"Nice to meet you. I am Amelia Bluewell, eldest daughter of the Bluewell family."

Of the attendees at today’s animation preview, only five were women. Two were members of the manga club, who had quickly assessed the guest list and deliberately chosen to sit far from the others to avoid potential conflicts.

This left only three women seated together at the front table: Iolin, Amelia, and Zinnia.

After a brief moment of awkward silence, Amelia broke the ice by addressing Iolin.

"Pleasure to meet you. I suppose introductions aren’t necessary?"

"Indeed not, Your Highness," Amelia replied with a respectful bow.

As the two exchanged formalities, Zinnia, startled into action, hastily introduced herself and offered her greetings, completing the trio’s awkward introduction.

‘Your Highness…’

The weight of her situation began to dawn on Zinnia. She was seated among extraordinary individuals: Iolin, the imperial princess often referred to as the "flower of the empire," and Amelia, heir to the most prestigious noble family in the land. Their ranks were far beyond her reach, and Zinnia felt herself shrink under their collective status.

‘How does the princess know Rupert?’

Amelia, too, was unsettled. She had been confident that Rupert had no romantic connections—no relationships, not even rumors. But now, with Iolin and Zinnia also present, tension seeped into her composure.

"Do you like Rupert as well?" Iolin’s sudden and straightforward question shattered the atmosphere.

"Pardon?" Amelia and Zinnia froze.

"I like him," Iolin continued unabashedly.

Her tone was calm and confident, leaving no room for doubt. Amelia and Zinnia could only stare, too stunned to respond.

"I admire his character, his talents. Everything about him," Iolin elaborated. "Moreover, I’m certain I am the best person to understand his work. If he were by my side, situations like the recent Agora incident would never happen again."

Iolin’s self-assured explanation silenced Zinnia. She couldn’t deny the truth in the princess’s words.

‘If Her Highness were with Rupert, no one would dare slander him…’

Zinnia thought of her own position. Despite gaining respect as Yustaf’s disciple, she couldn’t think of anything she could offer Rupert that would compare to what Iolin could provide. The realization dampened her spirits.

"With all due respect, Your Highness," Amelia spoke up, her voice steady, "I do not deny that you can provide much for Rupert."

"And yet?"

"But it is also undeniable that marrying you would become a shackle for his work."

For the first time, Iolin’s composed expression faltered.

"While Crown Prince Alex and Rupert may share a close friendship, marrying into the imperial family would inevitably limit Rupert’s freedom. His works would be scrutinized, their content questioned, and every release carefully controlled."

Iolin couldn’t argue. The imperial family’s dynamics often prevented even siblings from freely expressing camaraderie. If Rupert married into the royal family, his groundbreaking and often controversial works would face constant criticism. It was a reality Iolin could not dismiss.

"On the other hand," Amelia continued, "the Bluewell family may not match the imperial family’s influence, but we can offer steadfast support as his patrons."

"But wouldn’t Rupert then become a member of Bluewell?" Iolin countered.

Amelia met the challenge head-on. "No. I will become a part of Somerset."

"What?"

Her declaration stunned not only Iolin but also Zinnia, who had been silently observing. Amelia’s willingness to give up her claim as Bluewell’s heir and join the Somerset family was nothing short of revolutionary—a move equivalent to a crown prince renouncing their throne.

"Does the duke know of this?" Iolin asked.

"Yes," Amelia said without hesitation.

She had made her decision during a prior meeting with Rupert, when he asked if she was willing to give up everything for him. Her resolve had been unwavering since.

As Amelia and Iolin exchanged verbal blows, Zinnia wrestled with her insecurities.

‘What can I offer?’

Unlike Iolin and Amelia, Zinnia lacked a powerful family or wealth to support Rupert. Her only strength was her magic, and even that seemed insufficient to aid him.

"I… I…" Zinnia finally stammered.

Both Iolin and Amelia turned their sharp gazes toward her.

"I have… big breasts!" Zinnia blurted out.

The room fell silent.

"I’ve heard men find that appealing," she added timidly, as if trying to justify her outburst.

Involuntarily, both Iolin and Amelia glanced downward, comparing themselves to Zinnia’s striking S-shaped figure. Her recent growth spurt had accentuated her curvaceous form, which, combined with her flowing red hair, exuded undeniable allure.

By contrast, both Iolin and Amelia had more modest figures, and their self-consciousness led them to cross their arms protectively.

"That’s…" Iolin started, her voice rising.

"An incredibly shallow argument!" Amelia snapped.

For the first time, their voices lost their composed tone as indignation flared.

"But it’s all I have!" Zinnia cried, puffing out her chest in a last-ditch effort to assert her position.

Neither Iolin nor Amelia could back down now, and the tension at the table reached a boiling point.

"Now that introductions are complete, we will begin the premiere of our new animation, The Frozen Kingdom," Rupert’s voice echoed through the theater.

The three women paused their clash and turned their attention to the stage. There stood Rupert, beaming with enthusiasm, announcing the start of the event that had brought them together.

The screen lit up, displaying a snowy mountain bathed in moonlight. The serene, icy landscape shimmered in blue hues as a girl appeared, traversing the snow alone. Music swelled, filling the theater.

"This is incredible. It feels like the singing is happening right next to me," one attendee marveled.

The theater’s advanced design ensured perfect sound distribution, and Rupert’s meticulous planning had created an immersive experience. On the screen, the girl began to sing, her voice harmonizing beautifully with her ice magic, which she wielded with dazzling artistry.

The audience was mesmerized.

"How is this music even possible?"

"The visuals and audio complement each other perfectly."

"And the protagonist’s voice… it’s almost too real."

Many attendees had seen Rupert’s previous work, Sylvania Music Club, at the academy’s closing ceremony. That had been a groundbreaking experience, but The Frozen Kingdom was on an entirely different level.

The animation was smoother than ever, with no noticeable stutters or breaks. The visual fluidity was matched by the exceptional vocal performances. Rupert had held secret auditions across the empire, handpicking singers with not only beautiful voices but also strong acting skills.

"It’s not just about singing. The emotions must resonate clearly while delivering the meaning and intent to the audience!"

The results were breathtaking.

"This makes our work look childish…."

"I thought we’d caught up, but we’re miles behind."

"How many frames must it take to make something that smooth?"

The manga club members were awestruck. They had poured their hearts into their projects, but Rupert’s work revealed just how far they still had to go.

‘I shouldn’t have wasted time arguing with Edric. One day, I’ll create something like this!’ Adrian resolved, his competitive spirit reignited.

He turned to speak to Edric, only to stop in his tracks.

"Elsa…."

Edric was staring at the screen, tears streaming down his face.