Chapter 72
King Hendrick, wearing a benevolent expression, greeted Franz warmly as he entered the reception room, exuding his confident presence.
“Welcome.”
“You haven’t been coming to the palace much these days.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“How is it that you’re even busier than Crown Prince Frederick?”
“I purchased the Grand Hotel, which was sold off to the capital by Parix. Even though it’s a historic hotel, its operating profits were declining, and the real owner was drowning in gambling debts. Eventually, it was sold due to poor management, but considering its location, facilities, and scale, if managed by our professional hotel staff, it could yield stable profits in the future.”
“Oh, that hotel. It used to belong to the royal family, right? I heard a famous architect designed it.”
“When Frederick inherits the throne, it would be nice for the queen to travel and spend her remaining years together.”
King Hendrick’s gaze softened as he looked at Queen Elizabeth. Embarrassed, Elizabeth smiled slightly at the warm look.
Watching his parents exchange affectionate glances, Franz calmly sipped the tea that the servant had brought him. It was no longer unusual; he was accustomed to witnessing such scenes.
“It will be run as a membership system, so you’ll need to purchase a membership. Family discounts won’t apply.”
The cold remark left Hendrick and Elizabeth staring in surprise. They looked at each other and shared the same thought:
‘Just like his grandfather—cold and ruthless, not a drop of mercy.’
“So, what do you intend to do with all that money? You don’t have heirs, so are you planning to donate it to society?”
Ridiculous! Are you insane? Why would I do that?
Suppressing his rising frustration, Franz smiled lightly and replied:
“Not at all, Your Majesty. I’m still healthy.”
“True. I occasionally read about your busy life in the papers. You must have your reasons.”
“You read such low-grade gossip, Your Majesty?”
King Hendrick, seeing Franz’s sly smile, responded nonchalantly:
“To call Publica low-grade gossip? Even though it’s your newspaper, that’s harsh.”
Franz had no reply. After all, he and Iela had been featured in Publica, which he had practically used to his advantage. Unlike typical gossip tabloids that wrote baseless stories, Publica’s articles portrayed them as a seemingly genuine, well-matched couple, making it highly credible and popular.
The sudden change in the prince’s behavior had the nobles and commoners alike thrilled. The tale of a pure young lady who captivated the royal playboy, the womanizer prince, and the “Ice Prince” was the perfect fairytale to spark public excitement.
“But why did you come alone?”
“Did you send anyone along?”
Hendrick laughed heartily.
“Why be curious about the private life of a grown son? I only guessed, since I heard you went boating this morning.”
“That kind of attention is burdensome.”
“I heard the young lady found it burdensome too. Why come alone?”
“I didn’t inform Miss Clarence.”
“What?”
Raising one eyebrow as if to say, “See this?”, Hendrick’s gaze was sharp but Franz met it calmly.
“Are you asking me to believe that?”
“You don’t have to, but there’s nothing you can do.”
“How can you act like this if you’re not defying the king’s orders?”
Even as Hendrick’s tone grew sharp, Franz smiled serenely, leaving him speechless.
“I’m not here out of duty as a subject. You called me here as your son, didn’t you?”
Hendrick looked at Queen Elizabeth inwardly thinking:
“You called him, now handle it yourself.”
Franz preemptively spoke:
“Don’t summon me to the palace without my knowledge.”
Elizabeth, about to respond, was left dumbfounded.
“The more you protect her, the more curious I become. When I last saw her, I couldn’t get a good look. What is it about Miss Clarence that captured your heart?”
“Unfortunately, I haven’t captured the young lady’s heart yet. So please, leave it to me and let me be. What if she runs away because she feels pressured?”
“What did you say?”
Queen Elizabeth, exasperated, looked at Hendrick.
“I’ll graciously accept your concern,” Franz said boldly.
The two of them stared blankly at him.
‘Is he really our son?’
“Are you really our son, Franz?”
A completely absurd question. How could anyone doubt him when he inherited his parents’ perfect features and body?
Franz calmly accepted the awkward gaze directed at him, sipping his tea.
Elegant, poised, with a shamelessly calm expression.
“Yes, he is indeed our son, Franz.”
“Very well. Do as you wish. For now, we’ll watch and see.”
Satisfied with their response, Franz quietly took another sip. A faint smile curved his lips under the teacup.
“I’ve heard tea imported from the East Indies is popular. The taste and aroma are truly rich. Perhaps we should switch to this tea at the hotel. Well, I’ll enjoy this tea and take my leave.”
Hendrick and Elizabeth watched Franz’s retreating figure in silence.
By morning, the mansion was bustling with activity due to the carriage from Grenville.
“Why did the prince summon us this early?”
When Laura asked, Iela shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
“You look lovely today.”
Her pale blue silk dress had a wide square neckline. Instead of a flashy necklace, a butterfly-knot ribbon emphasized Iela’s youthful charm.
Though meant to cover the red mark on her neck, it worked beautifully—perfectly, in fact.
“Betty made it.”
“My judgment wasn’t wrong. Well done, Betty.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
Adjusting the dress, Laura smiled.
“Good news early in the morning.”
“Another good news?”
Iela’s mother was unusually excited, prompting her curiosity.
“A proposal has arrived from the Duke of Maurice’s family.”
“What? Already?”
Iela was astonished. They had only recently met, yet events had progressed so quickly.
“Already? Iela, when did the Marquis of Maurice court Louisa?”
Whispering to Iela, Betty explained: “He’s been courting her since the Rose Festival Ball.”
In just a few weeks, events had unfolded at a dizzying pace.
“It’s still so sudden.”
“You’ve been away often, painting for Manchester, so it’s understandable you didn’t know. You’re busy transporting the prince’s portrait to Grenville—do you really have to?”
The reason for her frequent outings was obvious. Recently, her mother had been trying to persuade her at every opportunity.
The perfect excuse was, of course, Prince Franz. He had become an ideal and convenient reason.
“I want to be acknowledged, Mother. I don’t want people to say I used impure methods to paint the prince’s portrait. But that’s not the only reason I go out. It’s fun and fulfilling.”
Her words were sincere. Normally, honesty wouldn’t work, but thanks to Prince Franz, Laura reluctantly stepped back.
“Prince Franz as well… Why hasn’t he proposed until now?”
Muttering discontentedly to herself, Laura soon smiled and saw her off.
“Since the prince is pursuing you, I can’t say more. But you should accept the proposal soon.”
“It’s still too early.”
“Early? You’re refusing other suitors because of the prince. Whether you accept a proposal or meet another man, the choice will have to come soon.”
It was a strictly practical logic. Iela sighed internally.
“Mother, how could I meet another man while thinking of him?”
“True. Honestly, there’s no better match than the prince. I just worry you might suffer.”
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll go now.”
“Behave gracefully, cultured, and elegant. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Though it would be impossible, Iela quickly responded and got into the carriage with Betty.
“You’re becoming more beautiful every day.”
Stepping down from the carriage, Iela bowed slightly. Franz’s first words greeted her. She was momentarily surprised but replied calmly:
“Thank you.”
“I mean it.”
Her charm as a woman was also increasing. It was astonishing how her beauty bloomed day by day.
Until a few weeks ago, Franz had dismissed Iela as an unopened flower bud, but now she shone like a bud on the verge of blossoming.
Watching her, Franz felt a strange mix of fascination, joy, nervousness, and longing.
