She decided to cool her cheeks and headed to a nearby empty lounge, planning to return to the ballroom. But just before the door closed.
“…Are you leaving already?”
“I’ll stay a bit longer.”
“Sorry. I can’t keep my partner waiting.”
A familiar voice faintly echoed from the other end of the hallway.
Diana froze her hand on the doorknob, frowning instinctively. That voice… Cedric Haieren?
Her instincts screamed that she shouldn’t close the door.
Diana left the door slightly ajar and peeked outside. Across the hallway, she saw the door to another lounge wide open. Inside, the room was in chaos, with young lords about her age or younger, drunkenly chattering loudly. In contrast, Cedric, standing at the door, looked completely sober.
A few people sitting on the sofa jeered or cheered at Cedric.
“Are you showing off your partner now, huh!”
“Boo, how annoying!”
“But it’s good for him. He’s going to be the son-in-law of Duke Yelling, maybe even the future Duke Yelling.”
“Yeah. Hey! Make sure it works out with Fiona! If it doesn’t, introduce her to me!”
“What a crazy guy.”
The young lords laughed and exchanged jokes.
Cedric, with a slightly embarrassed expression, spoke firmly. “Stop teasing. I’ll be going now.”
“Alright, take care.”
“Make sure to invite us to the engagement ceremony!”
Cedric closed the door with a smile. Click. The soft sound of the door closing filled the hallway with silence. He leaned against the door, standing still for a moment.
Why isn’t he leaving? Diana frowned in confusion. But then,
“Sigh…”
Cedric’s smile vanished, replaced by a chillingly emotionless face as he let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair.
“For the next few years, I’ll have to stick with that dimwit… It’s already disgusting…” His calm yet eerie muttering drifted through the crack in the door, leaving Diana stunned with her mouth slightly open.
No way. Was he… referring to Fiona Yelling? Cedric’s ambiguous muttering left Diana bewildered.
Meanwhile, Cedric, deep in thought, suddenly turned. He reached out and took down a small painting hanging beside the resting room door. Crack. He broke it in half and wedged the pieces under the door. It was clear he intended to prevent anyone from coming out.
Cedric dusted off his hands, looking somewhat relieved.
What the… Diana was shocked by what she saw.
Then, suddenly, Cedric turned his head. Diana felt as if their eyes met through the crack in the door, causing her to jolt in surprise.
“…”
Cedric squinted in her direction and then took a step forward.
Diana quickly stepped back from the door and summoned Muf.
Bang! Almost simultaneously, Diana was hiding behind Muf’s barrier, and Cedric threw open the door to the lounge. He scanned the room thoroughly, confirming there was no one inside before closing the door again. His footsteps echoed away down the hallway.
Even after his footsteps faded, Diana stayed in the resting room for a while, unable to move.
…What on earth is with that lunatic?
* * *
The debutante ball was drawing to a close. Rebecca stood her ground, enduring the fatigue well into the night. She needed to keep track of which nobles Kayden was interacting with and reassure her supporters of her strength.
Is it about time?
Only after Kayden and Diana had returned to the Third Prince’s palace did Rebecca lean against the wall, taking a moment to breathe. Handling so many people gave her a headache. The thought of having twice as much work without Ludwig made her feel dreadful. As she was organizing her thoughts and pressing her temples, someone approached her.
“First Princess.”
“…Ah, Grandfather. What brings you here?”
It was Duke Findlay. Recognizing him, Rebecca quickly straightened her posture. Though she had the entire empire under her feet, she couldn’t help but tense up before Duke Findlay. Because he was that kind of person.
“…”
Duke Findlay stared at Rebecca with an inscrutable expression before speaking slowly.
“…Prince Ferand seemed particularly joyful today.”
“Pardon?” Rebecca asked, bewildered.
Duke Findlay gestured towards the ballroom. Looking over, she saw Ferand laughing and chatting with a group of young lords.
That’s… Rebecca frowned, recognizing some of the young lords she had warned Ferand to avoid.
Public opinion is hard to regain once lost. Rebecca had warned Ferand about these young lords who engaged in vile games in secret. If Ferand mingled with them and got involved, public opinion would turn against him swiftly.
Duke Findlay looked down at the alarmed Rebecca with cold eyes and said, “Recently, Joseph had a meeting with the second prince outside. Despite being ordered to stay home, he sneaked out, so I personally broke his leg.”
Rebecca involuntarily flinched.
The duke usually let Joseph do as he pleased, spoiling him. But there were two cases where he became merciless: when Joseph disobeyed him and when Joseph obstructed Rebecca’s path.
“First Princess.” Duke Findlay spoke in a low voice. “I’ve staked everything to make you the empress. My daughter feels the same.”
“…”
“How do you plan to ascend the throne if you can’t even control the second prince?”
Rebecca clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her palms. For someone as proud as her, Duke Findlay’s words were deeply humiliating. But he wasn’t wrong. Gritting her teeth, she bowed her head.
“…I understand.”
With that, Rebecca turned away. She strode towards Ferand.
“Ferand.”
“…Ah, Sister. You’re here.”
Ferand’s face, which had been cheerful moments ago, stiffened upon seeing Rebecca. Seeing this, Rebecca’s anxiety grew. She glanced at the young lords around Ferand before speaking.
“I need to speak with you. Shall we step aside for a moment, Ferand?”
“Does it have to be now? I can come to you later.”
“What?”
Rebecca was taken aback by Ferand’s attitude. Her surprise quickly turned into intense anger.
She called out to him with a cold, almost grinding voice. “Ferand.”
At her tone, Ferand flinched instinctively.
Rebecca stared at him before nodding her head slightly and turning away. With a sigh, Ferand reluctantly followed her.
Rebecca led him to a secluded corner where they wouldn’t be seen. Taking a deep breath to control her anger, she glared at Ferand. “I told you not to associate with those people. If you’re not careful—”
“Ah, seriously…” Ferand cursed, ruffling his hair in frustration.
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