Chapter 40
It was too far away; I couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying, but judging by the foul smell drifting this far, it was clear they were plotting something.
I stayed hidden behind the pillar for a long time even after they disappeared.
Following them blindly and getting caught would have been the ultimate cliché.
“So, so… something’s going on here.”
Just as expected from the royal palace, full of schemes and intrigue.
I crouched down, rubbing my chin like a detective.
“That maid… she seems familiar. Whose maid was she?”
The problem was, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember.
‘Anyway, how long do I have to stay here?’
My legs were starting to go numb. Should I leave?
Just as I was debating, someone grabbed my shoulder.
“What are you doing?”
Startled, I fell back and covered my mouth. My heart was pounding like it might explode.
“Ugh.”
Clutching my chest and curling up, he anxiously wrapped his arms around me.
At the familiar scent and voice, I slowly lifted my head.
“…Heren?”
“You okay? You startled me.”
“I’m the one who’s startled! Why are you out here?”
I raised my hand and hit Herys sharply on the shoulder. But he didn’t even flinch. His shoulders were so solid that only my hand hurt.
“I got restless being cooped up, so I came to meet you. But what are you doing here? And what about the Star’s Tear?”
“Well…!”
Wait, should I pretend to fail and tease him a bit?
I quickly wiped the expression off my face and let my shoulders slump.
“Not easy….”
Trailing off and dropping my gaze, Herys patted my shoulder.
“Can’t be helped. I’ll take it.”
“Huh?”
“The pendant the princess is wearing—isn’t that the holy water? We just have to put her to sleep and cut the pendant off. Should I get it now?”
I anxiously gauged his intentions.
I hoped it was a joke, but his blue eyes were deadly serious.
‘Good thing the princess went to touch up her makeup first. If anyone had overheard this, it would’ve been a disaster.’
Worried he might actually try to get the princess, I quickly withdrew my prank.
“It wasn’t easy, but! I succeeded!”
Ta-da. I made a little noise and winked, and a smile spread across Herys’ face.
A very dark, ominous smile.
Herys grabbed my cheek and stretched it like taffy.
“Ow! That hurts!”
“That’s the price for lying.”
“Can’t even joke? You’re always teasing me!”
Tsk. I rubbed my aching cheek and pouted.
“Put your lips back.”
“Hmph!”
“Or is that what you want, Sisi?”
“What?”
“You know… naughty.”
Under his firm press, I obediently tucked my lips back in.
“You little….”
I muttered a curse while retracting my lips, and Herys giggled at my expression.
“So, what about the Star’s Tear?”
I took his outstretched hand, stood up, and brushed off my dress as I answered.
“I had a servant deliver it to the carriage. It was too big to carry around myself.”
If Estella hadn’t sent a servant, I would’ve struggled carrying it alone.
“Even though we reconciled and got two bottles of the Star’s Tear…”
I was chatting about what happened with Estella when I realized we had passed the banquet hall and grabbed Herys.
“Heren, we should go that way for the banquet.”
“Since we’re already out, let’s get some fresh air first.”
“Tired?”
“A little. It’s so noisy inside; it’d be better somewhere quiet.”
After all, being a spectacle like a monkey in a cage was exhausting.
Estella wouldn’t return for a while, so it would be fine for now.
“Alright, let’s do that.”
I headed with Herys toward the garden, now bathed in darkness.
“What a mess. What a real mess.”
Here and there, everywhere, obscene sounds echoed. I clicked my tongue in disapproval.
“Seems like the garden has always been a place for secret meetings,” Herys commented.
I shuddered and added, “And probably even worse than now.”
It was still somewhat restrained because today was the princess’s coming-of-age ceremony.
“The garden’s no good. Let’s find a corner to sit for a bit.”
Walking, and walking again, I eventually reached a secluded spot no one could find, and collapsed onto a bench.
