Diane McKinnon was downcast.
Half a year had passed since the new Emperor and Empress ascended to the throne, and society was quite stable. Most of the former royal family's followers—a small number to begin with—had changed their minds if they were moderate, and the hardliners had been captured. Local administration, which had been faltering with the departure of many nobles, was slowly returning to its former state.
At the forefront of this stability were those close to the new royal family. The Duke of McKinnon's McKinnon Trading Company, now looking to become the top trading company on the continent, the Grand Duke of Ganiello, standing tall at the center of politics and controlling the nobles, and Baron Morie, who was making radical moves by appointing talented people from commoner backgrounds—these were the people who were naturally praised. Everyone wanted to be connected to them. They were important guests at any gathering. Logically, there was no reason to be downcast.
That's why Edward Ganiello whispered to her as he passed by.
"Your mouth is about to reach the Illium Mountains. What's wrong?"
"Oh."
Diane, who had been looking at the crescent moon in the night sky, her back to the lights of the lavish party, gasped. She quickly covered her mouth and turned around, her eyes narrowing.
"What makes you think you can just barge into a balcony where a lady is alone?"
"The look of a party host seeking salvation."
"Ah."
Today was a debut party for a certain countess's daughter. The people who had invited her to celebrate were all crowding around Diane, ignoring the host, so she had retreated, but from the host's perspective, it was probably also a concern that Diane was alone on the balcony.
But why did she ask Edward Ganiello, of all people, to come out?
"Why did she do that to you?"
"Well."
Edward grinned seductively, his face still bearing the delicate features of his illness.
"Don't you really know?"
"Ugh. Stop it, it's not working. What if people start gossiping?"
Seeing Diane's disgusted expression, Edward burst into a hearty laugh this time. Diane glared at him.
Both Diane and Edward were direct descendants of some of the most prominent families in the Empire, and their ages were fairly similar—there was a bit of a difference, but not enough to raise eyebrows. Neither of them was engaged, and they even talked comfortably together, bickering at times.
They both knew that people were wondering "what if" and "maybe" after going through a brutal war, starved for lighthearted conversation.
And they both knew that they weren't happy about those rumors.
'No, I have no idea what this guy is thinking.'
Seeing Diane staring at him with disapproval, Edward stopped laughing after a while. He leaned his arms on the balcony railing and casually asked again.
"So, what's really going on?"
"It's something that's completely irrelevant to you."
"Oh, are you offended? We're in similar positions, after all."
Diane didn't believe Edward's claim of being offended. This guy was a smooth talker who would kill you with a single bite. If he was being so friendly to her, despite their mutual dislike of social scandals, it was definitely because he had something to gain.
Under her piercing gaze, Edward finally shrugged.
"I was just curious about what's going on with the McKinnon family, is that okay?"
"….I should tell you before pointless misunderstandings spread about our family. It's not a family issue."
"Then it's a man problem?"
"You know that, don't you?"
"I was just throwing it out there. Am I right?"
Diane looked at Edward for a little longer before giving up and sighing.
"You know, Duke. Talprin and I, we're dating, right?"
Huh? Edward was momentarily at a loss for words.
Everyone close to them knew that Diane and Talprin were in a strange relationship. They were always together, after all. Considering Talprin's incredible disguise skills, they were probably together more often than people knew.
"Aren't we?"
"I don't know, that's why I'm asking."
"It's up to them to decide whether they're dating or not, why don't you know?"
"They haven't explicitly said they're dating, so I don't know. And."
At that point, she pouted, as if she didn't want to admit it.
"There's a subtle line. It feels like they pull back just when the atmosphere gets good?"
"Don't tell me they haven't even held hands yet."
"Not that kind of thing."
Diane spat out, her pride hurt.
"He doesn't propose. Even though they've been in a good mood several times."
"Ah."
There are no fools who underestimate the McKinnon family anymore. Diane McKinnon was the unmarried noble lady closest to the royal power, and she was wealthy, so if you lined up all the men who wanted to marry her, you could circle the continent.
In that situation, he didn't propose even after several good moods?
"So you're worried. That's a bit unexpected."
"What?"
"I thought you were decisive."
"If it had been any other man, I would have rejected him immediately."
"But?"
"What can I do? I like him."
Seeing Diane say that with a hint of annoyance, Edward changed his mind. Diane was still decisive. How could someone who could say with such certainty that she "liked" a man who had drawn a line with her not be decisive?
It would be foolish to be so devoted to someone who wasn't treating her well, but even Edward could see that Talprin was head over heels for Diane. But if he was avoiding a proposal, he must have some kind of worry.
But what does it matter?
"Can I give you some advice as a friend?"
"Go ahead."
"If you like it, then like it, if not, then don't. You need to be clear about it. It's very wrong to confuse someone you care about. Unless you're going to break up, if you have any intention of getting married, you should fix your mental state before that."
Diane agreed. She thought anyone would say the same thing. She had been keeping it to herself all this time, afraid that if Neris heard about it, she would exile Talprin, or worse.
"I know. I think I need to have a proper conversation with him… I think I've been bottling things up."
Edward glanced at Diane's face and asked.
"Can I help?"
