Fireworks performance, song and dance shows, even the dinner Ronald had somewhat been looking forward to.

The entire banquet, under Luna's unwavering gaze, proved even more torturous for Ronald than previous ones.

Ronald's mind was filled with the 'secret' he had just learned.

Even though he had no such intention personally, it was difficult for him to maintain his composure in this peculiar situation.

Thus, after the dinner was over.

Costate, noticing something was off with Ronald, spoke up:

"Sir, are you feeling unwell?"

"You seemed out of sorts the entire evening, not even reacting when Il arrived. Do you... need my assistance?"

"..."

Prompted by Costate, Ronald finally lifted his head to look.

Directly opposite their group of Grid guests, Il and several elite Nicoss nobles were engrossed in lively conversation, attracting quite a few admiring glances.

With Ronald's keen hearing, he could even catch snippets of their conversation.

"Miss Il, have you really defeated such fearsome creatures in Yizi Forest?"

"Of course!"

"Before the boss took me away, I was the overlord of Yizi Forest, even those mysterious magical academic groups lurking in the forest had to avoid me!"

"Given your prowess, why did you choose to leave with Ronald?"

"Ah, actually I didn't want to."

"But my boss offered me an irresistible deal, I just couldn't refuse!"

"And what might that deal be...?"

"It's a matter deeply tied to soul studies, quite complicated to explain—"

"..."

Watching Il merrily chat away but not divulging everything, Ronald felt slightly relieved, then turned back to Costate:

"Costate, you don't need to worry."

"There's nothing wrong with my state, just that..."

Clap, clap, clap—

"Good evening, Mr. Ronald."

Just as Ronald was about to continue, a few footsteps approached.

Then, naturally, came the young woman's voice Ronald had just heard the previous night.

"I didn't expect us to meet again so soon, what a surprise~~"

"..."

Ronald stiffly turned his neck.

Only to find Luna, led by Claudia, already standing beside his table.

"Good evening, you two?"

Ronald greeted them with extreme embarrassment.

At that moment, Claudia noticed the change in Ronald's expression and flashed a fleeting mischievous smile.

Then, her voice raised:

"Oh? Ronald, you two know each other?"

"Miss Leticia asked me to introduce her daughter and the ship's crew to people, and the first person I thought of was you, the prestigious original holder. But it looks like I was worrying for nothing. The beauty and the hero have long been acquainted, why bother with my unnecessary intervention?"

"..."

Claudia was getting her revenge!

With his earlier reminder having made the princess briefly lose her composure, she found a chance for payback before the night ended.

Ronald was certain.

With Claudia's insight and social skills, there's no way she missed Luna's current state, combined with her understanding of Ronald...

No doubt, it was intentional!

Instantly, a wave of regret surged through Ronald—he hadn't anticipated Claudia would get even this quickly.

"Hahaha—"

Claudia suddenly laughed.

Seeing Ronald's uneasiness was satisfaction enough for her. With a keen sense of boundaries, Claudia knew it was time to exit the scene, so she waved her hand to say farewell:

"Alright, I won't disturb you any longer."

"Since the two of you know each other, chat freely, I have my duties to attend to."

As she finished speaking, Claudia donned her royal smile once more and seamlessly re-entered the social setting.

Ronald watched her slip back into diplomatic mode.

He couldn't help but feel a bit wistful.

With abilities like Claudia's, even if Ronald could learn, there might never come a day when he could truly execute them.

"She's truly worthy of being Grid's princess." At that moment, a voice beside Ronald offered praise.

"Claudia is indeed remarkable." Ronald instinctively echoed.

"..."

As the words slipped from his mouth, Ronald realized this was not ideal.

Turning his head.

Sure enough, Luna was gazing at him quietly:

"Compared to me, from a small nation and only fourteen, the gap truly is massive, huh?"

"Luna... Felia, that was not my intention."

As Luna's name was about to slip, Ronald quickly adjusted his address. Given the current situation, different from their prior circumstances, Ronald also modulated his tone.

"I regard both you and Claudia without any special bias."

"..."

Hearing Ronald's thoughtful change of address made Luna happy. But listening further, the girl fell into a silent, bittersweet expression.

So they sat, tension hanging over them, Luna by Ronald's side.

After casually dealing with two Nicoss nobles who came to converse, Luna finally turned to Ronald:

"Ronald, the Grid fleet should have a few more days before departure, right?"

Ronald answered promptly:

"The fleet is scheduled to stay in Nicoss for a total of seven days."

"Seven days..." Luna muttered softly, then continued, "So apart from today, you'll be here for another five days."

"Ronald, during this time, you'll be staying in the castle, won't you?"

"..."

Luna's question left Ronald stumped.

Thinking it over and over, he found every potential response unsuitable, momentarily losing his ability to negotiate.

Just then, Costate behind Ronald could no longer sit still.

The maid, watching the development unfold without much feeling initially, couldn't help but interject when she noticed Ronald's hesitation:

"Sir, if you're planning to handle various affairs, I suggest staying in the castle with me over these next five days; it'll be very convenient."

Ronald could fully grasp Costate's implication.

The maid feared he would escape again!

Normally, Ronald could handle such situations easily, but with Luna watching today, it felt perfectly timed!

Perhaps heaven had not forsaken him—

After a tense silence of nearly half a minute, Claudia, like an angel, brought him salvation.

The princess returned and asked Ronald:

"Ronald, do you have a moment? Let's discuss some important matters in private."

Ronald almost leaped up from his chair:

"I do, I have plenty of time!"

"Let's leave immediately!"