What did it feel like, eating popcorn only for the drama to land on your own head?
Right now, Kaya felt that no one in the world was better qualified to answer that question than herself.
She had to admit it, when she first greeted Elena, she really did intend to make herself familiar to the foreign princess beside her.
Not to mention—anyone who'd gathered even basic information knew that, among everyone present, these two women had the closest ties to Prince Linen. If His Highness was choosing an escort, it would surely be one of them.
Befriending these two was essentially an indirect way of approaching the still-unseen Prince Linen.
In noble society, nothing mattered more than connections.
And besides, Kaya's House Mistry had always leaned toward the Empress's faction.
But Kaya genuinely hadn't meant to steal anyone's spotlight!
So the moment Linen stepped from the carriage, she quietly distanced herself from the two girls, eager to watch how His Highness would choose between them.
Yet, unexpectedly, she herself had somehow become one of the options.
Noticing her hesitation, Linen showed an understanding expression.
"I see. Miss Kaya, you already have a male escort?"
"No, I don't!"
This time, Kaya answered immediately. She wasn't lying—it was the truth.
It just didn't sound like her usual self at all. Her voice was unusually soft, like a proper young lady's.
Some people attended banquets alone because no one invited them, but that clearly didn't apply to Kaya Mistry.
On the contrary, as the eldest daughter of House Mistry, Kaya would never lack willing escorts if she wanted them.
She simply refused them all.
Aside from the fact that few men were truly qualified to escort the daughter of one of the Eight Great Houses, Kaya herself was an issue. Raised since childhood with elite training, burdened with responsibilities as the heir to her house, the young woman who should have been pampered instead grew brisk, capable, and slightly androgynous. There were even whispers that Miss Mistry leaned a bit… differently.
But those rumors had been deliberately spread by Kaya herself.
The eldest daughter of House Mistry was perfectly normal in that regard—she had absolutely no interest in women.
She had simply matured too early, looking down on the so-called "young talents" of noble families her age.
To put it bluntly, adults don't get angry with children, but they certainly don't want to dance with them either.
And as for older men, Kaya had even less interest.
For someone with her personality, perhaps growing old alone was her only—and best—ending.
But now, Linen had appeared.
In Kaya's eyes, the old Linen was nothing more than a childish little prince who knew no better. But ever since entering Eden Academy, Linen's reputation had shot upward—not just with Kaya, but among the entire capital's nobility.
From a spoiled, impulsive brat who wore his emotions openly, he'd become a profound schemer hidden behind layers—someone whose true feelings never showed.
After participating in Master Holly's exam with him, Kaya felt this shift even more keenly.
Behind every seemingly arrogant act might lie a deeper intent no one, herself included, could fully grasp.
Compared to him, Kaya felt more like a naïve younger sister.
And now, receiving his invitation, Kaya's steady heartbeat suddenly accelerated. Her cheeks heated instantly.
A young woman always more mature and composed than her peers found her armor easily pierced in front of someone even deeper and stronger.
She almost felt she'd… awakened the woman inside her.
Yet, under Elena's and Hysteria's gazes, Kaya avoided Linen's eyes and spoke nervously:
"B-but… Your Highness doesn't have to invite me, right? Perhaps… perhaps Your Highness could find a better escort."
Yet when she lifted her head without thinking, she saw an unexpected, warm smile.
"Maybe. But tonight, the person I most want to invite is only you, Miss Kaya."
Hearing Linen's words, Kaya experienced a rare moment of confusion. Her beautiful eyes shone with uncertainty.
It took a long pause before she finally said, belatedly, "Thank you for your favor, Your Highness… but I still don't understand. Why would you… choose me…?"
At that moment, she truly wanted to accept immediately. But at the last second, pride and genuine confusion made her ask the question she most wanted answered.
His Highness would probably say something charming, something meant to delight her, right?
Yet, instead, Linen showed a subtle, unreadable smile, giving an even more unexpected reply:
"Because I need your abilities, Miss Kaya. You can see it too, right? At this banquet, the people against me outnumber those who support me. I need a trustworthy ally, someone who won't betray me—someone skilled at managing relationships. So I believe you, Miss Kaya, are exactly who I need."
