When the morning lectures ended, Li was eating a meal with her female classmates, who were also her school friends, as usual.

Even during the meal, the Crown Prince’s words were bothering her, but she did not let it show on her face.

To be honest, Li had nothing but a bad feeling about this.

She had never imagined that the Crown Prince was that foolish.

‘Is he not receiving something called imperial education?’

Li found herself genuinely wondering.

After that declaration from the Crown Prince, Li had been bombarded with questions in the classroom.

Even if they were noble daughters, they were still girls of a sensitive age.

After being told something so suggestive, it was only natural that they would be curious.

Even so, Li could not answer honestly.

Fortunately, Lady Alberta mediated for her and the wave of questions subsided.

However, the Crown Prince, who had been in the same place, did not even glance at Li.

A completely useless fiancé.

After finishing her meal, Li parted ways with the girls and headed for the salon on the upper floor of the dining hall building.

The moment she stepped inside the salon.

Li could not help but doubt her own eyes.

She had not wished for it, but she had naturally assumed it would be just the Crown Prince and herself.

If he was going to talk about the Queen, she thought he would have dismissed his attendants.

Li herself had been forbidden from bringing any companions.

She had assumed he understood at least that much.

That expectation was betrayed in the worst possible way.

For what reason did he think the King and the Chancellor were acting in secrecy.

Li’s cheek twitched uncontrollably.

A group of five with red, blue, green, purple and brown hair came into view.

They should all have been sons of high-ranking nobles as well.

Li wondered why none of them thought to excuse themselves.

“Excuse me, Your Highness.”

“Li, thank you for coming.”

Just as the Crown Prince was about to begin speaking, Li spoke first.

“Your Highness, I was told this was a confidential matter. Please dismiss the others.”

At Li’s words, the Crown Prince openly frowned.

“Li, these are my close aides. There is no need to hide anything from them.”

Li let out a deliberate sigh.

“I am very sorry, but please dismiss them.”

“Li.”

The Crown Prince raised his voice, while the attendants behind him made no effort to hide their displeasure.

“Your Highness, were you not intending to speak about Her Majesty the Queen? That is not something that should be spread carelessly to others.”

“Why not?”

For a brief moment, the Crown Prince’s eyes darted about.

Li did not miss it.

“Have you already spoken to them about it?”

“I told you already. I do not keep secrets from them.”

“I see,” Li nodded.

At the same time, the group of five behind the Crown Prince also nodded along.

“So even if I were to perish, that would not be a problem. Is that what you are saying?”

“Huh? What are you saying, Li. I was going to give you a reward for treating my mother—”

Li cut him off.

“Have you considered what would happen if that information were to leak outside?”

A flustered voice cried out, “W-what are you talking about?”

“The culprit who poisoned Her Majesty the Queen is still unidentified. When they make their next move, who do you think will be the greatest obstacle to them?”

The Crown Prince responded with silence.

The attendants widened their eyes in shock.

“Why do you think His Majesty the King and the Chancellor are responding in secret?”

Li pressed on.

“Is the security of the royal castle really that lax? Have you not considered the possibility that someone inside aided them?”

“T-that is disrespectful.”

The red-haired boy stepped forward, trying to shield the Crown Prince.

“Step back. Do you know who you are speaking to? Do not take this (me) Li Earlychar lightly.”

At Li’s sharp rebuke, the red-haired boy let out a small squeak.

Carried away by her irritation, Li had infused a trace of mana into her anger.

It became an invisible pressure, filling the salon.

In the eyes of the Crown Prince and the others, Li appeared like a queen.