Roxana was very wary of Claire.

And it was the same for me too.

Even as a Baron’s daughter, she caused a lot of trouble for Roxana.

It was not good for me if Claire continued to be by the Crown Prince’s side.

So, I tried to separate the two for any possible threat.

But now my thoughts had changed.

It was not only Claire who could harm me.

The Crown prince too, no, he was more dangerous than her.

If he ascended the throne with a grudge against me, it would be a disaster for the duchy.

So… what could be worse than two people who could be a threat gets together.

“Princess, long time no see. I heard you had a cold, are you feeling better now?”

A young lady approached and asked.

“Yes. I’m fine now.”

“I’m glad you’re all healed, but now that the days are getting colder, you need to take good care of yourself. But, by any chance, what happened with the Crown Prince…”

Before she could finish her words, a loud trumpet sounded from the entrance.

“His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, the Crown Prince and the 2nd Prince are entering.”

Everyone looked at the door in unison.

Soon after, the emperor in a red cloak with a crown on his head appeared, and the empress in an elegant purple dress with a crown on her head as well.

Behind them, the Crown prince in a banquet suit and Payne in a white uniform were walking in.

The Crown prince looked around as soon as he entered the banquet hall.

As if he was looking for someone.

Perhaps his target was me.

I knew that the Crown prince would be quite angry right now.

But it was not my business.

Anyway, he couldn’t make a fuss in a place like this.

It was because the emperor was present, and many eyes were paying attention to him because of the recent events.

It couldn’t be helped if we met again or exchanged words.

But I wasn’t comfortable with it.

Even though I solved a big problem, another problem was still waiting to do its worst.

I brought the fan to my mouth and glanced at Payne.

He was collected and calm, as always.

My heart felt all the more frustrated when I remembered how not long ago the emperor brought up my marriage with him to the duke.

‘What the hell is he thinking?’

The emperor sat down on a high platform and spoke in a soft voice.

“Payne, come closer.”

Payne approached slowly and knelt down in front of the emperor and the Empress.

The two were not close, but like a military-vassal relationship.

The emperor looked at him with a pleased expression and beckoned.

Then, the attendant standing behind brought out a long box.

“This is a gift from me, so open it.”

“Yes.”

Payne carefully opened the box in front of everyone.

“That’s…”

Admiration erupted from people’s mouths.

What was in the box was a sword.

Lapis lazuli was embedded in the handle of the sword, giving off a brilliant light, and when the scabbard was pulled out, the exposed blade emitted a white light.

Even I, who knew nothing about swords, could recognize that it was a famous sword.

When Roxana was taking the empress lessons, she had heard a glimpse of the innumerable treasures in the imperial storeroom.

If I was not mistaken, what was in front of me now was a treasured sword passed down through generations in the imperial family.

“I see… It’s a treasure.”

“Wow.”

Several other people, including myself, recognized the treasure and exclaimed in admiration.

Payne also seemed a little flustered.

“It is too much for me.”

“It’s not. Compared to the achievements you have made, this sword is nothing much. Besides, you are my son, so you deserve that sword. With that sword, protect the empire from now on.”

“I will abide by Your Majesty’s will.”

“Now get up.”

Payne placed the sword on his waist.

The elegant white uniform and the sword worn around his waist matched him perfectly.

People alternately looked at Payne and his sword with complicated eyes.

There was a mixture of envy and admiration in their gazes.

Since the emperor had shown how much he valued Payne by bestowing such precious treasures in front of everyone, his status would rise even higher after today.

I glanced at the Crown prince, who had been standing there silently for a while.

His expression was as dark as his relationship with Payne.

His face, devoid of any trace of emotion, was hardened and white as a sheet of paper.

The empress also didn’t have a good expression either.

Judging by the tightness of her facial muscles, it seemed that she was struggling to keep her emotions in check.

“Come to think of it, you too are now of the age to be married.”

The eyes of the people in the banquet hall turned to one place at the emperor’s words.

Standing there was a young lady wearing a dress as bright as a flower with a soft impression.

It was a familiar face.

‘The daughter of Marquis Kylon.’

I had heard rumors that the daughter of Marquis Kylon was unintentionally appointed as the second Prince’s partner.

The family of Marquis Kylon could be said to be the head of the nobility that followed Payne, and their prestige was high.

Even Marquis Kylon’s daughter had a pretty face and, unlike Roxana, had a good reputation, so she was a worthy candidate.

However, even after several years, no word came out from Payne’s side, and there was no full-fledged marriage discussion, so the rumors gradually faded.

However, since the emperor himself mentioned the wedding in front of people, it was like pouring oil on a dying ember.

People now heard the emperor’s words and seemed to believe that the two of them, Payne and lady Kylon, would finally get married.

