Cassel and Riena greeted the Empress and the First Princess in turn. After the greetings were finished, the Emperor, who had sat back down, clicked his tongue while looking at Cassel.

“By the way, it’s a shame.”

“Pardon?”

Riena reflexively asked back, not understanding. Although it could be considered somewhat rude according to etiquette, the Emperor didn’t mind.

He stroked his chin and explained.

“Actually, I had been thinking of Duke Winckler as a match for the Princess. What do you think, Lady? Don’t they make a fine pair?”

Riena couldn’t give any answer.

Even for an Emperor, it was going too far to say that her fiancé would suit another woman while she was right there.

At the same time, it was also an act of disregarding Riena. It could even be taken as a declaration of war.

Words that implied he would separate her and Cassel, and pair him with the Princess instead.

Should she remain silent after hearing such words?

But even if she had been insulted, the other party was the Emperor. She couldn’t argue here.

As Riena was pondering for a moment and about to open her mouth,

“Your Majesty.”

“Father.”

Cassel and the First Princess, who had been listening quietly, rebuked the Emperor first. The Princess gave Cassel a look as if telling him not to intervene, and continued speaking.

“That joke is too much. I know well that Father said that because you like the Lady, as I am your daughter, but it would sound like the truth to her.”

The Princess must have known that the Emperor’s words were not a joke but the truth, but she tried to gloss over it like that.

Tsk, the Emperor clicked his tongue softly and then burst into laughter.

“Haha. Yes, the Princess is right. My joke went a bit too far. I said it all because I like the Lady, so don’t worry too much about it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’ve kept you two for too long. It must be your first time attending a royal banquet together, so I hope you enjoy yourselves.”

“Thank you.”

Riena and Cassel bowed politely and then left them.

Riena felt unsettled.

‘They do make a good match, for sure.’

The First Princess was the eldest of the Emperor’s one son and two daughters, and it was said that she had received successor training until the youngest prince was born. Now the prince who was born 12 years later had taken her place, but she reportedly didn’t mind.

Anyway, the Princess who had grown up as the successor like that was a person perfect in everything. Her tall stature above average and her refreshing limbs were imposing, and her unique expression looked confident rather than arrogant.

They say she had learned swordsmanship since childhood, so her body was taut rather than soft. Her swordsmanship skills were also good, so she would probably have a lot in common to talk about with Cassel.

‘Sigh, what’s the use of me being concerned about Her Highness the Princess.’

She had asked Cassel for a little more time, but the feelings between them were not yet clearly settled.

She didn’t want to even imagine it now, but perhaps in a few years, she might have to divorce Cassel, willingly or unwillingly. After that, whether he married the Princess or met another woman, it wouldn’t be Riena’s concern.

But why did it make her feel so upset?

At that moment, Cassel spoke to the sulking Riena.

“You don’t need to mind His Majesty’s words.”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s true that His Majesty thought of me as a match for Her Highness the Princess, but that will never happen. I’ve only seen Her Highness the Princess twice now, and I have no intention of becoming a member of the royal family. His Majesty can’t force me to marry Her Highness the Princess either.”

“…”

“So I’m telling you that my only wife is Ria, you.”

“But…”

Our marriage is time-limited, isn’t it? I said I would think about it, but our future together is still not certain.

If not that, then do you intend to stay with me regardless of my answer?

Riena swallowed her inner thoughts.

“Thank you for saying that. By the way, now I think I should do my duty as your fiancée.”

“Duty?”

“As I said, I should meet new people and interact with other families. Since I’m more sociable than you, I should build relationships with the ladies and madams attending the party.”

“You don’t need to do that.”

“No, it makes me feel better. So you should also talk to other people in the meantime.”

Riena patted Cassel’s chest area lightly and then moved away from him.

It wasn’t too difficult to approach other attendees. As soon as Riena left Cassel, women approached her as if they had been waiting.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Dyke. I’ve really wanted to meet you all this time.”

“I wondered what kind of person had captured Duke Winckler, and it turns out to be such a lovely lady. No wonder Duke Winckler is smitten.”

