Chapter 75
All eyes were filled with envy and admiration as they watched Iella step out, escorted by Franz — the man known as everyone’s prince.
Feeling their gazes burning hot against her skin, Iella forced herself to ignore them and looked up at Franz. He, unfazed by all the attention, remained composed and leisurely. Whenever he happened to meet someone’s eye, he offered a courteous nod, as if it were second nature.
Just a few hours ago at Humphries Hill, he had been a completely different person — carefree and wild. And yet, this too was Franz.
Sensing her gaze, Franz turned to her with a warm smile.
This must be another side of Prince Franz too, right?
She brushed aside the thoughts swirling in her head and returned his smile.
Today, I gave this day entirely to the prince. So no thinking. No worrying.
Still under his polite escort, Iella entered the lobby. It was so breathtaking that calling the building itself a work of art wouldn’t be an exaggeration. She had expected grandeur from the exterior, but the interior was equally magnificent and lavish.
They went up to the second floor and Franz guided her to one of the doors along the circular corridor. Their seats were in a central box — directly overlooking the stage.
Only royalty and high-ranking nobles were allowed in these box seats, and this was the very best one. It was Iella’s first time experiencing anything like it, and she was overwhelmed.
The scale of a prince really is different, huh.
Even here, Franz’s impeccable manners continued. He even pulled out her chair for her, drawing the attention of everyone in the box.
“No need to mind them.”
As if saying, Don’t be nervous. I’m right here. His rich smile and gentle tone soothed her. Iella worked hard to calm her racing heart.
“Yes. I’ll try.”
Hiding her trembling with effort, she covered her lips discreetly with her fan and whispered,
“The view of the stage is so perfect from here.”
“Then come watch from this seat anytime you like.”
“…What?”
“Why?”
Iella fidgeted with her hands on her lap before speaking.
“You’re like Genie from the lamp.”
“Genie?”
“There’s an Eastern book called Arabian Nights, and in the story ‘Aladdin and the Magic Lamp,’ the spirit inside the lamp is named Genie. He grants any wish you ask for. He’s a kind spirit.”
“I wasn’t asking because I didn’t know. I was asking how I’m comparable to that blue puffball.”
“I didn’t mean appearance…”
She had thought his blue eyes resembled Genie’s blue body — but she wisely chose not to say it out loud.
“That creature can only grant three wishes. I can grant more than that.”
Iella knew there was only one correct response in this situation.
“That’s true. Now that I think about it, Your Highness is far more capable than Genie.”
In a capitalist society, nothing’s more powerful than money.
She openly acknowledged his superiority and gave him a big thumbs up. His blue eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
Exactly. In a capitalist world, money is power. It’s not even a lie.
Feeling proud of herself, she finally turned back toward the stage.
The wait for the play to start began to feel long. The other noble ladies in their special seats already seemed to have chosen targets to entertain their boredom with.
Their eagerness to not miss even a moment of the live scene was almost applause-worthy.
Half-hiding her face behind her fan in mild discomfort, she heard someone next to her click their tongue disapprovingly. She’d thought he didn’t care — apparently, that wasn’t quite true.
“Some people truly have nothing better to do.”
Unlike his relaxed smile, his voice was cold. Life as royalty must not be easy. It was both impressive and admirable.
Before long, the performance began.
(The script of Romeo & Juliet plays — left as is, since it’s already in English)
It was her favorite scene. Iella focused deeply and was swept into the performance.
The play surged toward its climax. When the two lovers met their tragic end — Romeo dying believing Juliet dead, and Juliet waking only to choose death after finding Romeo gone — the entire audience fell silent and somber. Soft sobs could be heard here and there. Iella too shed quiet tears for the heartbreaking love story.
That look moved Franz more than any spoken praise could. He watched her sorrowful face for a while — tears streaming yet unwilling to look away from the stage. Then, without a word, he held out a handkerchief. Startled, her reddened eyes widened at the silk offered before her.
“Wipe them.”
Tears still clinging to her lashes, Iella looked between the handkerchief and Franz, then finally took it.
“…Thank you.”
