The welcome banquet was held for envoys from other countries.

Formally, it was just a simple ball. As the main guests were certain, there was no separate arrangement.

Of course, it was held for the envoys of foreign countries who gathered ahead of the Crown Prince’s Coronation Ceremony, so it could not be said that it was just a ball for entertainment.

The Emperor was sitting comfortably in the seat provided on the stair railing, looking at the people. He was planning to leave early.

“If an old man who can’t dance is sitting there for a long time, the ball will only get boring.”

“Your Majesty is still very young.”

Duke Farren of the Sewell Kingdom, who was standing next to the Emperor, said politely. The Emperor chuckled.

“What do you mean? Duke and I are old. It’s meant for young people to play.”

Having said that, the Emperor pointed to the side of the crowd.

Grand Duchess Evron and Crown Princess Iantz stood side by side, greeting the people.

Those around him, as the Emperor said, were mostly young men and women.

On the other side was a crowd surrounding the young heirs of the three countries.

Duke Farren saw it and was overcome with a strange feeling.

He has been going to and from the Empire as an envoy for nearly several decades. He was also present at the Emperor’s Coronation Ceremony.

He himself felt he was getting older. In the meantime, the Sewell Kingdom changed the owner of the throne twice.

Even so, he seemed to have unintentionally thought that Gregor would live forever.

Even so, it was impossible to confide in the Emperor about his feelings.

“Young people are pretty to look at, but that’s all. Can you be the owner of a seat just because you think the decorations are pretty?”

“Don’t you have to dance to be the master of the ball? Duke, are you confident that you will be able to dance the Mazurka with the youngsters over there?”

Duke Farren coughed. The Emperor laughed.

“I can tell the band to play the dance slowly, but I don’t want to be that pathetic.”

“I’d like a quadrille.”

“Are there any pretty ladies left to hold hands on Duke’s either side?”

The Emperor said jokingly.

“Let’s just have a few drinks like this and move.”

Duke Farren had no reason to decline.

The Emperor leisurely leaned against the railing, holding a glass of champagne.

Cedric was on his way to get a drink and passed underneath. The Emperor looked down at him with interest.

“Cedric.”

Cedric looked up as if startled by the sound of the call. The Emperor beckoned for him to come up.

And said to Duke Farren.

“You’re not close, are you? I’m sure there’s a lot of things to learn, though.”

“Yes. The last time I came, Grand Duke Evron was in the West. Even before that, he did not stay long in the Imperial Palace.”

“I will introduce you. You will see each other often in the future. Duke has been my friend for a long time.”

“I am grateful.”

Duke Farren expressed his gratitude.

Cedric immediately approached the railing. The Guard opened the way.

The Emperor boasted that he was old and retired, but in reality, Duke Farren was right. He was the master of the ball.

There were few people around the Emperor because no one dared to approach him according to their will.

They were all keeping a close eye on him. No one did not know that Cedric was standing by the Emperor’s side.

The Emperor said calmly,

“This is Duke Farren of the Sewell Kingdom. I’m sure you know the face, too?”

“I remember greeting each other about five years ago. Nice to see you, Duke Farren.”

“Please, Grand Duke Evron. You have already become a precious person, so you do not need to speak so respectfully to someone like me.”

“His Majesty considers you close, so I cannot afford to neglect you.”

“Yes. Duke is a person who knows manners, so there is nothing to worry about.”

The Emperor added to Cedric’s words. It meant that Duke Farren knew his place and behaved well, even if he didn’t press to make sure the relationship between up-and-down is known.

The Emperor glanced at Cedric’s glass. There was no way that the drink could be water, so it was a strong drink.

“Tia seems to like the Crown Princess of Iantz.”

“Yes.”

“Did anything happen in the toilette?”

“It was nothing special. Tia and Crown Princess Iantz each gave each other fur and headdress as gifts.”

“That’s what it is.”

The Emperor looked at Natalia’s wolf fur and said,

“It’s wise.”

The matter of the Iantz Kingdom had become a little troublesome for the Emperor.

Being involved in the conspiracy of Grand Duke Roygar, they could not be allowed to absolve without paying anything.

But he really had no intention of crushing the Iantz Kingdom.

With much effort, there is a possibility of solving the problem of piracy in the South Sea. If there was an opportunity to resolve it through diplomacy, of course, he had to do his best.

It was for this reason that the charges of treason of Grand Duke Roygar were limited to the Empress claiming.

However, it was not possible to let the Iantz Kingdom or the Eimmel Kingdom take the initiative there.

It would be nice if he could crush both countries at once, but he can’t afford that. So balance is always important.