“Sisi, are you sure it’s okay? If someone sees us, they’ll think we’re having a secret tryst too.”
“Then erase their memories.”
“Didn’t you say not to use it recklessly like you’re going to jail?”
“Don’t you think I’ve used it too much already? Can’t turn back now.”
As we chatted quietly, footsteps approached from afar.
Clomp, clomp. Two sets of footsteps gradually drew near.
‘Coming all the way here? How annoying… really.’
Luckily, they stopped before reaching us.
I sighed in relief—but then a familiar voice pierced the silence.
Two voices, in fact.
“Daphne.”
“Your Highness, you really shouldn’t be doing this.”
The voices belonged to the original heroine, Daphne, and the last male candidate, Crown Prince Kaiden.
Kaiden von Laviaz.
The small sun of the Navia Empire, first in line for the throne.
Light sky-blue hair, golden eyes like a lion, and a natural, kind smile.
Well-mannered, good personality—every unmarried lady desired him.
Currently, he was courting a woman who already had someone else.
“You saw it too, right? The princess has reappeared. Marquis Maze is weak to her. I can’t protect you.”
Wait, what? Why am I being targeted just for standing here quietly?
“No. I promised to protect her. No matter how much she torments me, Rio will be on my side!”
Listening to their conversation, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“This is ridiculous.”
Herys furrowed his brows, clearly confused.
“What’s going on? Wasn’t she dating that shabby guy?”
Shabby… yeah. Compared to Herys, he is.
“The Crown Prince has a crush on her. He’s trying to turn her heart using me as an excuse.”
“A crush? Why…?”
Herys looked utterly bewildered.
“Exactly. I wonder too.”
Why do people of all ages go crazy over Daphne?
“Your Highness, you really shouldn’t do this. Rio will be very angry if he sees this.”
“Daphne, if Rio Maze hurts you, come to me.”
“…I can’t. I’d feel too guilty to Your Highness.”
“You don’t need to feel guilty. Just come to me.”
Oh, come on—anyone would think this is a legendary love story.
I crossed my arms and tilted my head, watching the Crown Prince’s desperate unrequited love.
“…I should be going now.”
See? She doesn’t deny it. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“See you next time, Your Highness.”
Daphne ran off, her footsteps fading quickly.
“Let’s stop eavesdropping like little mice and head out.”
At that moment, Kaiden, left behind, saw me and spoke.
No way to escape now.
As I stepped into the garden where the Crown Prince was, his surprised face met mine.
“The princess?”
“Yes, that’s me. But you must speak clearly. You came here with Daphne, your Highness, while I’m here?”
“Still can’t say a word, huh?”
“I see no reason to yield.”
An invisible spark ignited between Kaiden and me.
“…Princess, how much did you hear?”
“Everything about you trying and failing to tempt Daphne using my name.”
“Hmm.”
I twisted my lips at his embarrassed glance.
‘At least he knows how to be ashamed.’
Compared to shameless Rio or prickly Ethan, Kaiden was the most decent and gentlemanly.
‘Still crazy about Daphne though.’
Herys, following behind, whispered quietly to me.
“You seem close.”
“Well, we were once on the same side.”
I had cooperated with Kaiden once. I had to protect Rio, and the Crown Prince wanted Daphne’s heart.
Our interests aligned, so we maintained a decent relationship.
Until I ended up teasing Daphne.
“Princess, just so you know, don’t touch Daphne.”
“If that were my plan, I would have slapped him the moment I saw him with Rio.”
“True. Someone like you wouldn’t stay still.”
Kaiden was at least reasonable.
“Your Highness, you still haven’t given up, I see.”
“Not true.”
“Not true? You were dripping with longing just now.”
“I only wish for her happiness. She doesn’t seem happy next to Marquis Maze…”
“Your Highness, we call that longing.”
“It’s not longing. It’s concern.”
“Yes, yes, of course.”
Tsk, such a hopeless romantic.
