Luise and Irina went to join their fathers, who had arrived in the capital. Marghetta, too, immediately went to see the Iron-Blood Duke as soon as he arrived. It was a bit lonely, but it was inevitable. To attend the New Year’s greetings ceremony, one had to be accompanied by a family member with a title. Although I was essentially engaged to all three, I hadn’t yet become an official member of their families.

So, I had to attend the New Year’s ceremony alone. It felt strange. My fingers were unusually full of rings, but there was no one by …