The five shining families of Edenbell that represent all the nobles.

Heswin, Wilter, Rockford, Lundberry, and Frederick.

For a very long time, they sometimes colluded, and other times they engaged in political strife, being divided and keeping each other in check.

That cycle repeated endlessly.

Right up until the Emperor, who now lies ill in bed, ascended the throne.

They quickly realized that the new Emperor was neither wise, nor united, nor politically savvy.

In a way, it was only natural. The five families had grown their power through generations of dealings with Emperors, so they could supernaturally sense that the current Emperor was of the lowest caliber compared to anyone they had faced before.

So, the five families of this generation chose to collude rather than divide. Not a single family was left out.

Thus, they were able to use the foolish Emperor with little difficulty to gain even greater power than before and amass immense wealth.

They seemed to get along harmoniously like a real family, but that was too naive a notion.

The most influential among the five families was, after all, the Heswin Ducal House.

That fact remained unchanged to this day.

‘…It would not pale in comparison to the Imperial Palace.’

What Elaina was looking at from the carriage window was the Heswin Ducal Manor.

She knew there were ranks even among nobles, but she did not know it would be to this extent. The manor exuded so much prestige, splendor, and extravagance that ordinary nobles could not even set foot in it.

The scale was also immense. The manor was so terrifyingly large that one had to wonder just how many servants they employed.

…And to think this manor was merely a townhouse separately prepared in the capital. If this was the level here, one could not even imagine the caliber of the manor in their own territory.

“The Heswin Ducal House is the most powerful family in Edenbell, but they faltered briefly once.”

A family wielding such immense power faltered? Elaina’s eyes went wide at those wholly unexpected words as she looked at Sinclair.

“It was around the time the previous Emperor ascended the throne. To be precise, my grandfather, you could say.”

“What happened?”

“They backed the wrong side.”

Side?

Elaina wore a puzzled expression.

“Amidst the division of the five families, the Heswin family took the lead in placing their hopes on the Crown Prince’s side. But it was the younger prince who became Emperor.”

Sinclair continued.

“My grandfather, who became Emperor, first tried to purge the Heswin family, but the family head at the time made a quick and wise decision.”

“He returned the land and assets he held?”

“Right.”

Sinclair smirked.

“To be precise, half of his private army and assets. And the lands in the southern region of Edenbell.”

That land was the most valuable and prized in Edenbell, except for the capital. It had a port that could reach any empire, and the land was fertile with a good environment, making it ideal for employing many serfs.

“Thanks to that, they were able to survive and continue their lineage, rising back to this position. And that family head was none other than Duke Heswin’s father.”

The Crown Prince everyone expected to be the next Emperor. And the prince who defeated that Crown Prince and became Emperor.

It almost felt like looking at Hister and Sinclair.

“We’ll see this time how much Duke Heswin takes after his father’s shrewdness.”

“…But Sinclair, have you been to a party hosted by Duke Heswin before?”

To be precise, it was a birthday party.

The day the Emperor was attacked was Duke Heswin’s birthday, but given the grim situation in the imperial family, the Duke did not hold the party he hosted every year.

Instead, after some time passed, he prepared a small gathering inviting only nobles he was close with. That was today.

However, it was clear that a “small gathering with close noble friends” would be far from the ordinary notion of a small gathering.

Not only the four other families representing Edenbell’s nobility, but also anyone with some influence in high society would attend without exception.

At such a gathering, how would Duke Heswin react to this sudden visit?

“No. Never.”

“…”

“But he will definitely welcome us.”

Sinclair said with a grin.

“No matter how much Duke Heswin, he won’t be that foolish.”

“Will Hister… also be there?”

“Most likely. There are only two things most important to Hister right now. The Emperor waking from his sickbed, and preventing the division of the nobles.”

Yes, Sinclair was right. Moreover, without the Heswin family’s support, it meant he could not easily become Emperor.

“…I suppose so. Anyway, since the Emperor is still unconscious, Hister will try to secure as many safety measures as possible in case of contingencies.”

“Well, I’m not so sure.”

“Pardon?”

“Whether the Emperor will side with Hister like before, even if he regains consciousness.”

What is he saying now? It was common knowledge that the Emperor adored Hister. Elaina had clearly seen it with her own eyes too.

Elaina wore an expression of utter incomprehension, but the carriage that had been proceeding smoothly suddenly slowed to a stop.

