Chapter 53
“Keck!”
Suddenly choking, Iella let out a strange sound and began coughing.
“Oh my. Sister, are you okay?”
“Cough! Cough! Ugh… I-I’m fine.”
Iella barely managed to stop coughing. With tears welling in her eyes, she looked at him resentfully.
Meeting her gaze, Franz let the corners of his lips curl slightly. Then he took out a handkerchief and gently wiped Iella’s lips. His touch was nothing but tender.
“I-I’m fine.”
Flustered, Iella pulled back and tried to refuse.
“Hold still.”
“Did I get something on me? I’ll wipe it myself.”
Her lips were spotless, but she had no way of knowing that.
“Don’t move.”
His voice was soft, but it carried undeniable weight. Iella obediently froze.
Luisa, watching the scene unfold before her, almost gasped aloud. A strange atmosphere lingered between the two, one that seemed to leave no room for anyone else.
Ah, that handkerchief!
No wonder it seemed familiar—it was the same one she had seen yesterday in her sister’s bedroom.
She had thought its fine weave and delicate texture were unusual, and the handkerchief now in Prince Franz’s hand was exactly the same.
Oh, oh my.
Luisa’s face grew hot, and she quickly averted her eyes, unable to keep watching the two of them any longer.
Iella, noticing Luisa and the others watching, whispered softly to Franz.
“What are you doing? Everyone’s staring at us.”
Franz leisurely enjoyed the attention drawn to them and leaned closer, his lips moving as if to whisper, at a distance almost too close for comfort.
“Call it the eve of the festival. Just play along.”
His warm breath brushed her ear, and the fine hairs on Iella’s neck stood on end, making her flinch.
“W-what about dramatic effect?”
“The plan just changed.”
Franz straightened slightly, fixing his gaze on her. His look bound her in place, leaving Iella unable to move. Their faces reflected in each other’s clear eyes, tension hanging heavy between them.
The air around them carried the aura of new lovers, so much so that even the strolling nobles stopped to watch.
It wasn’t hard to guess what the next day’s gossip rags would print on their front page: “A New Official Couple Is Born!”
Not far away, young nobles who knew one another well were gathered in small groups, letting out exclamations.
“This is it—Franz is definitely taking this year’s club trophy.”
“Isn’t this technically breaking the rules? That guy said he wouldn’t even join the bet!”
“I just heard—apparently Her Majesty the Queen asked him to show the two ladies around the garden. So technically, he didn’t join the wager.”
Someone tried to console the group, but unease lingered.
“Even if Franz changes his mind, what can we do? If he’s qualified, no one can stop him on a technicality.”
“True. He is the biggest donor to the club’s funds.”
As complaints buzzed, Marco appeared at some point, greeting them with a friendly smile.
“Hey. You all got here early.”
Christian waved him over eagerly.
“Marco, you’re just in time. Things are getting good.”
“What on earth…?”
Marco followed the direction of Christian’s gesture and stopped short in surprise.
“Pretty entertaining, right?”
Marco turned his head toward Richard and Andrew.
Richard was grinning broadly, chatting with everyone around, while Andrew sat stunned, eyes fixed on Franz and Iella. Marco went straight to Andrew.
“What’s with that face?”
Andrew glanced at Marco, then turned back.
“What’s going through his head, that guy?”
Marco only gave a faint smile.
“Who knows.”
“I can’t wrap my head around this. No way Franz would…”
Matters between men and women were unknowable to anyone but the two involved—sometimes not even to them. From Andrew’s perspective, this sudden development was bewildering. Still, considering what he knew, it wasn’t entirely impossible.
“There must be something we don’t know.”
“Hmph. As if. There’s no way that kind of romance could actually exist.”
Andrew frowned at Marco, still unconvinced.
“I get you. Honestly, I don’t understand it either. But look at his face.”
Franz’s expression had softened noticeably, far gentler than usual. Whether it was real or fake, had Franz ever shown such affection openly since Chloé?
It was an ordinary, casual touch—not much of a display of affection at all. Yet in this moment, nobody saw it that way. Even if Franz hadn’t intended to send such a message, the outcome was obvious. Could Franz really have been unaware of that?
