Before long, the day of the Emperor's birthday banquet arrived.
It was the first imperial event to be held in months.
And to make matters even more exciting, both the Crown Prince and Anneliese—the current sensation of high society—were rumored to be attending.
The ballroom was packed with eager nobles, thrilled by the long-awaited gathering.
Anneliese, meanwhile, slipped into the venue early while it was still relatively empty and promptly hid herself behind a pillar in a secluded corner.
I'll kill time here until the appointment. Then I'll disappear before the Crown Prince arrives.
Never had she been so grateful for the tradition that members of the imperial family entered after the nobility.
She ignored the whispers that followed her wherever she went.
"Look over there. That's Lady Anneliese Solaritzen."
"I heard she was ill, but she looks much healthier than before."
Thank you very much.
That was probably thanks to the Grand Duke's advice. Ever since returning home, she'd been diligently soaking up sunlight and "photosynthesizing" on a regular basis.
For a moment, she thought she might survive the evening in peace.
Unfortunately, there were always people bold enough to approach her.
Just as she was reviewing the presentation script she had spent all night preparing—
<Marriage Proposal: For the Revival of the North>
—someone called out to her.
"My, Lady Solaritzen. You've come to the banquet as well?"
It was one of the young ladies who had sent her an invitation to a tea party.
Ah.
She really didn't have time for this. She was busy figuring out how best to market herself as a prospective spouse to the Grand Duke.
Still, Anneliese offered a polite greeting.
The young lady fluttered her fan and gave her a sideways glance.
"I was truly shocked when I heard the news. I came because I was worried about you."
How thoughtful.
Of course, she wasn't actually worried.
"To reject the Crown Prince! I wondered whether your standards had risen all the way to the heavens. Though, admittedly, His Highness can be a little... peculiar. Still, where in the Empire could you possibly find a better marriage prospect than the Crown Prince?"
Anneliese had heard variations of that speech at least five times already.
Instead of answering, she pulled out a sheet of paper from beneath her proposal notes.
With a pleasant smile, she discreetly slipped it into the young lady's hands.
The woman blinked in confusion.
"What is this?"
Anneliese lowered her voice conspiratorially.
"If he's such a wonderful marriage prospect, why don't you take him?"
"...Pardon?"
The paper contained everything there was to know about Crown Prince Robert.
His hobbies.
His favorite foods.
The places he frequently visited.
Everything.
"I'm giving this only to you. I foolishly threw away such an excellent opportunity, but I think you might actually win his heart."
"M-Me?"
"I believe in you."
She clasped the woman's hands.
"Good luck."
"Th-Thank you...? I'll do my best...?"
The bewildered noblewoman accepted the document.
As she read through it, her eyes gradually filled with emotion.
"Oh my... How considerate of you."
A moment ago she'd been glaring daggers.
Now she looked genuinely touched.
"I won't disgrace your advice, Lady Solaritzen! I'll work hard!"
After bowing deeply, she hurried off toward the location Anneliese had recommended.
Problem solved.
That made six noble ladies dealt with today.
Why do they all keep picking fights with me over the Crown Prince? If they're that jealous, wouldn't it be more productive to spend their time trying to catch his attention?
Which was precisely why she had redirected them toward a more productive activity.
Please keep bothering the Crown Prince for as long as possible.
Anneliese sincerely prayed for their success.
A short while later, someone else approached.
She was already reaching for a seventh information sheet when she recognized the newcomer and relaxed.
"Lady Anneliese. Her Highness asked me to deliver a message."
The "Crown Prince's ally" Anneliese had mentioned to Anna-Rose was none other than Princess Roselia.
The princess's maid quietly handed over a note before disappearing.
Making sure nobody was watching, Anneliese unfolded it behind the pillar.
Anneliese, be careful. I think my brother is planning a public proposal during the birthday banquet.
Oh, and I received the freesia bouquet you sent. I'll make sure Mother gets it. Did you grow them yourself? Their fragrance is wonderful. Mother will love them.
Anneliese clicked her tongue.
Knew it.
A public proposal? Just hearing the words makes me cringe.
Thank goodness she'd secured Roselia's cooperation in advance.
Earlier that afternoon, before the banquet began, Anneliese had visited the princess.
Even without the Crown Prince situation, the two had long been friends.
Though raised by the same parents, Princess Roselia was intelligent and thoughtful—completely unlike her brother.
Roselia had welcomed her warmly.
Then she'd heard Anneliese's request and immediately turned pale.
