Liya was wearing a black formal dress, lightly holding onto Viktor's arm with one hand.
She slowly walked along the red carpet, gracefully and elegantly nodding to the nobles on both sides.
The moment the nobles saw Liya and Viktor, all eyes immediately focused on them.
Some even set down their wine glasses and bowed respectfully.
Still, there were a few people who couldn't help wanting to step forward and greet Liya.
However, when they saw Viktor's calm, lake-like expression, they all quietly withdrew their raised hands.
Even the steps they had just taken were hurriedly pulled back.
One by one, they lowered their heads and didn't dare approach.
As Liya walked elegantly forward, she looked around.
Seeing the respectful reactions of the nobles, she felt quite satisfied.
At past banquets, no matter the occasion, there were always groups of hypocritical nobles approaching her with the intention of currying favor, greeting her and offering toasts.
Although helpless about it, Liya could always deal with their goodwill.
However, their toasts gave her quite a headache since she couldn't handle alcohol.
She had no desire to talk with these filthy nobles while tipsy.
So she always had to explain one by one that she couldn't drink.
She understood their attitude. After all, the Clavenna family was completely different from before.
There was no denying that because of Viktor, the Clavenna name had become extremely influential.
Whenever Liya went out and was recognized by nobles, she was always tied up by them for quite a while.
She understood that too.
After all, they didn't dare approach Viktor directly and could only try to win her favor.
And Liya was a merchant. She had to maintain the family's reputation and interests.
As a result, whenever these nobles greeted her, she had no choice but to respond politely.
This led to a situation where, whenever she and Viktor attended a banquet, Viktor practically didn't have to do anything.
He could casually show up, then mysteriously disappear.
Meanwhile, she wasn't even the family head, yet she was busy beyond measure.
The more Liya thought about it, the angrier she became. She wished she could immediately teach Viktor a lesson.
At that moment, Viktor, whose arm she was holding, gradually began to feel uncomfortable.
He wasn't used to having all these nobles' eyes focused on him.
Viktor frowned and tried to pull his arm free so he could find a quieter place to sit for a while.
However, perhaps sensing his movement, Liya tightened her grip on his arm.
"Don't move around."
"I helped you out today. Shouldn't you reward your sister?"
After hearing that, Viktor fell silent.
After all, Gwen really had been put off by the reasons Liya gave.
Thinking about how Gwen had stopped pestering him about the "wedding," it seemed he really should thank Liya.
At the same time, Liya's muttering sounded as faint as a mosquito.
"I haven't even complained about you wearing that old trench coat to such a big banquet."
Viktor didn't respond.
He knew that even if he did, Liya would always have countless reasons to shut him down.
Fortunately, Liya didn't continue criticizing his clothing.
Instead, after making sure there weren't many people nearby, she moved a little closer to Viktor.
A soft voice sounded beside his ear, "Tell me honestly. Do you not want to marry Gwen?"
Liya paused, looked around to make sure nobody could hear, then continued quietly, "If you don't want to, I can help you..."
"As my fiancee, Gwen can solve many problems for me."
"As a marriage partner, she's also the most suitable choice for me."
Viktor's calm reply forced Liya's half-finished words back down.
Only then did he realize something. Lowering his head, he looked at Liya beside him and asked with some confusion, "Hm? What were you about to say?"
"...Nothing."
Liya brushed her hair aside and avoided Viktor's gaze, looking elsewhere.
Viktor didn't pay much attention to her reaction. He raised his head again and continued, "As for marriage, now isn't the time."
"At the very least, it should wait until the princess ascends the throne."
Hearing this, Liya slowly lifted her head and gave him a strange look.
"Are you sure?"
She wouldn't even mention anyone else for now.
If that princess really became Empress, Viktor's marriage probably wouldn't happen so easily.
As an observer, Liya could see the relationship between the princess and Viktor very clearly.
The princess's dependence on Viktor seemed to have gone beyond that of teacher and student.
After all, Gwen was also her teacher, yet the princess wasn't nearly as dependent on Gwen.
Just as Liya was about to say something, her attention was drawn by a flash of gold.
She raised an eyebrow and looked over curiously.
It was the First Prince.
The First Prince was wearing a new white formal suit. Golden patterns lined the edges of his trousers, and a collar woven with golden threads rested on his shoulders, making him look exceptionally noble.
He held a golden cane topped with a brilliant diamond.
In the magnificent banquet hall, he appeared even more elegant and distinguished.
At the moment, he was chatting with nearby nobles while holding a wine glass, completely at ease.
This man known as the "Perfect Hero" could maintain perfection no matter where he was or when.
However...
When she saw the First Prince, Liya's expression darkened slightly.
