Chapter 3

　　"My Lady, where have you been!"

　　Alicia, who had been anxiously awaiting the Lockwood ducal carriage, rushed down as soon as she heard the news. Sylvia had deliberately stopped in a secluded grove to avoid being seen, but her efforts were for naught.

　　The moment Sylvia stepped out, Alicia barred her path, chiding her. Sylvia gently pushed her away and asked, "Does Father know?"

　　Seeing her maid’s agitation, she feared it was already too late. But Alicia shook her head and pulled Sylvia roughly along. "Not yet. But he will soon! He ordered an early luncheon today. He said he is taking you to the Imperial Palace."

　　"What?"

　　The startling news made Sylvia stumble as she hurried forward. It was one thing for him to dictate her schedule without a word, but for Duke Appleton to personally escort her to the Imperial Palace was bizarre. After failing to marry her off to the Prince, he never set foot in the palace with her again. It seemed he feared that being in her presence would resurrect the humiliation he had suffered. He even took a separate carriage on the days of banquets, always departing an hour or two after her to ensure their arrivals did not coincide.

　　If it had not been for Heston, Sylvia would have had to enter every ballroom alone, without an escort, and be branded as the family castoff. Which, in truth, she was.

　　What on earth is he scheming?

　　Even as she hurried along, led by Alicia, a sense of unease lingered. Was it about her marriage prospects? Surely another royal had not appeared. Sylvia imagined herself marrying an infant, then sighed and resolved to erase all traces of last night before her father’s appointed time. An expensive ointment infused with holy power, which she had been saving for Heston, should do the trick.

　　She rubbed the ointment over every red and purple mark, watching the bruises fade. Mustering her courage, she tended to her aching back and the throbbing, embarrassing soreness between her legs. Alicia, thinking they were already cutting it close, could not understand why Sylvia had suddenly dismissed her, only to open the door a short while later with a face flushed beet red. She furrowed her brows in confusion.

　　"What on earth were you doing?" Alicia sniffed the air pointedly. She had vaguely heard that a mind-altering drug was making the rounds among the knights who fought monsters. Surely my lady would not involve herself in such things?

　　Sylvia grabbed her sniffing maid and turned her around, gesturing that it was time to get ready. Though Alicia’s suspicious gaze lingered, she set to work with diligent hands.

　　"You must not take any of those strange drugs to relax! I told you, did I not, how my old neighborhood was ruined by a similar substance? It all starts with curiosity or a single mistake, and then everyone becomes hopelessly addicted, and their lives are destroyed!"

　　Alicia’s ominous words made Sylvia shiver. A single mistake. Was Owen not just such a mistake? Hopelessly addicted.

　　"That will not happen," Sylvia said, her expression firm.

　　Alicia narrowed her eyes, but the approaching hour forced her to focus. If Sylvia was late for a meal on a day like this, there was no telling how her father would tear into her. Thanks to the bold move of tying her dress ribbon in the hallway instead of her room, Sylvia was the first to arrive at the dining hall.

　　Just as she sat down, a weary-looking Mrs. Blanke entered, rubbing her temples with fingers adorned with thick rings. Sylvia had to make a considerable effort to keep her expression neutral. Mrs. Blanke was Sylvia’s paternal aunt, who had moved into the mansion after losing her husband in an unfortunate accident. All too aware of her status as a dependent, she survived by feeding him her niece’s faults. So long as her brother’s anger was directed at Sylvia, her own worthlessness would not be exposed.

　　"You managed to make it home, I see," Mrs. Blanke said as she sat in the chair a servant pulled out for her. "As drunk as you were, I thought you were to be buried on the Lockwood estate."

　　It seemed she had seen Sylvia stumbling away from the banquet hall the previous night. Sylvia feigned composure, folding her hands neatly in her lap. Arguing would only make things worse.

　　"I apologize for causing you concern."

　　"Tsk. Always the same platitudes."

　　As her aunt shook her head in disapproval, Duke Appleton entered the dining room. His navy-colored hair was tied up, and as he entered, he removed his spectacles and handed them to a servant before looking Sylvia up and down, just as his sister had done. The thorough inspection made her tense. Normally, just standing before that sharp gaze was enough to drain her of all confidence, but today, she had nothing to stand on. She was bracing herself for a reprimand when the Duke simply let out a short sigh and sat down without another word.

