After returning from the dark world, time flowed rapidly as if pressing the accelerator pedal, and the day Biare so desperately wanted to ignore finally arrived.

During that short period, quite a lot of things were happening in the Marta Empire.

From new signs emerging in the imperial family to rumors circulating among the public, newspapers and gossip magazines were incessantly buzzing about many issues.

As the Emperor’s illness worsened, which became publicly known, Ivan was officially performing his role as the next emperor.

His new inner circle and the families that would empower him seemed to dominate newspaper headlines as if it were a foregone conclusion.

The one who attracted public attention because of this was none other than Viscount Verdeum, Dension Verdeum.

Designated as the Crown Prince’s new confidant, Dension was quickly taking his full position.

‘An owl that might reveal its claws at any moment…..’

Of course, now he would have become velvet hiding a sword according to his intentions, but this was like a double-edged blade.

Biare could only desperately hope that he would not get involved in reckless affairs or get hurt.

Now that those to be kept by his side had been decided, Ivan hinted that he would announce her as his fiancée at his birthday banquet held today.

Dension would also be at the banquet, and at the thought of having to show him her image beside the Crown Prince, Biare heaved a deep sigh.

‘It’s quite selfish of me to hope you won’t come.’

Perhaps because she hadn’t slept well the night before, her face looked noticeably gaunt, to which Diane worriedly asked.

“Young lady, did you sleep properly?”

Not wanting to worry Diane any further, Biare nodded and replied.

“Yes, I think I slept the best in recent days.”

Diane seemed to realize that her mistress’s words were a lie, but without showing it, she put the topaz necklace Ushua had given as a gift around her neck.

“Today, you will shine the brightest, young lady.”

If Ushua had been here, Biare smiled slightly, imagining what her reaction would have been.

She might have chewed out the Crown Prince, calling him a puppy, or shouted ‘I oppose this engagement!’ while grabbing her hand and escaping outside the banquet hall.

That’s how much she was a precious friend who treated her like a real sister.

The dress Biare wore today was also sent from the imperial family, and according to the chief designer who helped with the fitting, it used the same fabric as the Crown Prince’s banquet attire.

After completing all preparations, Biare remained alone in the room to compose herself.

The reason for accepting the engagement while enduring the things to come was clear.

To take away the things he cherished one by one while by Ivan’s side.

When she became the most precious person to him, she would trample on his heart.

Not just his love, but the people for him, the power that made him arrogant, and the honor he valued most.

Everything to turn away from him.

‘So wait just a little, Ivan.’

Biare put on the snow-white lace gloves she had taken out for the first time since the engagement ceremony and steeled her resolve.

‘I will thoroughly destroy you.’

Arriving at the imperial palace, Biare climbed the high stairs to reach the front of the banquet hall, and after catching her breath, she gave a nod to the doorkeeper.

“The young lady of the Ruschef ducal family is entering.”

As he bowed and opened the door, announcing in a loud voice, the nobles’ gazes focused on one spot.

Unlike other banquet halls, the imperial banquet hall was overwhelming in both atmosphere and scale.

Not only the walls and pillars but even the ceiling was painted with murals by famous artists, and the chandeliers were also decorated with diamonds, shining even more brilliantly.

As Biare entered the main hall, young nobles began to gather to greet her.

“We greet the young lady of Ruschef.”

The reason they approached her was simple and clear.

The Ruschef family was one of the families that would become the Crown Prince’s power base, which had been making noise in the world for the past few days.

Soon they would learn that she was the Crown Prince’s fiancée, and when that happened, they would wag their tails even more in front of her.

They were the ones who were ruthlessly cold to the weak and tried to look good to the strong.

But Biare didn’t criticize them. Because in this world, it was all too natural.

This upper-class society was a place where such people gathered.

After receiving their greetings, Biare gradually approached where the noble ladies were gathered.

As expected, Duchess Kaanderson was absent from the banquet, and Biare politely greeted familiar faces including Duchess Hertia and Duchess Lisandro.

Duchess Hertia, as always, brought her fan to her mouth when she saw Biare and said.

“It’s been a while, young lady. But… I see you didn’t come with a partner.”

