Enzo, who said he would publicize the matter of the Small Kingdom Alliance, acted quickly.

As if he had been waiting for Erina’s permission, as soon as he got it, all the newspapers began to cover the story.

Whether Enzo had made up his mind to move, the media also divided the pie in their reporting.

Some newspapers wrote about the Small Kingdom Alliance, while others wrote about the smuggling of mana stones.

Among them, the Berungkada newspaper, known for covering only the most reliable news in the empire, wrote a careful but detailed article about Erina’s carriage kidnapping incident.

Judging by how detailed the content was explained, it seemed that Enzo had directly called a reporter.

[ About the Small Kingdom Alliance, Tula Kingdom, Smale Kingdom, and Trumto Kingdom. ] [ Worsening smuggling of mana stones, is this alright as it is? ] [ A threat to the empire, dangerous carriage kidnapping incident. ]

They were all provocative titles, and contents that made people want to read the newspapers.

Because the newspapers all reported related content at once, not only the people but also the social circles were in an uproar.

Even though the Berungkada newspaper did not directly mention Erina while covering the carriage kidnapping incident, the nobles could not help but know.

Because there was only one person in the empire that the kingdoms would covet enough to kidnap at such a time.

Thanks to that, the Medelia Count’s house, which was still in the process of reorganizing, had to receive dozens of invitations every day.

“My lady, here are today’s invitations.”

The person who entered Erina’s office with a silver tray piled high with invitations was the newly hired butler.

After dismissing all the servants of the Medelia mansion, Sandes had introduced plenty of employees for Erina, who was vulnerable in terms of connections.

When she met the butler introduced by Sandes, she was surprised by his somewhat familiar face.

It turned out he was the second son of Shimilden, who had been directly trained by Shimilden, the butler of the Kerenik Marquis family.

The Bersel Viscount family, Shimilden’s family, had been known among high nobles for generations as they took up the profession of butler.

The somewhat unsettled mansion quickly found stability under the exceptional command of Shimilden’s second son, Bertrel Bersel.

Erina, who was stacking and examining today’s newspapers in her office, briefly glanced at the invitations Bertrel had brought before returning to the newspapers.

“It seems everyone wrote invitations as soon as the newspapers circulated.”

“It appears so.”

“Please return them all.”

“I was going to return them all, but I would like you to see this invitation, my lady.”

At Bertrel’s suggestion, Erina folded the newspaper she had been looking at quizzically, put it down on the desk, and looked at him.

Then Bertrel put down the silver tray on one side of the desk and handed Erina the invitation that was on top.

“It was from a high noble, and an unexpected figure, so it was awkward to return.”

“An invitation to a charity party held by the Borbom Marquis family?”

“Yes, the sender is specifically Lady Sereni Borbom, the Marchioness.”

Erina recalled the Borbom Marquis family.

They were a family that neither held any important positions nor was particularly famous.

Seeing Erina’s puzzled expression, Bertrel said,

“Lady Sereni Borbom, the Marchioness, was the third princess of the Tula Kingdom.”

Erina’s gaze naturally moved to the newspaper on the desk at the name of the kingdom she had heard often.

[ About the Small Kingdom Alliance, Tula Kingdom, Smale Kingdom, and Trumto Kingdom. ]

It was one of the three kingdoms forming the core of the Small Kingdom Alliance, which was openly targeting the empire.

In particular, the Tula Kingdom was known to have the best military power among the three kingdoms.

Although not matching the Asilium Empire, it was clearly superior compared to other kingdoms, so it was likely to be playing a leading role.

“The Tula Kingdom? Then there’s even less reason for them to send me an invitation.”

At a time when she should be extra cautious due to suspicion, she was boldly invited to a party.

And by Lady Borbom, the Marchioness who was once the third princess of Tula Kingdom, no less.

“Whether this invitation represents the stance of the Tula Kingdom or Lady Borbom’s personal stance is unknown, but I think it would be good for you to check.”

Hearing Bertrel express his opinion without reservation, Erina was reminded of Shimilden.

Come to think of it, although Sandes had a separate aide, Shimilden sometimes acted like an aide.

Erina couldn’t help but smile at Bertrel, who closely resembled that aspect of Shimilden.

“Thank you, Bertrel.”

“I’m just doing my job.”

Bertrel said with a small bow, but he couldn’t hide his joy in his gently smiling face.

“I will attend the Borbom Marquis family’s charity party. It’s a week from now.”

“I will draft and send a reply. I will inquire with the Lamaton Atelier if a dress is possible.”

Bertrel naturally replied as most of Erina’s dresses were gifts from Sandes from the Lamaton Atelier.

