CHAPTER 21…………………………….
I hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond to Persephone calling me.
“Princess Rize?”
At the sweet voice behind me, I felt Persephone’s smile, seated in front, freeze completely.
There was only one person in the royal court who could make Persephone react this way.
That person was…
“Lord Rozian.”
He rose from his seat and bowed his head slightly.
Standing before me was someone whose influence in the royal court rivaled even the Crown Prince, despite the Emperor’s current madness.
He brushed back his wavy, pale pink hair, his eyes sparkling. His gem-like turquoise eyes shone without any dullness.
Rozian Stariyu.
The sudden appearance of the Emperor’s only official consort.
“I heard that Princess Rize was meeting with Persephone, so I came.”
“Ah…”
It was peculiar, in a way.
Rozian Stariyu had been in the royal court even before entering the Rize household at the age of thirteen.
Several years had passed, yet his face remained flawless—beautiful, but at the same time, almost eerie.
He smiled at me, but I could clearly sense his displeasure.
A marriage between the royal family and the Rize household meant that Rozian Stariyu’s position would weaken.
“Lord Rozian.”
Persephone’s lips curved slightly, but her eyes didn’t smile. She looked at Rozian with a cold intensity.
Back when she spoke about the broken engagement, Persephone’s eyes had been gentle. Seeing her now, she truly resembled the royal emblem—a golden lion in form and spirit.
“I know, Lord Rozian, that you are close with His Majesty.”
“……”
“Even so, I don’t think I deserve to be called Persephone by you.”
That was true.
Rozian was different from ordinary concubines.
He was simply a consort with no official rank.
If he could bear a child, it might be different—but he couldn’t. He was a man.
It was almost a relief that Rozian Stariyu was a man incapable of having children.
His face, which had been wearing an enchanting smile, hardened.
“……Indeed, Your Highness.”
Even if the Emperor cherished him, no one in the royal court, noble or not, could treat Persephone carelessly—or should.
Because she alone was the heir to the throne.
“Perhaps seeing you since childhood has made me feel like a mother figure.”
“……”
“Please forgive my rudeness.”
The expression of displeasure vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Soon, Rozian’s gaze turned to me.
“I’m glad Princess Rize has recovered. It seems the Duke is also well.”
“……”
What did he mean by that?
A slight furrow appeared between my brows.
“Princess, could you step aside for a moment?”
Persephone spoke softly, issuing the command to leave.
I nodded—there was nothing for me to do here but watch the whale fight and get crushed.
“Next time we meet, I expect a positive answer to what I spoke of.”
Even now, she brought up the broken engagement. Persephone was remarkable.
She had once seemed like a tiny kitten in childhood—when did she grow so much?
Without responding, positively or negatively, I quietly left the audience hall.
“That’s strange.”
If Rozian acted like that, it might have been better for the princess of the Duke’s house to marry into the royal family.
It would have created a significant force capable of countering Rozian.
Unless there was someone else to support Persephone…
“There’s no one in the Empire.”
There was no other family as powerful or influential as the Rize household.
At most, there was one Grand Duke married to the Emperor’s half-brother, but even between them…
Only Demian existed.
And his relationship with Persephone wasn’t terrible either.
I bit the inside of my cheek at the thought of Demian.
“I just don’t understand anything.”
I brushed my hair back roughly and sighed.
“I have someone I care for.”
“Really?”
It was surprising.
It didn’t seem like a lie.
And thinking of Persephone’s personality in the past, she wasn’t the type to lie about something like this.
The Crown Prince was already twenty-two; it wouldn’t be strange for her to love someone else.
“Who is it?”
She didn’t care about the people in the Rize household, but Persephone was different.
Hearing that the youngest sibling had someone she liked, I wanted to help discreetly if I could.
I didn’t want to return to the Rize household immediately, so I walked around the royal courtyard.
“…Enough! How long are we supposed to put up with your nonsense!”
A thunderous shout made my shoulders tense automatically.
Where was that voice coming from? I looked around and saw a well-dressed man standing behind a garden building.
Count Vettrice?
I was about to return to where I came from, realizing eavesdropping wouldn’t end well.
“Do you know how many people now look down on Adolf because of your actions?”
“I still don’t intend to give up.”
Unlike the enraged Count Vettrice, the calm and firm voice belonged to Adonis.
“Adolf remains in the 2nd Knight Squadron not because of me, but because of his own efforts…”
Slap!
The sudden sound of impact made me flinch.
Count Vettrice had struck Adonis across the cheek with his thick hand.
“You shouldn’t let a girl wield a sword.”
“……”
“Think of your younger sibling and give up the sword, even now.”
“I cannot give up.”
Adonis’s firm reply stopped me in my tracks.
“That brat…!”
I saw Count Vettrice raising his hand high.
“Sir Adonis?”
Calling his name, I turned toward him. The Count, furious, glanced at me briefly and slightly softened, averting his head.
“…Princess Rize?”
“You were here. My brother was looking for Sir Adonis.”
“Me?”
Three years had brought another change.
Back at the academy, Adonis tied his long hair in a tight ponytail. Now, it was as short as Lian’s.
“Hmph.”
As I interrupted their conversation, the Count gave me a sharp glance with a cough and brushed past me.
He left.
It was unnecessary for me to intervene, but I couldn’t help it.
“I heard the Princess has returned to the mansion. I’m glad to see you in good health.”
“Thank you for your concern… Sir, you’re bleeding.”
His lip was cut from holding back the pain after the slap.
It wasn’t about my safety; I needed to check if Adonis was alright.
Seeing him wipe the blood roughly with the back of his hand, I worried it must sting.
“Here.”
I offered my handkerchief, but Adonis shook his head.
“I’m fine. This is nothing.”
Not intending to accept it, I pursed my lips again.
“Sir Adonis, if you don’t take the handkerchief, your arm will fall off.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Refusing a lady’s kindness isn’t something a knight should do.”
Though it seemed trivial, invoking chivalry made Adonis finally accept the handkerchief.
“Your lip is torn. Be careful for a few days.”
“…Thank you.”
As he bowed slightly to express gratitude, I turned to leave.
“Princess.”
I tilted my head—Adonis, who I didn’t expect to stop me, called.
“Why?”
“What you just saw…”
He naturally covered his lips with the handkerchief, despite initially refusing.
“Could you keep it a secret?”
Do I look like someone who gossips?
I asked sincerely, curious.
The reason I held back was partly that it might have seemed like teasing to others—and also because the Adonis I knew might have thought April (me) was such a person.
“I don’t have a hobby of spreading gossip.”
Even when the Count had struck him. I nodded in acknowledgment, signaling my consent, and Adonis let out a short sigh.
“Thank you for helping.”
“You’re welcome.”
I had no intention of meddling in someone else’s household affairs.
“Keep the handkerchief.”
I didn’t intend to take it back.
I didn’t want to return to the Rize mansion… But would the Duke know about the Crown Prince’s broken engagement?
No chance. If he had known, he would have warned me.
The only person in the Rize household who might know everything April might tell…
“Sir Adonis.”
