Chapter 30
“Hmmm…”
Lerazier stroked his chin, eyeing the two ceremonial outfits back and forth. Calliope did the same.
The boutique madam sparkled with enthusiasm as she explained to them.
“Both of these formal outfits were crafted with the utmost care by our shop. Which one do you think looks better?”
“I’d say the one on the right.”
‘What? Are you serious?’
Calliope whipped her head around toward Lerazier.
‘Obviously, the left one is better!’
She mouthed the words, but Lerazier only gave a nonchalant shrug as if to say, “Is there a problem?”
‘So that’s how it’s going to be?’
Calliope’s eyes curved prettily as she smiled sweetly and spoke kindly.
“Oh my, Your Highness! You really do have a unique sense of fashion, as expected from someone of the royal family! Your color sense is just… so distinctive. (Did you give your taste to the dog? It doesn’t even match the color of my dress!)”
Lerazier also maintained his polite smile as he replied warmly.
“My various experiences as a royal must be helpful even in the trivial matter of choosing formalwear. (Like you’d understand my refined eye.)”
Their eyes met, and intense sparks flew between them.
But since they were both smiling with rounded eyes and curved lips, no one around them noticed.
“I’m truly looking forward to seeing His Highness in this outfit. (Go on, wear it—I’ll laugh my heart out.)”
“And I’m thrilled at the thought of praising the Lady’s beauty. (Look who’s talking. I’m actually the one excited to mock you.)”
The deadly war of inner voices passed unheard by the boutique staff.
The two, after bickering in silence, stood up at the same time and turned to the madam.
“I’d like to try on the dress.”
“Where can I change?”
The madam quickly nodded.
“Ah, yes! My lady, the dressing room on the right is yours. And Your Highness, you may use the one on the left.”
Male and female staff quickly picked up the selected clothes and guided them.
Calliope strode straight into her dressing room without hesitation.
Lerazier also headed for his, but suddenly paused in place.
The staff escorting him asked curiously, “Your Highness, is something wrong…?”
“It’s nothing.”
Waving a hand lightly, Lerazier walked into the dressing room. As the staff hurriedly prepared to help him change, he smiled meaningfully.
“Just as I expected.”
Even while exchanging sweet (actually not) words with Calliope, Lerazier’s keen instincts had done their job.
Moments ago, he had sensed gazes and presence coming from slightly ajar window slats.
It was the people who constantly shadowed him—spies.
Today, their restless movements made them even easier to detect.
He could almost see their panic.
“I mean, I’ve been walking around arm-in-arm with Calliope Verdi, so yeah, they’re bound to panic.”
Anyone watching would’ve thought they were lovers on a date. No wonder the Crown Prince’s spies were shocked.
“By now, one of them should be off reporting. I get why they’re hesitating, though.”
It had been quite a while since he and Calliope began parading through the bustling streets.
Yet, not one person had broken away. That meant one of two things:
Either they were trying to confirm that Calliope and Lerazier weren’t actually close.
Or no one had drawn the short straw to deliver the bad news to the Crown Prince.
“Too bad, but the first one’s hopeless.”
With a face far from regretful, Lerazier’s lips curved into a smile.
Sure enough, one figure eventually peeled off and disappeared from his detection range.
“Lucius will flip when he hears this.”
Now, a full-blown smile lit up Lerazier’s face.
Calliope might not have known, but Lerazier had also staked a lot on this plan.
His public display wasn’t just for show—it was a declaration of war. A signal that he was done hiding in the shadows of the past and ready to act.
“Though I’m not sure if Lucius will get the message.”
His golden eyes gleamed lazily. Soft at a glance—but a closer look revealed a chilling smile.
It was the look of a predator hiding sharp claws beneath its calm gaze.
Meanwhile…
Calliope smiled softly as she looked in the mirror, wearing a deep purple dress she liked.
“Yes, this is the one.”
The staff member who had helped her dress gasped in admiration.
“You look absolutely stunning, my lady! I’ve never seen anyone pull off this style of dress so perfectly!”
“Right?”
“Yes! You truly have an amazing eye for fashion!”
Feeling genuinely flattered, Calliope raised her chin proudly.
“Seriously, that prince has zero taste.”
While she shook her head and mentally trashed the fashion sense of a certain prince, Lerazier was also admiring his reflection in the opposite dressing room.
“I swear, anything looks good on this body.”
And he wasn’t the only one who thought so. A male staff member gushed in awe.
“This outfit was designed based on the most ideal male proportions, but it needs no tailoring at all for you, Your Highness. It fits perfectly…”
Lerazier’s shoulders puffed up with pride. He smiled in satisfaction.
“And she called me tasteless? Who’s the one with no eye for style?”
Both of them emerged from their respective dressing rooms, prepared to mock the other, imagining the other’s shocked reaction.
They stepped out at almost the exact same time.
And locked eyes.
…!
…!
Her amethyst eyes sparkled like jewels. His golden eyes gleamed like spilled sunlight. Both widened in surprise.
“Is this real?”
“This is ridiculous.”
With the same thought, they walked toward each other.
Meanwhile, the madam and staff chattered with unrestrained admiration.
“How can both of them be this perfect?”
“I’m not just flattering you—you both truly look amazing.”
As they stood in the center, the giant mirror reflected the pair side by side.
“Oh my goodness… What a breathtaking couple…”
The madam, feeling as if she’d met the muses of her life, accidentally blurted her thoughts and then quickly covered her mouth in shock.
Calliope and Lerazier, gazing at themselves and each other in the mirror, had to admit it.
“The outfit’s kind of old-fashioned, but now that it’s on, it’s not bad.”
“Surprisingly, that vintage look suits her.”
Both were generous to themselves, harsh to others, and both secretly thought the other’s outfit was tacky.
Of course, they were both wrong.
Just as they finished reserving the outfits and exited the boutique—
“Agnes?”
Calliope frowned, surprised to see her assistant, who was supposed to be at the mansion.
She immediately sensed something was wrong.
“Did something happen at the estate?”
“Yes, Countess.”
Agnes seemed to have rushed here; her usually sleek bob of blue hair was slightly tousled.
She composed herself before speaking.
“Archibald Verdi, the Margrave, is urgently returning to the territory.”
“What?”
“Please, get in the carriage. I’ll explain on the way.”
The two fake lovers, who had been showcasing perfect acting, hurriedly boarded the carriage.
Agnes sat opposite them, and before she could even settle, Calliope pressed her.
“Okay. Talk. What happened?”
Archibald wouldn’t suddenly make an unscheduled visit to the territory unless something serious had happened.
Agnes cleared her throat and began her explanation.
