Chapter 8
Before I knew it, it was already the last day of confinement.
Since I’d gone to the theater thanks to Leila on the first day, I had really only spent one proper day confined.
I thought I’d be stuck in the manor again today, but just in time, a message arrived from Leila.
“Something urgent came up, so I’m only contacting you now.
I’m really sorry I couldn’t go to the play with you, Tian.
To make it up to you, I’ll buy you some delicious desserts at La Pose.”
After placing the high-quality parchment written in her neat handwriting down, I started getting ready to go out.
‘La Pose, huh…’
La Pose was the most famous dessert shop in the capital.
Nobles and commoners alike had to line up to get in—it was that popular.
Of course, there were exceptions.
The owner of La Pose was Marchioness Diana Rosefell.
And Leila, whom she adored as a doting aunt.
Because she’d set aside a private seat so her niece could visit anytime, going with Leila meant instant access for me too.
I didn’t particularly like sweets, but the timing was perfect.
My mother, who wouldn’t listen to a single excuse from Kallian or me, would easily allow me out with just one word from Leila.
‘Even though I’m confined.’
Besides, Mother pretended to complain, but she actually loved La Pose’s desserts.
A lot. Very much. Extremely.
In other words, I was heading out to buy a bribe for my mother—through Leila.
Since Anna was on vacation, there was no one to nag me about my appearance.
Thanks to that, I threw the torture device known as a corset far away and left my room feeling light and free.
I could’ve teleported straight to the Arvid manor, but I chose not to.
There was something I needed to do first.
“Hey, loser brother.”
Only after calling out to Kallian did I realize I’d forgotten to knock, so I belatedly tapped on the door once.
Tap—
A crisp sound echoed, like flicking Kallian right on the forehead.
The door flew open, and Kallian burst out, his face twisted in irritation.
“What’s with that outfit? Your confinement isn’t over yet. Have you been using magic so much you can’t even count anymore?”
He’d never won an argument against me, but his pride clearly wouldn’t let him just take it lying down.
“Why do you think they’re called magic formulas? Because they use math. Brother whose brain is made of muscle.”
Apparently unable to find a comeback, Kallian glared down at me with an expression that said, What do I do with her?
“My dear friend Leila wants to go to La Pose with me.”
“That’s unfair! So you’re going out?”
“Mother already gave permission, so what choice do I have? Leila insisted on going with me.”
The parchment didn’t actually say that, but who cares?
When teasing the second brother, basic courtesy demanded full sincerity.
After confirming that Kallian’s brow was deeply furrowed with irritation, I teleported away in satisfaction.
His furious shouting, faintly heard, made excellent background music.
****
Corso District 4 was crowded every single day without exception.
And the place that made it so lively was La Pose, owned by the Rosefell marchioness.
True to her reputation for succeeding in every business she touched, the building alone was extravagant.
Dozens of fresh flowers covered the walls regardless of season, and the delicately carved windows bathed the interior in dazzling light whenever sunlight streamed in.
At the seat with the best sunlight—
On the third floor, which only authorized individuals could enter—
Sat a man who looked like a sculpture.
With beauty that could put noble ladies to shame, a well-trained muscular body from swordsmanship, and perfectly balanced proportions, Sier Persent was awe-inspiring just to look at.
And with La Pose being such a famous spot, the scene almost looked like a painting.
“…Your Highness?”
“Lady Ellopez? And beside you… Lady Arvid. Meeting here—what a coincidence.”
A coincidence?
A coincidence?
At the exact time Leila and I came, in a place prepared exclusively for her and completely unknown to outsiders, Sier Persent just happened to be here?
“Haha… what a coincidence indeed.”
Yeah, sure. A coincidence.
Did he really think I’d believe this was an accident?
This was already the second time.
The second time I’d run into Prince Sier was in a place where coincidence was impossible.
And at the center of it all was Leila.
“Oh my, meeting the Second Prince in a place like this. How curious.”
Her stiff tone sounded like she was reciting an imperial textbook—not something you’d say to an ex-fiancé you’d just broken up with.
Like she was acting.
If not for Leila’s clumsy acting, I might’ve stopped at suspicion.
But now I was sure.
Both what happened two days ago and this situation were orchestrated by Leila.
‘Why…?’
I couldn’t understand her intentions.
Judging by her actions, it seemed like she wanted me and Sier to meet—but I had no idea why.
‘Is she trying to use me to justify the broken engagement?’
It wasn’t an impossible thought.
Becoming the center of a scandal was practically a rite of passage for transmigrators.
But I was certain that wasn’t the reason.
Not because of blind trust, like “The Leila I know wouldn’t do that.”
The theater, and now La Pose.
Both were places hidden from public eyes, as if she were deliberately avoiding rumors.
…Leila aside—
‘What is that man plotting?’
If this were Leila acting alone, maybe.
But with Prince Sier involved too, I couldn’t get a read on it.
What possible shared interest could those two have?
“If you don’t mind, could you stay with the lady for a moment? I need to speak with my aunt.”
At some point, Leila had already walked toward the door, smiling as she backed away.
Everything about her—her actions, her words—was suspicious.
Marchioness Rosefell was a famous businesswoman in the Empire and extremely busy.
In other words, the chance she was relaxing at La Pose right now was close to zero.
Leila knew that well, which was why she usually only enjoyed desserts here and left.
Yet now she was saying she needed to see her aunt?
I could tell easily she wasn’t here.
Even non-mages possessed some level of mana, but not a trace of the marchioness’s mana could be felt.
And there was no way Prince Sier, a skilled mage himself, didn’t know that.
“Of course. Please go ahead without worry, my lady.”
I alternated my gaze between Sier, who smiled and answered readily, and Leila, who was already halfway out the door.
‘What kind of situation is this supposed to be?’
Completely baffled, I reached out to grab Leila—
But before I could, my wrist was seized.
“Where are you going?”
Pulled backward, I turned toward him.
“You’re leaving me behind again?”
Sier muttered softly, lowering his head as if to hide his tear-filled eyes.
He looked like he might cry any second, and I couldn’t hide my confusion.
What did I even do to make him react like this?
And again? I’d even stayed to watch a whole play with him two days ago.
I lifted my head to say something—
And our eyes met.
Tears pooled like white crystals, his broad shoulders drooping and trembling weakly.
He looked exactly like a retriever soaked in rain.
Before I realized it, I wiped away the tear rolling down his cheek and muttered,
“…You’re like a dog.”
“…”
His blue eyes widened in shock, trembling as they stared at me.
Only then did I realize what I’d said.
That wasn’t what I meant, but…
It definitely sounded like an insult.
