“Is it true that a commoner girl is receiving the Crown Prince’s favor?”

The nobles who frequented the palace were already aware of the rumor. It made sense, given the commotion Irmin had caused.

“What’s the reason?”

“There are rumors that she uses magic, or that she’s being personally taught magic.”

“Magicians are common, though…”

“Exactly. It’s puzzling why he would take an interest in a commoner child, really…”

Clearly, the nobility couldn’t comprehend the situation.

‘But that’s to be expected.’

After a bit more gossip about the commoner girl, the noble ladies wrapped up their tea time.

“Hmm.”

So, this is how my rumor has spread in the noble circle. It was worth eavesdropping while disguised as a maid.

“Hey you, what are you doing? Why aren’t you cleaning up quickly?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

I had to keep up the act. I diligently cleared the dishes the ladies had left.

* * *

On my way back, I dispelled the disguise magic.

‘…The rumors are really spreading.’

Indeed, this is why I don’t bother planning things. Life hardly ever goes according to plan, anyway.

“Camilla.”

As I arrived at the place for lessons, Irmin greeted me.

“What have you been doing? You look tired.”

“Cleaning.”

“…?”

Irmin looked puzzled.

After hearing what was said about me earlier, my dissatisfaction grew. I tilted my head slightly and asked Irmin.

“Your Highness, do you really need to teach the lessons yourself?”

“Of course. Camilla, you’re a genius, after all.”

“But still, it’s quite…”

Overwhelming.

The rumors had already spread far and wide, and the number of people curious about me was increasing.

“Learning from another teacher or going to the academy is nothing compared to learning from me. You could become a great sorcerer, you know.”

Irmin’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as he spoke.

“Besides, did you like my gift today? If you need anything more, just tell me!”

“The dresses… You can stop giving them.”

“Then what do you need? Spellbooks? Jewels? A mansion?”

“Why are you doing all this?”

Irmin’s excessive attention was nothing but burdensome. It hadn’t been this extreme even when I was Anais.

“Your Highness, have you been very lonely?”

“…A little?”

So that’s why. Like Kabir, having someone to care for seemed to bring them sheer joy.

“Also, you can just call me ‘teacher’! ‘Your Highness’ is too formal.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Even if it felt awkward for a lifetime, I never wanted to address Irmin as ‘teacher’.

‘I guess I need to level up my stats quickly to surpass Irmin…’

Being a genius himself, I’d have to max out my stats just to catch up with him. The path ahead seemed daunting.

Anyway, I finished another day of grueling studies. My head ached from studying things I was never meant to.

‘Time for some healing.’

As soon as I entered my room, I used a teleportation magic scroll and headed to the duke’s mansion.

“I’m here.”

“…”

Hans, who was reading a book, looked utterly baffled at my unsolicited intrusion.

“Did you sneak in again?”

“Yes. Seems like we’re still meeting in secret.”

Nothing had changed since the days we lived together at my house.

I plopped down on the bed.

“Why do they dislike seeing us together so much?”

“It’s probably because you cause a lot of trouble.”

“I’m telling you, it’s tiring.”

“You never listen to me.”

All I wanted in this life was to spend more time with Hans. But maybe everything went wrong the moment I wished to reunite with the people I was close to when I was Anais.

“But we’ll meet soon, so just hang in there.”

“Meet who?”

“Who else?”

Hans replied as if it was the most obvious thing.

“Selena.”

“…Is she coming?”

“The duke’s house has some connections with the grand duke’s house. If the successor to the grand duke is coming, wouldn’t the duke’s house attend?”

That made sense.

‘I planned to meet Selena a bit later.’

Somehow, it felt like everything was pushing me and Selena to meet.

“Because of you, Irmin will also attend. Most of the high nobles will be there. The count must be happy.”

I could see why the count had been so insistent on bringing Hans.

After chatting with Hans for a while, I returned to the palace.

For a walk, I strolled from the garden near my room to the palace.

Then, I saw a familiar figure approaching.

“Ugh…”

It was Irmin.

I thought about turning away to avoid a long chat, but our eyes met before I could.

He acknowledged me first.

