Editor : Amethyst00



The successors of renowned families from around the world, destined to lead the next generation, had gathered in a lavish banquet hall to enjoy a social party.

The host was none other than the Lewellin family, a prestigious magical household of the Lordren Empire.

Guests, impressed by the party that befit the reputation of both the Lordren Empire and the Lewellins, couldn't help but express their amazement.

"Tade, I'm asking because I'm genuinely curious."

Thea Markov, next head to the Markov family, asked as she poked a fruit with her fork.

Although it was a spring seasonal fruit, it was fresh as if just harvested.

"Are you really best friends with Chelsea Lewellin?"

"Sis. You saw the photos."

"No, I just can't wrap my head around it. How did you end up becoming best friends with someone from the Lewellin family?"

"Huh?"

"It's just hard to believe."

"Sis. Our family isn't one to be looked down on either."

"No, of course not. But Lewellin is on another level."

She'd heard since their first year that Chelsea and her younger brother were close friends, but it was still hard to believe.

That's how powerful the Lewellins were.

Tea folded her arms in response to her brother's words.

"Oh. Tade."

Just then, Chelsea, who was passing nearby, spotted Tade and approached.

Her dress, tailored perfectly for the party, drew admiring gazes from everyone around.

"When did you get here?"

"A little while ago."

"You should've said something."

"You looked busy with Abad. Ah, this is my older sister and successor to our family, Thea Markov."

"Chelsea Lewellin. Thank you for accepting the invitation."

Chelsea lifted the hem of her dress slightly and greeted her gracefully.

It was the kind of greeting you'd expect from the daughter of a noble family, as if painted in a portrait. Thea returned the gesture.

"Thank you for the invitation. I'm Thea Markov. My brother is always indebted to you."

"No, I'm the one who gets a lot of help."

'She's becoming more coy by the day.'

Tade murmured to himself.

Her usual mischievous persona was nowhere to be seen.

If Carl and Eliana were here, they would've teased her right away.

But Tade didn't dare.

He knew he'd get punished out of sight if he did.

"By the way."

"Yeah?"

"Is something going on? Abad seems different than usual."

That flawless nobleman image — that was the Abad they knew.

But today, he seemed a little off.

There was a hint of unease in him.

Tade looked toward Abad in the distance with a puzzled expression.

"There was a bit of a situation."

To that, Chelsea simply shrugged her shoulders.

"Chelsea, Tade. There you are."

A familiar voice rang out then.

Gasps of admiration followed from those nearby.

"Nella, welcome."

"You're here, Nella."

Thea, who stood beside Tade, momentarily froze at the stunning beauty of Nella — even as a fellow woman — while Chelsea and Tade greeted her casually.

To them, she was just a close friend.

"Chelsea, you look so beautiful today."

"So do you, Nella."

The two chatted happily.

Even then, admiring gazes continued to follow Nella.

Thea whispered to her brother.

"Little brother."

"Yes, sis?"

"You're something else. To stay composed next to someone that gorgeous."

"Hmm… Nella is definitely one of the top three beauties at our school. But I've gotten used to it, I guess? Besides—"

"Besides?"

"There's someone who goes beyond just being beautiful."

Someone whose mere presence could mesmerize, whose single smile could enchant and toy with people.

At Tade's words, Thea folded her arms again.

"You have such pretty friends. Haven't you ever developed a romantic relationship with any of them? I heard Carl is dating the next head to the Hergin family."

"I'm going to marry a normal girl."

At Tade's declaration, Thea shook her head.

At that moment, Nella, who had finished chatting with Chelsea, greeted Thea.

"Tade. Let's stick together during the party today."

"You're having a rough time too, huh."

Nella gave a wry smile at that.

Tade knew all too well how many "pests" would hover around her at such social gatherings.

Normally Chelsea would stay with her, but as the host today, she couldn't.

Being with a guy like Tade would reduce the number of those trying to make a move.

"Being too pretty can be a burden too, huh."

"You can speak comfortably, you know. Fufu."

"Then should I call you sister?"

"Sure, Thea-unnie."

Nella's friendly tone prompted Thea to admire her and say to Tade,

"She's such a sweet girl, and her personality's great too. But is she ever too kind, to the point people take her lightly?"

"Taking Nella lightly? No idiot would survive at Lumene doing that."

Though she's treated like a saint at school, even among upperclassmen, very few dare take her lightly.

Anyone who's seen her swinging a morning star and smashing enemy lines in battle listens carefully afterward.

While they were chatting—

The entrance began to stir.

"Oh. It's the Zerdingers."

Thea gasped in admiration.

Another pillar of the Lordren Empire.

The Zerdinger family had arrived.

Representing them today in place of Rhys was Celia.

At her side was her cousin, Amira.