Sinclair alighted first and offered his hand to Elaina, who tightly grasped it like before as she began walking towards the incomparably luxurious manor.

‘Right. Let’s think about what we can do now. Just like Hister is doing.’

While trying her best to maintain composure.

And as Sinclair had said, there was no one who dared to stop them.

The very center of the manor.

The main hall where the party was being held.

The incomparable splendor was not limited to the manor’s exterior, it seemed.

The expensive interior pieces arranged in every corner of the manor. For example, large embroideries stitched with gold thread, expensive furniture embedded with all sorts of jewels. Even small items made of gold or silver…

But the highlight was the main hall.

The food that must have taken repeatedly replacing servants, and the various types of wine that even nobles could not easily see,

The small but neat and tidy music played by the band, who looked quite expensive to hire at a glance.

The curtains fluttering, meticulously sewn together with silk obtained from the East that was not easily procured in Edenbell.

…If this was a small gathering, what kind of parties had they been hosting so far? Elaina inwardly clicked her tongue in wonder.

But her surprise did not last long.

Because from the very moment Elaina and Sinclair appeared in the hall, the atmosphere of everyone subtly turned cold.

“…”

The gazes flying and piercing like sharp arrows stung, and the whispers of nobles covering their mouths seemed excessively loud.

However, Elaina did not show it at all.

Because as soon as her face turned slightly pale, a warm and large hand reassuringly squeezed hers as if to say it was alright.

“…Your Highness the Prince?”

It did not take long for Duke Heswin, who had been conversing amiably with nobles up front, to spot Elaina and Sinclair.

Although he wore an expression of great surprise, he did not overtly display discomfort like the others.

“I had no idea you would grace us with your presence. If I had known, I would have invited you myself first.”

“Well, it’s fine. I’m the one who came uninvited anyway.”

“…I apologize. I simply did not wish to burden Your Highness, given the situation…”

“Burden?”

Sinclair smirked.

“Quite a loaded word, especially in a situation like this.”

A blatant lie. In truth, the burden would be on Duke Heswin’s side if anything.

But as Sinclair had said, the Duke was not that foolish a man.

He was one of the people who knew best that public opinion on the next Emperor kept shifting, and while the situation was turning unfavorable for Sinclair, he thought that “the good-for-nothing Sinclair” could strike back at any time.

…To be precise, he too had not firmly decided yet. Between Sinclair and Hister, who he should side with.

Who he should lend his power to make Emperor.

“We met at the tournament, Duke Heswin.”

Elaina, who had been standing by Sinclair’s side, smiled gracefully as she looked at him.

“It is an honor to meet you again at such a fine occasion. I sincerely wish you a happy birthday.”

“Receiving congratulations even from Her Highness the Crown Princess, I am truly beside myself. I feel as if I have become quite an extraordinary person.”

“If Duke Heswin is not an extraordinary person, then who in Edenbell could be? While it may not be bad to humble yourself out of consideration for others, you have already accomplished far too much for that, Duke.”

Duke Heswin quietly observed her nonchalantly spouting what could be considered brazen words.

…He had felt it at the tournament too, but she was quite a strange woman. One who did not cower in the slightest even in a position where she should rightly lose spirit.

She must know well about the scandal currently shaking all of Edenbell, yet how could she come to this place and say such things?

“…You flatter me, Your Highness. But receiving such high praise from you, I feel I must have a bit more confidence going forward.”

“If you take my words so much to heart, I am the one who is beside myself. Thank you for your kind words.”

…Judging from her conduct, she seemed quite far from those frivolous rumors.

‘Time will tell. They probably came all the way here to handle that matter and gain a reputation.’

As a seasoned political veteran, there was no way Duke Heswin could not see through Sinclair’s intentions.

Yet he welcomed them knowing that because, as Sinclair said, his mind was not too dull.

“Then I shall prepare seats for you.”

In any case, there was no reason to treat the Crown Prince and Princess with contempt. Thus, Duke Heswin turned his head and began looking for the best seats.

But unfortunately, the only seats left…

“Please wait a moment. I apologize for the lack of preparation. I will arrange new seats where you can sit and rest comfortably…”

“Why?”

“…Pardon?”

“There are still the best seats left over there.”

Where Sinclair pointed with his chin was up ahead.

It was Hister glaring at him from the head of the table.

“I think that’s the best spot.”

“…”

“Don’t you agree?”