Chapter 31
Franz felt his mood lift for no particular reason.
It was amusing and fascinating to see Iella happily talk about how nice it was to save a little money at a time, and how having that money made her feel secure. More than anything, it was refreshing to see someone whose eyes sparkled more at the mention of money than at the fact he was a prince.
“So she’s greedy for money, but she has no ambition.”
She had no idea that the man before her was a walking pile of gold. She might say she liked money, but she somehow seemed like the type who would dislike taking it if it were given to her for free.
Breaking away from existing ideas and prejudices is no easy feat, and there was no way this one woman could shatter that framework on her own. He didn’t think she was unaware of that.
Time was changing many things. The framework might not be easily broken, but if people like her gathered, old ways of thinking would slowly shift, and eventually the world would change as well.
At some point, without even realizing it, Franz had begun to cheer for Iella in his heart.
Why?
Because, although he was surrounded by many people, there weren’t many who entertained him the way she did.
Franz realized it had been quite a long time since he had laughed like this without any ulterior motive. He couldn’t even remember when he last laughed so openly—so long ago it felt like a different lifetime.
He had always thought his life was satisfying, but a brief doubt arose—maybe he hadn’t been all that happy after all. That thought vanished as the carriage came to a stop.
Franz, who had been staring at Iella, reached out and placed a hand on her smooth, round forehead.
“No fever, it seems.”
Iella flinched at the unexpected gesture.
She was startled not only by the prince’s sudden movement, but also by the cool temperature of his hand, which sent a chill down her spine. It wasn’t unpleasantly cold—it was just unexpected.
“I’m all better now. I’m fine.”
“Hmm.”
If anyone had been flustered, it was only her. He slowly withdrew his hand.
A brief silence settled inside the carriage.
“What are you doing? Get out already.”
Franz motioned casually toward the door with his chin.
“Huh?”
Iella blinked, suddenly realizing the carriage had already stopped.
When?
She had been so spaced out, she hadn’t even noticed they’d arrived.
Franz tugged the pull cord, ringing the bell, and the coachman opened the door.
“Thank you for the ride, Your Highness.”
Iella managed a polite farewell before hurrying out.
“Iella Clarance.”
She turned at the sound of her name. Their eyes met through the open carriage door.
Puzzled, she tilted her head, but he simply stared back at her expressionlessly.
“Yes?”
“Don’t be late tomorrow. If you’re late, I won’t give you the notebook.”
…What is he talking about?
As Iella stood there, baffled, the carriage door slowly closed. Their eyes stayed locked until the very last moment.
She didn’t avoid the steady gaze. And just before the door shut completely, the corners of Franz’s perfectly straight lips curled upward.
“…”
Iella, frozen in place, finally turned and headed toward the mansion once the door was shut.
“Brrr, it’s cold.”
A strange chill made her whole body shiver.
“Ugh… guess I’m not fully recovered yet. I’ll get sick again at this rate. Better get inside quickly.”
She quickened her pace, hugging herself and rubbing her arms briskly. She looked for all the world like a small prey animal instinctively trying to protect itself.
It was an unconscious display of her defensive instincts, but Iella herself was far from realizing it yet.
As soon as class ended, the students poured out of the lecture hall. The entrance was always crowded with carriages waiting to pick them up.
Blending into the crowd, Iella left the academy, her steps quickening from impatience. It was already past one o’clock.
“Iella!”
“Huh? Loren.”
“Where are you rushing off to?”
“I’m running late—I’ll tell you about it later. Sorry!”
“Alright, hurry along. You look pretty today.”
“…Huh?”
Iella glanced down at her outfit. It wasn’t flashy, but she had put some effort into it that morning, so the compliment was satisfying. The thoughtful remark made her smile softly.
“Thanks! See you later!”
“Yeah! Take care.”
Half running, Iella made her way to the bustling main street and managed to hail a private carriage—no easy feat at this hour.
“Hope I can make it on time.”
She was nervous about being late for the appointment, though a faint rebellious streak surfaced at the same time.
“Who says he gets to decide the meeting time all by himself? Ugh, and my teacher had to be so chatty today…”
It was her own fault for forgetting that her professor often went twenty or thirty minutes over time without a second thought.
Once her breathing calmed, she took in the scenery outside. The streets of Biln gradually gave way to Humphries.
Colorful flowers bloomed along the roadsides, and fresh green leaves sprouted from the trees.
Biln’s streets were already touched by spring, but Humphries radiated even more vibrant life. The breeze carried the scent of flowers and fresh grass, filling her with a quiet, pleasant calm.
She was lost in the view when—thump!—the carriage jolted violently.
It bounced so hard that her rear lifted nearly a handspan off the seat.
“Ugh!”
The jolt made her wince in pain.
Even with a cushion on the seat, it was too worn down to be of any use—little more than a thin scrap of cloth.
Rubbing her sore backside, she thought of the luxurious carriages she’d ridden before, with seats so plush they felt like beds.
“Humans may be creatures of adaptation, but really… just two rides and I’m already spoiled.”
Clicking her tongue, she straightened her posture.
“I need to keep my guard up. I’m dealing with a playboy prince here.”
The portrait she had promised the prince came to mind. Ever since yesterday, she’d been thinking this whole thing was completely insane.
“No matter how much it’s a win-win… or killing two birds with one stone… or—ugh, no, not that one. Anyway! I must have been possessed or something.”
While she despaired at her own weakness for money, the carriage arrived at Grenville Palace.
“Welcome, my lady.”
Stepping down, she was greeted by the butler, Murray.
“Hello, Mr. Murray. You look especially dashing today.”
Though his face was lined with age, it only gave him a dignified elegance.
“Thank you kindly, my lady. And you look exceptionally beautiful today.”
“…Huh? Ah… thank you.”
It was the first time she’d been called beautiful by anyone outside her family. She didn’t think it was entirely true, but she accepted the compliment graciously.
“What time is it now?”
“Two twenty-three, my lady.”
“What? Oh no!”
“Yes?”
Murray’s eyes went wide at her sudden cry.
“I’m late! I have to see His Highness right away.”
She was already late, but there was no time to waste.
Though bewildered, Murray composed himself and led her inside.
In the antechamber to the prince’s office, Hans rose from his desk to greet her.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Hello, Mr. O’Neill. Is His Highness…?”
“He’s waiting inside.”
“Oh… already?”
Her disappointment was hard to hide as she followed Hans to the door. Even the few seconds before a voice called for her to enter felt too slow.
“You may go in.”
Bowing politely, Hans opened the door for her. Iella gave a small nod of thanks and stepped inside.
Franz stood before the tall glass window where sunlight streamed in. Even after hearing the door open, he kept his gaze fixed outside.
Iella hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should wait at the door, then decided to walk up to him.
“Hello.”
“…”
Franz turned his head and regarded her silently.
Iella met his eyes without flinching, studying his face intently. Since she had decided this would be her last meeting with the prince, her courage was higher than usual—and besides, she wanted to remember his features well so she could capture them accurately in her painting.
If I’m late, he should just scold me. This staring is worse.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked her over. Her face was still bare of makeup, and today’s dress… lavender, with a modest design. Nothing extraordinary, but not bad either. Still, the oversized fit made it look like she was wearing someone else’s clothes.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
She finally broke the silence.
“That’s a dress I haven’t seen before.”
“Oh, you don’t have to compliment me.”
Thinking of all the compliments she’d already received today, the idea of hearing one from him made her oddly embarrassed, so she jumped in first.
“Compliment?”