“Camilla.”

It was the same voice as Irmin’s, but the tone was more subdued. Such a calm tone wasn’t typical of Irmin.

“Your Highness?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

It was Jamon, whom I hadn’t seen in a while.

It was rare for Jamon to visit this building. I asked curiously,

“What brings you here?”

“I went to your room and you weren’t there, so I was on my way back. Where have you been?”

“…”

I rolled my eyes before finally speaking.

“Please keep it a secret from everyone else.”

“Alright, but… where did you go?”

“To the grand duke’s mansion.”

Jamon looked surprised at my response.

“You know how to use teleportation magic?”

“Oh no, I’m not capable of that.”

I waved my hand dismissively. Teleportation magic required far more stats than I had.

“I have some scrolls, I use them to sneak out occasionally.”

“I see. Still, it could be dangerous, so it’s best not to use it anywhere other than the grand duke’s mansion.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Jamon was really soft-hearted. It felt peculiar to receive his concern.

“Do you need anything?”

“Just curious. I heard about your stay at the palace a bit late. I had some free time, so I stopped by.”

“Your Highness, sometimes it seems like you care about me a lot.”

“You’re mistaken.”

Mistaken, my foot. He was as insincere as ever.

“Are you attending the count’s ball?”

“No.”

“Quite decisive.”

“Unnecessary for me to attend. Kabir goes because of Hans, Irmin goes because of me, but Jamon has no reason to.”

“And Lady Dias?”

“…I’ve told you, there’s nothing between us.”

It was a prophecy given by Ian, so the probability was one hundred percent. Yet, Jamon was still in denial.

Seeing me smirk, Jamon turned his head away, his cheeks slightly flushed.

“Since you’re alright, that’s enough. You should get some rest.”

“Make sure you come to the count’s ball―”

“I’m not going!”

Jamon walked past me briskly after raising his voice. He was still fun to tease.

* * *

Time passed, and the day of the ball was just around the corner.

The days were so monotonous that time seemed to fly by. All Hans and I did was study.

“Ah…”

“Well… you’ve worked hard! Let’s enjoy ourselves to the fullest during the ball!”

As a seven-year-old, I let out a tired sigh during the lesson, and Irmin, noticing my fatigue, comforted me gently.

Thankfully, he had the conscience to give me a break from studying during the ball period.

It was no wonder Irmin was eager to teach. However, coping with his enthusiasm was exhausting.

‘But it seems my skills have improved.’

The effort paid off. My stats had impressively reached 4.

Though the points played a part, gaining 1 stat in a month was a remarkable growth.

‘As much as I hate to admit it, Irmin teaches well.’

Spending all day studying with Irmin, it would be hard not to improve.

“Instead! I’ve prepared a gift for Camilla.”

“…?”

What now? Whenever he said something like that, I felt uneasy.

Irmin rubbed his fingers together and snapped, changing the scenery around us.

When did he develop such magic? It was more convenient than teleportation magic.

We arrived in my room.

“…?”

Looking around, perplexed, I noticed a difference from the room I saw this morning.

Numerous dresses were hanging on a rack.

“Ta-da! I’ve made a lot of dresses that will suit Camilla based on your measurements. Choose whatever you like!”

Really, this guy was too extravagant.

Truthfully, I wasn’t particularly interested in dresses. I just wanted to spend Irmin’s money.

“…I’ll wear anything.”

Anyone would think I was the star of the ball. I was already feeling tired.

* * *

Although I was attending as Irmin’s disciple, I decided to enter separately. It was too much pressure, so I refused.

‘I did want to enter with Hans, though.’

As it was my first ball as Camilla, I wanted it to be meaningful.

“See you there in a bit!”

After dropping me off at the grand duke’s mansion, Irmin disappeared.

I had finished dressing up at the palace, ready to depart immediately.

“Owen.”

When I went to Hans’s room, he seemed ready, dressed impeccably.

“You look great.”

“So do you.”

We exchanged straightforward compliments.

“Shall we go?”

Hans extended his hand to me.

I smiled brightly and took Hans’s hand.

“Yes.”

It was time to attend my first ball.