As they sat in their designated seats, the atmosphere improved noticeably compared to earlier. It seemed there was always something to be cautious about when speaking with adults.

“Now that the Second Prince is out, this peace is over.”

The first to speak was Nick. Solara, who had set a wedding date with him, echoed his sentiment.

“We can’t overthrow the house again… Surely, he’ll seek revenge.”

“Revenge? He just received punishment for the sins he committed.”

Someone responded, implying that Solara’s words were harsh, but she chuckled.

“That’s why he’ll probably seek revenge even more. He might not even realize he did something wrong.”

The conversation became increasingly heated. Etienne contemplated whether she should intervene, but Bazone, who shared the same thought, spoke up first.

“How about you say such things when only Nick and you are present?”

“What?”
“No, I can find it amusing, but we never know where these words might leak out.”

When Bazone looked at others as if asking for agreement, Solara, blushing, raised her voice.

“I didn’t say anything wrong. And this place supports the Second Prince. Can’t I even say a single word? Surely, no one would go and report it, right?”

“Solara. As you said, this place is gathered in hopes for the Second Prince’s success. Of course, we won’t speak ill of the Second Prince… But someone might overhear, so let’s be cautious.”

As Bazone changed his expression, Solara bit her lip as if trying to suppress her excitement. She seemed to know that there was nothing good for her if she became more agitated.

Solara fell silent again when she closed her mouth.

“It’s a big problem that the Second Prince has appeared, but we just need to continue as we were doing. There’s no need to worry so much.”

Bazone, as if refreshing the atmosphere, summarized the situation and ate a soufflé. Although he returned with his characteristic open expression, the mood was now calmer thanks to Bazone.

It became evident that Etienne had learned quite a bit under the guidance of Alex’s aide for the past two years.

“But, even if we say it doesn’t concern us, Etienne, aren’t you worried?”

Hana, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. When the conversation turned towards Etienne, she turned her head towards Hana as an arrow flew towards her. Hana put down the teacup and continued speaking.
“The Second Prince showed interest in you, didn’t he? He even gave you a gift. Aren’t you bothered at all?”

All eyes turned towards Etienne. Even if they hadn’t traveled together, everyone waited for Etienne’s answer, as they might have heard something.

“What if the Second Prince proposes to you?”

Hana’s provocative words brought another cold change to the atmosphere.

If she, who had supported the Crown Prince, turned into the Crown Prince’s fiancée and sided with him, everything she had said and done in this place would be in vain.

Moreover, she could leak the conversations she had here with the Crown Prince.

“Hana.”

Etienne looked at the flowers she brought and handed them to Hana.

“Will you accept my flowers?”

“What?”

As Hana frowned at the absurd statement, Etienne gently shook the flowers as if asking her to accept.

“I trimmed them nicely earlier. So, please accept them.”

“If that’s the reason, give them to someone else. Why me?”

“Well, then, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

As Etienne extended the hand offering the flowers, Hana bit it playfully.

“This is how the Crown Prince proposes.”

Etienne looked at her flowers and then at Hana.

“How many times do you think he proposed to me so far? But if, for some reason, the Crown Prince proposes to me, I will tell him to marry someone else. Just like you, considering it as something absurd.”

“Ugh.”
Understanding Etienne’s intention, Bajon tried to suppress his laughter by covering his mouth. However, he failed due to the laughter that had already escaped.

Fernando’s expression, which was about to step forward as he was displeased with Hana’s pushing Etienne, also relaxed. There was no need for Etienne to respond to Hana’s provocation with a flower.

“So, let’s not make such assumptions. Uncomfortable places may become even more uncomfortable, even if we share good stories. The adults will take care of it since the Crown Prince has appeared.”

Etienne, who was now eighteen, pretended as if to leave the headache to the parents.

“Then, what about this flower…?”

Etienne, who mumbled softly, looked at the flower that Hana rejected and then handed it to Bajon. He glanced at Fernando sneakily and pointed at himself with his finger.

“You’re giving this to me?”

“A gift for a dear friend.”

It was a token of gratitude for continuously trying to keep the atmosphere from becoming heavy. Bajon quickly caught on to the meaning behind the flower and accepted it.

“So, am I the second man to win Etienne’s heart with this?”

“Bajon!”

When he joked about what Lehahrtr had said two years ago, Etienne yelled with embarrassment. Bajon was generally fine, but sometimes he didn’t like it when he played such jokes.

Even with Etienne’s stern voice, Bajon continued to laugh and waved the flower around. At that moment, someone grabbed his wrist.

Recognizing that it was Fernando, Bajon leaned his upper body backward.
“You’re not trying to hit me, are you?”

Bajon, who knows Fernando’s feelings, asked with a serious expression.

“It’s me.”

“What?”

“I was the second one.”

Bajon looked puzzled. Etienne just wanted to get away from this situation.