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Senior spoke non-stop as if she was clearly determined to make a point today.

— You borrowed the Crown Princess’s hand and yet had no results to show for it? Eli, do you even know what a debt is?

"I do..."

— You know and still act this way?

The sharp gaze from Senior instinctively made me shrink back.

It felt like her eyes were piercing through me from beyond the communication crystal even though I couldn’t see her because my head was lowered. Because of that, my body recoiled.

The world had been deceived by Senior’s pretense.

— The lady and the Mage Duchess clashed. At this rate, you’ll be overshadowed even if you join in. Do you think people will notice your affection for him even if you stay quiet?

"No..."

— If you know that, then why are you still acting this way?

How strange. It felt like I had already heard this before.

Every time Senior gave me a piece of painful advice—disguised as concern—my mind felt thoroughly shaken.

If only I knew.

I bit my lip, letting her nagging flow in one ear and out the other. If I had known that this would happen, I wouldn’t have asked for her help even if the sky fell.

If, and just if, I hadn’t borrowed her hand, I would’ve only dealt with ordinary worries and teasing. But I did, and this happened.

Now, my romantic problems had become an issue of Senior’s pride. It had now become a matter of not having results when the Crown Princess herself was involved. This was a stage where Senior couldn't tolerate failure even if I could.

Then there's the Mage Duchess.

I felt a pang of resentment as I recalled the root of this mess. Seriously, who could have predicted that the Mage Duchess would intervene?

I originally planned to approach the Executive Manager during the New Year’s Ball. Senior even agreed that my cautious approach was a wise choice.

But then, the Mage Duchess’s intervention overturned everything. The empire’s attention shifted to the confrontation between the lady and the Mage Duchess and the issue of her companion appearing after 120 years. Thus, a Marquis' daughter would likely be treated as insignificant.

— It’s too late. You missed your chance by being complacent.

Seeing Senior add, ‘Why did you do that?’ made me almost burst into tears. She had agreed to my plan to wait until the New Year’s Ball, but now she pretended not to know.

— Why are you looking at me like that?

"It’s nothing..."

Of course, I bowed my head again under her gaze.

Yeah, now was not the time to blame anyone. Senior was right; I missed my chance.

Will the Executive Manager notice me?

I couldn't help but worry. From the Executive Manager’s perspective, who was already attacked by the Mage Duchess, a new woman’s confession might seem more absurd than surprising. He might think that I was mocking him and get angry instead.

— Stop thinking about useless things.

As if reading my serious worries, Senior spoke curtly.

— If it’s already late, then you should think about moving quickly. If you keep weighing everything, you'll never act.

It was true but also irresponsible. Did she think I didn’t know that?

It was already too late, so I wanted to at least fasten the button properly. I didn’t want to fall any further, so I was being cautious.

She thinks everyone is like her.

I pouted. She spoke so easily as if it was possible for everyone. If everyone in the world were like Senior, then the world would have already collapsed.

She was the kind of person who proposed to the first prince, who was close to death, just because she was smitten. Her decisiveness was admirable, but her madness wasn’t something I could imitate.

And she calls herself modest...

I squinted my eyes. If she was modest, then I was a nun.

Senior played the part of a demure lady, thoroughly concealing her true nature. Her act was so convincing that she had established an image of being a modest and wise princess.

Ridiculous.

Would I hang out with someone truly modest and quiet? Those kinds of people were boring.

...She might even be worse than me.

— Eli.

"I wasn’t thinking anything."

Startled by her low voice, I quickly shook my head.

But in my panic, I added unnecessary words. Saying I wasn’t thinking anything sounded like I was thinking about something odd.

"Don’t worry. I’ve known the Executive Manager for a long time. I met him before anyone else, you know?"

I quickly took the initiative and spoke as Senior's eyes started to narrow. I told her that I had an unbeatable connection.

It was also a way to reassure myself. Yes, I met the Executive Manager before anyone else. Before the lron-blooded Duke’s daughter did, and even before the Mage Duchess.

There was no need to worry. I was already close to the Executive Manager. We could become even closer if I just confess and show my feelings. The Executive Manager wouldn’t push me away.

— Hmmm.

"...What’s wrong?"

I tried to speak confidently, but Senior's reaction was unsettling.

After a brief silence, Senior cleared her throat a few times and then started to mimic a crying voice.

— I liked the Executive Manager first~ I met him before anyone else~

Hearing that made my hands start to tremble.

— That's something you'd say a year from now. How does it feel hearing it early?

"Senior!"

This time, I sincerely shouted.

— Calm down. My hearing is fine.

Of course, Senior responded with a nonchalant attitude as if asking where a dog was barking.

No. Her slightly upturned lips were full of mockery.

If only she weren’t the Crown Princess...!

I felt tears welling up from frustration and resentment. I would have punched her if she weren’t the Crown Princess!

