IGMU 18

Chapter 18

‘Why… why does he keep staring at me?’

Iella tried to stay calm, but she was gradually becoming restless. Her scalp had been tingling and burning for a while now.

She looked up without thinking—and was instantly met with a sharp gaze. Startled, she quickly looked down again. Just that gaze alone made it feel like her throat was tightening. Her heart began pounding wildly in her chest.

Though she had succeeded in her mission, the situation was anything but fortunate. If the prince came over to question her, she had no excuses. She was caught red-handed.

Iella nervously rolled her eyes around, trying to avoid his gaze.

“Miss, are you okay?”

Betty noticed Iella’s pale face and fidgety movements.

“Huh? Oh… Betty. Let’s go!”

It was only then that Iella realized she had completely forgotten Betty was sitting right across from her.

“Already? But we still have so much food left.”

Betty gestured at the nearly untouched dishes on the table.

“I’ll buy you more later. Let’s just go—quickly.”

Her urgent tone made Betty sense something was off, so she quickly began packing up.

But then, a shadow fell over their table. Iella’s heart sank as she desperately tried to think of an excuse.

“Excuse me…”

It was Prince Franz’s voice.

Her heart, which had been racing moments before, suddenly dropped with a loud thud.

“You look familiar. Haven’t we met before?”

Iella blinked in shock, looking up at Franz’s face like a deer caught in headlights.

‘What is he talking about now?’

She thought he had recognized her true identity. But his serious expression didn’t suggest that he actually knew who she was.

‘Sure, I was staring at him pretty blatantly today, but before that I was careful not to be obvious. He shouldn’t know.’

She decided to play dumb.

“No, we haven’t.”

Franz’s piercing blue eyes carefully studied her calm expression. It was as if he could see right through her.

“I’m pretty good with faces, you know.”

Iella frowned slightly at his continued insistence.

“I don’t think so.”

‘So this is how you’re going to play it?’

The corner of Franz’s mouth twitched upward ever so slightly.

“You’re an academy student, right? I’ve seen you around plenty of times. Why lie?”

“…What?”

Iella felt the world go dark.

‘He found out? How much does he know?’

Her mind spiraled into chaos.

“I don’t think—”

Just as she was about to deny it again, Franz cut her off.

“The thing is, I can’t tell if it’s me or you who keeps appearing everywhere.”

“…What do you mean?”

Iella steadied her voice and asked. Franz looked at her, his tone laced with suspicion.

“You keep showing up wherever I go. Always loitering nearby. So who’s following who?”

He hadn’t been certain until today, but now he was sure. Though, to be fair, it had been confusing.

Everywhere he went, she was there. Always reading or scribbling something in her notebook.

To him, those encounters had seemed like nothing—just coincidence. But now he was starting to question that. Maybe she had a reason for always being there.

Iella shivered under his scrutinizing gaze.

‘He knows.’

Now that she was caught, shame washed over her. She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.

Even if it had been for a good reason, her actions were definitely not ladylike. And on top of that, she’d lied. What kind of excuse could justify that? She had nothing to say.

“Honestly, I don’t care for games like this.”

“Games…?”

“This whole push-and-pull act to get someone’s attention—it’s cliché and boring.”

“…”

Iella could only gape at him in stunned silence. So the prince thought… she liked him?

She was speechless.

“I prefer something more honest and bold. That’s much more exciting.”

As Franz muttered in a low voice, Iella’s face flushed bright red.

‘What the hell is this guy even saying?’

“You’re being rude,” she snapped.

Her fiery glare locked onto Franz.

‘What, is it just because I’m a woman?’

But Franz, rather than backing down, looked amused by her reaction.

“I’m being rude because you were rude first. I expect a lady to show proper manners next time we meet.”

It wasn’t just his eyes—his voice carried even more authority. He was not someone to be taken lightly.

Embarrassed after being called out, Iella faltered. Technically, nothing Franz said was wrong.

She couldn’t argue with the truth. At times like this, all one could do was apologize sincerely.

“Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness.”

Iella bowed respectfully. After all, if they didn’t meet again, it would all be over.

She was too mortified to even look him in the eye. Hopefully, this would be the last truly humiliating moment of her life.

Franz quietly looked down at the girl bowing before him, a pained expression on her face.

“So you’re asking for forgiveness?”

“I promise it won’t happen again.”

“Hmm…”

Franz rubbed his chin as if seriously contemplating.

“I’ll think about whether to forgive you later.”

Despite his aloof words, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“…”

Iella had no idea what to say anymore. She just kept praying that this moment would end soon.

And then, just in time, a savior appeared.

“Franz!”

At the familiar voice, Franz turned to see Marco approaching.

“Marco.”

“What are you doing here? How come you’re out alone?”

Marco, recognizing Franz from behind, greeted him cheerfully. It was rare to see Franz in a busy part of town—he usually hated noise and crowds—so Marco was both glad and confused.

“Ah… you’re not alone?”

Marco’s eyes met those of the young maid still standing by the table. She looked between Franz and Marco with anxious eyes.

‘What’s going on here?’

Blocked by Franz’s tall frame, he couldn’t quite see—but a glimpse of soft, light brown hair peeked out from behind.

‘Who is that?’

“Did I interrupt something?”

“No, just wait a moment.”

Unlike his usual calm demeanor, the air around Franz was oddly tense. Marco couldn’t ask any more questions and simply waited.

Franz turned back to Iella, who still had her head bowed. His eyes briefly landed on the nape of her neck.

A few strands of hair had slipped loose and were swaying gently against her pale skin.

‘She does have some feminine charm,’ he thought, and looked away.

“I look forward to our next meeting. Hopefully, you’ll show a bit more ladylike grace then.”

Startled, Iella’s head shot up.

‘Next time? Again?’

Her supposed repentance was already starting to grate on him. The more she acted like that, the more his petty side wanted to mess with her.

“What? You were just about to leave so you wouldn’t have to see me again, weren’t you?”

“No! That’s not it!”

Franz narrowed his eyes, suspicious, and Iella quickly smiled.

“It’s true.”

But even her forced smile trembled slightly—Franz didn’t believe her.

“Well, I don’t quite trust you, but I’ll give you one more chance.”

Franz said it like he was doing her a favor. Iella frowned a little at his attitude, but Franz simply stared at her a moment longer, then turned to leave.

As he turned, Marco finally saw who had been hidden behind him. His eyes went wide.

‘No way…’

It was Iella Clarence. Marco recognized her immediately and stood frozen, speechless.

‘Franz and Iella? Seriously?’

Of all the strange combinations—this was the most bizarre.

Marco couldn’t even begin to guess what had happened.

“Let’s go.”

Franz spoke casually and began walking ahead.

Marco quickly followed, glancing back repeatedly. He had to be sure.

“Wow. It really was her.”

Franz twitched an eyebrow at Marco’s muttered words.

“That was actually Iella Clarence?”