Chapter 74
The royal carriage arrived in front of the theater. As everyone’s attention focused on it, the carriage door opened, and Kazar stepped out. Turning toward the inside of the carriage while receiving the gaze of the crowd, he extended his hand and smiled dazzlingly.
The young ladies nearby were momentarily stunned.
Kazar was someone who rarely appeared in public. Though he had captured the hearts of young ladies attending royal banquets, he was also famous for never having replied to a single letter.
Naturally, all eyes shifted to the girl who took the hand he offered.
The first thing that caught their eyes was her cream-yellow dress. Its long train fluttered with every movement, spreading like the wings of a fairy. When the girl stepped out of the carriage and turned her head, the young ladies’ eyes widened.
None of the young ladies they knew had such beauty. Startled, they quickly realized it when they saw her golden hair and green eyes.
If a girl reminded them of the first Emperor Cantio…
“Is she the young lady of the Spes Duchy?”
From that statement, murmurs began to spread here and there. It was completely different from the rumors that had circulated.
She had supposedly lived like a commoner in a remote village until she was discovered.
People were surprised by how charming Eluana looked compared to the rumors, and then surprised again to see she had come with Prince Kazar. And then…
“Was the carriage uncomfortable?”
Seeing Kazar’s blue eyes fully focused on Eluana, shining with a gentle light, they were shocked.
“What… did I just see?”
“It was an illusion.”
“I thought so too. It seemed like I saw the same illusion.”
The young ladies gasped repeatedly at the sight of Kazar, whose usual nickname, “the Ice Prince,” seemed utterly inappropriate given his warm and gentle demeanor. Meanwhile, Kazar escorted Eluana forward, completely ignoring the reactions around them.
They looked only at each other, as if nothing else existed.
“Oh my! They seem very close.”
“There was a rumor about them spending time alone at Countess Ravia’s tea party yesterday. I guess it’s true.”
“Oh my, Prince Kazar attended a tea party?”
“He went to meet the young lady of the Spes Duchy.”
“This is quite something, considering it involves the Spes family and the royal house.”
Shabia furrowed her brow, triggered by the young lady next to her.
The Spes family and the royal house—this represented the current status. Normally, the royal house should have precedence, but people unconsciously prioritized the Spes family. If left unchecked, the news of Prince Regis finding a princess would be buried under the rumors about Kazar and Eluana.
‘I can’t let that happen.’
Without a winning hand, she had to ride along with her opponent’s. Shabia maintained a friendly expression as she stepped forward.
“Your Highness.”
At Shabia’s greeting, Kazar’s eyes, which had shone like spring sunlight, turned cold.
“It’s been a while, Miss Pegimul.”
“Thanks to your concern, I’ve been well. Eluana, good to see you again.”
“Shabia, did you return safely that day?”
Once again, Madame Rene’s short-term intensive lessons paid off. Eluana greeted Shabia with perfect tone and posture.
“Of course. Thanks to you, it was an enjoyable time. I mentioned last time that I would introduce my circle of young ladies to you.”
“Yes, I remember.”
“We were discussing Prince Regis’ selection for a princess consort. Her Majesty mentioned she would arrange for Prince Regis’ bride, and I realized Eluana could also be a candidate.”
“No. I don’t think I can be.”
Eluana drew a clear line, causing the noble audience to stiffen.
Even as the young lady of the Spes Duchy, publicly refusing the position of princess consort would remain controversial for a long time. Sensing the tense atmosphere, Shabia let out a soft laugh.
Kazar, not to be outdone, smiled sweetly.
“Miss Pegimul, it’s rude to say such things with me beside you. If she becomes the princess consort, she would be my bride, not your brother’s. Do you intend to make your brother appear shameless for proposing to his ‘sister’s lover’?”
Kazar’s casual remark shocked everyone, but then he turned back and smiled at Eluana. Her resolve burned brighter at his seemingly divine performance.
“Exactly, Jagi.”
A momentary silence fell.
‘Did I go too far?’
Through the stifling quiet, a delicate voice pierced through.
“Buy flowers! Buy flowers! Give a lovely lady flowers!”
From the lower entrance, a young girl carrying a basket of flowers was selling them. She shouted loudly, but people ignored her.
Kazar approached her and picked a bundle of lavender from the basket.
“Would you sell this to me?”
“Three fairy tales, please.”
The girl answered politely, a smile lighting up her messy face. Today, she would not go hungry.
Kazar handed her a silver coin.
“Keep the change.”
“Thank you, thank you!”
The girl bowed repeatedly, clutching the coin as she ran off. Kazar watched her for a moment before politely offering the lavender bundle to Eluana. It was simply tied together, without any decoration, but the meaning was clear from Kazar’s words.
“My Lavender Lady.”
