CHAPTER 68………………………………….
At first, it might have seemed coincidental, but seeing the Crown Prince walking straight toward me, it was clear I was his target.
“Ambassador Leocq, it’s been a while.”
“Your Highness, Crown Prince. Glory to Astaroth.”
“I’m glad you found your daughter. Congratulations.”
“Much obliged.”
“However, I have something to discuss with Miss Edel Wallace here. Would you step aside for a moment?”
“….”
Even though it was Ambassador Leocq, there was no way he could refuse the request of the Empire’s Crown Prince. Not wanting to put the ambassador in an awkward position, I stepped forward.
“It’s an honor, Your Highness.”
Honor my foot. What is this guy thinking?
“Please, converse. We’ll take our leave.”
The ambassador, understanding my intention, took his husband and daughter aside and left. The people nearby naturally gave us space.
“Miss Wallace, this is the first time we meet, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.”
“I’m relieved—you seem to understand what I’m saying well.”
I swallowed dryly. The Crown Prince had remained expressionless since earlier—even when congratulating the ambassador for finding his lost daughter.
Mikhail Petus Astaroth. Crown Prince of the Empire, the male lead of the novel Walk Only on Flower Paths After Regressing, and Riena’s devoted lover.
Jet-black hair like the night, features like a sculpture. Up close, I could see he resembled his half-brother Terrence—but there was a key difference.
‘If Terrence is the dark schemer who smiles in front of everyone, Mikhail is the stoic male lead who only smiles readily at his woman.’
Riena was a kind of savior to him. Raised under a father who treated him strictly as heir and a mother who pushed him to be perfect while aware of his status as a half-brother, Mikhail’s childhood was harsh.
According to the novel, he was so obsessed with perfection that he hid injuries or illnesses, afraid they would be seen as flaws. He would secretly cry when life became unbearable.
Then appeared Riena. Somehow, she discovered his private hideaway and comforted the boy.
“Oh my! Look at that wound! Hold still, I’ll put medicine on it.”
“You’re already valuable as you are. No need to destroy yourself trying to be perfect.”
“You know, no one can be perfect—but that’s why people help each other. Then you can get close to perfect. I’ll help you.”
Along with such gentle words, the girl offered material support and advice. Miraculously, it proved invaluable whenever he faced crises.
Soon, the boy fell completely for her. He grew into a fine young man, loving only her and devoted entirely to her.
There was a slightly less innocent reason behind this: Riena had deliberately approached the young crown prince to strengthen her family’s position and secure a favorable relationship with the future emperor.
She recalled the Emperor’s autobiography from her previous life and devised a plan to become close to him. She noticed the passages where Mikhail wrote about hardships in his childhood. Even his secret hideaway was mentioned.
Eventually, Riena sincerely pitied Mikhail’s unfortunate circumstances, and in turn, she became receptive to his bold affections… ultimately leading to…
‘Oops, I’m getting too absorbed in the novel.’
In any case, Mikhail was someone to watch—he was utterly infatuated with Riena.
“I’ve heard a lot about you from Riena.”
The real Mikhail spoke. Not the novel, but reality.
“She said you’re a really good person. Almost like a friend to her.”
I didn’t exactly agree, but at least it was fortunate that Riena spoke well of me.
“However, there’s something more important. The last time Riena mentioned you, she had tears in her eyes.”
Damn it!
“I never forgive anyone who makes my woman cry.”
The Crown Prince stepped closer to me. His blue eyes glinted dangerously. I instinctively took a step back.
“Remember this. I’ll be watching you from now on.”
In the next moment, the oppressive tension disappeared. Mikhail lightly tapped my shoulder, as if his warning had been a bluff.
“Well, I’d rather get along gently with someone Riena likes. Don’t be too scared.”
This lunatic! How could I not be terrified?
‘Cancel the part where I thought he was a charming male lead! Cancel the part where my heart fluttered!’
Still, it seemed our conversation was over. Once I left for overseas, I wouldn’t even think about the Empire’s direction.