At those words, Kaya's earlier shyness and confusion evaporated completely.
So… that's how it is.
It wasn't admiration or affection between a man and a woman. He couldn't even bother sugarcoating it—he straightforwardly admitted he wanted to use her.
Instantly, Kaya made up her mind.
And somehow… her heart raced even faster.
She reached out, clasping Linen's waiting right hand. Through her silk gloves, she felt its warmth and strength.
If His Highness is being so blunt about wanting to use me… then tonight, I'll cast aside my identity as House Mistry's eldest daughter and become your weapon.
For this banquet, I'll be… Linen Norton's blade.
"Heh."
Hearing the expected answer, the prince gave a soft chuckle. Taking his chosen escort's arm, the two stepped together into the cheerful, bustling banquet hall—its surface harmony masking hidden dangers.
For a moment, the lively banquet froze.
Then, accompanied by the band's music, the excitement surged anew.
With the "new" prince's grand entrance, nobles who'd been eagerly waiting flocked over to curry favor. Simultaneously, countless gazes—appraising, calculating, and harboring secret hostility—fixed onto Linen like snakes and scorpions. The most overt hostility among them even looked foolishly transparent by comparison.
Someone was clearly panicking.
"What's wrong with that guy?! Sneaking in is one thing, but he's acting so arrogant, ignoring us—who wants to talk to him anyway? Fine, we won't play with him anymore!"
Standing abandoned, Hysteria stomped angrily, glaring at Linen's retreating back while fiercely rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.
Damn it—my eyes are going to pee from being so mad!
If she weren't worried about decorum, she'd already have thrown a Fireball at him.
"Alright, Ria. Looks like this time… we really did end up causing trouble for Linen."
After her own momentary shock, Elena recovered first, an unreadable nuance in her gaze.
With Elena's reminder, even Hysteria finally realized something.
After all, she was still royalty. Observing briefly, she immediately noticed several well-dressed men exchanging secretive looks, and further away, nobles who'd just been chatting happily now eyed Linen with barely hidden malice.
But with Linen ignoring the two of them, their presence had actually faded from the spotlight. It was clear: Linen's indifference had made everyone reassess the trio's relationship.
After all, it wasn't wise to offend a princess from the Flame Rose Empire over mere rumors.
Even if that once-ambitious emperor was now on his deathbed.
"What's wrong with the trash here? In my country, anyone daring to stare at a princess like that—I'd throw a fireball right in his face!"
Hysteria's voice carried obvious worry.
By now, even she wouldn't think this was just an ordinary banquet.
Her reaction piqued Elena's interest. The girl suddenly flashed a teasing smile.
"What, worried already? Weren't you just furious a second ago—so angry your tears were about to spill…"
"That's not true!"
Hysteria shot back, face red, but Elena had already leaned close to whisper teasingly:
"So then, Ria—should we retreat?"
Retreat, like Linen had originally hoped? Pretend they knew nothing and simply leave?
This time, Hysteria answered as quickly as she always did:
"Of course not!"
Not because she cared about him or anything. This was a perfect chance to make that small fry owe her a favor—no way was she missing it!
And hearing that, Elena looked visibly relieved, smiling faintly.
Clearly, her answer was the same.
Sorry, Linen. Looks like this time… we'll have to go against your wishes.
In a setting like this—one of the few places that might truly affect your life—neither Ria nor I want to miss it.
...
Elsewhere, Linen—watching from the corner of his eye as the two girls he'd deliberately ignored didn't leave as expected, instead casually stepping into the hall—took a small sip of the golden champagne in his hand and shook his head slightly.
Well, I'll give them this. They're exactly as stubborn as I expected.
But that's fine. When I put on my show later, the main audience will all be present.
The corner of Linen's mouth curled upward.
My Mother's move was so childish. And easy to see through.
Allowing me just one female escort—she clearly wanted to watch me squirm and force me into choosing.
If he invited Miss Hysteria, he'd gain a Flame Rose princess's protection and swagger around under borrowed authority.
But if he brought Miss Elena instead, besides her easy-going temperament, it would shake up all the hesitant nobles with daughters.
