The evening banquet had officially begun. The only interest of those attending the imperial ball was one thing.

Who would be the partner of the crown prince, and who would be the partner of the ‘Lady Everett’.

The rumor that Violet S. Everett was chosen to be the future empress was just that—a rumor. However, it was a significant enough rumor that couldn’t be easily dismissed.

People wanted to see for themselves if the rumor was true.

And so, the curtain of the night that signaled the start of the eagerly awaited banquet rose.

“You’ve been gone since the afternoon, where have you been wandering?”

“Why are you picking a fight again? I didn’t just go anywhere.”

Violet, who unintentionally drew people’s attention, received a snappy reply when she asked about her younger brother’s whereabouts.

Cairn looked like he was in a particularly foul mood. Violet wondered where he had been to come back looking like that, but she decided not to provoke him further.

Cairn noticed his older sister’s apparent disinterest after her initial inquiry and felt a twinge of disappointment.

Violet, on the other hand, made it clear she was uncomfortable in her clothes.

Normally, she would have chosen something reasonably comfortable, but today was different due to the nature of the event.

The dress, layered with translucent fabric and accented with subtle hues, was nothing short of luxurious and elegant.

The garment was meticulously stitched by the hands of a master artisan, and it fit her body perfectly. The accessories, too, were worth as much as a mansion, gleamed with exquisite craftsmanship.

She looked stunning to anyone who saw her, more than suitable as the crown prince’s partner.

At the same time, Violet thought of the dress as a shackle tightening around her.

Meanwhile, the crown prince who greeted her was equally resplendent.

In the imperial family’s full dress uniform that gleamed pure and white, and with accessories that paled in comparison to his beauty, Rajaden was undoubtedly stunning.

But the most dazzling of all was Rajaden’s bright smile as he looked at Violet.

“Let’s go.”

Rajaden whispered in a tender voice befitting a lover, leading Violet along.

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.

.

The announcement of Lady Everett and the crown prince’s arrival echoed in the bustling banquet hall. Everyone, gathered in small groups, turned their attention to the pair who entered together.

The crown prince, hailed as the incarnation of the Sun God, and Lady Everett, revered for her beauty like the Moon Goddess.

They appeared quite different from the prince’s birthday banquet.

“My, how can such beautiful people exist in this world?”

“They truly deserve to be called divine incarnations.”

Those who had been busy slandering Violet now praised her beauty as if they had never done otherwise, and the shrewd ones extolled the empire’s future.

It felt like a theatrical scene.

How reactions could change based on appearances alone, how people flattered each other with only their interests in mind.

Violet thought this place resembled a well-orchestrated stage play.

The main character was undoubtedly Crown Prince Rajaden.

A play prepared solely for him.

An excruciatingly dull play.

“Are you not enjoying yourself?”

“…A little.”

Though she maintained a blank expression, Rajaden keenly sensed Violet’s boredom. It was incredibly rude to show signs of boredom as a partner, but neither of them said anything more.

“You both look truly beautiful. The future of our country is so bright…”

“I expect next year to be even more prosperous than this year.”

Prominent figures of high society approached the pair, offering words of blessing. Though their words differed, the underlying message was a celebration of the union between the imperial family and House Everett.

Seeing their clear intent to ingratiate themselves with the nation’s future leaders, Violet found the event even more tedious.

“It’s a pleasure to hear that. This year passed without worry, and if next year is as good as this, it will be peaceful.”

Rajaden responded adeptly as usual. A compliment should be answered with a compliment. If the other person speaks in a roundabout way, one should reply in kind.

No one directly asked if Violet had been chosen as the crown prince’s consort, so Rajaden only spoke of the nation’s well-being.

Thus, it was endlessly tiresome. How could such a place not be exhausting, with everyone hiding their true intentions and testing each other?

Violet stood beside Rajaden, merely like a doll. Occasionally, someone would speak to her, but she gave perfunctory answers, believing she was fulfilling her necessary role.

This was high society. Socializing without any real socializing. Or perhaps this could be considered as such, but it was merely the formation of flimsy relationships that could flip at any given moment.

In such a place, Violet could barely endure. During this time, the music changed.

Now, people began to take their partners’ hands and dance.

“Shall we dance?”

Just when she thought she might be able to catch a breath, Rajaden asked.

Extending his hand to her, Rajaden looked every bit the perfect partner.

“With pleasure.”

Violet took his hand.