Only then did she smile faintly. Her eyes, clear and bright as glass, looked straight at him — and the gaze tickled something inside him. Strangely, he didn’t dislike the feeling.
The emotional afterglow lingered for a long time. It was quite a while later when they finally stepped outside.
“You’re still shaken? I thought you wouldn’t flinch at a story like that. Unexpected.”
Iella felt slightly embarrassed for crying over something so trivial. Franz, on the other hand, looked completely unfazed. Well, it was hard to imagine that face ever crying over love.
Would a prince ever cry for love?
“There are times when one needs imagination and sensitivity, you know.”
Having more or less calmed down, Iella stood as Franz offered his arm. She obediently linked hers through his, letting him escort her out.
“Lady Clarence.”
Her name was called just as they were about to exit the lobby. It was Allen Ziberman.
Allen’s gaze moved naturally from Iella to Franz at her side. Then, her eyes lingered on Iella with a cryptic expression.
Why meet now of all times? If we’d left right after the play ended, would we have avoided this? The pointless thought crossed Iella’s mind.
“Good evening, Your Highness.”
Allen greeted first.
Noticing Iella’s unease, Franz glanced at her trembling arm then acted naturally, as if nothing happened.
“Pleasure to see you, Lady Ziberman.”
“The play was wonderful. The terrace scene was especially striking. Don’t you agree, Lady Clarence?”
Allen directed the question at Iella.
“Yes. I thought so as well.”
“Seems we have similar tastes.”
Allen looked delighted, laughing as though they had found common ground.
What does that mean? A warning?
The invisible tension made it hard to breathe. Fortunately, Allen’s attention shifted elsewhere.
“Oh, this is my cousin.”
Allen introduced the young man beside her.
“David Ziberman. I’m studying law.”
David bowed politely. His smile carried a steady and earnest glint.
He was still young, but his clear eyes reflected integrity and intelligence. Iella thought that in just a few years, he’d likely become a respectable and wise judge.
“A future Chief Magistrate candidate, I see.”
“You flatter me. I’m just studying hard.”
David flushed shyly at Franz’s remark.
“David will surely pass with excellent marks.”
“Allen.”
Embarrassed, David quickly tried to stop her. Allen simply stared at him as if wondering why.
“What? I’m right.”
“I’d like to believe so.”
As David sighed softly, Allen patted his arm reassuringly.
“You will.”
“Thanks.”
The two shared a smile that spoke of a strong bond.
“You seem very close. It’s nice to see.”
“We’ve grown up like siblings since we were young, so we hear that often.”
David looked at Allen fondly.
“It was nice meeting you. Then, we’ll take our leave—”
Just as they were about to turn away:
“Tomorrow night, we’re hosting a ball at our house. Since it’s David’s first time in Biln, it would mean a lot if the two of you could attend.”
“If it’s a ball, my reply should’ve already been sent.”
Lately, he’d been refusing all invitations, both big and small. He recalled declining the Ziberman ball as well.
It was clearly another refusal, but Allen did not back down.
“I’m aware. But I wished to ask in person, even if it means being rude.”
David tried to dissuade her, saying it was fine, but she wouldn’t listen. Her bowed head remained still.
Franz looked down at the lowered head indifferently. He could easily refuse someone who knowingly acted rude — but chose not to.
Iella, feeling her arm tense up against his, was clearly flustered. Why is she so worked up over Allen Ziberman of all people? Franz found it oddly irritating.
How much time passed? Her knees began to tremble, unable to hold much longer. Even her hair ornament quivered.
This is fair payment for rudeness.
“Since you’ve begged so earnestly, we shall attend. You may rise now.”
His dry command came just as she was about to collapse. Though a sigh of relief escaped someone, he didn’t care.
As her legs gave way, David instinctively moved to catch her. Allen stopped him with a raised hand, gritting her teeth to stand while forcing a bright smile.
“It is an honor, Your Highness.”
Honor, huh.
His blue eyes glinted coldly. Even the corners of his lips curled with frost.
Whatever she’s so desperate for — I’ll know tomorrow. It doesn’t feel like she’s doing all this just for her cousin.