"…How?"
It's not like Edward could call Talprin over and scold him, could he? Talprin had a considerable position in the court.
Reading Diane's mind, which was curious despite her nonchalant tone, Edward grinned.
"There's a ball at Duke Hilbrin's mansion the day after tomorrow, right? If you go with me as my partner, you'll know."
She had no idea how that would help. Diane stared at Edward's face for a moment.
He was quite handsome, not as much as the Emperor, but still, and he had a kind face. His kind eyes seemed like they could solve any problem.
Edward was popular with noble women. If Diane was the most popular marriage partner among noble women, Edward was the most popular marriage partner among noble men. He hadn't been able to marry before because of his poor health, but now he was quite healthy thanks to the Wedge Pouch.
Incidentally, his younger brother Colin was apparently living a life of silence ever since Edward got healthy.
'This guy has a lot of schemes.'
Diane liked people who were straightforward. She didn't like people who were insincere. It was even worse because of her cousin who had tried to harm her.
But even though he was slightly off-kilter, Edward Ganiello didn't give off a bad vibe.
'He's not the kind of person who would harm me.'
After carefully considering it several times, Diane still couldn't get a bad feeling from Edward. She said reluctantly,
"I don't go to banquets with men who are late, so keep that in mind."
***
"Duke Wirtam, you seem to be lost in thought today."
Talprin finally snapped out of it, hearing the incredulous voice of the Empress he respected.
Right after the new Emperor's inauguration, Talprin had been given the title of Earl of Wirtam. He had gained a vast territory and considerable wealth, but nothing had changed. He still preferred his role as head of the night revels and found satisfaction in bringing information that might be useful to his lord and lady.
So this kind of criticism was painful for him. He felt guilty, and it even sounded like an accusation of "Did you lose your way after receiving the earldom?" Talprin immediately bowed and apologized. It was a good thing there was no one else in the Empress's office, or he would have been disgraced.
"I apologize, Your Majesty. Did you call for me?"
"Yes. About those territories where this year's harvest was lower than last year…"
The fact that the harvest was lower after the war than during the war meant there was a risk that either the manpower or the land itself had suffered significant damage, or that the actual harvest was being hidden. So, they had to thoroughly investigate which was the case and help those in need…
As he listened to the orders of the Empress he respected, Talprin tried to regain his composure. But when he realized it, he was once again receiving a worried look.
"You're doing it again. If you're tired, go and rest. We can talk later."
"No, no. I heard everything."
Saying that, Talprin repeated the instructions he had just heard verbatim. He was a bit distracted, but his competence hadn't disappeared.
"Alright then. Go home and rest for now. You have the ball hosted by Duchess Hilbrin this evening, don't you? Dee doesn't go to banquets with men who are late."
As she pronounced her friend's nickname, the Empress's face finally became "Neris." The mask of a solemn and flawless noblewoman melted away, and the face of a young woman full of affection for those around her bloomed like a wildflower.
Her expression softened just by saying the nickname. Talprin highly valued the fact that Neris cared so much for Diane. He always had. But today, that care hurt.
Neris raised her eyebrows slightly at Talprin's change in expression. If she wasn't mistaken, Talprin was "downcast."
Ah, I see. She thought to herself. This was why her clever subordinate had been so strange today.
"Did you fight with Dee?"
"I don't know."
"How can you not know?"
"As far as I know, they haven't argued recently."
"But?"
"She suddenly said she's going to the ball alone today…"
Hmm… Neris came up with the most logical explanation.
"Did you say something mean to her? Dee usually makes it clear why she's upset, can't you think of anything?"
"No."
"So why would he be acting out? He followed me when I lied and came to Meindlandt, asking what was going on. He's a curious kid."
"Are you bragging?"
Talprin, finally losing his temper, was rude. Neris didn't get angry, but chuckled.
To be honest, it was a bit of a brag.
"If they haven't fought, there must be some unavoidable reason. Go and ask him. There's nothing like talking to maintain and improve a relationship."
Of course, that's true. But Talprin hesitated. Neris, staring intently at his gloomy face, casually asked.
"Speaking of which, how are you two? Are you really dating?"
"Yes, well…"
"That's a vague answer."
Talprin keenly sensed that her gaze on him had sharpened. He unconsciously stiffened. He had followed Cledwin and had been through life and death several times, but when Neris looked at him like this, he couldn't help but feel tense.
"Even if you're close friends, it's not good to interfere in their love life, so I'll keep quiet, but I trust you're not treating her unfairly."
"What do you mean!"
This was truly unfair. Talprin jumped up, and Neris withdrew her suspicious gaze. After all, Diane wasn't the type to stay quiet if she was being treated unfairly.
After a moment, he sighed deeply.
"It's just… no, Your Majesty, don't you have doubts too? Whether someone like me is really worthy of Miss Diane."
Why would you think that?
"Well, you know. Miss Diane is beautiful, cute, kind, adorable, lovely, and intelligent."
It was true, but there was a sense of déjà vu in that gushing expression. After thinking for a moment, Neris realized that Talprin was using the same expressions that the McKinnon family used for Diane. He didn't even seem to realize it.
'He's been brainwashed.'