The soft music that had been flowing stopped, and silence fell over the banquet hall.

“That’s not it. Your Majesty, please don’t be too displeased. I only acted rudely because today’s event is so important.”

The Duke of Rantiano’s sharp gaze turned to Ariel as he finished speaking politely. Receiving that gaze, Ariel lowered her eyes slightly as if intimidated. There was no need to further provoke the Duke of Rantiano, who was reacting more sensitively than expected. However, watching this scene, Kaius unknowingly clenched his hand, and the Empress Dowager’s gaze turned back to the Duke of Rantiano. It was an even colder look than before.

“Duke of Rantiano, are you concerned about me being alone with the Duchess of Elbartan?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then I have no choice but to use the gift here. I had judged that it would rather disrupt today’s event and was planning to try it in a quiet place. But since the Duke disapproves, I will follow your wishes.”

The Empress Dowager, who finished speaking quietly without inflection, opened her mouth towards Emperor Hart.

[What kind of gift is it to cause such a fuss?] [They say it’s good for headaches.] [All this commotion over something like that?] [If the Empress Dowager has reacted, it’s not just a trivial matter.]