After the party and the long ride home, I went straight to my room.
I sat at my desk and opened the reddish book again, eager to find out what would happen next. What would the Main Character do now?
I flipped through the pages, my curiosity growing with each passing moment. And there it was.
In the next three weeks, there would be a Grand Hunting Gathering where all the nobles in the Kingdom would attend. All the Dukes and Duchesses, including my father and mother, would be present.
The Main Character would use this event to gain influence. She would try to catch the attention of one of the four powerful Dukes to gain a sponsor to contend with her rivals.
I memorized the date: 761 NE-08-17.
I closed the book, blew out the candle, and went to sleep.
...
The next day, I went to the Palace with an addition to my entourage: Lady Octavi.
So now, I walked the halls with Cassius, Valerie, Adel, and Octavi. A formidable group.
When I entered the Palace, everything had changed. The atmosphere was different—charged, respectful, and buzzing with energy. The publicity of my betrothal to the Crown Prince had shifted the tides overnight.
In front of the Arch-Treasury room, Lady Hillaria and Lady Clara were waiting for me.
"Congratulations on your betrothal with the Crown Prince, Lady Aurelia!" Clara beamed, clasping her hands.
"Thank you for your kind words," I smiled.
As we walked further into the room, I couldn't help but notice the curious glances and whispers from the courtiers. My betrothal had indeed become the topic of the season.
I took my seat at my desk. Beside me, Tito, the Third Prince, cleared his throat.
"Congratulations on the betrothal with my brother," he said, his tone polite but guarded.
"Thank you, Prince Tito," I replied graciously, arranging my papers. "I am truly honored by your kind words."
"It seems my dear brother was preparing something for you. Is that right? He stayed up until morning last night."
I chuckled softly, feigning ignorance. "My, I don't know if he would stay up until morning. Well, Prince Tito, your brother has always been known for his dedication and commitment. Perhaps he was simply caught up in the excitement of our betrothal."
Tito nodded slowly, a mischievous but sharp glint in his blue eyes.
"Ah, I see. Knowing my brother, there must be something extraordinary planned for you."
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear.
"Even though you are my colleague in this Court, I know you have a fractious relationship with my mother. Right now, I don't want to meddle in that matter. But..."
His expression hardened. "If I find out you are trying to use my brother or manipulate him—actions that will diminish the Royal Family's power and influence—I must warn you that such actions will not be tolerated. You will become my enemy."
He stared at me intensely. "I value loyalty and integrity above all else. Anyone who threatens the stability and reputation of my family will face severe consequences. My brother's well-being is of utmost importance to me, and I will do whatever it takes to protect him from any harm or manipulation."
I met his gaze calmly.
"The purpose of the betrothal is like the Queen said at the party," I replied smoothly. "This union will not only strengthen the bond between our families but also ensure the stability and prosperity of our Kingdom for generations to come. If it is your brother's action, surely you will support him, and you need to know the reason for his action."
"It is like Lady Aurelia knows what my brother is doing and why he was staying up until morning," Tito observed shrewdly.
He must be writing the apology, I thought.
"You are the brother of the Crown Prince, Prince Tito," I said, picking up a quill. "Even my dear little brother and sister always ask me everything I do. How about you ask him? I think we need to finish our conversation and start with these papers."
Tito leaned back, accepting the dismissal for now. "I will try to ask my brother... Just remember what I said, Lady Aurelia. Don't ever diminish the name of the Royal Family."
We proceeded with the paperwork.
Clang. Clang.
The bell chimed, signaling the end of the shift.
As usual, Lady Hillaria and Lady Clara invited me to have tea. I thought it would be a routine gathering, just with the addition of Lady Octavi.
I was wrong.
When we arrived at the Royal Gardens, the atmosphere was thick. All the ladies in the garden were acting weird—whispering behind fans, casting glances toward one specific spot.
I looked in the direction they were staring.
It was my usual table.
Sitting there were the Crown Prince Fabian and Lady Octavi.
Standing around them like a royal guard were Cassius, Valerie, Milo, and Adel. Even the maids of Lady Hillaria and Lady Clara were keeping their distance, looking intimidated.