“Lady Dyke, do you remember me? We met at a party held at the Petria Count’s house two years ago.”

“Of course. It’s been a long time, Lady Asna.”

“I’m honored that you remember. However, I’m now the Viscountess Sethin.”

“I was slow with the news, Viscountess Sethin. Belated congratulations on your marriage.”

Looking around, there were not only Viscountess Sethin but also a few familiar faces. Riena skillfully continued her socializing among strangers and somewhat familiar people.

She quickly became close with Viscountess Sethin, Helen Sethin, who was particularly friendly. Although a viscountess, Helen, who had a wide network in the capital’s social circles, introduced many people to Riena.

“I heard that Duke Winckler goes to his duchy every winter. When is he going this time? Are you going too, my lady?”

“I think I’ll be going with him, and we might leave soon.”

“Then may I invite you to my mansion before you leave? It would be nice to have a conversation in a quieter place. I’ll invite my close friends as well.”

“It would be my honor.”

After chatting with people for a while, Riena felt she had shown her face enough and started to leave the group to return to Cassel. As she was looking around the wide hall for a familiar face, suddenly a cool voice came from behind her.

“How’s the party? Are you enjoying it?”

Recognizing the owner of the voice, Riena quickly turned around and bowed.

“I greet Your Highness, the First Princess.”

The Princess waved her hand.

“There’s no need for such formality. We’ve already greeted each other formally earlier. Stand up quickly.”

As Riena straightened up, she smiled brightly.

“So how’s your first royal banquet?”

“It’s very enjoyable.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Have you made many acquaintances?”

“Yes. Fortunately, everyone has been kind, so I was able to fit in quickly.”

As Riena was having a simple conversation with the Princess, she realized the identity of the discomfort she had felt earlier and carefully said,

“Please speak comfortably, Your Highness.”

“You’re about to become a duchess soon, so even a princess can’t speak too casually, can she?”

“Still, I don’t feel at ease.”

The Princess shrugged.

“Then shall we do that? I can’t make you uncomfortable.”

Riena inwardly sighed with relief.

“But why to me…”

“I just came over. Is that not allowed?”

“There’s nothing that’s not allowed. I’m just worried that I might be wasting Your Highness’s precious time meaninglessly.”

The Princess burst into laughter. It was as refreshing as her personality.

“I didn’t think so, but you’re more uptight than I expected?”

“…Pardon?”

“Well, I guess that’s why you met that wooden block of a duke?”

She lightly patted Riena’s shoulder.

“I’m not criticizing you, so don’t be so tense. To be honest, I quite like you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Hmm, there are many eyes watching, so shall we go over there for a moment?”

The Princess took Riena’s hand and went out to the terrace. She even drew the curtains and sat down on a chair prepared on the terrace.

“Come and sit here. Your legs must be sore from standing for so long.”

“How could I…”

“Do I need to make it an order for you to sit? How about it? Shall I command you in the name of the Princess?”

“…I’ll sit.”

The Princess smiled with satisfaction.

“See, how nice it would have been if you had sat when I kindly suggested it.”

“…”

“Just in case, let me tell you, my name is Anaïs. You’re as uptight as the Duke, so you probably won’t call me by name even if I tell you to.”

Riena answered with silence. It was an affirmative response.

The Princess, Anaïs, shrugged as if she had expected that.

“Actually, I came to meet you because I wanted to tell you something.”

“To me?”

“Yes. I’ve been bothered by what Father said earlier. To cut to the chase, you can ignore Father’s words.”

“Pardon?”

“The part about having Duke Winckler in mind as my match.”

“Ah…”

“Father really… It wasn’t something to say to you. You probably couldn’t show it in front of Father, but you must have been quite upset. Right?”

“No, how could I towards His Majesty the Emperor…”

She denied it, but Riena felt a little guilty inside. She hadn’t been upset, but she had taken the Emperor’s words to heart.

“Don’t say no. It’s natural to be upset. Thinking of you who must have been seething inside, let me tell you the conclusion first: you don’t need to worry about me. I have absolutely no interest in Duke Winckler.”