Chapter 50
Haddad spoke instinctively, having realized something.
“Your Majesty, something seems off. If she really were a ‘stranger,’ she wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble.”
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly as I said, Your Majesty. She spent a lot of time with Prince Raencis as his tutor. And now, to suddenly give him a rose… it’s a bit strange.”
The emperor’s anger softened slightly at Haddad’s observation. Just as Daves, who was irritated, was about to speak, Haddad continued.
“However, it’s not entirely impossible.”
Daves stopped mid-sentence and looked at Haddad. Haddad continued with his usual calm expression.
“The stranger hasn’t appeared since that day. We assumed it was because she had lost her power. But if that painter really is the stranger, she might be trying to regain her strength through Prince Raencis.”
“Then what should we do?”
When the emperor asked, Haddad replied:
“Of course, it could also be a misunderstanding. If Prince Raencis truly received that rose, a curse similar to that day should appear, even if not exactly the same.”
Haddad said this while looking at Daves, his gaze seemingly piercing through him.
“Are you implying I’m lying?”
Daves snapped angrily.
“I’m merely giving my opinion… but if it came across that way, I apologize.”
Haddad continued calmly. The emperor then asked:
“Then, what is your opinion?”
“My opinion is…”
Haddad trailed off, his eyes fixed on the rose inside the box. After a pause, he looked at the emperor and smiled.
“There are indeed suspicious elements. Why did that painter approach the prince? It seems excessive to think she merely stayed by his side for money.”
“And?”
“If the stranger has truly returned, and for some reason must stay close to the prince…”
Haddad looked at the emperor.
“We should check for ourselves.”
Daves scoffed at Haddad’s suggestion.
“How do you plan to check? And Raencis won’t just stand still. That bastard…”
Daves stopped mid-curse, intimidated by the emperor’s menacing gaze. The emperor, who had once feared his son might kill him, strangely obsessed over Raen. His fixation bordered on excessive, especially considering Raen’s beauty perfectly aligned with the empire’s ideals.
“You have a point, Daves.”
Haddad finished Daves’ unfinished sentence.
“The painter stayed by the prince. It’s only natural he trusts her. Prince Raencis will not just sit idle.”
It wasn’t unusual; nobles sometimes secretly formed connections with artists or musicians they were fond of.
“How about sending Prince Raencis elsewhere for a while?”
“Elsewhere?” the emperor asked.
“Yes. Currently, the 9th prince, His Highness Lada, is studying abroad in the Rout Kingdom. Prince Raencis will soon reach adulthood. How about sending him there with a diplomatic envoy?”
It sounded reasonable. The emperor slowly nodded and looked at Haddad.
“However, the painter might notice. She could insist on following him.”
“Then that would confirm our suspicions,” Haddad said with a relaxed smile.
“If she follows him, it means there’s a reason she wants to stay close. If not, we can interrogate her more comfortably.”
“Oh, I see.”
The emperor nodded, satisfied with the logic.
‘This isn’t good.’
Daves clenched his fists. Haddad had taken credit for the plan with just a few words.
“Then prepare it accordingly,” the emperor said. Daves, unwilling to lose, quickly left the emperor’s office.
“Always so hasty,” the emperor muttered, about to stand, when Haddad called him.
“Your Majesty.”
The emperor stopped.
“It would be best for you to rest today.”
“Why? Weren’t you the one who said not to skip a single day?”
“That is true,” Haddad smiled lightly.
“But today, the state of the offerings isn’t good. No matter how carefully selected, if they’re not beautiful, they have no meaning.”
“…That’s true.”
The emperor slowly nodded, though unease lingered. He had never missed a day of prayer and feared any negative impact.
“Do not worry, Your Majesty,” Haddad read his expression.
“I anticipated this and have prepared other offerings.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Yes. But it will take some time to make them perfect enough to present to Your Majesty.”
Haddad smiled gently.
“Please allow me a little time. I hope you understand my desire to present only perfection to Your Majesty.”
Everything Haddad said pleased the emperor, lifting his spirits.
“Very well, I’ll wait a little.”
“Thank you.”
Bowing politely, Haddad straightened himself.
“Until then, how about viewing the other artworks?”
“Excellent idea.”
The emperor nodded approvingly. Haddad, with a gentle smile, led him out.
“Shall we go?”
The emperor followed Haddad. His footsteps seemed to take on the colors of the sunset outside, like the hue of blood.
“Diplomatic mission?”
Raen’s face twisted at the sudden order.
“Yes, Your Majesty has commanded it.”
The servant bowed and delivered the message.
Ha. A bitter laugh escaped Raen. It seemed that person was intent on placing him on the emperor’s throne.
‘For whose sake?’
He had no desire to sit on such a vile throne. What he wanted was simple: to leave this prison with Prim once he reached adulthood.
“Tell him I’ll discuss it later.”
Raen’s sharp command made the servant bow and leave the room.
As the door closed, Raen pressed his aching forehead. The Rout Kingdom was where Lada was studying abroad—though it was more like exile than study.
If he went, he would have to stay at least a month, even under the best circumstances.
‘Should I accelerate the plan?’
But he was not yet an adult. He had no idea how to hold onto Prim, nor what to say.
Knock, knock.
Lost in thought, Raen heard a knock. The visitor was obvious.
“Come in.”
The door opened. As expected, it was Prim.
Raen smiled, as if nothing had happened.
“…Your Highness,”
Prim’s face, however, was grim. On her way to Raen’s palace, she had worried what to say.
‘I might have cursed His Highness.’
The words lingered on her tongue, but she could not bring herself to say them.
“What is it?”
Raen immediately sensed her unease and approached. Prim instinctively stepped back. Raen’s footsteps stopped abruptly.
Prim flinched, thinking she might indeed be the ‘stranger.’ Her body moved on its own.
Quick-witted Raen wouldn’t let it go unnoticed.
“What’s wrong?”
His voice darkened.
“Uh? What do you mean?”
Prim forced a casual smile.
But Raen’s furrowed brow did not relax.
“You avoided me.”
“No, why would I? I never have,” Prim said, awkwardly avoiding his gaze.
Still denying it?
Raen crossed his arms and looked at her pointedly.
He stepped closer. With every step, Prim hesitated and moved back.
Thud.
She was cornered. Her back pressed against a cold wall. But Raen didn’t stop. She looked like a trapped mouse.
Raen looked down at her.
“You didn’t avoid me.”
“….”
“You can’t even meet my eyes properly. I said, you didn’t avoid me.”
He spoke each word with weight, leaning closer. His shadow fell over her head.
Prim instinctively shivered.
“I-I’m just… nervous.”
“What?”
Raen leaned closer. She squeezed her eyes shut and blurted out the first excuse that came to mind.
“It’s not easy to face Your Highness. That’s why… I’m… I’m nervous.”
A ridiculous excuse. Prim regretted not preparing a better one.
“….”
No answer came. Prim peeked, and blinked at the sight.
Raen’s face was flushed red. He looked like a boy experiencing his first kiss with someone he liked.
“…Your Highness?”
Raen finally regained his composure and straightened up.
She hadn’t realized how close they were while curling up.
“Sorry.”
With that, Raen quickly stepped back. Not just his face, but his ears were red as well.
