The banquet came to an end shortly before midnight.
One by one, noble families departed from the Imperial Palace beneath the watchful eyes of the Imperial Knights.
Inside the Petrovic carriage, silence lingered for several minutes.
It was Helena who finally spoke.
"The Northern Emperor seems quite fond of you."
Marbella looked up from the window.
"He was only being courteous."
Helena smiled knowingly.
"Perhaps."
"But he requested to speak with you alone."
"Not many young ladies can say the same."
Grand Duke Adrian, who had remained silent until then, finally spoke.
"What did His Majesty wish to discuss?"
Marbella answered truthfully.
"He asked about the day we met in the marketplace."
"And?"
"He said my actions caught his attention."
Adrian nodded thoughtfully.
"Then you made a favorable impression."
"Remember this, Marbella."
"A ruler never reveals his true intentions during the first conversation."
Marbella silently agreed.
That was a lesson she had learned too late in her previous life.
The following morning…
The Imperial Palace was still discussing the previous night's banquet.
Servants whispered while preparing breakfast.
Ministers exchanged opinions before the morning council.
Even the young noble ladies could speak of nothing except the Northern Emperor.
Inside the Eastern Palace, Wilbert sat beside the window reading official reports.
A knock came.
"Enter."
Lady Eleanor stepped inside carrying his breakfast.
"Your Highness."
"You should eat while the food is warm."
Wilbert smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, Lady Eleanor."
As she arranged the dishes upon the table, Wilbert noticed something unusual.
"The herbal medicine isn't here."
Eleanor froze for the briefest moment.
"I'll bring it shortly."
"I thought you always prepared it together with breakfast."
She smiled naturally.
"The physician adjusted the schedule."
"I see."
Wilbert thought nothing more of it.
Outside the room…
Eleanor walked quickly through the corridor, her calm expression slowly disappearing.
She stopped only after reaching a secluded courtyard.
Waiting beneath a tree stood an elderly woman dressed as an ordinary palace servant.
Her silver-streaked hair was neatly hidden beneath a maid's cap.
She bowed respectfully.
"My Lady."
The elderly woman smiled gently.
"You seem troubled."
"Crown Prince Wilbert noticed the change."
The woman's expression remained calm.
"Did he suspect anything?"
"No."
"But he asked questions."
The elderly woman nodded.
"That was inevitable."
She handed Eleanor a small cloth pouch.
"The physician changed the prescription."
"From today onward…"
"…use this instead."
Eleanor accepted the pouch without opening it.
"As you wish."
She never questioned the older woman's instructions.
After all…
This was the nanny who had raised Wilbert since infancy.
The person Empress Beatrice trusted more than anyone within the palace.
Several corridors away…
Marbella had just arrived at the palace library.
Doctor Edmund had written a recommendation allowing her to study several rare medical texts kept within the royal archives.
As she entered the library, she noticed someone standing near the shelves.
Wilbert.
He smiled upon seeing her.
"What a coincidence."
Marbella returned the smile.
"It appears we share similar interests."
"I was looking for books on the history of diplomacy."
"And you?"
"Medicine."
Wilbert blinked in surprise.
"I didn't know you were interested in medicine."
"I only began studying recently."
"Father thought it might be useful."
Wilbert nodded approvingly.
"Knowledge is never wasted."
The two began walking through the towering shelves together.
After a while, Wilbert suddenly stopped.
"Lady Marbella."
"Hm?"
"I have another favor to ask."
Marbella looked at him curiously.
"What is it?"
He hesitated, almost embarrassed.
"I'd like you to accompany me during my morning walks."
Marbella blinked.
"Morning walks?"
"The physicians insist that light exercise may improve my health."
He smiled awkwardly.
"But everyone who accompanies me worries too much."
"They never allow me to walk very far."
"I thought…"
"…perhaps you'd treat me like an ordinary person."
Marbella remained silent.
In her previous life…
Wilbert had never made such a request.
History was changing once again.
She slowly smiled.
"If Your Highness doesn't mind my honesty…"
"I'd be happy to accompany you."
Wilbert's face brightened.
"Thank you."
"I'll have the schedule arranged."
Neither of them noticed the figure quietly watching from behind one of the bookshelves.
The elderly nanny.
She observed the conversation without expression.
Only after the two young nobles walked away did she quietly turn and leave.
Later that afternoon…
A sealed letter arrived at Chancellor Lucien Veritas's private office.
Inside was only a single sentence.
The Crown Prince has grown closer to Lady Marbella Petrovic.
Lucien read the message once.
Then calmly fed the paper into the fireplace.
The flames quickly consumed every trace of it.
"So…"
he murmured.
"The pieces are beginning to move."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Then perhaps…"
"…it's time for me to make my next move."