/
[Flotty’s POV]
For a moment I thought the Grand Duke had gone mad.
He’d asked me to play a sweet couple, but I never thought he’d ask me to pretend with him in public.
“Flotty.”
I broke out in a cold sweat at the sound of his voice calling out to me, no matter how he knew I was on the stairs.
‘What the hell are you up to?’
No, actually, I was surprised.
I figured I’d wait until the banquet started, when it would be quieter.
I hadn’t expected him to interrupt the nobles’ gossip.
“I missed you.”
That smile, the kind that makes him look like he’s really in love to a person he doesn’t even know.
He walks toward me, as I was unable to make it down the stairs.
He gently touches my hand, which is gripping the railing.
“Flotty, what happened?”
He looks genuinely concerned, which made me swallow dryly.
My brain knew I should play to his strengths here, but my body refused to play along.
“Ah

. No?”
Ha, shit.
He’s caught me off guard.
At my stammering, the Grand Duke pats me on the head in an adorable way.
“Let’s go, the banquet is about to begin.”
“Yes. Let’s go

.”
The chattering nobles were silenced by the Grand Duke’s demeanor.
It was a moment when the myriad speculations disappeared.
‘Grand Duke Noctis has been tamed by Flotty Bevenia.’
Now such a rumor would circulate in social circles.
Somehow, this one seemed more likely to be true.
He took my hand and led me to the center of the hall.
“My God

. You’re sure what I saw wasn’t a dream?”
“That Grand Duke Noctis really did marry her out of love?”
“Why on earth would

.”
There was a new chatter behind us as we walked away.
“How did you know I was listening?”
“I could see you.”
“I just didn’t confront them because it was a bother.”
“I didn’t say anything?”
“

 You said you could see me.”
I spoke up because I didn’t want to look like I was hurt.
He replied as if he was unimpressed.
‘Well, then.’
This man has no reason to feel sorry for me.
I have made a splendid entrance into society. Even if it wasn’t of my own volition.
It was only fitting, given that I’d been introduced to the nobles with connection both to Grand Duke Noctis and Duke Bevenia.
“Your dress is stained. Did something happen to it?”
“My dress?”
Oh, the wine on the floor.
Now that I looked at it, the hem was stained red from her walking in it.
‘This must be an expensive dress.’
“I spilled my wine, but I was in a hurry to get downstairs and didn’t pay attention.”
“You didn’t look like you were in a hurry.”
If you know, then why pry?
The Grand Duke’s eyes, looking down at me from his great height, seemed to see right through me.
“If something bothers you, let me know, for you must focus on the mission.”
I don’t know if he’s worried about me or if he’s actually thinking about the mission.
I remained silent as I watched the Grand Duke’s unreadable smile.
Diana Kellus would be quiet for a while, anyway.
At least in the brief glimpse I’ve seen of the future, but who knows.
Who knows what else she’ll do when she’s cajoled.
“His Royal Highness Crown Prince Entry Noctis and His Royal Highness Prince Omen Noctis, are entering!”
The crown prince and prince finally appeared on the dais.
The nobles gathered in the ballroom bowed in respect.
The crown prince entered the ballroom first, followed by Prince Omen.
‘That’s
 Prince Omen?’
No way.
This is the same Prince Omen whom he told me was stupid and not to pay attention to?
The man standing with the crown prince on the dais had black hair, the hallmark of the Noctis royalty.
He was odd-eyed, with two eyes of different colors.
“Today is a banquet for my brother, Grand Duke Denver Noctis, and I hope you will enjoy it.”
The crown prince made a toast, and the banquet began.
The skilled musicians began to play their instruments, and slowly they crowded around the Grand Duke.
All the while, I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
‘A snake-like man

.’
I can’t see anything.
Why? Why?
I can’t see the afterimages that I would normally see in a normal person.
It’s as if there’s a whitish fog surrounding him.
“

Flotty?”
“What?”
For the umpteenth time, the Grand Duke looked at me from the side.
“What are you thinking about so hard?”
“
Nothing.”
“Will you give me the honor of dancing with you?”
It seemed like he requested for a dance to get away from the persistent nobles.
He’d had her practice dancing for this.
“With pleasure.”
I tore my gaze away from the prince, barely, and took the Grand Duke’s outstretched hand.
[What an insidious thing, you’d better be careful dealing with that one].
The old woman’s voice, which I thought had disappeared for a moment, was heard.
[There are some very nefarious things attached to this place.]
As I look at the smiling Prince Omen standing by the crown prince’s side, I see a snake, just as she said.
A big, venomous snake.
He had one eye that glowed as red as rubies, and it was eerily sinister.
He’s acting like a fool, like an idiot, like a silly person, but his back stinks.
“Relax, you’re being too obvious.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I just need to think about something.”
“Don’t use your powers in front of the prince. He may have a bad head, but he has a good sense.”
“I’ll keep that

