With a cheerful face, Illyae picked at her food. Despite the late dinner, the family had gathered together. Normally, I would have excused myself, but Illyae had insisted that I stay. In a panic, Yggdrasil had been left in Marien’s care.

“Today was really amazing, right, Chloe?” Illyae chirped.

Thanks to Illyae’s constant chatter, the dining room was lively and joyful, except for me.

“Yes, it was.”

I answered briefly and focused on my food. It had been a long time since I had a proper meal. The reason I didn’t refuse Illyae’s insistence to join the dinner was for this food.

“Hey, is eating really that important? Why don’t you talk about what happened today?”

Maybe it wasn’t important to her, but it was to me. I glanced around. Both Mother and Father were looking at me expectantly. If I met their expectations, I could continue eating.

“His Highness the Crown Prince seemed to like Illyae. It’s probably because she saved people with her holy power.”

I said just enough to appease them.

“Really? As expected of Illyae! I always knew you would achieve great things!”

Father laughed heartily. I continued eating. I was starving, probably because I had exerted myself a lot today. If I had eaten the usual garbage they gave me at the mansion, I might have fainted from hunger. They ate this while feeding me scraps. Some family they were. I chewed my food with anger.

“If I become the Crown Princess, I’ll recommend Father as a close aide to His Highness. Then you’ll make a name for yourself among the central nobility.”

Illyae spoke in a dreamy voice.

“Of course, of course! Didn’t I tell you, dear? I said Illyae could become an Empress someday.”

Illyae giggled.

“It’s still a long way off. Oh, did I mention that His Highness invited Chloe and me to a banquet?”

“<i>Ahem</i>. Shouldn’t I also attend?”

“That’s up to His Highness, Father. But don’t worry. I’ll make sure to ask him to invite you next time.”

“You’re not thinking of leaving me out, are you?”

“Of course not!”

They were in perfect sync. They started eating just as I finished my meal.

“Thank you for the meal. I’ll be taking my leave now.”

“What are you saying… Chloe! Are you a glutton? Eating as if you’ve been starved. If you eat too much, the wedding dress won’t fit!”

I laughed dryly. One decent meal wasn’t going to make me gain weight.

“Come to think of it, the wedding dress is an issue.”

Father furrowed his brows as if he remembered something.

“It costs a lot to get a wedding dress. Can’t we just alter an existing one?”

What dress do I even have? But before I could say anything, Mother interjected.

“Oh dear, people will gossip about us if we do that. The wedding dress must be proper.”

“Then I’ll go with you, Mother.”

“Will you?”

“Yes! I have better taste than Chloe, so I can be of help!”

If that’s her taste, I’d rather not have any. I sighed, thinking of Illyae’s pink-filled room. But arguing was pointless.

“I’ll leave the wedding dress to you and Illyae. I really need to rest now.”

I quickly left the dining room and returned to my room. The day’s events felt like a dream. Many people had died and been injured. Yet they were planning a banquet and laughing. They were not normal, but the protagonists seemed even more bizarre.

<b>* * *</b>

Werner and Dante sat across from each other. Neatly prepared food was set on the table.

“Are you really planning to hold a banquet?”

“Yes.”

Werner nodded.

“How much did you send to the temple?”

“I requested a prayer service for the deceased and sent an appropriate amount.”

Dante answered in a slightly subdued voice. Today’s tragedy had claimed many lives. He intended to hold a prayer service for the unjustly lost souls.

“That’s that, but the banquet must go on.”

Dante’s eyebrows twitched.

“A blast occurred during the saintess’ prayer service. And she displayed her abilities proudly.”

“Did you invite the saintess to investigate her?”

Werner nodded shortly.

“What do you think?”

Dante’s expression hardened. Illyae was definitely not what she appeared to be. Her casual attitude toward belittling her own sister was natural. If the blatant discrimination was this bad, who knew how much worse it was beneath the surface? If Illyae was aware of the discrimination, she was just like her parents; if not…

“She is not fit to be a saintess.”

Dante declared firmly.

“She is too flashy and self-loving to be a saintess. High self-esteem isn’t a crime, but if it is achieved by trampling on others, it is.”

Werner nodded slowly. The difference between Illyae and Chloe was stark. Illyae was a fully bloomed flower, while Chloe was a tightly closed bud. Their differences weren’t formed overnight.

“I will look into Illyae Tyrannia before the banquet.”

“And the origins of her holy power.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And investigate Lady Chloe as well.”

Dante’s eyes sparkled. Werner clicked his tongue, understanding his thoughts.

“Already biased, are we? I’m feeling neglected.”

Despite Werner’s words, Dante responded without a flicker of emotion.

“Lady Chloe is innocent.”

“Why?”

“She hasn’t been properly fed or clothed. She wouldn’t side with them.”

“True.”

“And.”

Dante added with a sigh.

“Lady Chloe has rarely left the mansion. There’s very little information about her.”

“Have you checked?”

Dante nodded shortly.

“Hmm.”

“They were said to be dissidents rioting. I’ll look into that as well.”

“Do so.”

The two resumed their meal slowly. Their eyes were heavy with the day’s events. Today’s incident felt like an awkwardly fitted piece in a machine. And the one who benefited most from it was Illyae. She had displayed her holy power and formed a connection with Werner. She had gained public recognition. The taste in Werner’s mouth turned bitter.

“No way…”

Dante tried to push away the chilling suspicion.

<b>* * *</b>

The next day.

Yesterday’s incident was widely reported in the newspapers. The details of the explosion and the casualties were thoroughly documented. Illyae, Werner, and Dante’s names were highlighted. But one name was missing—Chloe. 

[Thanks to the relief supplies from Tyrannia and Petros, the rescue work was easier.]

That was the extent of the mention. Dante coldly laughed as he read the papers. His suspicion deepened. Chloe had worked harder than anyone at the scene. While Illyae only tended to the critically injured, Chloe cared for all the other patients. Dante threw down the newspaper.

“Bring me the other papers.”

“Yes, sir.”

The butler quickly fetched the other newspapers. He practically gathered every publication issued that day. Yet, no matter how hard they looked, there was no mention of Chloe. It was as if Chloe didn’t exist, only Illyae. Dante clenched his fists with a grim expression. The reality of Tyrannia was slowly scratching at his nerves. He stood up abruptly.

“I’m going out now.”

“But sir, you must eat…”

“I’ll eat out, don’t worry.”

The butler couldn’t stop him and helped him prepare to go out.

“Where are you going?”

He answered shortly and sharply.

“To the Count of Tyrannia.”