Chapter 11
The social scene was buzzing because of the marriage between the Spellman fool and the Crown Prince.
Since the Crown Princess couldn’t act properly, those who wanted her position were raising their heads again. The main one among them was Roselina.
Roselina’s father shone among the nobles.
‘…Father, don’t worry too much. How could such a fool fully perform the role of Crown Princess? Surely His Highness the Crown Prince will look for me soon.’
Roselina was right.
It was clear that the Crown Princess was unusual. Even if the Crown Prince was currently taking care of Evelyn out of interest, how long would that last?
Moreover, the royal family could never ignore public opinion. Once they lost the people’s favor, they lost legitimacy.
Right now, the shining label of “war hero” covered everything, but for how long? As the next emperor, he had to secure succession.
And the countless duties required of the Empress? Could she welcome envoys, manage business, or handle high-class ladies and domestic affairs?
As Roselina said, he would certainly look for a companion who could help him. Roselina’s judgment was correct.
When hearing that the Crown Prince had made Roselina act as the Crown Princess’s maid, she had been angry—but not now.
In that way, the chance of Serden and Roselina meeting increased.
‘Eyes follow the heart.’
Besides, wasn’t there even a verbal engagement between Serden and Roselina? They still had a chance.
“Now, everyone may leave the palace. Instead of a meal with the Crown Prince, I will serve you.”
At Count Karma’s words, the nobles cleared their throats and reluctantly turned away. Mortega stood like a gatekeeper toward the direction the Crown Prince had gone.
Count Karma turned sharply, urging them on.
Mortega, forced to see them off, bit his lip. He, too, was unsettled and unhappy with the situation.
He turned back and stared at where the Crown Prince had disappeared.
Where they had left, only light remained.
‘What is he thinking…’
Mortega clenched his fist.
All of this was just pity. The Crown Prince was a good person. That was all. Mortega repeated this to reassure himself.
I poked a bean with my fork. One rolled off the plate.
I swallowed and glanced across.
Ha, why am I even doing this here? I can walk barefoot! I can eat alone!
It seemed I had tried to get back at Augustine, but ended up getting in trouble myself.
I couldn’t enjoy lunch at all while teasing Cherina and Rozy. They served us with swollen faces.
Cherina glanced at Serden and whispered to me.
“Ah, you don’t like beans today either? Shall I bring something else?”
“Yes. I hate beans! I hate carrots too!”
I boldly declared my picky eating. Seeing chickpeas and carrots mixed together made me lose my appetite. Just as Cherina tried to take the plate in front of me:
“Wait.”
It was Serden.
Why, again!?
He narrowed his eyes and looked at me. At his gesture, Cherina put the plate back.
Serden curved his lips softly and called me.
“You can’t be picky. To grow taller, you have to eat everything.”
He spoke gently but was waiting for my reaction. Does he think I need to grow taller? I already had a good height.
Besides, I wasn’t at the age to grow taller. Still, I had to play along. I was five years old!
I puffed up my cheeks and shook my head.
“No, I don’t want it! I won’t eat! I don’t need to grow taller! Husband, you can grow taller! I’ll give all this to you, Cherina!”
Cherina made a shrimp-like face between me and Serden. Seeing her puffy face made me feel a little sorry.
Serden rested his chin on his hand.
What would he say next?
I was too nervous whenever he smiled.
Serden was the first to show me that a handsome face could be so scary.
And he was the first person so unpredictable. I thought I understood him from novels, but now…
Serden pointed to my plate with his perfect fingers. His soft, quiet voice was full of joy.
“If you don’t eat it all, no candy, no chocolate, no dessert. Ah, no cake either.”
…Does he really think I’m five? Well, I am five… I must be.
In the novel, Serden had no interest in Evelyn. Why is he acting like this?
I sighed deeply and puffed my cheeks deliberately, sulking like a five-year-old.
“Do I get everything if I eat it?”
“I promise, Evelyn.”
“Then I’ll eat it. I have no choice. Hah!”
I exaggeratedly pretended to eat. Chickpeas, carrots, chewed them a few times, then swallowed.
“All done!”
“Ah, show me. You have to show me.”
Really, that guy…
“Husband thinks I’m a child! I’m already grown up!”
“Ah, I see.”
Serden’s eyes curved gently. His shining blue eyes were overwhelming, but I met his gaze firmly.
“Yes! Treat me like a lady from now on! I was so embarrassed! Before, now… act like you don’t know!”
I tried to reason logically.
“Does a lady drool?”
My hands shook.
T-That… the memory of that day…
“Eat well, Evelyn.”
“Th-That is…”
Why can’t I beat him? He mentioned my past, and my puffed cheeks deflated.
Today, I had no energy to do anything. I sent Serden away and stretched on the bed.
I had to give Cherina and Rozy time to set up their little nest too. So we could play treasure hunt later.
I sighed and rolled on the bed.
I had been walking around the palace pretending to do nothing, but the guards’ expressions had changed. The knights protecting the Crown Princess’s palace too.
Once I confirmed no one was around, I took out a jewelry box from under the bed. I opened the notes inside and sat up properly.
“Hmm.”
Serden seemed to notice something from this.
Was this the guard shift schedule?
I flipped through the papers and sighed. Still, this would probably help Serden a little.
Perhaps Duke Spellman planned to send assassins avoiding the schedule.
It might be better to expose this to Serden if there was something unknown.
“Ah, but I really don’t want to face that guy.”
Not dislike… difficult.
Facing those dark eyes that seemed to test me made me feel like a mouse in front of a cat.
Every word calculated, checking my reaction, it was suffocating.
And every time he came close, I didn’t know how to act.
Did he not realize? He was overwhelmingly attractive to me. Threatening even. I bit my lips hard.
“…Difficult, so difficult.”
If I could just be in an easy position, it would be better.
No, I mustn’t.
Remember the hard past. I thought I was just on a stage forever. The day we shared one ramen… don’t forget.
I crossed my arms and shook my legs nervously.
Still, my acting fooled everyone else completely—except Serden.
“Well, who would he trust? He doesn’t even trust himself.”
That’s why he could win the war so quickly and become a hero.
I put the notes back in the box. The only relief was I wouldn’t see that annoying Augustine’s face for a while.
Is there any way to never see him again?