 in mind.”
He may have a bad head, but he has a good sense.
I must be missing something.
I can’t figure it out.
After all, I’m here to see Prince Omen today.
I swayed to the soft melody, showing my practiced movements, and looked over my shoulder at the prince.
He was gulping down red wine, his eyes fixed on the Grand Duke and I.
“Prince Omen, there’s something shoddy about him.”
“He may act like a fool on the outside, but you’d never know it.”
Grand Duke Noctis seemed as suspicious of Prince Omen as I was.
Like a fierce beast that can feel without words.
Prince Omen, I thought he was just a drunkard and a womanizer who trusted only the Empress Dowager.
His eyes are odd.
“I can’t see a glimpse of the prince’s future. There’s never been anyone like him before

.”
“Shhh.”
The Grand Duke whispered quietly, pulling me away from nearly bumping into someone else.
“Your words, I will keep that in mind.”
For some reason, the Grand Duke took me at my word.
He must think I’m a pretty good ally.
“I am well aware of your abilities.”
“I’m glad to be a trusted prisoner.”
“Don’t be sarcastic. It’s a compliment.”
He smiled, not sure if it’s because he’s aware of other people’s eyes or if it’s genuine.
Like a chiseled statue, the handsome Grand Duke smiles so harmlessly that the dancing ladies stare.
‘He told me to keep a low profile, but this guy’s face is the biggest problem.’
Dancing under the colorful chandelier lights, the dancers resumed their conversations as the music ended.
The Grand Duke and I were done dancing.
As if waiting, the crown prince and prince walked toward us.
“Grand Duke Noctis.”
“Greetings, the Little Sun of the Empire.”
Up close, the two men were even more different than they appeared from afar.
In color, they were like white and red.
[Hiya, this is
]
The old woman looked at Prince Omen and muttered.
[Be careful, this one, I don’t have a good feeling with that one

.]
Saying that, the old woman truly dispersed as quietly as smoke.
An unpleasant sensation enveloped my entire body.
“Hey, Brother. I haven’t seen you in a while, and you’ve gotten even more reliable.”
Prince Omen’s voice was unpleasant, as if it was hard to believe that the three of them were born from the same father.
“How have you been?”
“As well as I can be, as long as I play and eat.”
His red eyes, as if on fire, had no depth.
The other was the same black as the Grand Duke’s.
“Good, then, because it suits you just fine.”
This is a conversation with swords, each busy cutting the other.
It was the crown prince who interrupted their invisible war of words.
“What’s the matter on this fine day? It’s been a long time since we, three brothers, have been together.”
“Your Majesty has a point. By the way, I have something for you, brother Denver.”
Bring it.
The prince turned to the knight behind him.
Please, show me something.
I don’t know who the hell he is, but I can’t see anything.
I grew impatient, fearing that I was failing in my mission.
“Grand Duchess, you don’t look well, I wonder if you’re worried.”
The wormlike prince’s tongue flicked out, searching for prey.
“No, it’s just that I’m not used to being in this position, so don’t worry about it.”
The Grand Duke looked at me with concern, then wrapped an arm around my waist.
“You can rest if you’re tired.”
“It’s okay.”
He gave me a disapproving glance. Bowing his head slightly, the Grand Duke whispered.
“What’s wrong?”
“
I have a bad feeling.”
I couldn’t read the prince, but my senses were telling me so.
‘Something is dangerous.’
“This is something I have specially prepared for you to drink with my brothers on such a fine day.”
The knight handed me a drink in a unique bottle.
The black bottle was surrounded by gold leaf, and a red diamond was painted on it.
“It’s made with a fruit only found in the South. It has a nice flavor, and I think you’ll like it.”
A beautifully crafted crystal goblet was ready.
The lid is lifted, and the sweet but strong aroma of alcohol wafts out.
“I have never tasted anything as good as this.”
He speaks in a boisterous manner, but the way he smiles with his teeth bared tightens my heart.
The black liquor fills the clear goblet.
I swallowed dryly, wondering why it had seemed so long.
I swallow dryly, unable to let go of the tension until the glass is passed to me.
“Shall we make a toast, then?”
The curl of his lips was unnerving.
It’s amazing how much alcohol can unsettle someone.
It’s just alcohol.
I met the prince’s gaze, which clung to me with an intensity.
He seemed to be saying just that.
‘Who are you?’
Looking at the prince’s future feels like I am peering through a fog.
Then, for a moment, his eyes seem to glow.
‘It’s a fever medicine. It contains a poisonous ingredient, and you’ll be sick for days.’
I see it, finally.
It was a brief scene where I couldn’t tell who was speaking or recognize their face.
It was just one shot, but I knew right away that the medicine was in this drink.
“May your future be filled with blessings.”
Four crystal glasses clinked in the air.