Now that they are whipped, it’s time to give the carrots.

Considering that aspect, Artizea’s actions were appropriate.

This diluted the fact that the Crown Prince couple of Iantz had been taken hostage. The relationship between the two Crown Princesses will be emphasized.

It also had the effect of reducing the attention on the Eimmel Kingdom by focusing the attention on the Iantz Kingdom at the ball.

This will affect not only the Empire internally, but also the diplomacy between the small southern countries, which must keep pace in the South Sea issue.

‘If it was Tia, she would have thought of that.’

What did Cedric think?

The Emperor looked at Cedric with wrinkled eyes. Cedric was talking to Duke Farren, holding the glass to his lips from time to time.

Cedric’s gaze was towards the middle of the ballroom.

The dance was changed to a waltz.

“Why don’t you go and dance?”

“I want to go to the third song.”

“Why the third?”

Duke Farren asked curiously.

“Before that, if I go, I think I would be kicked out because I had to do something important.”

Cedric said without hesitation. Duke Farren misunderstood the subject and laughed.

“Well, there is nothing more important than protecting His Majesty.”

It was far more important to show him standing close to the Emperor than to go out and enjoy his new power surrounded by people.

Even more so, considering his past.

Even if he reconciles with the Emperor and shows a good relationship, there will be doubts. Those who want the Empire to be at peace and those who want chaos.

‘For now, it looks fine.’

Duke Farren decided so.

***

In fact, Cadriol was conscious of it while dancing the waltz.

“Did you do it?”

“What?”

Artizea asked.

“Grand Duke Evron standing next to the Emperor with his old friend.”

“It is a natural thing because it is the most important position. Your Majesty Cadriol, is it okay for you to dance like this?”

“If we don’t do this, there will be no chance to talk secretly, will there?”

That was right.

Externally, the two were almost strangers to each other. After Cadriol came to the Capital this time, they had only met once at the Emperor’s dinner.

It was a fatal blow to both of them for the secret to be known. She had to hide the fact that she had a chance to meet him.

“Is there anything left to talk about? Do you think it would be better to not have anything to do with me anymore?”

“You should thank me.”

“Thank you?”

Artizea looked at him with a strange face.

“Even if I had thoroughly pretended to know you for the first time, would Grand Duke Evron be able to properly manage his facial expressions?”

“…….”

“And now, whether I ask for a dance or an audience, or send a secret letter in a bouquet, no one will be suspicious.”

“That is true, but…….”

“It also provided a topic of discussion that could bury all noise until the Crown Prince’s Coronation Ceremony.”

Unfortunately, Artizea had to admit that.

If it wasn’t for Cedric, she didn’t have to say anything that would otherwise have caused a rift in the relationship.

If she was a member of the imperial family, she had to endure the rising and falling of other people’s lips. It is also essential to control the mind from such rumors.

It was no different from the rumors of a love marriage with Cedric.

Artizea sighed and said,

“Thank you.”

In the past, there would not have been such a sigh. Because it was purely a strategy.

Even Cedric was acting too childish that she had nothing to say.

“Well, thinking about it, it’s not something that deserves to be greeted. I am not lying.”

“…… So, what do you want to talk about? I am tired right now.”

Artizea said, paying attention to her toes.

Cadriol said,

“If I said none, would you be angry?”

“I’m sure there must be one, right? Because you are a pragmatist.”

“When I go to the North, there is someone I use as a guide.”

“Yes.”

“He is a person who quit after working under a leather dealer in the Capital for nearly 10 years……. Some of his old comrades are rumouring. There must have been some who said they saw Karam in the stronghold.”

Artizea strained his body.

She tends to be unable to move her head and body together. So her feet stopped.

Cadriol lifted her up. The hem of her skirt was spread out.

The song is over.

Cadriol put her down. Artizea looked at him. And shrugged her shoulders.

“I don’t know more than that.”

“Thank you.”

Artizea put her hand on her chest and bowed her head politely in thanks.

“Don’t mention it. If something wrong comes up while digging up rumors, I’m in trouble, too.”

Cadriol bowed his head likewise to thank her.

He led Artizea to the edge of the hall.

Cedric sneaked in and took Artizea’s hand.

“Grand Duke Evron, please be polite.”

“There is no way to dance with the same person for two songs in a row.”

Cedric said.

When the two men met face to face, interested gazes were focused at once.

Artizea let out a sigh of relief. And after squeezing the hem of her skirt with her two hands, she said,

“I am a little tired.”

“Tia.”

“How about a walk instead?”

Cedric’s face brightened.

Cadriol chuckled and clicked his tongue. Artizea bowed her head slightly to him and headed out.