While Empress Catherine approached Emperor Hart, the Grand Empress Dowager who had her eyes closed opened them and nodded slightly. Having received permission, Emperor Hart called for the attendant waiting outside to prepare a seat.

Empress Catherine frowned as she watched the scene. The situation had gone worse than expected. First the Grand Empress Dowager, and now Emperor Hart too.

Around that time, Kaius rose from his seat and gave brief instructions to the attendant outside. Then he sat back down and began to watch the scene with interested eyes.

“Wait a moment. Is that safe? Even if you’re his wife, you’ll bear great responsibility if something happens to Grandmother or His Majesty.”

The Grand Empress Dowager gave a scornful laugh at those words now asking about safety. Ariel hurriedly spoke up, feeling the situation might worsen again.

“The Grand Empress Dowager has long suffered from headaches, so she must have taken medicine as well as chamomile or peppermint tea for a long time. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”

The Grand Empress Dowager slowly nodded and looked at Empress Catherine with disapproving eyes. Like father, like daughter. But she was curious too, so she didn’t stop her.

“This is a natural oil blended with chamomile and peppermint in a 1:1 ratio. They’re things you’re already familiar with. As such, there’s no harm, and it’s very effective though this method of preparation may be unfamiliar. Your Majesty Empress. And.”

Ariel paused for breath and continued, looking at Empress Catherine and Emperor Hart.

“I wish to live for a very long time.”

No one there was foolish enough to not understand what Ariel’s last words meant. Empress Catherine frowned at those words. She realized she had asked an incredibly stupid question.

Meanwhile, a seat was prepared next to the Grand Empress Dowager for Emperor Hart. The emperor, who had removed his outer garments, sat down and looked at Ariel. Naturally, he thought she would do it for him too. As he closed his eyes and waited, a knock sounded at the door. It was Emperor Hart’s maid.

Kaius brought the maid to Ariel and stepped back without a word. Kaius’ actions made Ariel smile.

Emperor Hart’s face, which had started with a displeased expression as he began receiving the maid’s massage, soon changed to a relaxed one. Seeing the emperor’s smiling face, Empress Catherine’s gaze shifted to Ariel. Her eyes were cold, devoid of any expression.

***

[I’ve never seen a dress like that before. Isn’t it too beautiful?] [I think I’ll make one like that next time. It draws the eye more than fully exposed skin in a strange way.]

Kaius and Ariel returned to the banquet hall first. The center of the hall was filled with men and women dancing. As they sat at the table, the ladies began to comment on Ariel’s dress. Most were words of admiration. Ariel’s gaze, which had been wandering around recalling memories evoked by their conversation, turned to Kaius.

Kaius also quietly looked at Ariel as she gazed at him intently.

“Thank you for calling Madam Bella.”

Only then did Kaius slowly examine Ariel’s neck, collarbone, and below. The marks he had left were perfectly hidden by flower petals. He let out a small sigh, quite satisfied with the result.

“I would have been even more grateful if you had told me yesterday.”

Though his tone was affectionate, his direct gaze was full of dissatisfaction.

Kaius, who chuckled, had just taken a sip of alcohol when the emperor and empress appeared at the entrance. The emperor’s expression was difficult to read, and the empress did not look particularly pleased. Shortly after the two sat in their designated seats on the platform, several of the Grand Empress Dowager’s maids approached Emperor Hart with quick steps.

As they arrived, Emperor Hart rose from his chair and looked around carefully. While the emperor’s gaze briefly passed over Ariel and lingered on Kaius for a long time, people’s attention was completely focused on him. It was then that Emperor Hart, smiling wryly, opened his mouth.

“Ariel von Elbartan, come forward.”

***

Ariel was confined to the room, almost as if imprisoned.

This was the room she had used when she fainted, and before her eyes lay the ‘Tears of Talitroian’ and ‘Dragon’s Heart’ that Emperor Hart had given her.

[The Grand Empress Dowager has bestowed upon Ariel von Elbartan the ‘Tears of Talitroian’, the most valuable of today’s gifts, as a token of gratitude. Also, since the lady’s gift is sufficient, the ‘Dragon’s Heart’ given by the duke is to be returned to the ducal family. Keep in mind that this matter is unrelated to today’s competition and is merely an expression of personal gratitude. One more thing, the Duchess of Elbartan is prohibited from attending the banquet until the start of the competition.]

At first glance, it seemed to have ended clearly, with the value converted to money. Plus, the ban on attending the banquet to prevent other nobles from seeking her out.

It was an action befitting the fair Olivia von Kladius. The Duke of Rantiano’s sullen expression seemed to finally regain composure at the mention of the banquet attendance ban. But that also meant that many nobles wanted to become acquainted with Ariel. It meant that many nobles were suffering from headaches.

