Though no one spoke it aloud, a palpable tension descended upon the hall, so thick it could be felt on the skin.

‘The Emperor must have noticed too. And he intends to ignore it.’

In this situation, was there a way for Sinclair to get through this with minimal harm? Elaina bit her lip as she stared at the bottle of alcohol.

‘Even if it’s dangerous…’

There’s no other choice.

This is the only way I can protect Sinclair right now.

Having made her decision, Elaina carefully reached her hand under the table. Then she warmly enveloped Sinclair’s tightly clenched hand.

“…I beg your pardon, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Then, slowly rising from her seat, she parted her lips.

“Although it’s just alcohol, the proof is quite high, and it might be a bit much for the young Prince Chaz to drink. In truth, I had hoped he would have his first drink when he came of age.”

“Elai…!”

Sinclair, his face frozen cold, tried to call out Elaina’s name briefly, but it ended up being in vain.

“Isn’t that right, Sinclair?”

It was because of Elaina, who turned to look at him with a slight smile.

“But it would be too regrettable to just let it pass, wouldn’t it, Your Highness the Princess Consort?”

“…”

“Or perhaps there was something else that displeased Your Highness the Princess Consort?”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“It’s simple, isn’t it?”

Hister said with a smile.

“Didn’t we say earlier? Let’s raise our glasses in the name of Edenbell’s glory, as a gesture of peaceful harmony without exception.”

“…”

“I’ve been going around saying that the rumors about the Princess Consort weren’t true, so this is a bit disconcerting.”

Hister continued speaking.

“Or… it might be impolite to say this in front of His Majesty, but if it’s not the Princess Consort’s will, could it be my elder brother’s?”

…Hister has no intention of backing down. He’s determined to make Chaz drink that alcohol by any means necessary.

And the Emperor, despite knowing everything, is turning a blind eye.

The decision was made quickly.

Elaina, smiling like an angel, looked straight at Hister and replied.

“No, not at all. Prince Sinclair agrees with the peaceful harmony of all members of the imperial family. As do I.”

“Then, you can go ahead and fill the glass.”

If I break the bottle, it might raise some suspicion, but could we escape this predicament?

Elaina’s gaze shifted from the bottle of alcohol right in front of her to Chaz’s trembling hand.

And at the bottom of Chaz’s glass…

She saw a thin, swirling white liquid.

‘…They even put poison there. Just in case.’

What a vicious person.

Elaina clenched her fist under the table, hidden from Hister’s view.

“…Your Highness the Prince.”

Having made a quick decision, Elaina looked at Chaz with a still bright smile.

Then she handed the alcohol to him and gently took the glass from Chaz’s hand.

“Y-Your Highness the Princess Consort…?”

“It might be foolish for me to drink the gift prepared by the Prince’s Palace, but since I’m taking the Prince’s place, I think this would be better.”

“…Are you saying that you, the Princess Consort, will drink this alcohol yourself? Now?”

“Yes. If His Majesty allows it.”

At that moment, Hister’s gaze turned to the Emperor. However, the Emperor, who had already decided to turn a blind eye to everything, simply nodded quietly.

…With a slightly surprised look, his eyes filled with interest as he looked at Elaina.

“Well then, that settles it. Your Highness the Prince, please fill the glass.”

Chaz’s trembling hand gripped the bottle of alcohol with all his might.

No.

This isn’t right.

But.

But… if I don’t… then I…

I… don’t want to end up like that…

“…”

The glass filled with alcohol sparkled in the light, reflecting in Elaina’s eyes.

And at that very moment.

“I’ll drink it myself.”

Sinclair, his face hardened, reached out his hand towards Elaina.

…However, Elaina’s movement was a bit faster.

Because she began to drink the alcohol Chaz had poured without a moment’s hesitation.

With her other hand, she pressed down on Sinclair’s knee with all her might, as if to stop him.

“Is this enough for the Prince’s share?”

Elaina asked, looking at Hister as she elegantly wiped her mouth.

“Or is it not enough for the sake of Edenbell’s harmony?”

It was quite pleasurable to watch Hister’s face gradually distort, as if thoroughly disgusted.

But that pleasure didn’t last long.

Because the alcohol that had started to go down her throat was beginning to cause Elaina’s body pain.

