“Feels like it’s the first time I’m coming down these stairs with my mother.”

“You’re done early today.”

I ran into Alexandra on the stairs leading down to the first floor. It was the first time I’d finished getting ready around the same time as Alexandra, who was always ready before me.

“I woke up a bit early.”

“Ohh.”

She seemed to be saying, “What’s gotten into you?” with her expression. Sensing my gaze, Alexandra let out a small chuckle.

Not long after we stepped onto the first floor, Roan came down as well.

“Have a good day.”

Jude, whose hair was usually perfectly neat, stood at the top of the stairs with tousled hair, likely having just woken up to see us off.

“Oh, now you even see us off, Jude?”

I teased, making a cooing sound, which made Jude frown and quickly turn his head away.

But I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw his ears turning red through his hair. Indeed, brothers are brothers. It was undeniable that they shared the same blood, as their ears would blush when they got embarrassed.

“Hurry up and go, Delis.”

Jude, clearly embarrassed, waved his hand at me.

“Alright, alright~”

I waved back as I left the mansion. It was when Roan, Alexandra, and I were all outside.

“Delis, your name really rolls off the tongue.”

I tilted my head at Alexandra’s sudden, seemingly random comment.

“Yes, I suppose it does?”

Alexandra let out a laugh whose meaning I couldn’t decipher. She then looked at Roan instead of me and spoke.

“Yes, your name really does.”

I had no idea why she was talking to me but looking at Roan. For a moment, it seemed like Roan and Alexandra exchanged a glance.

Puzzled, I asked, “What is it? What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“It’s nothing.”

They both answered in unison. The only difference was that Alexandra was smiling, while Roan wasn’t, which made it even more suspicious.

“Hmm?”

“We should get going. It wouldn’t do to be late to the banquet.”

Alexandra smoothly changed the topic, leaving me with a slight feeling of unease as we headed to the royal palace.

***

As soon as we entered the banquet hall, the ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling caught my eye. Given that it was a banquet to celebrate the founding of the kingdom, many flags of Astrid bearing the star with a sword emblem were displayed around. Under the chandelier, various nobles, all familiar to me by now, were mingling.

It was still hard to believe that hosting such a lavish banquet didn’t affect the Astrid royal family’s budget. As we stepped inside, we drew the usual stares.

“Oh, the Bannister family has arrived.”

The first to acknowledge us was Jafflin, dressed in a formal suit. It was quite unfamiliar to see Jafflin, who usually preferred casual attire, so well-dressed.

“You look as beautiful as ever today.”

Jafflin spoke to me in his typical smooth manner.

“Prince, you look surprisingly good yourself.”

Having become used to his manner of speaking, I responded without batting an eye.

Jafflin, who had been grinning, let out a hearty laugh under Roan’s sharp gaze.

“Haha, the Duke looks impeccable, as always. That attire suits you perfectly.”

Even I would feel a bit intimidated by that look, but Jafflin handled it smoothly, which was a skill in itself.

“Oh, indeed. You both look like a perfect pair.”

It was the Marchioness of Forrest, whom I had met at Lady Paltry’s tea party before. Initially, she seemed reluctant to talk to me due to my tarnished reputation, but after much effort on my part, I managed to shed that image.

It was then.

“Del!”

The only person who would call me “Del” was,

“Dad?”

I was proud of myself for no longer stuttering when calling him “Dad.” Marquis Caesar approached with an atmosphere brimming with joy. Beside him, as always, was Cain, looking as sour as ever.

“Ca… No. Oh, brother.”

It’s still difficult to address him as “older brother” without stuttering.

His fiery red hair.

Above all, those sharp eyes, which make him seem ill-tempered, clearly resemble Delis.

Fortunately, Cain did not inherit Delis’s evil deeds. He just has a bit of a nasty personality. From what I read in the novel, he was a fairly normal person.

“…Can’t you stop using that creepy title?”

Cain, standing next to me, adjusted his voice to be just loud enough for me to hear.

“Oh, but you are my older brother.”

I didn’t stutter because I was scared of his fierce look. It’s just that calling him “older brother” felt awkward.

“You seem to have a good relationship with your family.”

“Haha, right? They used to fight a lot when they were younger, but it seems like siblings get closer as they grow up.”

It was a sad reality for Marquis Caesar that the relationship between the siblings hadn’t improved at all. The phrase “life is a comedy from a distance and a tragedy up close” came to mind. They had no idea about the secret conversations happening between Cain and me.

“What are you up to?”

It was something I think I heard shortly after I possessed Delis.

“Nothing much.”

“You wouldn’t be acting like this if it were nothing.”

Cain had a look that said he didn’t believe a word I was saying.

“Brother, I just realized that I was wrong.”

“…What’s with you, suddenly pretending to be nice?”

Cain glared at me as if he was ready to eat me alive.

“Really, I’m not pretending.”

Again, I wasn’t intimidated. It’s just that I’m not used to talking with Cain. That’s all.

“What delightful conversation are you two having?”

A noblewoman asked us.

“Haha, nothing.”

I quickly waved my hand. I could feel Cain’s gaze, as if he found my actions ridiculous.

It was understandable that Cain distrusted me, unlike others who were merely surprised by my change. As family, he had witnessed Delis’s crazy antics up close. Marquis Caesar could be considered a very peculiar case.

At that moment, Jafflin called out to someone approaching us.

“Brother. Ah, and the princess from the Kingdom of Jallier, too.”

“Yes, Jafflin.”

It was the crown prince, looking somewhat haggard, and Grace. Perhaps the dark circles were thanks to Sophia.

“Your Highness, may the Empire’s blessings be upon you.”

Grace greeted naturally. It seemed she had fully adapted to the Empire’s culture after being here for so long.

Grace and the crown prince standing together looked like a perfect picture. Judging by the murmurs of admiration, I wasn’t the only one who thought so.

By now, the contemptuous glances Grace received when she first arrived in the Empire were hard to find. Rumors of Grace and Cameron’s impending marriage were circulating throughout high society. Cameron would become the emperor, and Grace would be the empress. Just like the happy ending in the novel.

“You two really look great together.”

Their romance must be going smoothly. With Roan’s victory in the war and his permanent stay in the capital, the imperial faction had grown stronger, keeping the noble factions in check.

“…You have become even more beautiful.”

Grace smiled warmly at me, and I returned the smile.

“Oh, thank you, but I think the princess is much more so.”

It wasn’t just flattery; Grace truly was beautiful. Her hair, like melted silver, her sparkling navy-blue eyes, and her elegant demeanor.

But why did Cameron’s words about marriage being a means to strengthen the Empire’s power come to mind now?

They looked like a perfect pair in a picture, but… yes, just like a picture. There was no life in it. The unique atmosphere that should exist between lovers was missing.

They no longer seemed to have the sweet, affectionate vibe they once had. Especially from Cameron. Had I become too pessimistic about the world all of a sudden? Yet, the strange feeling wouldn’t go away.