The hero's mind couldn't be at ease ever since Emilia turned even his father's move on its head. He was filled with anger and anxiety as he thought about how ineffective everything seemed when it came to harming her.
Feeling perturbed, he had broken his usual habit and arrived at the party earlier than most. And shortly after, dozens of young boys and girls came to greet him, as was expected.
He assumed that this would be a party like many others he had attended before. Even if that little bitch got a TV interview and had the entire school side with her, so what?
The high society was what really mattered to them in the end, and he already knew that he was the star here. So long as he gave the word, wouldn't that bitch be drowned out in insults and mockery the moment she arrived?
Amos had been attending parties like these almost ever since he had learned how to walk and talk presentably. And over the years, the number of loyal followers he had gathered were simply too many to count.
It was his confidence in their loyalty that led him to lose some of his restraint. So he complained about the White family's youngest daughter, as he usually did to let off some steam, but their reactions left him stunned.
Those very same girls who would swoon and blush when he mentioned how that bitch didn't have a fraction of their grace and elegance looked offended instead, as if the ones being mocked were themselves.
It was not far from the truth, as those girls really did always assume he was praising them, but how could they think so after they saw Emilia on TV? All his words now only made it seem like he was bragging about his outstanding fiancée while indirectly calling them arrogant and conceited little hussies who didn't know their place.
Still, they didn't want to fester animosity with the Black Tiger's heir, and could only silently leave without a rebuttal.
And as the girls left, the boys followed. At their age and with their status, few of them were interested in actually socializing with Amos at this point. Simply considering things from the benefits perspective, it was not worth it.
Associating with him when he so openly denounced the White family's dearest daughter would mean being enemies with the wealthiest family in the city, and in exchange for what? Gratitude from Amos? Since his father controlled all the Black Tiger's decisions, did it even matter if Amos was pleased with them or not?
Thankfully for him, there were still some who arrived later who didn't know what had happened, or Amos might really be left standing alone and isolated.
"Aahhh, you're as amazing as ever, Amos! Did you really play a hand in securing that deal for the Black Tiger?"
"As expected of our Amos, he's different from those other idiots in our generation who only know how to spend money."
==========
As Emilia leaned against her shoulder on their way to the party, Dixie could tell that there had been a 'subtle' change in their dynamic.
No longer was she just a faithful, loyal knight who protected her princess. No, now she was promoted to a real scumbag knight who could and would molest their princess whenever they were in private.
As her quota of 'benefits' had suddenly skyrocketed, the number of liberties she was allowed to take seemed to no longer have any limits.
Even when she had hesitantly wrapped her hand around Emilia's waist, the girl didn't show any signs of rejection at all.
Not all things changed for the better, though, because the very foundation of her character had been completely bent out of shape. Moreover, all these benefits came at a cost.
Dixie didn't think she was now 'girlfriends' with Emilia. At the same time, she was also not allowed to have any relationships. Just what did this mean for her future? Would she remain single forever?
Also… how far would Emilia even allow her to go? And what happens when she crosses the line she shouldn't? Would Emilia leave her, then?
Moreover, even if the knight could molest the princess in private, it was impossible to actually, truly possess her in the end, right?
'No no no, I'm overthinking this way too much! To begin with, Emilia is a princess in my heart, but not an actual princess! She doesn't have to marry for her kingdom or anything stupid like that.'
Dixie snuck a glance at her princess, the girl's eyes were half-lidded, and her gaze was foggy as if she was lost in thought.
The dark-haired girl couldn't help but worry. From the moment they had met, Dixie knew that no matter how mature and confident Emilia tried to look, she was a naïve, idealistic little girl in her heart.
To take advantage of her innocence and blackmail her like this, Dixie couldn't deny her crimes even in her own mind. Moreover, forget about taking care of her, wasn't she just molesting her princess every chance she got?
And not to mention regret, Dixie knew that, deep down, all she could feel was sinful pleasure and contentment. Even if she knew she was corrupting her princess, she couldn't stop. The temptation was too great, and her steel pipe was too weak.
'I shouldn't have done this… Mom and her stupid ideas! But now that I've taken so much from her, I can't just back out either. Just what should I do? I guess I can only take responsibility and continue 'accommodating' her, ehehehe…'
Of course, this didn't mean Dixie would stop protecting her princess. If anything, she would watch over her more fiercely than ever. Because if anyone discovered how easy it was to take advantage of her princess, wouldn't she get cucked to high heavens?
'My princess still has a pure, virgin body. I can't let anyone else taint her!'
--
Such thoughts continued to plague the dark-haired girl even as they arrived at the venue, a luxurious five-star hotel that had been fully reserved for the night.
If it had been before, Emilia's arrival at the party would not cause too much commotion. Even if she was the daughter of the wealthiest family in the city, she was still too young. Not to mention she had a more well-known elder sister as well, further decreasing her popularity among the profit seekers.
'But after the news today, I guess it's impossible to keep her low profile, right? I just hope no one bothers her too much.'
The good thing was that Emilia had ended up shattering most of the negative conceptions among the wealthy daughters with her interview. And Dixie's worries from before had also almost completely evaporated.
'At the very least, no one should dare mock or point their fingers at her now, unless they want to be the butt of a joke.'
Although some might still adamantly side against her out of their own agendas, at least those who were neutral should no longer be biased against her.
Dixie exited the limo first before holding out her hand to Emilia with a smile.
"Princess, make sure to stick close to me, alright?"