Then, an elegant voice cut between us.
“Where have you been, and what are you doing here, Crown Prince?”
“Mother.”
Before I realized it, the Empress had moved behind me. I hurriedly bowed, but she didn’t even glance at me, speaking only to her son.
“See, the waltz has begun. Go ask the young lady of the Isenberg family for a dance. I hear she dances very well.”
“I apologize, but there is only one woman I will dance with in this world. I will watch the Isenberg lady from afar.”
A faint smile appeared at the Empress’s temple. The Isenberg family was closely connected to the Empress’s natal family, the Duke of Velour. In the novel, she had even tried to pair her son with the young lady.
“You still have such strange tastes in women.”
His gaze flicked sharply toward me.
“First an orphan, now a divorcee.”
Wait, divorcee? Surely she’s talking about me?!
“Mother!”
The Crown Prince flared.
“Riena is not an orphan. She has the Cassius family.”
Couldn’t you defend me a little? Because of you, I just got a scowl from the Empress.
“She’s not even truly of Cassius blood.”
“Your words are harsh.”
Yet the two of them completely ignored my existence and entered a subtle battle of wills. I stood awkwardly, like a shrimp crushed in a whale fight.
‘I can’t just leave…!’
A subordinate had to wait for the permission of their superior before stepping back—it was etiquette.
“Will you keep acting like this? That girl is of no use to the Crown Prince.”
“No matter what my mother says, my mind will not change.”
I resigned myself, waiting for their argument to end quickly, distracting myself elsewhere.
‘Wow, the music is really nice. Everyone’s dancing so passionately. Oh, there’s Diana dancing… huh?’
Then I noticed someone in the dancing crowd staring at me. Leandro, dancing with another young lady, was staring straight at me.
‘Why is he doing that?’
I didn’t understand. When dancing, you’re supposed to focus on your partner, not me.
“Look, the Cassius Viscount is dancing with the Delacent lady.”
I overheard the whisper of maids assisting the Empress, noting my gaze.
Ah, that must be the Delacent lady. I remembered the name. She was Riena’s friend and a supporting character who admired Leandro. Her face was familiar, too.
“Don’t act broke! You sold all the gifts Leandro gave you!”
“You even hired a lawyer with that money! Have you no conscience? And now you slander Leandro?”
She had stormed in during the divorce trial when Leandro was on the defensive. No wonder she was so agitated—she had feelings for him.
The maid glanced at me and continued, speaking to her colleague.
“So for a man like a Viscount, a divorce means nothing? They separated only recently, yet he’s dancing with another woman.”
“The ex-wife’s the only one who looks pitiful. She can’t take her eyes off the Viscount.”
Excuse me? I was glaring! Can you stop framing me as the tragic divorcee? I was the one who suggested the divorce first!
Hearing them talk, I could no longer hold back. While I couldn’t confront the Empress due to status, I intended to snap at the maids.
“Glory to the Empire! His Majesty the Emperor is arriving!”
At that moment, the attendants announced in a booming voice, and the Emperor appeared from the second-floor entrance.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Continue dancing, everyone.”
The Emperor laughed heartily, clearly in a good mood. Behind him, someone walked forward, and the Emperor placed a hand on the man’s shoulder.
“I thank everyone gathered to celebrate me again this year.”
Who is that? Why is he standing so naturally next to the Emperor? Most people in the hall wondered, though a few knew the man’s identity.
“Th-that…”
The Empress looked as if she had seen a ghost. Mikhail also gazed upward seriously.
“Many may not know, but this is Marquis Terrence Freihayden. He’s rather shy.”
The Emperor slyly introduced his son.
“Recently, a shocking truth was confirmed: the Marquis is actually the child of myself and my former fiancée.”
Though long kept quiet, everyone already knew. It was a cleverly staged little drama.
“So, though I’m late, I’ve formally accepted him as my son. Let me introduce him again: my son, Terrence Velber Astaroth.”
Terrence, casually looking down from above, narrowed his eyes.