Although it felt as if her entire body was burning, Elaina gritted her teeth.

“If you tell me to drink more, I’ll gladly do so. Sincerely celebrating the birthday of our Prince Chaz, who has such excellent elder brothers.”

“…”

“What shall we do, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

Though her expression and voice were calm, her slender fingers had already begun to tremble slightly.

Just as Elaina was about to drop the glass, Sinclair quickly reached out his hand.

But instead of catching the glass, he pushed it to the opposite side, breaking not only the glass but also the bottle of alcohol still in Chaz’s trembling hand.

“I apologize.”

Sinclair said, looking down at the shattered alcohol spilling across the table and carpet.

“It seems my hand has slowed without my noticing. I’m sorry for breaking your precious gift, Chaz.”

“N-No… it’s alright… Elder Brother Sinclair…”

“Judith, Anna!”

As soon as Sinclair shouted, Judith and Anna, who had been waiting outside the door, quickly appeared.

“The Princess Consort has cut her hand on the glass. Take her away for treatment immediately.”

“Yes, understood.”

Sinclair’s hand gripping Elaina’s shoulder conveyed clear anger. Whether it was directed at Hister or at himself for not being able to prevent what happened before his eyes was unclear.

As Judith and Anna came to attend to Elaina, she bowed politely and continued speaking.

“It seems I’ve ruined this wonderful occasion due to my lowly nature.”

“…”

“I apologize, but I shall take my leave now. And Prince, I sincerely congratulate you on your fourteenth birthday.”

“Y-Your Highness the Princess Consort…”

“I pray that His Majesty will recover soon as well.”

Those were the last words Elaina left. She turned around, supported by Judith and Anna.

It was fortunate that she was limping. Otherwise, being supported like this would have seemed a bit strange…

“I believe this gathering has served its purpose.”

After sending Elaina away as quickly as possible, Sinclair, who remained behind, glared at the Emperor and Hister as he spoke.

“I will sincerely strive for the peaceful harmony of all imperial family members. Just like today.”

“…”

“Following the example of His Majesty and my dear Crown Prince.”

It was clearly a threat, but no one dared to object. Perhaps they couldn’t.

The Sinclair before them had a look in his eyes that suggested he would draw his sword not only against Hister but even against the Emperor if provoked in the slightest.

Sinclair quickly left the banquet hall without looking back.

And Chaz, still standing dazed in his place, could only stare at his own glass that Elaina had shattered.

“Ela, Lady Elaina, what on earth…”

Judith and Anna muttered, supporting Elaina with tears about to burst from their eyes.

When they heard the anger in Sinclair’s voice calling their names, they easily guessed that something was happening.

But they never imagined that Elaina, not Sinclair, would end up in this state.

A face turned pale blue as if about to collapse at any moment.

Cold sweat beginning to bead on her skin.

A small, frail body trembling uncontrollably…

“Ju… Judith, Anna… quietly…”

Elaina, leaning on Judith and Anna, muttered as she staggered.

“To the Prince’s Palace… quietly…”

How she managed to drink that poisoned alcohol and escape from there. If she collapsed here, it would all be meaningless. Elaina bit her lip with all her might, but…

“Cough…”

“L-Lady Elaina…”

At the sight of blood forcing its way through her tightly closed lips, looks of shock spread across Judith and Anna’s faces.

“No… we must… go back quickly…”

She had already read Hister’s intentions. He must have planned to kill Chaz with the gift from the Prince’s Palace in front of everyone.

Then, when Chaz collapsed, he would spread rumors that it was all Sinclair’s doing, and wasn’t the recent attack on the Emperor the same?

There were even plenty of witnesses. Above all, there was the Emperor who had declared his intention to turn a blind eye to everything.

So she had to return quietly, somehow. As if nothing had happened.

But her body seemed to have no intention of listening to its owner.

Her already limping feet, now drained of strength, completely lost their power and stumbled on the floor as if collapsing, and Judith and Anna, who were supporting Elaina, could only hold her tightly without even being able to scream.

And at that very moment.

“Move aside.”

It was Sinclair, his face deathly pale and his hair disheveled, who appeared from behind.

“Y-Your Highness the Prince…!”

“Call for a physician immediately. Right now!”

That was the end of it. In an instant, Sinclair took Elaina into his arms and began running breathlessly without looking back.