Chapter 76
Hoping it wouldn’t be a waste of time, Franz turned his gaze to Iella.
“Iella.”
Watching the two people return to their carriage, Iella finally turned her head when she heard her name.
“…Yes?”
“Let’s go.”
“Oh, yes.”
Her steps were slow as she followed him. Finding it odd, Franz looked down at her, then turned his head toward where her gaze was directed.
David, who had been escorting Allen into the carriage, seemed to sense Franz’s stare and turned back with a polite bow. A smile hung at the corner of his lips.
“Iella.”
She didn’t realize she had stopped walking until Franz called her again. Standing one step ahead, she looked up with a blank, puzzled face.
“Why?”
Looking down at her innocent expression, Franz could only let out a silent sigh.
“Never mind. Let’s go.”
She stared up at him with confused eyes, seemingly unaware of what she had done wrong.
No way she’s distracted by another man while I’m right beside her. If her eyes work properly, there’s no way that could happen.
Absolutely not — Franz was certain.
Even once inside the carriage, Iella’s expression remained oddly blank. Whether it was lingering emotions from the play or simply daydreaming, she kept staring absentmindedly out the window.
The sight made Franz tilt his head in disbelief, cold energy radiating from him.
Sensing his gaze, Iella quickly apologized.
“Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment…”
See? She admits she was completely somewhere else.
“What do you think about someone like David?”
The suspicion slipped out before he could stop himself. He regretted it immediately, but he just had to ask — otherwise he wouldn’t be able to let it go.
“Who?”
Unexpectedly, Iella blinked and asked back blankly. From the way she seemed to think about who he was referring to, it seemed her earlier distraction had just been pure imagination. But still, his suspicion didn’t vanish completely.
“David Zibermann.”
“Ah… I don’t know.”
She finally remembered, but her reaction was lukewarm.
“You can be honest. He seems diligent, and he’s good-looking enough.”
As he subtly listed compliments, Iella fell into thought.
Good-looking? she wondered. After constantly seeing Prince Franz’s face lately, other men’s handsomeness barely registered.
“I’m not sure. How would I know from just seeing him briefly?”
It was an answer he liked. Yet even as relief washed over him, something still bothered him. So his tone came out sharp.
“So you want to see him more?”
“Huh?”
That’s not what I meant. Why am I talking like this today?
Iella looked at him awkwardly.
“You’re being strange. Why are you asking me things like that?”
“No reason. Just curious how normal men look in your eyes.”
Realizing he was forcing the issue, Franz felt embarrassed. She was completely clueless, yet here he was spiraling in jealousy like a fool. Pathetic jealousy quickly curdled into self-disdain.
But her next words wiped that away in an instant.
“Well… I’m not really interested.”
To be honest, David Zibermann was above average. Not overwhelmingly handsome, but his natural smiling eyes and gentle impression made him seem kind. If Allen praised him so much, he must also be intelligent.
He would surely make a fine husband, a perfect son-in-law. In that regard, the prince before her was far beyond anything ordinary.
“What does it matter what I think? Even an ordinary man becomes special when standing before someone who loves him. In that sense, Your Highness is special to everyone.”
“Being special to everyone doesn’t mean I’m treated specially. I’m generous to all, but not particularly kind.”
“No, Your Highness is kind. Even to someone like me.”
That’s because it’s you. Because it’s you, he wanted to say — but couldn’t. With his past behavior, she would never believe him. She’d just give him that why is he acting like that? look.
“I’m always grateful.”
“It’s nothing to be grateful for.”
Franz shrugged lightly with a smile.
“I’ll escort you tomorrow.”
“To the Zibermann ball? No thanks. I want to rest tomorrow. I also have to visit Manchester.”
“Alright then.”
Since she firmly refused, Franz didn’t press further.
“You’re not coming to Manchester tomorrow, right?”
“Why? Would you prefer I didn’t?”
“Well, I assume Your Highness is busy. You don’t have to come every time. If you have something to say, I’ll come instead.”
Her voice was careful as she gave her reasoning.
“Then I’ll send someone. Take a carriage when you return.”
“There’s no need. There are plenty of rental carriages.”
“That won’t do. Consider it compensation for not going myself.”
When he drew a firm line, she let out a short sigh.
“How long do we have to keep this up?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s no secret anymore — newspapers, gossip papers, everyone talks about us. Do we really need to keep acting? Can’t we just show up together occasionally? I think we’ve done enough…”
“You think we’ve done enough? You really believe that?”
“If we continue like this, it could get dangerous. They say even the longest tail eventually gets caught. I might get summoned to the palace again like yesterday. My mother keeps waiting for Your Highness’s proposal — to the point it’s suffocating.”
Her excuses were becoming more and more pitiful. It felt like she was indirectly begging him not to propose, which was mortifying.
Listening silently, Franz finally responded with a calm face.
“Then I’ll propose.”
“I said I won’t marry.”
Iella repeated her refusal. Franz let out a small sigh, as if exasperated.
“Iella. You’re still receiving suitors, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I turn them down gently.”
“That’s my point. You’re still considered the most desirable bride. If we go quiet, Lady Clarence will immediately start seeking a new candidate. Are you okay with that?”
“Ah… that would be a problem.”
She hadn’t thought that far. With a weak laugh, she trailed off, and Franz spoke gently.
“Same for me. It would be troublesome right now. Iella, this is for the sake of our mutual cause.”
She knew it was an unavoidable situation with no clear end. Suppressing a sigh, she nodded.
“Yes, I understand.”
“And what happened yesterday won’t happen again. Trust me.”
“Really? Thank you, Your Highness.”
The thing she feared most was resolved — that alone was a relief. A blessing in misfortune.
As Iella smiled innocently, Franz felt a prick of guilt.
“Of course. Partners should help each other — right?”
A mutually beneficial relationship, nothing more. Nothing to overthink.