Having exchanged greetings with Abad and Chelsea, Celia was soon surrounded by a throng of people.

Watching that, Nella tilted her head.

"Is something going on between Celia and Abad?"

"Did they fight again?"

"They were getting along recently, though."

Nella tilted her head again at Tade's response.

bl

"Ladies. Here is your water."

Chelsea accepted the glasses of water elegantly brought over on a silver tray by a grey-haired attendant.

"Amira's servant is quick-witted."

Smiling, Chelsea took her glass.

Amira took Celia's as well and said to the servant, Leo:

"Neo, could you also bring us some fresh fruit? Chelsea?"

Despite the fake name, Chelsea didn't show suspicion.

"Me too."

"Please bring some for Chelsea as well."

Leo nodded and walked off.

Meanwhile, Celia slumped into a sofa at the edge of the banquet hall, looking tired.

Chelsea commented,

"Celia Zerdinger."

"What?"

"Hurry up and praise me."

"What now?"

"Do you know how much I suffered today for you?"

"Not for me. You just didn't want Abad and Amira getting close."

Celia frowned.

Chelsea smirked in response.

"Still. I made the effort for you."

Their conversation made Amira giggle.

"I don't know what Chelsea went through, but it can't be worse than what Celia did."

"Don't talk about it."

"What? What is it?"

As Celia frowned, Amira covered her mouth, chuckling.

"It's a secret. It's her weakness."

Celia wasn't in her knight's uniform today but wore an adorable dress.

Amira, recalling Celia's babbling in a lisping tone, hands on her cheeks, had a blissful expression.

Celia sighed deeply.

Now even the elders of the family were aware of Celia and Abad's relationship.

While not officially announced, it was already a major event that could shake the Lordren Empire.

'I don't care. I'll deal with it when the time comes.'

Celia muttered to herself, scanning the party.

Then she frowned.

"People aren't exactly looking at us kindly."

"Seriously. Even though you're the Zerdingers, they still dare glare? In Lordren of all places?"

Chelsea clicked her tongue.

From the moment the Zerdingers entered, a strange mood had filled the room.

Not everyone, but many noble families from outside the western continent were casting hostile glances.

To be precise, it was directed at Arhi, closely associated with the Zerdingers.

Even among Lordren's own heirs, the atmosphere shifted.

The Zerdingers represented Lordren's "sword."

Whatever the reason, directing hostility toward them could be seen as a challenge to the Empire's authority.

'I expected this, but the mood's worse than I thought.'

Meanwhile, walking among the crowd, Leo clicked his tongue at the scene.

Even if this was a gathering of those not yet involved in politics, it was already a political battleground.

'Or rather, because they're young, they might act even more emotionally.'

"I think it's time we make an official protest to the Zerdingers."

"Honestly, it's just a small newly founded country, right? They're just expanding their influence by relying on the Zerdingers."

Indeed, voices of discontent toward Arhi could be heard in various corners of the party.

Just as that became obvious—

A new stir emerged at the entrance.

Another major family had arrived.

It was none other than the northern continent's noble heroic family—Hergin.

All eyes turned to the Hergins the moment they entered.

And that marked the beginning of a great storm.

Even Abad and Chelsea, moving to greet the guests, were caught off guard.

'I heard someone from the Hergins was attending, but this… this is beyond what I imagined.'

Chelsea muttered internally.

The person leading the Hergins wasn't Eliza.

Eliza walked behind someone as if she were a subordinate.

The one representing the Hergins was someone Abad and Chelsea knew all too well.

Carl Thomas.

Carl wore a relaxed smile, befitting the representative of the continent's noble noble family.

But Chelsea could see something else in his eyes.

'Help me.'

That desperate, pleading gaze left her speechless.

Meanwhile—

Watching from a distance, Leo chuckled.

'The head of Hergin is really bold.'

He'd heard Carl was attending as a proxy for the head of the family.

That alone was an unprecedented move.

Practically an announcement that Carl and Eliza would be wed.

But with Eliza present, Leo had assumed she'd act as the spokesperson while Carl made decisions.

But he was wrong.

Shockingly, Carl's position here was above Eliza's.

While Leo was still impressed—

"Is Hergin… insane?"

"I thought it was just a baseless rumour from the lower ranks…"

"They're seriously making a commoner their next head's partner?"

"Wait, why is a commoner walking in front of the heiress?"

"Bringing disgrace to a heroic house… Hergin must be done for."

As criticism erupted everywhere, Leo clicked his tongue.

'No way Eliza isn't hearing this.'

Careless words, foolishly said.

And just as he predicted—

Following Carl in silence, Eliza's eyes began to burn with rage.

Sensing it, Carl's face turned pale.

He looked desperately to Abad and Chelsea.

'Help me!'

But both turned away.

Carl swallowed dryly.

'This… this won't lead to a war, right?'