　　"Your Grace, did you not have something to say to Sylvia?" Unable to watch any longer, Mrs. Blanke prompted him, but Duke Appleton merely gestured for a servant to give Sylvia a letter.

　　"A letter came for you. The princess extends an invitation. I happen to have business at the Imperial Palace today, so we shall go together."

　　As that seemed to be the extent of his business, the Duke quietly began his meal. Bewildered, Sylvia took the letter and examined the seal. It was indeed from Princess Katrin. The very same princess who had gotten engaged to Heston yesterday.

　　Why on earth would she?

　　She opened the letter and read. The purpose was clear. The princess was hosting a modest, intimate party for noble ladies to celebrate her engagement and, as Heston’s partner, she very much wanted Sylvia to attend so they could get to know each other. The request was conventional, but the sender was not. Sylvia knew for a fact that Princess Katrin did not engage in this kind of casual socializing, not even with Heston’s own family.

　　"She even refused an invitation to a simple family dinner! She is so haughty, just as one would expect from a princess." Rosalyn’s grumbling voice was still vivid in her memory, so to suddenly receive such a letter was strange. But unlike her, the Duke did not seem to find it so.

　　"Go and ascertain what the Princess is scheming," he said, his brow furrowed as he glared at his food. "Surely she would not be so shameless as to expect our help after choosing the Lockwoods." He wiped his hands on a napkin.

　　A new dish was served, but it, too, did not seem to his liking. It was a well-known fact that the Duke’s appetite became finicky when something was churning his stomach. It was understandable. It would be difficult to enjoy a meal when both his children had been rejected, first by a prince and now by a princess.

　　On top of that, the opportunity had gone to the Lockwood ducal family, so Duke Appleton’s insides were likely churning as much as Sylvia’s. Now, he could no longer use a connection to the royal family and would have to resort to fawning over them like any other noble. Knowing how humiliating that must be for her father, Sylvia quietly rose to follow him.

　　***

　　The Imperial Palace was as vast and complex as a small city. As a member of the Imperial Knights, Sylvia had been to the palace quite often, but this was her first time in the inner palace. The endless galleries of art and sculpture were impressive, but what truly captured her attention were the intricate magic circles woven into the very architecture.

　　"This one looks over a hundred years old," she murmured.

　　The servant guiding her had asked her to wait, presumably to announce her arrival to the Princess. Left alone in an antechamber, Sylvia took the opportunity to examine the magical constructs. Suddenly, a voice spoke from behind her.

　　"What sort of magic circle is it?"

　　When she turned, she saw the face of Princess Katrin, dressed in a pale blue gown. Startled, Sylvia hastily dropped into a curtsy, showing proper respect for royalty.

　　"S-Sylvia Appleton of the 146th Black Moon offers her greetings to the glory of the empire!"

　　She had thought the servant had gone to announce her, but she had not expected the mistress of the palace to appear so suddenly. She had been caught examining a magic circle containing information about the palace’s security in a room where her host was not even present. She would have no defense if she were cast out immediately.

　　But Princess Katrin simply let out a bright laugh. "You must be the only person to kneel at a tea party, Lady Appleton."

　　"My apologies for the indiscretion…"

　　"For looking at the magic circle?" the Princess finished for her. "Well, you cannot help what you can see, can you? It is well known that you cannot hide a magic circle from a Posmata. I am the one who brought you here without any precautions, knowing full well who you are. So please, do not worry about it. Now, shall we? The other ladies are waiting."

　　The hand that pulled her up was gentle, and the princess’s clear face showed no trace of unease. The princess she had seen at official functions had always been stiff and cold, so this casual demeanor was deeply unsettling.

　　What is she really after? Unlike her father, Sylvia did not overestimate her family’s influence. This felt far too personal to be a political overture to the Appletons. Then, was it about Heston? The rumors of Sylvia’s feelings for him were widespread; they would have easily reached the Princess’s ears. As his partner and friend of ten years, it was natural for her to be an object of curiosity or concern.

　　Sylvia remembered all too well how hostile Heston’s other admirers had been.

　　But I am no match for you, she thought, studying the Princess’s profile as she was led away. Sylvia had orbited him for a decade and remained nothing more than a friend. Princess Katrin had received a proposal in three months. They were not even in the same league.

　　Suppressing a wave of melancholy, Sylvia followed the Princess in silence.