I should have known, I sighed internally. With the betrothal public, Fabian would try to get close to me.
As I approached the table with Hillaria and Clara, Adel stepped forward to guide me to my seat next to Fabian. Flavia guided Hillaria and Clara to the remaining seats.
I could see Lady Clara's face was pale. She looked like she felt she didn't belong at this table of titans. Yet, Lady Hillaria was Lady Hillaria; after taking a seat, she immediately reached for a tart, unbothered by the heavy atmosphere.
Adel poured tea into our porcelain cups.
I took a sip, then turned to Fabian.
"What is the occasion for Your Royal Highness to come here?" I asked.
Clara fidgeted with her napkin, her eyes darting between us.
Fabian smiled politely, picking up his cup. "Well, is it not what betrothed couples do? Spending time with their betrothed."
"But Your presence here will make a little change to the atmosphere of the garden," I noted, gesturing to the silent, staring crowd. "Even Lady Clara is feeling uneasy at this table."
Clara jumped, startled. She leaned toward me and whispered hurriedly.
"Actually, Lady Aurelia... It is not His Royal Highness who makes me uneasy...."
"What?" I frowned in confusion.
Fabian chuckled. "It seems you still aren't aware of why the atmosphere in this garden changed, Aurelia. The reason is not me, but..."
He pointed a finger across the table.
"It is her."
He pointed at Lady Octavi.
I looked at Octavi. She sat with perfect posture, sipping her tea with an air of cool indifference.
I realized then—Lady Octavi had immense presence and influence. With her skills, her history at the Academy, and her striking "Prince-like" appearance in her uniform, she was an idol to the ladies of the Court. Her elegance and coolness commanded attention wherever she went.
"Well, I didn't know or wasn't aware that Lady Octavi's presence and influence are more popular and better than those of His Royal Highness," I teased.
Fabian rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Are you mocking me with those smooth words of yours, Aurelia?"
I chuckled softly. "Oh, I assure you, Your Royal Highness, I speak nothing but the truth. Lady Octavi's allure is simply irresistible, captivating all who cross her path... And I heard that you were her underclassman back in the Academy. Even your guard, Milo, was under her."
Suddenly, the garden erupted in whispers.
"Did you hear that?""The Prince was her junior?""Lady Octavi is so cool!"
It seemed what I said was a big deal for the lady courtiers.
"I think it is enough, My Lady," Octavi interrupted calmly, setting down her cup. "Everyone has different talents and skills. I believe His Royal Highness and his guard, Milo, are exceptional in their skills. Surely, we can't just be blind in that matter."
She continued, addressing the table but letting her voice carry slightly. "Besides, it is not uncommon for individuals to excel in different areas. Just because someone is a junior or underclassman does not mean they are any less capable or deserving of recognition."
Octavi's words resonated with the courtiers, and the frantic whispering began to fade into admiring murmurs.
Suddenly, Lady Hillaria swallowed her mouthful of cake.
"Then," she asked, eyes shining, "may Lady Octavi spar with me?"
Fabian choked slightly on his tea.
Octavi turned to me. "Well, in that matter, you need to ask My Lady beside you. Lady Aurelia is my Liege, and I am just a vassal. If she agrees to let me spar with you, surely I am obligated and would love to have a spar with you."
Her response was met with gasps of surprise and admiration from the crowd. So loyal! So knightly!
Hillaria looked at me with puppy-dog eyes, waiting for my approval. The tension in the garden grew as all eyes turned to me.
I took a moment to consider the situation.
I remembered the incident with Cassius and the secret of Transmutation. I needed to be careful.
However, I thought, Lady Octavi is different from Adel.
Her skill with the sword was already famous and admired throughout the Kingdom. Everyone knew "The Hawk." If she beat Hillaria, everyone would attribute it to her legendary skill, not necessarily a secret power like Transmutation. Unlike Adel, whose strength raised questions because she was "just a maid," Octavi was a known warrior.
I took a deep breath.
"Lady Hillaria," I announced. "You may have a spar with Lady Octavi."
...
In just a few minutes, the tea party was abandoned. We got up from our seats and started to walk to the training grounds.
A massive crowd of nobles and servants followed us, eager to watch the spectacle.