“Anyway, anyone from commoners to nobles can participate in the tournament. I don’t understand what the Crown Prince is saying.”

When the Emperor asked again, Claude smiled gently.

“Yes. As Your Majesty said, in principle, anyone can participate in the tournament. But isn’t this a festival commemorating the tenth anniversary? The people are already enjoying the blessings under Your Majesty’s grace, who fought to the end in the brutal war to achieve peace.”

The story neatly polished by the acting Count Esteban sounded even better coming from his son’s mouth.

Now Castarty no longer talked about the honor of the Black Knight.

Instead, rumors spread that the remnants of Gauwe that Nerea Esteban had failed to finish were still messily left behind, troubling the people.

Instead, awe for the Crown Prince who had excellently suppressed this became solidified as the mainstream opinion.

“To keep this momentum going, don’t we need a bit of different fun from the usual festivals? For example…”

Claude paused for a moment. He knew well how to speak dramatically.

“The first commoner champion knight in tournament history.”

For a moment, a cruel twist flashed across Claude’s usually gentle lips.

“…Or awarding the glorious black armor to him as a prize.”

Not only a commoner champion, but also awarding the black armor to that person.

The Emperor burst into laughter. A booming laugh pleasantly wrapped around the reception room.

The picture the Crown Prince was trying to paint clearly appeared before his eyes.

If a commoner knight won, the victorious knight would naturally prostrate before the noble Crown Prince.

A submissive knight and the Crown Prince praising and encouraging him. If the knight fully donned in black armor were to swear allegiance to the Crown Prince at the end…

It could cleanly erase the image of the Black Knight that had solidified as Nerea Esteban.

As a satisfied smile settled on the Emperor’s lips, the Empress also brightened and chimed in.

“That’s right. If the festival’s opening is filled with the heat and cheers of a tournament, the response would be tremendous. Crown Princess, what happened to the black armor we talked about then?”

Brianna’s lips trembled slightly. Not only was it inappropriate to inquire about the black armor in the Emperor’s presence, but bewilderment spread across her face as if she hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to make such a move.

As if on cue, the Crown Prince shrugged his shoulders and said,

“The black armor must be safely stored at the Count’s residence, so everything is prepared.”

“The Count’s residence.”

For a moment, the Emperor muttered in a strange tone. The Emperor’s brown eyes gleamed as if wondering if the black armor was really at the Count’s residence.

Under the unavoidable gaze, Brianna swallowed her exhale. It was a moment when her heart was constricted with anxiety.

“…Right. It must be at the Count’s residence.”

The Emperor simply laughed heartily and said to the Crown Prince,

“Crown Prince. Try to hold a splendid festival. And Crown Princess, support the Crown Prince well.”

.

.

.

“My dear. Why has your face turned so pale?”

As soon as they got into the carriage, Claude spoke affectionately.

“Surely you’re not upset that the tournament is being held first?”

Brianna shook her head.

At first, she was angry that the foolish Claude had stolen her opportunity, but now the important thing was to bring the black armor as the Emperor intended.

After all, it was unlikely that Claude had deliberately done so to undermine her.

Brianna gazed quietly at her husband.

His handsome face was smiling at her. Claude gently kissed the top of her head. His voice was sweet as it reached her ear.

“Don’t worry, my dear. The excitement built through the tournament will positively affect the masquerade ball as well.”

This sweetness made Brianna believe in him. Leaning into the firm embrace holding her, Brianna told herself.

Yes. If he had been a calculating man, he would have married a princess or a foreign princess. He had married her solely out of love, setting aside numerous backing.

Though this opportunity was regrettable, Brianna would have countless more chances in the future. So now she had to neatly wrap up the matter the Emperor had noticed.

“Thank you, Claude.”

“I’m the one who should be thankful, my love.”

There was something strange buried beneath Claude’s thick voice. But unfortunately, Brianna’s mind was entirely preoccupied with the letter she needed to send to her mother.

So that night, Brianna did not sense Claude quietly slipping out of bed.

“As you commanded, I have screened suitable commoner knights and mercenaries.”

As soon as Claude left the bedroom, Adjutant Patrick Wilson, Count of Wilson, who had been standing in front of the door, bowed his head and reported.

The Crown Prince, who had put away his usual gentle smile from when he was with the Crown Princess earlier in the day, gazed at the list Count Wilson handed over with cold eyes.

“Who among these is most likely to be the champion?”