It was natural to think so, and I would have assumed the same if I didn’t know about the mention of marriage the emperor had with the Duke.

The emperor clicked his tongue in regret.

“Tsk, you already had a coming-of-age ceremony last year, but you haven’t even gotten engaged yet, let alone married. I haven’t paid much attention to you with the excuse that I’m busy.”

“I am okay.”

“You are okay, but I am not okay. Since you were born into the royal family, marriage is a duty, not an option.”

Payne silently looked down at the floor, lowering his gaze.

The Emperor looked at him and shook his head.

“Well, I guess now you have an idea. But don’t make me wait too long.”

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

“We’ll talk more about it. Enjoy your special day.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Payne stood up.

When he came down from the podium, the banquet began in earnest. He stopped and looked around the banquet hall. Even though he was looking elsewhere, I could feel the gaze directed my way.

‘Couldn’t be…’

I tried to look away, but I could feel him coming toward me. A murmur among the people began to grow louder and louder.

“Princess Lillian, may I have a dance with you?”

Payne held out a hand to me.

I heard a buzz around me, and at the same time I felt surprise and astonished glances.

It was understandable because the emperor just mentioned about the second Prince’s marriage.

However the gazes were also hostile.

It was to the point where I felt as if my back was being pierced by people’s stinging eyes.

The main character’s first dance request on his birthday had a special meaning.

Usually, in the case of unmarried ones, they asked for a dance with their promised or arranged opponents.

I didn’t know if it was the emperor’s idea or Payne’s, but this time I had no choice but to move like a puppet according to their intentions.

Because, no matter how high-ranking I was of a ducal family, I would not dare refuse the request of the prince who was celebrating his birthday.

I gritted my teeth and put my hand on top of his outstretched palm, trying to raise the corners of my mouth.

“I met the servant sent by the princess earlier.”

Payne said in a low voice only I could hear.

His face looking at me was a little complicated.

“Fortunately, it seems to have gone well. It seems that there was a mistake when the birthday person sent a present instead.”

“Did you not like the present?”

“It doesn’t really matter if I like it or not.”

Payne hesitated for a moment before asking.

“Are you mad?”

The corners of my mouth twisted of their own accord.

Was I mad?

Wasn’t it more strange that I didn’t get angry when I was caught off guard and got hit in the back of the head?

“Does my opinion matter?”

“Of course it matters.”

Payne said in a firm voice.

I narrowed my eyes and looked at him.

His face was serious and somehow desperate.

I wanted to ask right away if such a person would want to marry me without my consent.

However, since I decided to keep peace, there was only one option left for me.

I swallowed the words that reached the tip of my chin and sighed inwardly.

“I like friends and allies. But I have no desire to be beyond that.”

Payne opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it.

He lowered his gaze with a sad face.

“That was not my intention.”

There was a hint of regret in his pale blue eyes.

I faced Payne with a calm face.

He didn’t even make a simple denial to my words.

So, it was practically accepted.

‘Should I believe that?’

I looked at him with distrustful eyes, and he let out a small sigh.

“It happened… I should have come and apologized, but I was late because I didn’t have time after that day. I’m sorry.”

“I thought maybe we could be good friends, but it seems I was mistaken.”

Payne looked at me and added.

“I didn’t know that His Majesty would speak up so suddenly.”

“Are you saying it was His Majesty’s own decision and not yours?”

Payne’s eyes widened slightly at my words.

I frowned.

I looked at him with an unwavering gaze, and his face became more troubled.

Just in time, the song ended.

He stood still and did not move.

His face looked a bit dazed and contained a bit of bitterness.

“Are you going to stay still?”

When I whispered in a small voice that only he could hear, Payne started walking as if he came to his senses.

I went back to my seat.

And Payne naturally walked beside me.

Because of that, we seemed to be going back to our seats together.

I could feel people glancing in our direction, full of curiosity.

But fortunately, they didn’t come close to us. Thanks to that, we were able to have a quiet conversation.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“There is something misunderstood, Princess. Could you please give me a minute?”

Then, a person came towards us.

“Roxana, how are you?”

The Crown prince asked.

His blue eyes were burning with something fierce.

Looking at the crookedly raised lips and narrowed brow, one could see how moody the Crown prince was feeling right now.

“I see the Crown Prince.”

The Crown prince stood in silence for a moment, as if at a loss for words.

Then he glared at Payne, who was standing next to me.

“Move. I have something to say to Roxana.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. I also have something to say to the princess.”

“What do you want to say to her?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“What?”

The Crown prince frowned.

His gaze at Payne was so sharp, it seemed like he could kill a person with a look.

“What did you say just now?”