At the point when Gibun’s birthday was less than a week away, Riley hurriedly returned home with Hila for special training in royal etiquette and froze on the spot.

Someone who was casually enjoying a meal greeted Riley. “You’re late.”

“Uh, Miss?”

Why is Libne here?

“Why are you standing there so stupidly? Come in quickly and finish your meal. We have limited time before the education session.”

Riley recalled Mrs. Sophia’s face, which had smiled graciously, seeming to understand the specialized short-term training. That gracious smile now seemed to turn into a wicked smile in an instant.

“Sit down. Finish the meal in 30 minutes.”

“Yes…”

“Is it true that he came back to life? It would have been better if he stayed dead.”

“What?”

“My brother said that.”

“Oh…”

It was a harsh question, almost as if they weren’t really brother and sister.

Libne seemed genuinely regretful about Gibne, who became poisoned and bedridden a week after Gibun’s struggle with poison. She also appeared quite accustomed to such situations.

“So, is there no trace of where it happened?”

“No, luckily he’s fine.”

“Oh, that’s unfortunate. It would have been better if I had known earlier. If I had known, I would have brought something he hates as a get-well gift and taken care of him, helping him recover while tormenting him 24 hours a day.”

“…Did that happen?”

“Not much. He’s not the type to take it quietly. When he was young and struggling with his fate, there was a time when I filled the room with a lot of caterpillars. He really hates insects with a lot of legs.”

“…Ah.”

“But back then, he was so excited that he blew up the whole room with a gust of wind, and I ended up being scolded for no reason. Isn’t it funny? The one who blew up the room was him, but I got scolded.”

It’s not strange at all…

“They say that at this birthday party, he will introduce his sister. Is that true?”

Riley nodded. In response, Libne furrowed her brow.

“It’s really noisy. He’s really in the late stages of obsession.”

“…Yes.”

“That day, stay with me.”

“…What?”

“Stay with me at the party.”

“I was supposed to be with Hila. Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Whether it’s one person or two, it doesn’t make a difference, so it’s okay.”

Libne looked at Riley and pursed her lips.

“The face that looks easy to tear apart, tsk.”

“…”

“The problem is that stubborn-looking face. You can’t fix it no matter how you try… Anyway, don’t look too easy there. Once my brother announces the marriage, everyone will focus only on my sister… They’ll try to tear her apart in any way they can.”

“I know.”

“Why is the empress suddenly doing useless things… The timing is so perfect that it almost seems planned.”

“Planned?”
“You know, the sudden announcement of the princes attending in force and the empress offering the palace as the party venue are strange. This isn’t a common case. It’s extremely unusual. And changing the party venue to the palace is most inconvenient for my sister.”

“…Because of the etiquette?”

“That’s right. In the palace, all nobles follow the imperial etiquette. The palace etiquette is much stricter and more difficult than the common etiquette of nobles. Honestly, the time is too tight… I don’t know if this will work, but we have to try. Where my sister’s existence leaked from, and whether the empress intentionally did this… The timing is so perfect that it makes me think of unnecessary things.”

“Intentionally… Why would the empress intentionally do something to make Gibun uncomfortable?”

“Don’t you know? She openly rejected the 9th princess’s proposal. Do you know how much the empress was humiliated? The 9th princess is the only hostile princess, and since she’s the empress’s beloved daughter, the situation must have been embarrassing from the mother’s perspective.”

Libne ground her teeth and a shadow rapidly cast over Riley’s face.

Anyway, it’s a perfect situation to be attacked.

“…I’ll tell you in advance, if someone talks nonsense, ignore it. Don’t lose your temper or waver. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“Be on high alert as the nobles will also be present. Of course, there will be almost no chance to talk to the nobles directly. Their seats are prepared separately.”

“Yes.”

“Especially be cautious of the 7th prince. He has a grudge against my brother.”

Gibne made a fierce expression while mentioning the 7th prince. Riley could only nod vigorously at how ruthless she was.

“Let’s start the special training.”

Suddenly

As the door swung open, Arpeggio scowled while taking off his goggles.

Who is this uninvited guest disturbing precious working hours? Staring at the open door with narrowed eyes, Arpeggio was surprised.

A handsome middle-aged man shook a luxurious glass bottle containing ‘Lamborda Juice,’ belonging to the ‘High-Quality Alcohol’ category.

“Do you want a drink?”

“If you came to see my son, you should go upstairs. Why come here?”