“Number three, Your Highness.”

“Portrait.”

Count Wilson quickly handed over the portrait of the third commoner. Although the name ‘Boed’ was clearly written below the portrait, the Crown Prince spoke as if it didn’t matter at all.

“Perfect. This number three would be flawless as the champion. Just in case, let all the other knights in as well.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Even just looking at the portrait, he had a large build and a seemingly stupid face. Come to think of it, that woman Nerea Esteban he had seen ten years ago had a similar dull face.

Claude slowly headed towards his office, trying to recall the memory for a moment. But no matter how hard he tried to remember, that unremarkable face wouldn’t come to mind.

Only that cursed red hair came to mind, and just as Claude was about to give up, he snapped his fingers.

“Ah, dye this one’s hair. Red. For the performance, that would be better.”

It seemed that red hair would be more suitable to properly fit the entertainment for the people.

A knight with black armor and red hair prostrating before him. It would be quite a sight indeed. He was determined to never again turn a blind eye to the situation where the entirety of Castarty ran wild without its master knowing.

Claude lowered his gaze.

On the day of Lesoar’s exhibition, that painting he had seen after belatedly opening the door that had stood firm as if blocking him. It might be good to show a new rendition of that at the tournament.

“…It would be good to call a painter as well.”

***

“Oh my, you’ll burn a hole in that letter, my lady.”

On a bright afternoon, in the tea room of the Esteban Count’s residence.

At a table surrounded by noble ladies, one lady joked.

It was impolite to read a suddenly arrived letter in the middle of a tea party, but it was different if the letter was from the Imperial Palace. Especially if it bore the seal of the Crown Princess’s Palace.

With the ladies’ understanding, Helen, who had been holding the letter, finally smiled apologetically and folded it.

“Oh my. Thanks to the ladies’ consideration, I’ve been focusing only on the letter for a while. I apologize.”

Her smile was subtle. As if she had read something incomprehensible.

The noble ladies had similar thoughts but didn’t voice them. Instead, they spoke with envy.

“It’s a letter from Her Highness the Crown Princess, of course. Well. You must be in frequent contact these days because of the festival preparations.”

“Of course. After all, it’s the tenth anniversary event, so Her Highness the Crown Princess must have a lot to worry about.”

“You’ve been in charge of large and small banquets at the Esteban Count’s residence, so Her Highness the Crown Princess must know and rely on your expertise.”

Helen didn’t say anything, but the noble ladies rushed to gild her face. Helen smiled gently and looked at those seated beside her.

Baroness Nobury, Countess Elena, Marchioness Trand, and Marchioness Devernant.

The high-ranking noble ladies of the imperial faction, who had distanced themselves after Lesoar’s exhibition, had returned.

“Really. You must have nothing to envy, my lady. Her Highness the Crown Princess is so gracious, and the Count loves you dearly, and also,”

Countess Elena, who had been looking at Helen as if envious, added in a small voice.

“…You’re incredibly capable too, my lady. That medicine.”

“Do you think she’s on our level just because we serve the Emperor together? You haven’t forgotten, have you? She’s the wife of an acting count, originally from a baronet family. Not even a full countess!”

The voices of those who once stood her behind the reception room door and spread malicious gossip were still firmly lodged in a corner of Helen’s heart. Nevertheless, Helen smiled generously towards them.

“Oh, please. I still have a long way to go.”

A long way to go. Where was Lady Helen Esteban, mother of the Crown Princess, wife of the acting count, and the only medicinal herb merchant family in the empire, looking towards?

The noble ladies subtly exchanged glances and began words of praise.

“By the way, the effect of the medicine you gave me last time was so good.”

“I was so worried that my second cousin wouldn’t be able to get up for a while after falling off a horse, but as expected. Medicine that has passed through Tylesbury’s hands is the best.”

Other ladies also spoke up one by one, as if they had been wanting to say something.

“The Dowager Marchioness of Devernant is also deeply indebted to the Countess Esteban.”

“What about my family? My cousin’s younger sister also suffered less pain.”

They were all people who had used the ‘transparent medicine’ on close relatives.

The mysterious elixir that invigorated the sick and reliably eased pain could only be obtained with Helen Esteban’s permission, regardless of money or status.

And as expensive as it was, the effect at the time of use was tremendous.

Listening to the anticipated praise, Helen looked at Baroness Nobury. Unlike the others who had received the medicine, only she did not praise her.