As Biare attended official events as the crown prince’s fiancée, invitation cards were overflowing at the Ruschef mansion, more diverse than ever before.

It was absurd that the nobles who had looked down on Biare until now were thinking of lining up for her.

Not only that, but even families who used to talk about bloodlines were now watching her carefully.

The position of future crown princess backed by the imperial family would become an important support for Biare to gain power in the future.

She intended to use this position generously for political purposes.

She had to create people who would add strength to her forces.

If it could help Dension’s future, she would do even more.

For the past few days, Biare had been examining the information of key figures obtained from 34th Street by Bernaud, day and night, while concurrently handling guild business.

No matter how noble they were, everyone’s idea of normal and its principles would be different.

That’s why Biare planned to persuade them one by one to make them her strong supporters.

‘Whether it will be cooperation or blackmail, I’m not sure.’

Biare was waiting for the Elmada Social Club meeting to be held after the crown prince’s birthday banquet.

As she had unintentionally deceived the members by becoming Ivan’s fiancée, she needed to explain the situation.

And above all, there was someone she wanted to talk to. The first target Biare had in mind was Mateo, the Duke of Caanderson.

Knowing that he, as the club’s operator, always arrived earlier than others, Biare also visited the cathedral earlier than usual.

“Duke Caanderson, could I have a word with you?”

“Of course, Princess. This way, please.”

As other members had not arrived yet, only silence flowed in the basement where the social club meeting was held.

The one who spoke first was none other than Duke Caanderson.

“What brings you to seek me out?”

His eyes, looking at Biare curiously, were clearly filled with tension.

“I thought I should apologize for the previous incident.”

When Mateo saw her at the crown prince’s birthday banquet, he couldn’t hide his flustered and embarrassed expression.

So Biare apologized for not being able to tell him about her engagement to the crown prince in advance.

“Not at all.”

Duke Caanderson shook his head and added:

“If the Princess had informed the imperial family, I would have been called in for blasphemy long ago.”

While saying this, he smiled slightly, noting that she seemed more cautious than before. Biare sipped the tea placed in front of her as she looked at him.

‘Now I should get to the main point.’

Biare opened her mouth, hoping her judgment was correct.

“Actually, I wanted to seek advice from you as the head of the Caanderson family, not as the operator of this place.”

A subtle crack appeared on Mateo’s usually gentle face.

Raising his eyebrows as if surprised, he took a rather serious posture to listen to her story.

“I’m curious what advice the Princess Ruschef would seek from me.”

“Do you think the current crown prince will make a good emperor?”

His face was filled with bewilderment and agitation at the unexpected question.

It wasn’t something she should say, having just had her engagement ceremony with the crown prince a week ago.

Unable to speak freely in front of the crown prince’s fiancée, he carefully chose his words and conveyed them.

“I… don’t quite understand the intention behind you asking me such a question, Princess.”

Biare was well aware that it was a sufficiently rude and sensitive question, but Mateo didn’t show anger or displeasure towards her.

Rather, he seemed to be trying to grasp the hidden intention behind her question after calmly thinking.

“If the question is difficult, I’ll change it. I’m seeking your advice on whether you think the current regime will be stable.”

Currently, most of the nobles attending the central power council were imperial supporters, and one of the neutral families among them was the Duke Caanderson’s family.

They were maintaining neutrality without succumbing to any pressure from the imperial family.

That’s why they had no hesitation in criticizing the imperial family at the Elmada Social Club.

One of the reasons why the Caanderson ducal family maintained a high status was because they moved only with firm will.

‘But there are no signs yet.’

It was clear that they didn’t have confidence and conviction about the current emperor and crown prince.

Ivan Rio Kartos.

Even though he was called the next sun who cared about public sentiment and relief, he lacked the character to embrace the empire’s people.

In his past life, when he became emperor, he kicked away the public support he had built up and tyrannized, earning the resentment of the empire’s people.

This was the result of his arrogance, born from his strong conceit that no one could stand above him.

Therefore, what Biare had to do was to persuade the families who were not confident in Ivan, the current crown prince.

It would be even better if the man sitting in front of her right now accepted her proposal.