"What? You're planning to propose to Grand Duke Aperhis tonight? Anneliese... don't take this the wrong way, but... are you perhaps going through a difficult time lately?"
"No. I'm perfectly fine."
The princess clearly didn't believe her.
"Marriage to the Grand Duke? Anneliese, no matter how hard things get, you mustn't make such an extreme decision!"
"Is it really that bad?"
"Anneliese. I've seen his face."
Anneliese remembered the princess's expression vividly.
"That wasn't a human face."
The princess's reaction is probably how normal people react.
If anything, such an extreme response only made Anneliese more curious about the Grand Duke's appearance.
"It's horrifying! Absolutely horrifying! I tell you, he's unbelievably ugly!"
"A-Alright, Your Highness! I understand, so please calm down!"
The princess had been so distressed that calming her down took considerable effort.
"Don't tell me you're trying to sacrifice yourself because you're worried the Grand Duke might be angry about what happened that day? Why are you so kind? That's exactly why you should just accept my brother's proposal..."
Roselia seemed to have misunderstood something.
Explaining would have been complicated, so Anneliese let it slide.
Anyway, she promised she'd do everything possible to stop the Crown Prince. That's what matters.
Finishing her brief recollection, Anneliese adjusted her clothes.
It was time to leave.
The meeting place—the corridor of the North Tower—was some distance from the ballroom.
I thought the North Tower hadn't been used in years.
Though maintained out of formality, the tower had no permanent staff.
The empty hallways felt eerie and desolate.
As she reached the staircase connecting the banquet hall to the tower, she heard footsteps following behind her.
Who?
Anneliese quickly slipped into the empty space beneath the stairs.
Moments later, someone hurried past in pursuit.
It was the Crown Prince.
"Anneliese? I could have sworn I saw her heading this way..."
The moment she heard his voice, her face twisted into a scowl.
Even after Roselia and all those noble girls were keeping him occupied, he still escaped?
This was his mother's birthday banquet.
Shouldn't he be honoring her instead of chasing after women?
What an unfilial son.
He's definitely unfit to become Emperor. Anna-Rose needs to hurry up and retrieve the Third Prince.
She waited for him to leave.
Unfortunately, Crown Prince Robert was stubborn.
He climbed the stairs.
Came back down.
Searched every corner.
Eventually, he approached the very place where she was hiding.
And of course, it was a dead end.
There was nowhere left to run.
The girl who got my note earlier was headed to the palace gardens. I need to lure him there somehow.
Suppressing a sigh, Anneliese prepared to step out.
Just before she could—
A hand covered her mouth.
An arm wrapped firmly around her waist.
"Shh."
A low voice whispered beside her ear.
That same night, while the imperial ball continued in full swing—
a man dressed in black slipped quietly into another section of the palace.
His destination was the residence of the Imperial Consort, husband of the reigning Empress.
"The Count of Solaritzen appears to be remaining in his territory for the foreseeable future under the pretext of poor health. Only his two daughters remain in the capital."
"Too late."
The mercenary's report displeased him.
Imperial Consort Lamier Hildegard narrowed his eyes.
His plan to summon the Count to the capital and keep him there as long as possible had failed.
"That man barely visits the capital even after recovering from his leg injury. This is becoming troublesome."
To bring the Count back now, he would need another suitable excuse.
Ever since Anneliese Solaritzen had rejected the Crown Prince's proposal, Lamier had been in a foul mood.
Everything was proceeding exactly according to plan.
So why did she refuse?
Hadn't she always been quiet and obedient?
Who would have thought she possessed enough courage to reject the Crown Prince?
There wasn't even the slightest warning sign. I had no time to prepare a countermeasure.
Where had things gone wrong?
Because of her unexpected decision, he had spent far more time revising his plans than expected.
And I'm already occupied with the matter of the Third Prince.
Still kneeling before him, the mercenary asked,
"What about the Grand Duke? Shall we search for another treasure to persuade him?"
"No need."
Lamier waved the suggestion away.
"Since he rejected the imperial family's offer, he is no longer useful."
If the Grand Duke had become an ally, he would have been a tremendous asset.
That was why Lamier had attempted to arrange a marriage involving his daughter.
Unfortunately, the Grand Duke had proven difficult to manipulate.
"As the rumors say, he has no interest in romance. Leave him in the North. Let him remain exactly as he is—neither ally nor enemy."
To date, the Grand Duke had never once involved himself in imperial politics.
Which means he has no reason to support the Third Prince either.
"By now, he's probably already on his way back north."
A faint smile crossed Lamier's lips.
"After all, there's no reason left for him to remain in the capital."