She probably wanted to point out and mock the fact that Biare, who had passed the age of majority, came to the banquet hall without a partner.

It was possible because it was known that Biare had not only not married but also not been engaged until now.

Biare, not showing any particular reaction to this, replied with a gentle smile.

“I thank Duchess Hertia for even caring about my partner.”

“It seems the young lady doesn’t fully understand my words.”

“How could that be? I’m only grateful that you always look after my future so carefully.”

“…Well then, young lady. You may go now.”

“Then I hope you have a peaceful time.”

Duchess Hertia, seeming to realize that trying to embarrass Biare here would only make herself look strange, merely opened her fan wide and fanned herself.

Just as a soft curve was forming at the corners of Biare’s mouth, thinking the matter had ended more easily than expected, it was then.

A loud voice of the doorkeeper was heard from beyond the door.

“His Majesty the Emperor of the Marta Empire, Her Majesty the Empress, and His Highness the Crown Prince are entering.”

The brass band raised their trumpets, and soon a concerto resounded throughout the banquet hall.

The moment they entered the banquet hall, the nobles who noticed something began to look back and forth between the Crown Prince and Biare.

Her dress, made with the same fabric as Ivan’s banquet attire, would have stood out as it was created by the imperial chief designer.

Biare was relieved that she was not part of any group at the moment.

Soon after, the Emperor, who had difficulty moving, gave the opening speech, conveying his blessings for the birthday banquet of his only son.

During that time, Biare approached Ivan, who was standing alone leaning against the balustrade on the upper floor.

Today was the day she would be known to the world as the Crown Prince’s fiancée, so she had to be with him, her partner.

“Glory to the holy Marta Empire.”

Seeing her approach and greet him, Ivan smiled casually and gave a playful applause.

“The dress suits you very well, young lady.”

To this, Biare glanced at her dress and replied with a faint smile.

“I’m overwhelmed by Your Highness’s praise.”

“Young lady, soon the world’s gaze upon you will change.”

“…”

“I hope today becomes a day like a gift for you.”

‘It might be the worst day, not a day like a gift.’

Biare held back a sneer at his words, slightly covering her mouth with her fan.

At last, the Emperor’s opening speech ended, and Ivan extended his hand to her.

“Shall we go now, young lady?”

Biare, who had been quietly looking at Ivan’s hand, answered with an especially clear smile.

“Let’s do that, Your Highness.”

They climbed onto the platform where everyone could see, and then Ivan opened his mouth.

“I express my gratitude to those who have come this far.”

At the appearance of the Crown Prince and Biare, the guests soon stopped whispering, and silence fell over the banquet hall.

“I am more than pleased to be able to convey this news at the banquet.”

Everyone had many questions about this situation, but no one dared to step forward, waiting for him to speak.

“This is Biare Ruschef of the Ruschef family, who has completed her engagement to me.”

Biare quietly looked at the nobles looking up at her from below the platform.

Surprised by this news, they doubted their ears and asked again, then began to whisper in bewilderment.

Gaizen looked visibly displeased, as if this situation didn’t sit well with him, and Rosalyn beside him was staring with surprised eyes, unable to close her mouth.

In another group of powerful figures, Duke Ruschef was holding back tears. The blueprint he had drawn was finally being filled in.

To this, Biare only held a bitter smile while looking at her father.

In the banquet hall where numerous gazes of envy and admiration were intertwined, it was just then that she turned her gaze to someone who was staring at her intently.

‘Sion…’

At the end of that gaze stood Dension.

The indifferent yet profound blue eyes were nowhere to be seen, and the gaze looking at her seemed deeply imbued with bewilderment.

Biare couldn’t take her eyes off him, just endlessly gazing at Dension’s wavering blue eyes.

As she did so, she was gauging Dension’s heart. She could tell just by looking at his eyes.

At first, he looked deeply surprised and bewildered, but gradually he began to show resentment and anger, and eventually began to show hostility with disappointment and a sense of betrayal.

Now he would think of her as no different from a noble blinded by power.

Although it wasn’t true, Biare couldn’t offer any explanation to him.

She couldn’t reveal her weakness in a place where everyone was watching.