She certainly couldn't say she liked this prince.
Sensing someone's gaze from behind, the First Prince turned around.
The moment he did, he spotted Viktor.
He elegantly nodded to the surrounding nobles and politely said, "Excuse me for a moment."
When the nobles saw the First Prince voluntarily heading toward Viktor, their expressions changed slightly and confusion arose in their hearts.
'What was going on?'
'How did the First Prince get involved with Viktor?'
When the First Prince arrived before Viktor and Liya, he raised his glass politely.
"Count Viktor, and..."
His gaze moved past Viktor and landed on Liya. He froze briefly, then revealed an awkward smile.
"Uh... Miss Liya."
He hadn't seen clearly just now. He thought the person holding Viktor's arm was a female companion Viktor had brought.
However, the First Prince quickly recovered. He gave Liya a slight bow and once again revealed a friendly smile.
"Long time no see. You look very beautiful today."
However, Liya only smiled faintly and didn't answer.
The First Prince was immediately left speechless.
He laughed awkwardly a few times.
This was bad. It seemed Miss Liya still held a grudge against him.
All because of Jess causing trouble back then.
Fortunately, he hadn't come for Liya.
After forcing out a smile, the First Prince turned his attention back to Viktor.
"Count Viktor, everyone should have arrived by now."
"The elves still haven't come?"
This was also the question everyone else was asking. Why hadn't the elves arrived yet?
After all, this banquet had been prepared specifically for the elves. If they didn't show up, the banquet would lose its purpose.
Viktor looked at him and calmly replied, "Do you know why they're called elves?"
The First Prince raised an eyebrow slightly, confusion appearing in his eyes.
"Elves represent nature. Likewise, they are close to nature."
There was a deeper meaning hidden in his words.
"In a banquet hall this luxurious and complicated, do you think elves would feel comfortable?"
Hearing Viktor's words, the First Prince looked around.
The place was dazzling with gold and splendor. Nobles came and went, and endless insincere compliments filled the air.
He fell into thought and understood Viktor's meaning.
These wine banquets and music halls were simply standard high-society gatherings for humans.
But just as Viktor said, elves... probably wouldn't be used to human banquets.
After all, this was the first time they had invited elves to the Empire for a banquet. Who knew what elves liked?
The First Prince straightened himself and looked at Viktor seriously.
"Then what should we do?"
"A few adjustments will be enough."
'Adjustments?'
With so little time, how could they adjust anything?
The next second, a flowing emerald light covered the trench coat behind Viktor.
"Watch carefully."
"I'll only teach you once."
Under the First Prince's stunned gaze, everything around them suddenly began to change.
Inside the magnificent banquet hall, saplings suddenly sprouted from the floor.
These brown saplings grew at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Their slender trunks quickly thickened, and lush leaves spread from the branches, intertwining with one another.
Among these rapidly rising trees, flower buds began to emerge.
When all the leaves fully unfolded and gently swayed, countless flower buds bloomed.
Bright colors filled the hall, and fragrance spread through the air.
Seeing this scene, the surrounding nobles stood frozen in confusion.
'What's happening?'
'Isn't it winter right now?'
Then, amidst the sea of flowers, a figure dressed in white slowly walked out and entered the shocked eyes of every noble present.
Cocotte walked with light steps, accompanied by a soft white cloud.
Beneath the silver light filtering through the falling leaves, her white dress appeared especially dazzling and charming.
With every step she took, the land beneath her feet seemed to flourish even more.
Though it was winter, the scenery throughout the banquet hall resembled spring in full bloom.
Green leaves floated in the air, and flower petals danced around.
At the same time, Liya released Viktor's arm.
Standing to the side with her arms crossed, she watched the scene with great interest.
Libiot, who had been chatting happily with the nobles, turned around when he sensed the changes in the banquet hall.
His golden eyes passed through the dense forest and landed on Cocotte.
He slightly raised his eyebrows and muttered, "So this is... the Elf Queen?"
Pure natural energy surrounded Cocotte.
Wearing an elegant and friendly smile, she walked step by step until she stood before Viktor.
She lifted her head, her bright and spirited eyes staring directly at him.
As though enjoying the attention and admiration directed at her, a playful light flashed through her eyes.
Cocotte spoke softly, unable to hide the delight in her voice.
"Viktor."
"Do I look good today?"
Just as Viktor was about to answer, Cocotte raised a hand and lightly covered his mouth.
Then she extended the back of her hand toward him.
Like a queen facing the knight who protected her.
Elegant, yet surprisingly bold.
Expectation shone in her eyes as her voice rang out, sounding both like an order and a request,
"Kneel down and kiss me."