Eluana gladly accepted the bouquet. Glancing at Shabia, she saw her expression twist, betraying a failed attempt at composure.
Smiling radiantly, Eluana walked into the theater with Kazar’s escort, the lavender bouquet cradled in her arms.
The seats reserved by the Duke of Spes for the two of them were in the box, the best in the theater. Once it became known that the Duke reserved these seats for them, rumors would spread even more.
Eluana looked around from her seat. Countless eyes looked up at them from below. Placing the lavender bouquet in a visible spot, she whispered:
“I didn’t expect to meet Shabia here. I can’t let my guard down.”
“The sound from the box doesn’t leak outside. There’s a magical device.”
“Really? That’s a relief. People would get even more curious if they couldn’t hear us.”
“Indeed.”
Kazar leaned slightly toward Eluana as he spoke.
Before the performance started, the box was brightly lit. Even as young ladies watching the couple internally screamed in excitement, the two continued their conversation.
“They called each other by name. Have you met before?”
“Not a good memory. I met him on my way home from the royal palace when I went to see Kazar. The carriage broke down and blocked the road.”
“So he waited.”
“Exactly. But why call me the Lavender Lady?”
“Didn’t like it?”
“It was embarrassing. I felt like my hands and feet disappeared.”
“Did you know Miss Pegimul was called the Lavender Lady for a long time?”
“Yes, I heard.”
That made it even more curious.
“Now that title should find its rightful place.”
Eluana tilted her head in confusion, gripping her golden hair.
“I don’t have lavender-colored hair?”
“Miss Pegimul used the title politically, acting as if she were destined to be the head of a ducal household. The symbol of the Spes family is lavender, after all.”
“I see.”
Eluana realized that Kazar’s words were carefully calculated. She had once again understood that he truly was a prince.
“I intend to call you Lavender Lady from now on. That way, everyone will know who the real Lavender Lady is.”
“Then Shabia must be furious by now?”
“She might be planning to tear us apart. She acts, and people are easily deceived by her sweet exterior. Be careful.”
“I wasn’t trying to deceive her. The moment we met, she scratched me hard while pretending to be friendly.”
“Undermining your confidence before offering friendship is one of Miss Pegimul’s methods. That’s how she dominated society for so long.”
“Pathetic.”
“But don’t ignore her. She’s involved in the Spes family business and has more influence than the designated heir. She’s capable, in a sense.”
“Capable or not, I don’t want her to become a stepmother.”
Eluana pouted, and Kazar laughed, as if entertained.
“There’s no hope for now.”
“Why? You said she’s the strongest candidate. Sir Alex said the same.”
“Who’s Sir Alex?”
“My guard.”
Hearing that, Kazar’s raised eyebrows settled back in place.
“Isn’t your guard that talkative knight?”
“Right. Sir Alex is Louis’ guard. He’s at Sir Kieran’s house with him. I hope they’re not being neglected. Anyway, why is there no hope?”
“Because of you.”
Eluana blinked, thinking he meant her presence affected Prince Regis’ situation.
“The emperor’s marriage is a family matter, isn’t it? The book said the Spes family doesn’t distinguish between royalist or noble factions when choosing a partner.”
“Normally, marriages follow family decisions, but dukes are different. The duke is the family. So be careful. Miss Pegimul is not someone who would quietly hold a grudge.”
With Kazar’s warning concluded, the stage curtain rose.
The play was about a man who loved a young lady of the Join tribe. It told of a fated love surpassing all obstacles, but when the female lead changed with the full moon, Eluana couldn’t help laughing.
It was clearly a beautiful love story.
“But I can’t focus… I keep thinking of Prince Regis.”
Eluana murmured as she stifled her laughter. Kazar turned his gaze from the stage to her.
“Well, you did see it up close, right?”
“Yes. He was pecking the floor, going ‘gugu-gu.’”
Eluana mimicked pecking at the floor, and Kazar’s lips curled slightly.
“Must have been something to watch.”
“It was. What’s Prince Regis doing now?”
“He hasn’t left the first outer castle. It seems the maids are being punished every few hours and carried out.”
Eluana frowned slightly. She had underestimated Regis recently, but hadn’t forgotten his cruelty. Thinking of that time still made her spine tingle.
“Doesn’t anyone stop him?”
“The empress doesn’t seem to intervene much. She continues the aftermath.”
“I still don’t understand it.”
Eluana muttered to herself.
It was understandable to be obsessed with making her son emperor. Most princes who fail end up dead. If they survive, they live out their days in some remote fief.
Her method was cruel, and treating lives as worthless was a problem, but the reasoning was understandable. However, leaving her son’s character to decay while intending him to be emperor was strange.
Hearing her murmur, Kazar asked,
“What don’t you understand?”
“Prince Regis is obviously going to be a tyrant. So why does the empress just let it happen?”
