“Dia, if there’s anything you want, just say it. I’ll get you anything!”
“Mm, thank you, Uncle.”
Brandon beamed at my reply. The direct relatives all seemed to think I was delighted by the room.
“Isn’t this bed a little too high for a child?”
“It seems the lady’s measurements weren’t conveyed accurately. I’ll see to it immediately.”
Vincent, ever sharp-eyed, scanned the room and pointed out every flaw. The butler trailed after him, taking notes on everything that needed fixing.
I took another look around the spacious room. The first thing the direct bloodline did upon arriving at the townhouse was inspect my room? Unbelievable.
No wonder the butler overseeing the townhouse looked displeased. Even when the Duke abruptly asked about my room, his gaze had been strange.
Well, I guess it couldn’t be helped.
The northern servants had simply been too kind to me. They lived far from the capital and didn’t know the rumors.
Cedric didn’t have the best reputation in noble society. As a bastard who earned his title through military merit, people looked down on him.
And the nobles’ opinions trickled down to the very servants who served them.
Especially those in the capital. There’s no way they hadn’t heard the rumors about Cedric.
So of course the townhouse staff weren’t thrilled about me, Cedric’s daughter.
But the butler’s attitude didn’t particularly offend me. As long as they didn’t make their dissatisfaction known to my face, I didn’t care.
I quietly clutched the puppy plush Brandon had given me and sat obediently in the Duke’s arms.
[Ohhh! So many adorable plushies! Wowowow!]
[You pervert. What’s so great about a bunch of dolls?]
[Ahahaha!]
Bibi laughed loudly in excitement, while Desmond clicked his tongue in disdain.
Looks like Bibi’s going to possess a new doll every day at this rate. She seemed to like it, so I let it be and turned my head indifferently.
“Waaaaah!”
The capital square roared with thunderous cheers.
Or perhaps it wasn’t just the square—but the entire capital.
The crowd surged like a tidal wave, leaving no room to move.
“Long live the Crown Prince!”
As the Crown Prince rode into the capital with his knights, petals rained down from the people.
The ill-fated Crown Prince who never rightfully inherited the throne.
Until recently, no one even remembered the Crown Prince who’d fled to the western frontier.
But the moment he reappeared and reminded the world of his presence, a massive shock swept through the capital.
That’s right. We had a Crown Prince too.
The Crown Prince who achieved great feats! A descendant of the radiant sun!
If he becomes Emperor, the Empire will prosper even more!
“Long live the Crown Prince! Glory to the Sylvester Empire!”
Mounted on a white horse, the Crown Prince waved as he passed through the square.
It took a long time just to cross, given the overwhelming crowd. But he showed no signs of fatigue, only a serene smile as he waved.
The procession moved from the square to the gates of the Imperial Palace. Nobles waited to greet him.
Leading them was Duke Winston, who stepped forward.
“Congratulations on your victory, Your Highness.”
“Duke Winston.”
“Infinite glory and blessings to the sun of the Empire.”
The Crown Prince dismounted with a radiant smile and approached Duke Winston, taking his hand.
“Thank you for coming, Duke. I feel much stronger with you here.”
Their warm exchange sent shockwaves through the nobility.
The northern lord, who had always remained neutral, personally welcomed the Crown Prince.
It was as good as declaring full support from the North.
“Your Highness, shall we enter the palace?”
“Let’s.”
To top it off, many of the western retainers who had fought beside the Crown Prince now marched alongside him.
Come to think of it, the Northern Young Duke had married a lady from a prominent eastern family. The more astute nobles sensed something unusual.
“Open the gates! The Sun of the Empire has returned!”
The heavy gates of the palace creaked open.
And the Crown Prince, with his many followers, stepped inside.
As expected, the Crown Prince’s entrance was peaceful.
I hadn’t seen it myself, but the absence of cannon fire or armies storming the palace proved it. What could be more peaceful?
Relaxing in the townhouse with Veronica, I received regular updates from the demons.
At this rate, it was only a matter of time before the Crown Prince was enthroned. I smiled in satisfaction.
“There’s a victory banquet tonight. We have to attend.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Our Dia can behave herself there, right?”
“Yesss.”
I nodded obediently at Veronica’s question.
Though I hadn’t had my debutante ball yet, as a noble heir, I was still permitted to attend imperial banquets regardless of age.
It seemed Veronica figured it was safer to bring me along than leave me alone at the townhouse.
Fine by me—I’d get a front-row seat to her budding romance with the Crown Prince. I looked up at her with sparkling eyes.
Veronica was especially beautiful today. Her luxurious velvet gown, black with red accents, made her stand out even more.
If she stood beside the Crown Prince like this, they’d make such a striking pair.
As I secretly giggled at the image in my mind—
“Oh, Dia.”
“Hm?”
“You have to leave the dolls here.”
“……!”
Without thinking, I’d brought Desmond and Bibi along, snuggled in their plush forms. Veronica gave me an awkward smile.
I looked at her in panic.
“N-no! I don’t want to!”
[That’s right! You can’t just leave me behind! Absolutely not!]
[Exactly! What if something happens to our cute master?!]
Their loud protests filled my mind. My frown must’ve shown more than I realized—Veronica looked even more troubled.
“If you take them, we can’t go to the banquet, Dia.”
“But…”
“Let them sleep here tonight, alright?”
Her tone was gentle, but firm.
Well, it would be strange to show up to an imperial banquet with dolls clinging to me.
Guys, go into the jewels.
[Eeeek!]
I always carried the jewels that housed their true forms, so if they went in, they could come along in spirit.
But after being sealed in those stones for ages, the demons absolutely refused.
In the end, they relented.
“Once we get there, don’t leave my side. And don’t follow anyone who talks to you, okay?”
“Yes, yes.”
Veronica nagged the whole carriage ride. I nodded absentmindedly.
Who would’ve thought I’d be going to the palace so soon? I figured I’d be stuck in the North a while longer.
But since I’d introduced the Crown Prince earlier than the original timeline, I guess this was bound to happen. I stared out the window in thought.
Cedric will probably be at the banquet, too.
Every noble in the capital would come to celebrate the Crown Prince’s return. Even those aligned with the Empress Dowager couldn’t afford to skip it.
Veronica hadn’t finalized her divorce from Cedric yet. If they met at the banquet, especially with how crazy he was—trying to start a war over land—it wouldn’t end well.
But I’m not the same as I used to be.
Now, I had contracts with two demons. And at the banquet, Duke Winston and the other relatives would be there to protect me and Veronica.
Let him try something. I’ll humiliate him in front of all the nobles.
I smirked to myself.
[Master, you look truly evil right now.]
Shut up.
Screech—
The carriage came to a halt. I followed Veronica out.
“There you are, Berry, Dia.”
“Brother, were you waiting out here for us?”
Vincent greeted us with a smile. Henrietta was nowhere to be seen—she must still be in the East.
“Of course. With Father busy, I’ll personally escort my lovely sisters.”
“Brother, really.”
Veronica chuckled and took his arm. Then she held her hand out to me.
“Let’s go, Dia.”
“Okay!”
I grabbed her hand eagerly. Before long, the grand doors came into view.
“Young Lord Vincent Winston, Lady Veronica Winston, and… Lady Claudia Winston are entering!”
The doorman’s voice echoed through the grand hall.
How unexpected—they announced me as “Winston,” even though Veronica hadn’t divorced Cedric. The Duke must’ve pressured them.
As we entered, the festive hall fell into an eerie silence.
And all eyes turned to me.
