“Lady Elaina, are you feeling alright? You don’t look as pale as I thought you would…”

The concern was evident on Lady Reges’s face as she addressed her.

Sitting close to Elaina, she seemed to have completely forgotten her earlier hesitation about using her name, as she anxiously examined Elaina’s hands, first one way, then another. It felt almost like a caring mother.

But that overbearing warmth wasn’t unpleasant, so Elaina smiled kindly and replied,

“Yes, I’m fine. I was just a bit surprised, that’s all.”

“And His Highness the Prince? I only saw from afar, but he looked to be in serious condition…”

“Sinclair is alright too. Of course, being bitten by a lion isn’t a minor injury, but the physician said his life isn’t in danger and he’ll recover with sufficient rest.”

“Oh, thank goodness!”

Lady Reges sighed in relief, rubbing her chest.

“What kind of madman… Pardon me. To do such a thing in the sacred temple!”

As Lady Reges fumed, Elaina seized the opportunity to speak.

“Have you perhaps heard what people are saying about the incident?”

“That’s actually why I came.”

Lady Reges glanced around, and after confirming no one else was present, continued in a lowered voice.

“Well, there are various rumors circulating, but they can be broadly divided into two categories.”

“Two categories?”

“Yes. One is that someone targeted His Highness the Prince… and carried out such an act. The other is…”

Lady Reges trailed off, seeming slightly embarrassed.

“You can speak freely, my lady. Whatever you say, it won’t reach Sinclair’s ears. And we’re friends, aren’t we? Don’t worry.”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

She took a deep breath, then continued in a very cautious tone.

“The other is… that His Highness the Prince staged it himself.”

“…”

“To somehow capture people’s attention with this opportunity, and create an image of safely completing the ceremony while putting his body on the line.”

It was truly an absurd notion, but at the same time, it made her wonder. How rock-bottom must Sinclair’s reputation be for such a ridiculous rumor to circulate?

“Of course, I think it’s completely nonsensical! Goodness, even if he is the Prince, would he go so far as to throw his own body into harm’s way?”

Lady Reges waved her hands dismissively as she spoke.

“Anyway, I was so angry that I’ve been going around telling everyone it couldn’t possibly be true! I felt if I didn’t step in, the rumors would spread even further.”

Elaina was silent for a moment, then sighed with a very troubled expression.

“Lady Elaina…?”

“You just said it yourself, didn’t you, Lady Reges? That someone must have targeted Sinclair for this to happen.”

“That’s right! That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“I’ll tell you this in confidence, but that speculation is correct. Sinclair and I never planned such a thing.”

“Oh my… Then who on earth…?”

“Most likely, it’s someone who harbored resentment about Sinclair taking charge of this ceremony.”

Lady Reges visibly flinched.

“Someone who might feel their position is threatened…”

“… Good heavens.”

No matter how prone to meddling she might be, Lady Reges was a woman with extensive experience in high society.

So it wasn’t particularly difficult for her to immediately grasp who Elaina was referring to.

“Then… what do you plan to do now?”

“I’m quite worried, to be honest. We’re in a difficult position to make any rash moves. And to think there are even rumors about it being Sinclair’s staged act…”

Lady Reges didn’t respond. She seemed lost in serious thought for a moment, then looked up at Elaina as if something had occurred to her.

“Lady Elaina, there’s a social gathering in Edenbell that’s the most enviable of all.”

“The most enviable gathering?”

“Yes. It’s a group that not just anyone can join, be they royalty or nobility. One’s reputation, status, background – everything is scrutinized before membership is granted.”

Hmm…

Elaina narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Even the Crown Prince tried to join when he was young, but you know… His late mother was of common birth. So he couldn’t get in.”

My, there’s a gathering that even Hister is excluded from.

“How about you attend that gathering, Lady Elaina?”

Lady Reges continued speaking rapidly.

“As I mentioned, joining is very difficult. But I’m here, aren’t I? It’s a bit embarrassing to say this myself, but my influence is quite considerable!”

“…”

“With just a word from me, you could join the gathering right away. As it happens, today is the regular meeting! It starts in exactly two hours.”

A gathering that’s among the most prestigious in Edenbell’s social circles. One that even Hister couldn’t attend.

In other words, it was an incredibly good opportunity for Elaina and Sinclair.

Even if Hister were to spread false rumors and tarnish Sinclair’s reputation, if they could get the help of Lady Reges and that gathering…

The situation would improve significantly compared to now.

“Shall we?”

Having thought that far, Elaina looked at Lady Reges with a slight smile.

“If you would help me, Lady Reges, I would be truly honored.”

“Of course! You can count on me.”

Lady Reges answered with a bright smile as if she had been waiting for this, and Elaina returned her gaze with a kind expression.

Sinclair was still unconscious.

‘I wanted to at least tell him before leaving.’

Well, it was obvious he would just say unpleasant things like she didn’t need to help him… but she didn’t want Sinclair, who was badly injured because of her, to wake up alone.

Elaina hesitated for a moment, then began writing a short letter on the bedside table.

− I’ll be away for a while at Lady Reges’s invitation. It might be of great help to you. I plan to ask Schuler for an escort, so don’t worry too much.

“…”

Although she had written everything she needed to say, Elaina alternated between staring at the note and looking at the sleeping Sinclair while rubbing her chin.

Then she picked up the quill pen again and added a brief message at the end.

− I hope you sleep well and wake up refreshed, Sinclair. Without even dreaming.

Was it too much to write? Was it unnecessary? It wouldn’t be a lie to say such thoughts didn’t cross her mind at all, but Elaina didn’t erase what she had written.

She carefully checked Sinclair’s condition one last time, then left the bedroom as quietly as possible so as not to wake him.

The meeting place Lady Reges mentioned was a grand mansion quite far from the palace.

“I never imagined you would attend such a gathering, Lady Elaina.”

Schuler said with obvious concern as he opened the carriage door.

“Of course, I’m sure nothing will happen… but I still feel a bit uneasy. It seems like I’ve made you go out of your way when you didn’t need to do anything…”

“You sound just like Sinclair, Schuler.”

“…Pardon?”

“He always tells me the same thing. That I should just maintain my position as the Prince’s wife and not do anything else.”

…Sinclair said such things?

The Sinclair that Schuler knew was a cold person who wouldn’t keep anyone by his side if they had no value to him.

In other words, it meant he wasn’t the type to say ‘just maintain your position as the Prince’s wife.’

Of course, it had been puzzling from the start that he said he would take the half-wit cripple from House Aswald as his wife, but Schuler never expected him to say such things.

Although Elaina seemed to be misinterpreting Sinclair’s words…

“Will you wait for me here, Schuler? Lady Reges said that knights, maids, and servants aren’t allowed to accompany us. I wonder how grand this gathering must be.”

Elaina said with a slightly apologetic look.

“If anything happens, I’ll call for you right away, so don’t worry too much.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll be on standby, so call for me anytime.”

Schuler nodded with a resolute expression, and Elaina smiled faintly, seeming grateful for his dedication.

And at that very moment.

“Hello, Your Highness the Prince’s Wife.”

An unfamiliar voice called out from behind Elaina.

“I heard you would be attending today’s gathering, and it seems Lady Reges’s words were true.”

As she turned her head, there stood a man she had never seen before.

Dazzling silver hair neatly groomed. Bright emerald green eyes that sparkled like gems. The unmistakable air of nobility that comes from being born and raised in privilege…

The man was beautiful, polite, and exuded elegance. Even more so than the members of the royal family.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Ryan Henard.”

Ryan Henard greeted Elaina with a bright smile as she looked at him with a puzzled expression.