“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress are entering!”

With the entrance of the Emperor and Empress, all those gathered in the banquet hall stopped their conversations and turned to bow towards the entrance.

Erina, who had been chatting with an unfamiliar noble, and Rose, who had been heading towards Barinen.

Peiron, who had been blankly alternating his gaze between Rose and Erina from a corner, and Sandes, who had been standing guard around Erina with a smile – all of them bowed their heads towards the two.

Enzo took the Empress’s hand and headed towards the platform.

As Enzo and the Empress took their seats on the platform, the nobles raised their bowed bodies to look at the two.

Feeling the gaze of all the nobles upon him, Enzo stood up from his seat and gestured towards Delas, the head chamberlain.

“Today’s celebration is held to congratulate Erina Bril Medelia, who has become the owner of the magic stone mine, and to announce this joyous news to everyone.”

Delas stepped in front of Enzo, holding a velvet cushion with a long scepter neatly placed on it.

Enzo picked up the scepter and said:

“Erina Bril Medelia, step forward.”

The nobles instantly cleared the center to make way.

Erina stepped forward and stood before Enzo, bowing her head.

“In recognition of being chosen by the divine and becoming the owner of the magic stone mine, thus spreading the empire’s name far and wide, I hereby elevate the Medelia viscounty to an earldom.”

As Enzo brought down the scepter with a thud while speaking, gasps of admiration arose from here and there.

Unless one achieved great merits during wartime or did something so tremendous that all nobles would talk about it, elevations in rank were rare.

The ones most delighted by the mention of elevation were Romdrick and Camille.

The two struggled not to shout out loud.

However, they were shocked by Enzo’s next words.

“Furthermore, having confirmed issues with the previous succession of the Medelia earldom, at Erina Bril Medelia’s request, I hereby cancel the improper succession and carry out the rightful succession here and now.”

“Th-That…!”

Romdrick was so startled that he blurted out loudly, but had to cover his mouth due to the stern glances around him.

“I bestow the title of earl upon Erina Bril Medelia, and in recognition of Romdrick Medelia’s good service in maintaining the viscount title until now, I return to him the baron title of Zilon.”

Romdrick could not understand Enzo’s words at all.

He simply could not comprehend why the succession from the past was suddenly being reversed.

But regardless of Romdrick’s thoughts, Enzo’s words continued.

“Romdrick Zilon, step forward.”

Still unable to collect himself, Romdrick was practically pushed forward by the people and stood next to Erina, bowing his head together.

“I hereby bestow the title of Medelia Earl to Erina Bril Medelia, and the title of Zilon Baron to Romdrick Zilon.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Erina replied with a trembling voice, overwhelmed with emotion.

However, faced with a reality he could never have imagined, Romdrick was still unable to collect himself and didn’t even respond.

At this, the nobles began to whisper among themselves.

The Emperor personally bestowing a title, yet not even a response, let alone proper etiquette.

People openly criticized the baron’s excessive laxity.

Sensing the growing unrest, Enzo called out to Romdrick.

“Romdrick Zilon.”

Startled by Enzo’s voice, which clearly conveyed his displeasure, Romdrick hurriedly replied.

“Y-Yes! Your Majesty!”

“It seems you are not pleased with your title.”

“Your Majesty! B-But, how can a succession that has already passed be…!”

A faint anger began to cloud Enzo’s eyes.

The type of person Enzo, who wanted to cherish and keep capable individuals by his side, disliked the most was someone like Romdrick.

Someone who coveted things beyond their station and, blinded by greed, unhesitatingly committed acts they knew they shouldn’t.

“Did this fellow just question Your Majesty’s decision?”

“He must be mad. How dare he, in a place like this.”

“It was already unsightly to see someone without ability making a fuss, but this is laughable.”

The nobles’ scathing remarks continued for a while.

Enzo deliberately did not stop the people’s criticism.

After watching the flustered Romdrick for a long time, Enzo spoke to him.

“The rightful heir to the Medelia family was the baron of Zilon, your young nephew. Yet you, not even the acting head of the family, inherited the viscount title.”

“Your Majesty! That was because Erina herself gave me the title…!”

“Indeed, what would a 7-year-old child know?”

“It’s already been 18 years! The previous emperor never said anything about it…!”

“There’s a limit to shamelessness. I never thought someone could be this brazen.”

Romdrick’s mouth shut in an instant.

The previous emperor, who had dragged imperial authority to the ground with his excessive indulgence in wine and women, was nothing short of Enzo’s sore spot.

As there was no noble who didn’t know this, no one ever mentioned the previous emperor in front of Enzo.

But when faced with losing his title right before his eyes, Romdrick anxiously mentioned it.

Romdrick’s face turned deathly pale as he realized what he had said.

“If you are not pleased with the title, speak up now. I will personally remove you from the register of nobility.”

