say something to the princess. I’m scared she might really fall ill at this rate.”

“It’s not that bad…”

Bellia tried to protest in a small voice from the side, but they paid no attention.

Since that day Rachel had declared she wanted to be friends with Bellia…

They met often to prepare for the bazaar, and along with Susan and Mia who were of similar age, the four had become particularly close compared to others.

And recently, they had decided to call each other by name.

Of course, they still called Bellia “Princess” as it seemed difficult to use her name yet.

Rachel smiled at Bellia.

“Susan is right. Princess, you’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately.”

“No…”

“You don’t know how much the Second Prince glares at us whenever he runs into us…”

Callid does?

Bellia’s eyes widened.

“He’s giving us silent pressure not to tire you out, it’s really scary.”

“Come on, surely not…”

“So princess, please rest now. Don’t do anything until the guests arrive.”

But that’s a bit…

She kept wanting to check if she had missed anything.

Strangely, a worry bloomed in a corner of her mind that something might go wrong. Although she knew it was groundless, it wasn’t enough to check if everything was properly prepared even several times.

“They’ll be anxious if you keep coming out to check, princess.”

Rachel spoke with mock sternness.

“Alright.”

As Bellia reluctantly agreed to their words, they all exchanged glances and grinned.

“Then quickly try the delicious dessert the chef made!”

Mia said with a giggle.

Time flew by as they laughed and chatted happily for a while.

In the blink of an eye, the sun set and evening came, and splendid carriages began to arrive one by one.

“It’s finally starting.”

Susan spoke as if nervous.

Bellia stood up with a composed expression and posture.

Her expression even showed a hint of solemnity.

“Well then, let’s go greet the guests.”

Bellia personally greeted and exchanged pleasantries with every single noble who visited, without missing anyone.

It must have been tiring, but she paid careful attention without frowning, maintaining a smiling face until the end.

Most of the people who participated today were more interested in things other than the bazaar itself.

Some had come specifically to meet Princess Bellia, who had been the subject of recent rumors, or were curious about the items that Duke Caprie had put up, peeking around.

“I heard it was a bazaar, but it feels more like a banquet.”

“Yes. It’s so elegant, as expected of an event hosted by the princess.”

Praises were heard endlessly from all corners, as if it had perfectly hit the tastes of the noble ladies.

Usually, when bazaars were held, only interested parties would gather and it would end quickly.

But this event hosted by Bellia was very elegant and had many things to enjoy. It appealed to the hearts of nobles who cried out for culture.

“The music is fresh, and the feast is no less than a royal banquet.”

“I heard that wealthy families like Duke Caprie’s and Count Saphio’s sponsored a lot this time.”

“Oh my, is that true?”

“It seems the princess is close with the young ladies of those families.”

Rumors spread quickly.

“Have you heard about that?”

The noble ladies whispered secretively, covering their mouths with fans.

“They say it’s Duke Caprie’s implicit expression of support for the Second Prince…”

“Oh come on, surely not.”

Everyone shook their heads at the woman who spoke.

It was too out of the blue.

“But they say Duke Caprie’s daughter is especially close to Princess Bellia. The duke doesn’t stop his daughter and even sponsors the event to this extent… I think there’s some credibility to it.”

Everyone’s attention turned to the second-floor terrace along the stairs.

There, Callid, who had already arrived, and Duke Caprie could be seen having a pleasant conversation.

“…You know the First Prince had a bit of an incident recently. They say that’s why the duke’s heart has turned, as rumors go.”

“Oh my goodness. Heavens.”

“Of course, Duke Caprie hasn’t directly declared support or shown active behavior, but who knows what might happen later.”

As she finished speaking, all sorts of thoughts floated around in everyone’s minds.

Would the Second Prince really get involved in the succession struggle?

What was the current situation of the First Prince?

Was Duke Caprie’s family really supporting the Second Prince?

“Then…”

Someone cautiously opened their mouth.

“Does this mean Duke Caprie’s family, Duke Tessa’s family, and the Kingdom of Ronica are supporting the Second Prince?”

At those words, the gathering fell silent as if doused with cold water.

It was not a matter to be taken as a joke.

If it was true that the duke’s family was supporting the Second Prince, the Second Prince’s power would grow instantly.

This meant that the assumption that First Prince Raul was likely to be the next emperor would be shattered, and a succession struggle between the princes would begin.

Moreover.

The legitimate imperial prince of the Ingot Empire was not Raul, but Callid.

At this moment, one sentence was etched as a chilling truth in everyone’s hearts.

“…So what are you trying to gain by keeping me here, Your Highness?”

“Duke, you’re annoyingly quick-witted.”

Callid let out a deflated laugh next to the duke, who was holding a champagne glass.

Leaning against the wall, Callid looked at the duke with mischievous eyes.

Then he spoke in a very light tone.

“It shouldn’t matter to you what I gain anyway, right?”

“In the past, that might have been true… but unfortunately, because my daughter has taken such a liking to Your Highness’s fiancée, the princess, I can no longer do that.”

“Rachel, was it? The name.”

Callid recalled the name of a girl who kept catching his eye around Bellia.

“Tell her to stop following Bellia around. She keeps coming in and out of the prince’s palace without any fear of the world.”

Callid’s tone was quite disagreeable.

As Rachel and Bellia grew closer, his time with Bellia had drastically decreased.

He really didn’t like it.

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

“…At this rate, rumors might spread everywhere that the duke is on my side.”

Callid quietly warned him with a hint of coldness.

He meant to at least pretend to distance himself if he didn’t want it.

He was already thinking of using this situation, but he still had the kindness to give a warning in advance.

“Well, I think it might be too late for that?”

Duke Caprie glanced down at the banquet hall.

It was obvious at a glance that many people were stealing glances in this direction, unable to contain their curiosity.

“So.”

Callid’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“Are you really going to take my hand?”