And not just a half-baked user who manifested magic through a sword, but a full-fledged user who could manipulate magic even with bare hands.

Magic users could sense each other to some extent, and especially for Claire, sensing the Emperor’s magic wasn’t too difficult.

In this respect, she could guess that she had occupied at least one good position, considering her outstanding abilities. However, besides being the esteemed daughter of the Grotaire family, Claire had nothing else.

She didn’t possess the arrogance, ambition, or even the ruthlessness commonly found in noble bloodlines.

Perhaps it was because she was born as a late child and grew up receiving plenty of love from her parents. She thought that as long as people were kind to her, she would be happy living like this, without competing with anyone or standing above others.

At least until she got to know the current Emperor, Peter von Deraen Belf.

‘Well, can I talk to him again today?’

Claire was one of the people who secretly held the Emperor in her heart.

Even though her father had pushed her out of his hand, her heart was still secretly beating for him. If she had truly disliked her father’s persuasion, she would have pretended to look for the Emperor and returned without finding him.

Claire’s secret crush had been going on for quite some time.

“It’s been about three years already.”

Although there had been several proposals and negotiations with other families, they had all been rejected, all because of that reason. No matter who they brought to her, she couldn’t surpass the person she had in her heart.

The secret crush had started on a night like tonight. It was a summer night when the chandeliers in the banquet hall were shining, and the orchestra was playing a beautiful melody. Claire found it difficult to continue the conversation among the people and stepped outside, laughing and talking with everyone.
“Everyone is saying things they don’t mean. It’s really uncomfortable.”

She was already accustomed to the social scene’s etiquette, but she was a person who failed to enjoy it. No matter how hard she thought about it, she couldn’t like tearing down others and sneering at them in front of her.

Even though she was the daughter of the Grotaire family, the leader of the aristocratic faction, and didn’t enjoy the social scene, there were even fewer people who bothered to speak to her because of it.

Claire just wanted to go home, sit down at the piano, listen to music, and read a book.

“But I can’t do that until my father allows it.”

Claire went in search of a quiet place, her spirits down. A large building in a corner of the garden. She didn’t know what it was built for, but Claire knew that there were usually no people around.

So, as usual, she went there, but that day, there was a man. A fair-haired man whose pale blond hair harmonized perfectly with the moonlight. He looked like a man who could appear in a romantic novel that Claire enjoyed.

“Who are you? This place is not frequented by people.”

“Well… you’re right. But why are you here? As you said, this place isn’t frequented by people.”

“People don’t come here, that’s why.”

The question and the answer were the same. With Claire’s innocent answer, the man slightly raised his eyebrows, then told her about a few more places where people didn’t usually come. It was nothing less than a polite suggestion not to come here again next time.

Claire also knew that fact well, but for some reason, she couldn’t help but be drawn to the man who stood alone in the garden. It was the height of summer, and the surroundings were full of blooming red roses. Perhaps the roses and the man made a perfect picture together.

So Claire expressed her appreciation out loud.

“Um, red roses really suit you.”

“…Do they? Thank you.”

The man, who had been expressionless, smiled for the first time. It was a smile that seemed somewhat nostalgic.

“They suit you well too.”

It was the beginning of a first love.