“N-No! Absolutely not!”

While people might sympathize with those who became commoners due to bankruptcy or personal reasons, they looked down on those who became commoners for falling out of favor with the emperor, as it was a disgrace.

Unless he wanted to live being pointed at for the rest of his life, Romdrick had no choice but to prostrate himself.

“I apologize, Your Majesty! I spoke nonsense in my confusion! I am deeply sorry!”

Romdrick knelt before Enzo, repeatedly exclaiming his apologies.

But Enzo’s anger did not subside.

“Today is a good day, and I do not wish to get angry. So, go back and prepare to depart for your barony.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! I will do so!”

Romdrick fled, tail between his legs, to preserve even the unimpressive title of baron.

As Romdrick hurriedly bowed and quickly left the banquet hall, people were busy laughing at his ridiculous retreating figure.

Enzo placed the scepter back on the cushion held by Delas at this sight.

As Delas left his position, Enzo descended from the platform and stood before Erina.

“Congratulations, Earl Medelia.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“And I apologize. I will ensure such a thing never happens again.”

Erina noticed that Enzo was referring to the carriage incident that had occurred a few days ago.

She hadn’t been as affected as she thought, but it seemed the people around her were different.

Sandes was still worried that she might have suffered psychological trauma because of it, and Enzo had increased her guard.

As a result, Erina was always accompanied by three imperial knights and Heila.

But Erina couldn’t help but notice.

That was just the visible guard; there seemed to be a few others guarding her inconspicuously as well.

“I’m really fine. So please don’t worry about it.”

Grateful for Erina’s consideration, Enzo gently patted her shoulder, showcasing their closeness to the nobles.

It was an implicit message that the emperor valued her highly and would not tolerate any disrespect towards her.

The people’s eyes sparkled once again.

“Well then, let’s begin the banquet.”

As Enzo returned to his seat on the platform, orchestral music began to fill the banquet hall.

The celebration was lighter and more relaxed than a ball.

Those who wanted to dance with their partners gathered in the center of the hall, while those who wanted to converse took their places around the edges.

Peiron, who had been quietly sitting in a corner, gazed for a long time at the sparkling Erina who had moved away from him.

Then, after briefly looking at Rose, who didn’t even glance his way, he left the banquet hall.

Rose felt relieved when she confirmed that Peiron had quietly disappeared from the hall.

If their relationship became public knowledge before reclaiming the magic stone mine, it could greatly complicate matters.

Just as Rose let her guard down, she was taken aback by someone who suddenly approached her.

“Lady Rose Asilla, it’s nice to meet you.”

The one greeting her cheerfully with a bright smile as if truly delighted was Erina.

Rose swallowed hard and pretended to be pleased as she greeted back.

“Earl Medelia, I’m glad to meet you.”

The nobles who had been watching Erina were in an uproar at the two’s greeting.

They sparkled with interest upon seeing Erina, who had only been greeting those who approached her, directly approach Rose to greet her.

“Do they know each other?”

“I don’t think so, they shouldn’t have met before.”

The young ladies whispered as quietly as they could, but both Erina and Rose could hear them.

Receiving Rose’s gaze, the young ladies, realizing their mistake, covered their mouths with fans and stopped talking.

“It’s been a while, my lady. I’m truly glad to see you here.”

“Oh my, Countess. Perhaps you’re mistaken? I don’t believe I’ve ever met you before.”

As Erina greeted her warmly, Rose responded with a troubled expression, causing confusion on people’s faces.

Erina almost burst out laughing at Rose’s response as she tried to quietly slip away.

She was truly a brazen woman.

“That can’t be. How could I mistake such a lovely lady as yourself?”

It was ridiculously funny to see her struggling to escape.

Erina quietly observed Rose, curious about what she would do next.

For a very brief moment, those eyes like verdant forests, which many nobles praised as kind and beautiful, flashed fiercely.

It was so instantaneous that it would have been hard to notice if one wasn’t watching closely like Erina.

Rose suddenly drooped her eyes, creating a pitiful and wistful expression.

“I’m sorry, Countess. It seems I couldn’t remember due to meeting so many people. Would you kindly forgive my shortcoming?”

How could she put on such a flawless act even in a moment like this?

Erina couldn’t help but be amazed at Rose’s incredible quick-wittedness.

Rose was known as the flower of social circles, busy attending numerous balls and tea parties.

While her tone seemed to be lowering herself for not remembering, in reality, she was indirectly implying that Erina was someone not worth remembering.

Because Rose usually acted so kind and pure, few seemed to catch the hidden meaning in her words.

Erina, who had been pondering her response for a moment, noticed the faint anxiety in Rose’s eyes.

Suddenly able to read Rose’s mind, Erina became excited and said with a bright smile:

Translation complete. 100% of original text translated.