No matter how much they tried to hush up the fact that the crown prince was using violence against his subjects, it would be difficult to block Mateo’s ears.

‘So, Duke Caanderson, I need you.’

“I thought the Princess was testing my loyalty, but now I see that’s not the case.”

“That’s right. I’m asking for your cooperation now, Duke.”

Biare intended to form an opposition force equal to the imperial family’s power and to break down the supporting forces of imperial authority.

Even if her family was included in those supporting forces.

Mateo seemed unable to hide his surprise, as it was quite a frightening thought for a young lady raised in a powerful family.

“So… this was the reason why you got engaged to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Biare just smiled slightly at the corners of her mouth without saying anything.

If Duke Caanderson became her strong supporter, it would be much easier to gather forces.

As if thinking he had underestimated the nineteen-year-old princess, Mateo stared at her and asked.

“What were you planning to do if I refused?”

Then Biare shrugged her shoulders and answered with an elegant curve on her lips.

“I spoke because I was confident that wouldn’t happen.”

Mateo, meeting her unwavering blue-green eyes, shook his head, gave a hollow laugh, and replied.

“Let’s do well from now on.”

At those words, Biare sent a look wanting a definite answer, to which he nodded.

“As you say, Princess, I will cooperate.”

Having succeeded in persuading Duke Caanderson, Biare met with other major families in turn.

She subtly approached the nobles of anti-imperial and neutral families.

There was no easier means than intentional meetings disguised as coincidences.

She also secured strong support from influential noble ladies in tea parties and social circles.

Of course, the process couldn’t be said to be desirable.

For families that utterly refused to cooperate, she added appropriate subtle threats, and in the end, they had to accept Biare’s proposal.

Some families even expressed their approval right on the spot, showing interest in Biare’s intentions.

The desire for a new world. This was like an absolute instinct they couldn’t ignore.

Fabian, who was looking awkwardly at Biare smiling gently while lost in thought, said:

“It seems things are going well for you these days.”

“Yes, thanks to you too.”

Biare raised the corners of her mouth as she looked at him handing her a gently brewed tea.

The information she received from him contained weaknesses that could manipulate them and their desires.

“I’m just providing information befitting a premium client like you, my lady.”

Although she was a member of the Ruschef family, Biare was paying a hefty price for information, so Fabian was providing information commensurate with that.

“But it’s strange.”

“What is?”

Fabian seemed to be lost in thought, resting his chin on one hand, then spoke as if puzzled.

“Someone came looking for the same information as you, my lady.”

“What do you mean?”

Biare tried to hide her emotions, but her voice was trembling slightly at the end.

“It’s exactly as I said. They bought information about neutral or anti-imperial nobles from me.”

“…Who was it?”

Then Fabian let out a mischievous laugh, crossed his arms, and said to Biare:

“Someone you’ve already met, my lady. It was Viscount Verdeum.”

“…”

‘Was it really Sion?’

There was no way the imperial family didn’t know that Dension had been investigating the accident of the previous viscount couple until now.

It was they who had ignored requests to reinvestigate the incident so far.

The imperial family had already killed the previous Viscount and Viscountess Verdeum. Then it wouldn’t be difficult for them to do the same to his son.

Now Dension was moving according to his plan, avoiding watchful eyes.

As Biare’s face suddenly turned pale, Fabian worriedly examined her.

“Are you alright, my lady?”

“…Yes. I was thinking of buying new information from you.”

“By all means, please tell me.”

“I want information on all of Viscount Verdeum’s movements for the past year. But keep this matter secret from everyone.”

She had to find out what was now moving Dension.

“…Information about Viscount Verdeum?”

To this, Biare nodded and said, looking at the vice guild master sitting in front of her:

“Yes, someone of your caliber should be able to find out easily.”

Over the years of knowing Fabian, he had been keeping secrets about the information and favors she requested. Even from her father and brother.

At those words, he nodded and replied smoothly:

“There’s no one better at gathering information than me.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

From now on, she had to stay one step ahead of Dension and interfere with his plans. That was Biare’s way of protecting her precious former lover.