Chapter 16
When Edith moved her body to block the note so its contents couldn’t be seen, Clyde couldn’t contain himself any longer. He sprang from his seat.
“What is it?”
“A… acquaintance wants to see me briefly. They’re nearby.”
“An acquaintance? Who?”
His curiosity was obvious as he pressed for an answer.
Edith felt a twinge of annoyance. Why was he so intent on prying into her private life? He had claimed before that he wasn’t particularly interested in her as a romantic partner.
The last time Edith had asked if he liked her, he had agreed without hesitation, but also said he wouldn’t pursue her as crown princess. At that moment, she’d felt something ambiguous—somewhere between personal sentiment and the connection he had as a close attendant.
Still, she had no plans to get deeply involved with Clyde, so it was better to keep boundaries as they were.
Holding the note from Adrian in her hand, she pondered how to explain the situation to Clyde without revealing her intentions. She kept the plan to meet Adrian firmly to herself.
“It’s a friend from the Academy. May I step out for a moment, Your Highness?”
She spoke slyly, gauging Clyde’s reaction.
“Name?”
His calm question returned.
Just asking for the visitor’s name seemed hopeful enough.
In the original story, the two were a couple. Two years later, their relationship would naturally deepen. Even if Edith accelerated their meeting, as novel protagonists, attraction between them was likely. A chance encounter could lead to mutual fondness.
It was lucky that Clyde happened to be nearby the moment she received the note. The circumstances weren’t bad at all.
Everything seemed to be aligning for a positive outcome.
Edith hesitated, thinking hard about what to say, and Clyde pressed.
“Why no answer? Surely it isn’t a friend whose name you can’t reveal?”
Seeing his fingers twitching, eager to snatch the note, she sensed his anticipation for the upcoming incident would only grow.
Pouting, she tucked the otherwise blank note into her chest.
“It’s Adrian Raymond of the Sky-Ice Cliff. I call him Arty.”
Clyde’s dark eyebrows twitched in displeasure.
“Arty?”
“Well, I’ll step out for a moment, then.”
Edith got up slowly, gauging his reaction.
His expression wasn’t exactly bright; it seemed he didn’t want her to go. She hoped his interest was simply that of a concerned attendant and waited for the right moment to speak.
Clyde’s gaze followed her persistently. Even standing with his arms crossed, his attention felt intense.
It seemed the perfect opportunity to cast her bait.
She waved a tempting “worm” that Clyde couldn’t resist.
“Your Highness, would you like to come along? A bit of fresh air, and you could meet Adrian as well.”
“Shall I?”
The answer came instantly. At her suggestion, he decided immediately.
“Sir Raymond and I have only met briefly. This is a good chance to talk.”
“Really? I’m glad it’s helpful to Your Highness.”
Edith smiled triumphantly, and he added a few justifications.
“Besides, working too much is bad for your health. My physician also recommends regular walks.”
A man who trained every morning for fun, exercised, and faithfully went to the shooting range complaining about lack of exercise—Edith found it almost amusing.
“Yes, health is most important.”
She agreed cheerfully with her words.
He stepped out for the unscheduled walk, instructing his subordinates to finish the remaining matters in his absence.
Having observed Clyde’s daily life for a few days, Edith realized he was already more than capable in his role as sovereign.
Even today, he had been busy managing state affairs since morning, with officials entering and exiting the grand office repeatedly to report various matters. He would never be considered idle even if he told those at the end of the queue to come back tomorrow.
If he remained like this when he eventually became emperor, there would be little left to wish for.
Edith walked alongside him along the neatly paved brick path of the palace, imagining a novel-like future.
By nature, he did have some tendencies that could lead to tyranny. He actively expanded the standing army and had a keen interest in firearms.
But when dealing with ministers and nobles, he was extremely strict. She had heard that he could be merciless to those opposing his will.
“Will Clyde become temperamental and blunt as he ages?”
It was hard to imagine him becoming a cruel villain. A self-indulgent tyrant seemed more fitting—a ruler ignoring public opinion, increasing military strength, and enacting strict laws.
“Hmm… that suits him well. If I were the author, I’d make him an aggressive tyrant in the story.”
And then a rebellion would break out, and he’d be a tragic monarch, ending at the guillotine.
Edith found this projection of the crown prince’s character persuasive.
Following her plan, she would retire at the right moment, avoiding any disaster for herself. Even if the protagonist survived, secondary characters often met gruesome ends, so she would be safe.
She planned to involve Adrian to allow a dramatic twist.
The thought of this future brought a genuine smile to her face.
Clyde’s steps led them past spring flower beds toward the maze garden.
“Come to think of it, it’s the first time meeting Sir Raymond since the New Year’s greeting.”
“Arty rarely visits the palace, after all.”
Adrian’s family was of foreign descent, sidelined from central power. They traditionally avoided politics, focusing instead on business to grow their wealth.
“Are you very close? The nickname sounds familiar.”
She couldn’t admit it was because of her.
“Sort of. At the Academy, everyone called him that.”
Clyde complained about the nickname, claiming it was overly familiar and that the full name would be more proper.
The maze garden, with dense emerald trees, was a palace landmark. Tall, candle-shaped trees reached nearly five yards high. The narrow gaps meant brushing past could damage one’s clothing.
At the archway entrance, Edith paused.
“Shouldn’t we wait for Arty? Once we enter, we might miss him.”
“I’ll instruct someone to bring him to the southern point.”
Clyde sent an attendant to guide Adrian and passed through the entrance first.
The maze was vast, and it was easy to get lost. During public openings, some visitors often became trapped. Markers and flags helped prevent this. Clyde led Edith to the southern-point bench.
“Wow, it’s impressive.”
Edith was amazed; Clyde turned back with a gentle expression.
“Well, I wouldn’t know. This has been my playground since childhood.”
“Then you’d never get lost.”
A small laugh was his reply.
The path narrowed sharply after the first corner. Edith’s sleeve snagged on a branch.
“Ah!”
“Wait. That’ll tear.”
He carefully removed the branch, holding her wrist gently.
“You can’t just walk past carelessly.”
His warm hand stayed near her, protective like a fence. Slowly, it settled on her shoulder, seeking her permission.
“You need to be this close.”
His broad arm wrapped around her shoulder. It felt like being enveloped in a sturdy cloak.
A teasing voice whispered, urging her closer, tingling both her eardrums and heart.
The weight of his arm brought a sense of stability. Her hair fluttered faintly with each breath of his.
“This close isn’t necessary…”
She matched his step, moving forward. Her right foot moved, and he mirrored her stride.
At the next corner, a protruding branch appeared.
He pulled her close, now fully in his embrace. His arm hugged her shoulder tightly, molding to her curves.
“See? You need to be closer.”
Her back was warm; his large hand and muscular arm seemed to engulf her entirely.
Trying to remain composed, she couldn’t help but glance up at him. Her wide eyes met his long ones, sparks seeming to fly in the air.
It felt like a movie scene, with the camera zooming in and the leads locking lips passionately.
This atmosphere wasn’t right.
Lightning should strike with Adrian, not me.
No, maybe it’s just my imagination. We just made eye contact.
For now, she acted as if nothing had changed.
“The path is narrow.”
He tightened his fingers on her shoulder. She felt all five, gripping firmly.
Hot. His body heat, her own skin.
“Just narrow enough to your liking.”
They stopped walking. They hadn’t gone far from the garden entrance—just two corners into the maze.
Clyde bent his elbow, turning her toward him.
His gaze felt like a chain; she couldn’t look away. Her lips froze. Words failed her.
The shadow of the tall man fell across her forehead.