Suddenly, as if something had occurred to her, Erina called out to Bertrel who was about to leave.

“Bertrel, please request a visit to Samuela Atelier instead of Lamaton Atelier. Also, ask if they can prepare a dress to be used a week later, saying we’re trying to keep a promise.”

“Understood. Is there anything else you need?”

“Please call for Baron Semel.”

“Certainly.”

Bertrel left the office with the silver tray containing the other invitations, leaving only Lady Borbom’s invitation.

Erina picked up Lady Borbom’s invitation.

Unlike the empire’s trend of decorating invitations beautifully with jewels and flowers, this was just a clean light yellow paper with a slight spritz of perfume.

She turned the invitation over to see if there was any hidden message, but there was nothing particularly noticeable.

While Erina was examining the invitation, Terik entered the office with a knock.

“You called for me, my lady.”

“We have a schedule for next week.”

When Erina handed the invitation to Terik, he immediately recognized it just by its appearance.

“It’s a charity party from the Borbom Marquis family.”

“Do you know anything about it?”

“It’s a charity party that has established itself somewhat in social circles. It’s gaining attention because many of the items that come out of here are quite valuable.”

Terik continued as he took the invitation Erina held out.

“There are quite a few specialty products from surrounding kingdoms that are hard to see in the empire, as well as paintings by rising new artists.”

“Are there any special circumstances?”

“It’s not certain, but there was once a rumor.”

“A rumor?”

“Outwardly, it’s said to be a charity fundraiser for those in need in the marquis family’s and their vassals’ territories, but there were suspicions that it might be a funding channel for the Tula Kingdom.”

Erina felt like something was on the tip of her tongue.

“Although the rumor quickly disappeared, looking at it now, it makes me think it might not have been just a rumor.”

Terik’s words were right.

She had wondered with what nerve these kingdoms, clearly insufficient to confront the empire, kept provoking them.

But if there was a funding source within the empire, it changed things a bit.

Having a funding source meant there was a way to burrow in from the inside.

“There will be many nobles participating in this party, I suppose.”

“That’s expected. There will be no small number of nobles who want to confirm things.”

Erina’s mind couldn’t settle as a subtle feeling kept creeping in.

Before her regression, Rose had experienced the same kidnapping incident, but the Small Kingdom Alliance wasn’t mentioned.

Moreover, after Rose came to the forefront, the Small Kingdom Alliance, which had been constantly provoking the empire, vanished as if it had never happened.

There seemed to be some connection.

“Please prepare thoroughly for participation in the charity party. I would like Baron Semel to participate as well.”

“I will make the preparations.”

As Terik was about to turn around after bowing to Erina, she held him back.

“Baron Semel.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Have you confirmed their whereabouts?”

Erina and Terik’s gazes met.

To Erina, they were merely relatives, but to Terik, they were family he had been with since childhood.

Of course, they were indifferent family members who hadn’t shown much care, but it was clear that it wouldn’t be easy to simply dismiss the days spent together.

“It’s a distance that takes a full fortnight even traveling non-stop by carriage, so they might still be on their way.”

“I’m asking because I know they haven’t departed.”

Terik approached Erina with a coldly hardened face and asked.

“Something has happened. Have they caused another problem?”

“No. It’s not that they’ve caused a problem, but that I’ve learned about a problem they had caused.”

“Pardon?”

Seeing Terik’s puzzled face asking again, Erina smiled bitterly and avoided his gaze.

“Brother Terik.”

Terik took another step closer to Erina, whose face looked as if she might cry, and asked her.

“Erina, what’s going on?”

Terik knew that when Erina called him ‘brother,’ she wanted to talk as family, so he shed his official attitude and asked gently.

“I’m going to bring them down. You might lose your family because of it.”

“Erina.”

“I’ve learned the reason why my parents passed away. Sadly…”

Erina didn’t continue, but Terik couldn’t help but understand the rest.

It was clear that they were involved in the death of Erina’s parents.

Terik’s face twisted painfully.

“I’m going to move alone on this matter.”

“Erina, but…”

“Because of me, you’ve already had to turn your back on your family. I don’t want to ask you to join me in stabbing them in the back as well.”

Terik couldn’t say anything in response to Erina’s words.

Because he dared not understand Erina’s feelings, because he couldn’t possibly sort out his own confused emotions.

“Even if you help them later, I won’t mind. After all, they are your family.”

The word ‘family’ scattered painfully from Erina’s lips.

Terik couldn’t give any answer to Erina’s words until she left the office, leaving him standing there stupidly.