...But there was no choice. I'd have to take it out on the 2nd Manager instead.

***

Eli ended the communication with an angry huff. It was rude to hang up before the Crown Princess, but I let it slide since it seemed like her emotions were in a jumble.

She needs to get a grip.

I quietly handled the now dim communication crystal. Teasing my junior’s desperate love was sad but necessary.

It was clear that she was in a dire situation. And yet, she was still hesitating.

She's relying on her connection with him.

She knew she was in trouble, and she knew that she needed to act quickly. Eli might be a bit unique, but she wasn’t stupid.

Still, she wasn’t making her move because she was holding onto a sliver of hope. She probably thought that her long history with the Executive Manager would give her an advantage, not realizing that it was a futile hope.

...Is she stupid?

It was seriously worth considering. Had she gone blind and foolish because of love?

What a pitiful situation. What was the big deal about love?

She should just confess already.

If you like someone, then you should just go for it. I couldn’t understand what all this fuss was all about.

"Se-Senior! The Executive Manager, the Executive Manager!"

I imagined the future for a moment. Eli would be wailing like the world was ending while watching the Executive Manager's wedding from afar, not being able to be with him.

"I… I liked him first..."

Then, the image of Eli biting her nails with empty eyes came to mind.

It’s too easy to imagine.

It was rather dizzying how easily I was able to picture it. The fact that it was so easy to imagine meant that it was a likely future.

I have no choice.

I sighed and activated the communication crystal. Since I had already helped once, I was now involved in Eli’s love life, too.

And even if I hadn’t helped before, I couldn’t just leave my junior’s disastrous future unattended.

"Hehe, I hope I can find someone to spend my life with, just like you, Senior."

A few years ago, when everyone was shocked and opposed to my proposal to the Crown Prince—when even my father hesitated, and my family suggested reconsidering it...

In that turmoil, Eli was one of the few who supported and encouraged me. Honestly, I gained courage because of Eli.

Since she was my precious junior, I should repay the favor.

That lucky man.

I couldn't help but smile while thinking of the Executive Manager. Eli might be different from the typical noble ladies, but that was part of her unique charm. Plus, she had a kind heart and loved deeply.

He would’ve been considered lucky even if he only had Eli as his wife, but having both the Mage Duchess and a daughter of a duke? Enen had truly blessed him.

Of course, it was nothing compared to my marriage with the Crown Prince.

— Crown Princess?

"Your Highness."

It didn’t take long for His Highness to answer the call.

"Did I contact you at a busy time?"

— Not at all. Why would I not have the time to speak with you?

I smiled back at His Highness, who had a small smile on his face. I saw him quietly set aside the document he was holding, but I pretended not to notice.

It might seem like I was bothering His Highness with personal matters, but then, so what? I had the right to do it.

— Having the Crown Princess appear in this world is a joyous occasion. I feel like I haven't given you anything yet, so tell me if there’s something you want.

His Highness made a promise at my recent birthday banquet. I was just holding him to his word.

"Your Highness, I have a request."

— Speak. I will grant anything you ask.

I was a senior who would employ both my father and husband to help my junior’s love life. Where else would you find a senior like me in the whole world?

***

This must be madness.

"Your Highness. Forgive me, but I couldn’t hear your words over the noise."

— Oh no, it seems I contacted you while you were busy.

But regardless of my complicated feelings, the Crown Prince remained perfectly calm.

— The Executive Manager’s hard work and loyalty are quite exemplary, so I should treat such a loyal subject to a meal.

Madness.

I almost cursed instinctively. What nonsense was this?

A meal? Neither of us was so sensitive nor leisurely to care about such things. Seeing each other less was more helpful to us compared to gathering for a meal. Meeting each other usually meant that there was a crisis happening.

But now he was suggesting a meal at this critical time when the capital was already buzzing with the Mage Duchess’s incident?

His intentions aren’t pure.

If anyone else had said it, then I might have considered the slim possibility. Maybe they genuinely wanted to have a meal with me and happened to have time now.

But this jerk was the exception. He would never call for those trivial reasons.

"Your Highness, I beg your pardon.”

I hesitated a moment before speaking carefully.

"I’m afraid I will face harsh scrutiny rather than set an example if I, who’s already lacking time to focus on my duties, would go to the capital."

I gave him a nicely wrapped refusal. I wanted to shout, 'Enough with your bullshit, you jerk of a Crown Prince!' but that was impossible.

Instead, I pretended to be reluctant to go to the capital during my deployment even though the real reason was that I didn't want the attention.

"I promised not to go to the capital before the New Year’s Ball."

This time, I spoke more firmly.

I’m not going, you bastard.

I was actually debating if I should go because of the Wise Duchess’s words, but his suggestion decided it. If I went there, then something would happen. So, absolutely not.