~Chapter 66~
A few days later.
I rode a carriage heading to the imperial palace, with Emily sitting beside me.
“Emily, you must politely apologize for what happened last time.”
“Yes, I understand…!”
I reminded her firmly, and she nodded her head hard.
Today was the day to carry out my second plan.
Even if the main male lead and heroine failed once, I couldn’t give up.
I had requested Albert for a tea time, insisting on visiting the palace myself.
I was determined to somehow connect the two of them.
By chance, today Sophie was scheduled to help at Lady Elina’s estate, so I told her not to worry about not having a maid to accompany me—I would naturally take Emily along.
‘Of course, I actually planned the date this way so I could bring Emily instead of Sophie.’
Anyway!
My plan was simple: during tea time with Albert, Emily could also apologize for her mistake.
That might even give her a chance to make a better impression.
Since Albert must still remember Emily’s blunder, at least it would leave her marked in his mind.
‘Yes, it’s not too late. Their relationship can still be fixed.’
After some time, the carriage entered the palace.
We passed the gates, and soon stopped in front of the grand Crown Prince’s palace.
It stood proudly in the center of the imperial grounds, befitting the future emperor.
‘So Albert really has become the Crown Prince.’
Looking at the magnificent palace made me realize again how high his position was.
To me, he was just someone I wanted to avoid… but still, he was the male lead. What power, what grandeur. Truly impressive.
When we stepped down and entered, a maid bowed politely.
“Lady Hartmann, welcome.”
“I came to see His Highness the Crown Prince. I already scheduled an appointment.”
“Yes, I confirmed it. I’ll guide you to the parlor.”
She bowed and led the way. She glanced once at Emily, but seemed to assume she was just an attendant.
As we walked toward the parlor, I suddenly heard footsteps coming from the stairs.
Turning my head, I locked eyes with a familiar man.
“Oh?”
“Oh?”
The man’s eyes widened when he saw me.
Tall and sturdy, dressed casually in a shirt—Eric Hathersen.
It had been so long since I’d last seen him.
“Eric?”
“My Lady. To meet you here of all places.”
Eric came all the way down the stairs and walked toward me, smiling warmly.
“It’s really been a long time. Have you been well?”
“Yes, I’ve been fine.”
I smiled back.
So it really had been a while. The last time was after our parting in the Harmen Kingdom.
I didn’t think we would ever meet again, yet here we were.
Maybe because he was my favorite male lead, I felt unexpectedly happy to see him.
“So, what brings you here, Eric?”
I asked while looking up at him. He smiled.
“Well… I came to see that fellow Albert. I have something to discuss with him.”
He didn’t elaborate. Instead, he changed the subject.
“What about you, My Lady? Why are you here?”
“Oh, me? I came with Emi— I mean, I also have something to talk about with Albert.”
Haha, I almost blurted out the real reason.
“Ah, speaking of which…”
I suddenly remembered—the heroine was standing right beside me!
‘That’s right, I need to arrange Eric and Emily’s first meeting anyway.’
Originally, they were supposed to meet during the pickpocket incident, but I had ruined that by catching Derrick myself.
This could be a good replacement chance for Emily to leave an impression on Eric.
Thinking that, I stretched out my hand toward Emily.
“Eric. How about this girl? Isn’t she lovely?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Today I brought her instead of Sophie. She was sent to help with cleaning, and she’s so pretty that I’ve taken a liking to her recently.”
Well, Eric?
This is the woman you’ll fall desperately in love with one day.
Don’t you feel something? A sudden spark of interest?
Like you just want to talk to her, help her, protect her?
I eagerly studied Eric’s reaction.
But—
“…Ah, I see.”
Eric only gave Emily a brief glance, then turned back to me.
“By the way, My Lady, the ornament you gave me—I’ve been using it well. I attached it to my sword, and whenever I see it, I think of you.”
“…Really. I’m also using the handkerchief you gave me.”
“As long as you’ve been well, I’m truly glad.”
Haha.
‘It’s ruined…’
“Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
After waiting a little in the parlor, Albert appeared, wearing his blue uniform.
“Did you wait long? I was delayed organizing something.”
“Not at all, Your Highness.”
Compared to how he once waited more than 30 minutes for me, this wasn’t waiting at all.
Swallowing those words, I heard him ask:
“So, what brings you here? I didn’t expect you to come all the way here for tea time.”
“Well, it’s nothing special…”
I glanced at Emily beside me.
“This girl wanted to apologize for her mistake the other day.”
“…Ah.”
Albert’s eyes turned toward Emily.
Go on, apologize! I nudged her with my eyes, and she bowed quickly.
“I’m truly sorry for last time, Your Highness. I’ve reflected a lot.”
“…”
“I promise such a mistake will never happen again!”
Albert looked at her with a slightly surprised face, then nodded.
“…Alright. I already forgot about that day, so don’t worry too much.”
His tone was gentle, as if to reassure her.
‘Is it because she’s the heroine? Or is he just always this kind to the people?’
Feeling uncertain, I frowned slightly. Then Albert looked back at me.
“By the way, I actually had something to tell you.”
“Yes?”
“Soon, a priest from the Harmen Kingdom will come to see you. They’ll be checking your condition, so I’d like you to cooperate.”
“Ah…”
I pouted.
Here we go again—another talk about saving me.
“You’ve only received treatment from the Hasht Empire’s temple so far. I thought perhaps the Harmen Kingdom’s temple might be different, so at least let them examine you once.”
At that moment, I remembered Eric.
So that was why he came to see Albert earlier—about me, about saving me?
Honestly, I didn’t want to meet another priest. Fabian already checked on me regularly.
And both temples served the goddess Irine anyway—what difference would it make?
But still—
“…Yes. Alright, Your Highness. I’ll wait for them.”
I nodded quietly.
If it meant Emily could spend more time around him, I was willing to step back a little.
As long as I kept meeting Albert, Emily would also appear before him more often.
So I pretended to agree to his plan.
At that moment, Albert noticed his cup was empty. He signaled to the maid behind him, who brought the teapot to pour him more tea.
“Wait!”
“…?”
Albert tilted his head and looked at me.
>.<