Ariel closed the box containing the jewels with a slight smile, satisfied with the sufficiently good outcome.

Hopefully, this effect would continue until the competition.

As she was thinking she should visit the library tomorrow, a knock was heard at the door.

“Lady Ariel, Demian is here.”

It was Anna’s voice, now brighter. Kaius had left the banquet hall with Ariel, but was away on Demian’s business. As the door opened and Anna and Demian entered, Kaius and Ariel’s gazes met briefly, but he did not come in.

“The duke said he’s going straight to where the competition is being prepared.”

“Ah…”

Ariel replied lightly and looked out the door again, but Kaius seemed to have left in the meantime.

“Demian, what happened? Oh, are you hurt?”

Ariel asked in surprise, noticing the bandage wrapped around his hand.

“He says it’s just a small injury to his hand.”

The answer came from Anna. Apparently, he had been attacked on the road today, but fortunately, the Elbartan knights who had gone to meet him arrived in time, so he wasn’t badly hurt.

However, when she handed him a teacup, the movement of his arm receiving it was awkward. It wasn’t the movement of someone who had just slightly injured their palm.

“Demian, be honest. You’re hurt somewhere else besides your hand, aren’t you?”

There weren’t many people who could lie to Ariel’s clear and direct golden eyes.

“Well, it was definitely fine earlier, but…”

***

The outside of the banquet hall was bustling and noisy.

The nobles remained the same, but reporters from various news outlets and people to help with cooking had been added.

Tables for cooking were placed at regular intervals on both sides of the spacious garden. Next to them, a small furnace and grill for cooking steaks were prepared. At a certain distance from there, tables for the judges were placed.

Kaius looked at the palace garden transforming into the competition venue with an expressionless face. The fact that Demian’s location had been exposed meant that there was a spy among the knights, not the servants. As his eyes gradually narrowed, a servant’s voice was heard.

“Everyone, please pay attention. The competition will begin soon. Cooks from each team, please go to your positions now.”

It should be about time for Ariel and Demian to arrive.

A little while ago, he had sent Lemon to bring them. As he turned his gaze towards the direction they would come from, Demian’s face appeared first. He expected his wife’s face behind him, but Anna appeared again. Even after waiting a bit longer, the face he expected did not appear.

Kaius, who had been leaning against one of the tall fir trees particularly common in the imperial palace, straightened his posture just as Lemon brought Anna and Demian to where he was.

“Your Grace, Lady Ariel said she’s not feeling well right now, so she’ll be late and asked me to let you know.”

She’s sick? Well, a woman who had fainted earlier today would naturally be struggling after experiencing such a thing again. Kaius decided to go see her himself.

“Your Excellency, I got an assistant because I said water shouldn’t get into the wound.”

Kaius nodded nonchalantly. Rather, that would be safer and better.

“Demian, you go to your position, and Anna, come with me.”

But at that moment, the servant’s voice was heard again.

“Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager and Their Majesties have arrived.”

Turning his head, he saw the three imperial family members entering their prepared seats of honor. As Kaius pondered for a moment, he noticed a servant entering with a large box covered in black cloth. It seemed to be the box for drawing lots for the judges.

“It looks like I won’t be able to go. Anna, please go and take good care of her.”

“Yes, Your Grace. Don’t worry.”

As Anna turned around, she let out a sigh of relief, smoothing her chest. Anna’s steps back gradually increased in speed until she started running.

***

Ariel, Anna, and Demian had prepared a play.

Ariel, who was supposed to enter pretending to be an assistant to help Demian, was now lying quietly in bed to play the role of a fake patient. After seeing Demian with his swollen elbow, she had sent Anna to the ducal residence in the capital. The clothes under the blanket were Anna’s dress. It was a bit long, but not unwearable.

It was impossible to cook for 15 people with an injured arm, and Kaius would never allow it, so there was no other choice.

At the moment when she wished he would hurry, whether he came or not, the door flew open.

“Lady Ariel. I came alone. We need to hurry.”

At Anna’s words, Ariel jumped up from the bed, quickly wrapped a scarf around her and put on a bonnet. Her hair was already rolled up into one.

“How do I look? Will the duke recognize me?”

“No, I don’t think he’ll be able to recognize you because of the bonnet.”

“Then I’ll be going.”

Ariel’s eyes were determined as she ran towards the competition venue, clutching the long skirt of her dress tightly. This competition was truly important for both Kaius and the Elia company, so she had no choice but to be desperate. As a result, deceiving Kaius didn’t instill any sense of guilt in Ariel.