TLVGAJ 60

~Chapter 60~

For a while, I was completely absorbed in teaching Finn how to read.

Every morning, after breakfast, Finn would arrive holding the butler’s hand.

I diligently taught him how to read and write letters.

Sometimes we would talk about different topics and practice spelling words; other times we read books suited to his level together.

It reminded me of the tutoring I used to do in my previous life to earn money.

Among all the students I had ever taught, Finn was the most passionate child.

It made me wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t decided to teach him.

Thanks to that, his skills improved day by day. My passion to teach sincerely, and Finn’s desire not to disappoint me, created the result.

Several weeks passed like that.

One day, Finn came holding the butler’s hand—and in his other hand was a newspaper.

“Young lady, I think I can read this now! The newspaper!”

He spoke with an excited face.

As the butler left after a polite nod, I smiled at Finn.

“Good, Finn. Then, could you read the headline on the front page for me?”

“Yes!”

Finn spread the newspaper wide on the table and cleared his throat.

I closed my eyes on purpose. I wanted to hear him read the article himself.

Soon, his hesitant little voice began.

“Third prince, Albert…”

“….”

“Crown Prince… title… receives.”

…What?

My eyes flew open at the headline.

Finn continued reading, not knowing anything.

“Hasht imperial succession… confirmed…”

“Wait, Finn.”

In a rush, I stopped him and reached out my hand.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but can I see the newspaper for a moment?”

“Uh? Yes, here…”

Puzzled, he handed it over.

I quickly looked at the article he had been reading.

‘Third Prince Albert Receives Crown Prince Title… Hasht Imperial Succession Order Confirmed.
Prince Albert, having completed the Grand Tour… to be granted Crown Prince title.’

It was news about Albert being granted the Crown Prince title.

My pupils widened.

It was a familiar headline—the same news that appeared in the novel right after the story began.

“Young lady?”

“Uh?”

I turned to see Finn tilting his head at me.

His face clouded over.

“Sorry… I thought I could do it, but I must have read it wrong…”

“Gasp—no, that’s not it, Finn!”

I quickly waved my hands, realizing he misunderstood.

“You read it perfectly. I was just surprised at the content of the article.”

“Oh… really?”

“Yes. You did so, so well, Finn. You can even read the newspaper now. You’ve improved so much.”

“Hehe…”

When I praised him and stroked his hair, Finn blushed shyly and looked up at me.

“Well then, shall we keep studying? Let’s continue reading the newspaper.”

“Yes, I’d love to!”

Finn nodded vigorously and continued reading.

As I watched him, smiling, my expression slowly stiffened.

Soon, the Crown Prince title ceremony would take place.

It meant the story was beginning, and I would have to face the male lead.

<Crown Prince Title Ceremony>

Banners fluttered.

Carriages rolled endlessly into the imperial palace. Nobles dressed in finery stepped down and entered the outdoor banquet hall.

“Wow, the imperial events are really huge. It looks like most nobles of the empire are here.”

“Indeed.”

It was the day Albert returned from his Grand Tour and was formally granted the Crown Prince title.

I entered the banquet hall with my parents, Sophie, and other nobles.

It felt strange to be attending an event that had only been a brief line in the novel.

‘Honestly, I didn’t even want to come…’

But there were events one could skip, and events one absolutely couldn’t.

This was the latter.

As a high noble, I had to attend whether I wanted to or not.

Even if I didn’t want to see Albert’s face, I had no choice.

So…

‘Get through this as quickly as possible, and leave the moment it ends!’

That was my goal for today.

I also had no intention of staying long in the tense battlefield of noble social politics.

Repeating my resolution, I sat in the seat prepared for us.

As high-ranking nobles, our seats were at the front, with a clear view of the platform.

As I sat quietly waiting for the ceremony to start—

“…Huh?”

I noticed them.

Three young men in uniform sat in chairs on the platform.

They were Albert’s half-brothers, born from the Emperor and Empress.

Judging by their order, they must have been seated according to rank.

I looked at them one by one.

First Prince Cedric.
Second Prince Freddie.
Fourth Prince Jamie.

Yes, that was their names, if my memory was right.

They all had black or brown hair, resembling the Emperor and Empress.

But their expressions were far from pleasant.

Nor did they bother hiding their displeasure.

“The three princes must be upset today. Especially the First Prince—he always wanted the Crown Prince title.”

“I know. This must sting.”

I heard nobles whispering nearby.

My gaze went to the first seat.

Cedric sat there, glaring sharply at the center stage where Albert would stand.

The air around him was tense.

“Soon, the Crown Prince Title Ceremony will begin. All guests, please take your seats.”

The host’s voice rang out.

The noisy hall grew quiet as nobles returned to their seats.

The Emperor and Empress appeared.

The Emperor radiated dignity.

Beside him was the Empress—Jeanne.

Though officially the Empress, in society she reigned like the Empress Dowager herself.

With her charisma, she walked proudly at the Emperor’s side.

The atmosphere of the banquet grew heavier at their entrance.

As they sat, the host announced:

“Now, His Highness Albert von Hasht, the main star of today’s ceremony, will enter.”

Thud, thud.

Steady footsteps echoed. Turning back, I saw armored imperial knights marching in.

They lined the central aisle, stopping in perfect formation.

Clang!

Their swords struck the ground in unison.

“Wow…”

Some nobles gasped, as if watching a grand performance.

And then—

Down the path the knights had formed, a man entered.

Shining more brightly than ever today—

the male lead of this world, Albert von Hasht.