“If Franz is serious, this is only the beginning.”
“I know. That’s the problem. I’ll have to ask him what’s going on.”
“Cheer up, Andrew. The bet’s not over yet. Yvette and Lois are still yours, aren’t they?”
“Not exactly comforting.”
Andrew gave Marco’s shoulder a weak tap, forcing a laugh.
“Ugh, this weather really makes me crave a drink.”
“Bet the others feel the same.”
“Then I’m heading off for some.”
Soon enough, Andrew led people away from the garden.
As expected, the next day’s predictions came true. Social newspapers and gossip rags alike were filled with reports of Franz’s new romance.
Franz himself was already a figure of great interest, but since little was known about Iella, news of the two together sparked an explosive reaction.
Who is the lucky lady who captured Prince Franz’s heart?
Prince Franz’s tender side… wedding bells soon?
Not an ‘official’ romance but an ‘open’ one—how long will it last?
Most were nothing more than speculation, but curiosity hit its peak.
Most doubted that Franz could really be involved with an unknown young lady. Voices of caution rose, saying that a brief courtesy or polite gesture shouldn’t be blown into wild fantasies. Still, the incident undeniably made the name Iella Clarence known throughout society.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“Everything okay today?”
Franz glanced at Iella as she entered his office and asked casually.
“No. If I become famous twice over, my heart won’t survive it.”
She replied, sitting down on the sofa.
“And besides, nobody actually believed it.”
Franz looked up from his papers to meet her eyes.
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why? It makes sense. Compared to your track record with women, I’m neither a beauty nor someone well-known enough to match you, Your Highness.”
At the mention of his “track record,” one of Franz’s brows twitched, though Iella didn’t notice and went on.
“Anyway, it was an interesting experience. People whispered about me so much that even the teacher scolded them during class.”
Not only in class, but throughout the day, she had felt eyes burning into her, her face flushed hot. She had wanted nothing more than to run away, but stubbornly endured.
To make matters worse, by the time the academy day ended, a maid of Miss Zibermann handed her a note.
After class, at the tea house.
Short and to the point.
It must have been about yesterday’s events rather than the portrait commission. Iella let out a long sigh.
“I want to be the mistress of the Grenville Palace.”
She recalled what Allen Zibermann had once said. With those feelings, it was no wonder she’d be curious.
But Iella worried about what to say to her. If things went according to Franz’s plan, Allen wouldn’t stay quiet. She had already threatened to expose Iella’s double life if she didn’t paint the portrait. This time, it might not stop at threats.
What should I do?
As it turned out, her worries were unnecessary. Allen didn’t seem the least bit concerned about yesterday.
“How is the portrait coming along?”
“The sketch is done. Only the painting remains, but since oil requires multiple drying stages, it’ll take a month or two.”
The commissioned portrait had already been underpainted, but in that moment Iella lied. She herself wasn’t sure why.
“I see.”
Allen nodded, satisfied.
“By the way—you’ve become the talk of society overnight. Congratulations. You’ve changed quite a lot, haven’t you?”
Allen’s eyes swept up and down, taking her in.
“You seem like a different person entirely. If you’d looked like this earlier, your marriage would have been settled long ago… Hoho. Take it as a compliment. You’re that pretty now, so don’t be offended.”
Though Allen smiled, Iella couldn’t help wondering why she was saying such things.
“Thank you. But honestly, I don’t think it’s something to be congratulated for. It’s a little embarrassing.”
“Poor Prince Franz. He didn’t do anything particularly kind, yet people are making such a fuss. Don’t you think?”
Is she implying, ‘No matter how much you’ve changed, you’ll never be good enough for Prince Franz’?
Iella knew she ought to feel offended, yet she stayed calm, her smile as gracious as Allen’s.
“Anyone with a bit of sense can figure out the truth.”
At her words, Allen only smiled knowingly with her eyes.
After parting ways, the image of Allen riding off in Grenville’s carriage with a relaxed smile wouldn’t leave Iella’s mind. That strangely competitive look of hers gnawed at her nerves.
