In particular, the young man sent signals here and there with earnest eyes. And in the end, there were people who raised their hands awkwardly.

The duel would have been a little too burdensome to openly side with him. Wasn't the atmosphere even good because of the tribute to His Majesty?

However, if I were in the top ten, anyone could judge that there was no risk.

"Yeah, a little... The pants inside the dress... It was a bit strange."

"There are too many jewels..."

"I think it's too much. It's not pretty."

People who worked on the Empress's side began to spew their dissatisfaction.

Even my softened expression contributed to that.

"Hmm."

Robert looked around the people and said.

"It's strange. Those who raised their hands now, aren't they all nobles who are close to the Empress?"

A moment of embarrassment flashed across the Empress's face.

Now, the moment I asked to raise their hands, in a way, it was as if the people who received the order automatically came out.

It was Ian who received those words.

"How boring."

He said looking around with terrifying red eyes.

"I can see why my mother doesn't show up very often at social events. Even though it's been a long time, it's the same. It seems that the custom of forming a 'group' and undermining commoners for no reason is still prevalent."

This led to the inference that 'the Empress and her close aristocrats were plotting to insult Annabelle Rainfield'.

At those words, the Emperor touched his forehead as if in pain.

"...Empress."

"Ah, no. No, Your Majesty."

"You...."

"It was absolutely not that I wanted to create this kind of atmosphere..."

"It would be better for the Empress to go in."

"I am sorry! Your Majesty, I..."

"Yeah, go inside!"

The Emperor was really furious. Needless to say, the banquet was not only attended by nobles.

People who played musical instruments, people who cleaned the dishes, and those who did maintenance were all commoners, and what they saw and heard here would be passed on to the commoners' council.

It didn't matter if it was true or not, because they will create public opinion by making up the most provocative words.

'It will be rumored that the prince's partner had the power to openly disgrace someone even without any evidence.'

Of course, such rumors could not be stopped.

In the first place, there were many ears to hear and eyes to see.

However, the problem was that it could be caught by the commoners' assembly, which is gradually gaining influence.

From the Emperor's point of view, he had to show the Empress how to draw a line somewhere.

'She won't be able to enter the social world for a while.'

I chuckled inwardly, thinking.

'She must be known as an incompetent classist who decided to demean a commoner who defended the Emperor's honor by defeating a foreigner.'

The Empress pouted her lips as if it was unfair, and had no choice but to turn her back.

Because she knew she couldn't help it either.

'The Emperor will be conscious of public opinion and will treat the Empress more harshly. Will her budget be cut?'

It must have been difficult now that the money supply was cut off, but I felt very relieved.

Of course, she would not have thought that it would spread like this when the atmosphere of incitement was created.

It must have been a method that was often used for people like Leslie.

So the Empress and her people probably weren't aware of it. But they all overlooked one thing.

'The pen is mightier than the sword, but...'

I thought leisurely.

'I am stronger.'

There are very few ordinary people who can maintain their composure in front of a flashing sword.

"Ah."

When the Empress was expelled from the banquet hall, Robert once again clapped his hands and said:

"There were a few unpleasant things, but it didn't make the atmosphere worse."

The mood was bad enough, but his face was calm.

Of course, the main character of the banquet had a good atmosphere, so there was no one who could object to that.

"Let's try to keep the banquet fun again."

After all, today's operation was all over.

I fed the Empress and drove Carlon away hastily.

Richard was also stranded, and Lagian misunderstood that he had lost by an accident.

Everything went well as planned.

Now, without any worries, it was enough to show off my great dancing skills in front of people and then go home.

Just then, Robert smiled and held out his hand to me.

"Can I ask you for the next song, Annabelle?"

So, as a celebration with Robert, it would be nice to do one more dance.

"Hold up."

Then the Emperor came with a smile.

"I would like to recommend a drink to Miss Annabelle, who defended my honor."

Even as someone who didn't know much about high-level culture, I knew that it was a huge thing for the Emperor to offer a drink himself.

Everyone was surprised once again.

It was because it was once-in-a-hundred-years experience for a commoner to receive a drink directly from the emperor.

I heard that it only happened to commoners who made great achievements in wars and things like that.

"Miss Annabelle even pursued black magic for the sake of the peace of the empire."

The attendant hastily brought a luxurious wine bottle and glass.

Perhaps he wanted to show the Empress and the woman who drew the line completely.

I didn't expect the commoners' assembly to be so conscious, but it was surprising.

"Ah, thank you. It is a real honor."

I stumbled my words upon a glass of wine.

The sound of people talking was heard.

"How many years has this been?"

"I think it's the first time since the Fergina War."

"It will be recorded in the history books. Today's date and the name of the Rainfield family."

In this atmosphere, there would be no one who could oppose.

The Emperor poured the drink slowly, and I had to drink it at once.

Of course, there were things that bothered me.

'...Wasn't I weak to alcohol?'

When I emptied the glass, the people in the banquet hall applauded and cheered.

The upbeat music started playing again.

Robert smiled brightly and held out his hand.

"Then Miss Annabelle, the dance..."

I took Robert's hand again, hesitating seriously.

The banquets so far had been perfect, and it shouldn't be ruined in the end.

I didn't know how many drinks I drank, but I didn't want to stand in this position with that kind of risk.

I wasn't even sure that I would get drunk recklessly from one drink.

I didn't know when I would be able to come back to the banquet.

'Let's get some fresh air and spend some time alone. If I'm okay after that, I can come back then.'

Having made a rational decision, I let go of Robert.

"I'm sorry, Prince."

"Yes?"

"The remnants of the duel remained. Right now, I think I will mistake my dancing opponent for a duel."

"Ah..."

"If you allow me, I'll go get some air by myself for a while."

No one here would not allow it.

As soon as Robert answered that it was okay, I headed to the balcony at the far corner of the banquet hall.

And I noticed that Ian, who was in the crowd, quietly followed me.

~*~

I first entered the balcony in the least crowded area.

"Annabelle."

Soon after, Ian, who quickly followed, closed the door behind him.

A clicking sound was heard, and the magnificent music of the banquet hall disappeared.

It felt as if I had entered another space in an instant.

Ian looked at me and asked slowly.

"Are you okay?"

He was the only person in this banquet hall who knew I was very weak to alcohol.

"Uh-huh, a man of good living... Did you follow me because you were worried?"

I smiled and leaned against the railing.

"Are you afraid that I will do something?"

A cool breeze blew gently.

Even the cold wind seemed to know.

'I must be drunk...'

My heart was pounding and my cheeks were burning red.

Come to think of it, I had never seen my family drink alcohol.

'Does it run through the family?'

When I drank with Robert on my birthday, it was only a little before I immediately lost consciousness.

But now, even though I didn't know the alcohol, I was at least conscious because it was just one drink.

'I think it's pretty good though.'

I thought, closing my eyes slightly, trying to regain my spinning view.

'My thinking was definitely quick. Although my body reaction is a bit strange, my mind is still completely intact.'

I leaned against the railing for a moment and took a deep breath, then I opened my eyes in shock at the moment of a presence I felt.

"Huh?"

Then I blinked at the sudden appearance of Ian.

"...When did you come?" (tl/n: she's completely lost it XD)

"..."

Ian sighed and looked at me.

I said.

"Why did you come? I'm fine... Just go."

My heart was beating very fast, but if I closed my eyes for a moment, I thought I'd be completely fine.

I closed my eyes for a moment to organize my thoughts, then opened my eyes again in shock.

"Hey."

And suddenly, seeing Ian standing next to me, I was startled and asked.

"When did you get here?"