In most nobles' eyes, competing with the Flame Rose princess was madness—but competing with a common-born girl wasn't.
His Highness probably just wanted something fresh, a low-born girl to amuse himself with. Once the novelty faded, he'd understand the importance of choosing a princess consort with proper status.
But Linen was focused on something entirely different:
How to best raise the heroines' Negative Affection.
In a scenario like this, no matter which one he picked, he'd offend only one—the other's Affection Level would jump. Then he'd have to put in more effort to farm rejection points later.
So, how could he offend both at once?
Simple: choose neither.
Miss Kaya was an unexpectedly useful tool—with her status from a great noble House and zero emotional history with him.
Still, one detail had slightly exceeded Linen's expectations.
House Mistry was half merchant. He'd originally intended to make a deal, leveraging cooperation with the Diamond Guild to persuade Kaya to assist him tonight. Instead, before he even mentioned payment, the girl had eagerly latched onto him, imagining who knows what…
Whatever. It was all good.
With Kaya blocking most nobles trying to chat with him, Linen finally had a moment's peace.
Taking advantage of this, after confirming no overly suspicious gazes were directed at him, Linen casually adjusted the silver brooch on his chest.
Then, quietly, he murmured, "Can you hear me, Miss Teresia? What do you think of this banquet?"
"…"
"Miss Teresia?"
When there was no immediate response, Linen asked again.
Don't tell me it broke.
At that very moment, back at Eden Academy—in Linen's student dorm—Teresia, already changed into her tight night-ops gear and fully armed, was watching the banquet closely through a Recording Crystal.
The assassin's resentment toward a certain someone had reached its peak.
Never in a million years had she imagined that when Linen invited her last night to "watch" the banquet, he really meant only watch.
He'd even come up with a pretty-sounding excuse:
"I need an extra set of eyes to notice details I might miss."
Even more infuriating was that what Linen had just told Kaya—he'd said exactly the same thing to her, word for word!
The only difference was substituting "someone who can handle relationships" for "a pair of sharp eyes."
At the time, Teresia refused to admit it, but her heartbeat had sped up for just a split second—and her impression of Linen shifted just a tiny bit.
And now, she wanted to slap the version of herself who'd agreed to him last night.
Linen Norton—this shameless scumbag—couldn't even bother cutting the audio link when he recycled the same lines on someone else!
And he still dared to ask how she felt?!
Teresia was furious, trembling, icy—
If she had to sum it up briefly, it would be...
"You make me sick."
Hearing her reply, Linen finally relaxed.
"Then, Miss Teresia—did you notice anything?"
"…"
"Hehe, don't be so angry, Miss Teresia. We're partners, right? I won't let you lose out. Did you notice the desserts on the banquet table?"
"I saw them. So what?"
Teresia became even angrier.
"They're all from my family. I plan to pack up one of each to take back later."
"Banquet hall, southeast corner. The man with the snake-and-shield family crest—he was muttering something earlier, and now he's headed your way."
Teresia turned her head away.
She hadn't wanted to help.
But that sly little dragon-man had offered too tempting a reward.
Following Teresia's hint, Linen lifted his eyes slightly—and saw Kaya, who had been skillfully handling guests for him, now pressing her lips together tightly. A barely concealed anger appeared in her gaze, as if she'd spotted something filthy.
The head of House Bor—Segun Bor.
Also one of the capital's Eight Great Houses. And if Linen remembered correctly, that House had a blood feud with House Mistry.
Wasn't it something like—House Bor's betrayal was what forced House Mistry to angrily join Empress mom's faction?
Right from the start, a royal flush.
"Your Highness, my family is involved in a conflict with another House. Might I trouble you to mediate?"
The head of House Bor spoke humbly, his head lowered.
But Linen merely tightened his grip on Kaya's hand—she was barely containing her anger now—and replied with a faint smile:
"Not interested. Get lost."
---
T/N: i KEEP forgetting hysteria's nickname should we just make it a running joke where it's a diff one everytime or should i stick with Ria, Ria should be easy enough...
im back, did a poll on my patreon on the new schedule and releases for webnovel so yeah
beep boop