Chapter – 05
“So, I was waiting at the back door. If they even sent a proxy, I figured they wouldn’t come in. It’s more of a hunch than a logical prediction, though.”
A hunch, huh. Is there anything scarier than Luke Ventus’ hunch? How many times in the past did he find and rescue Eclett just based on that “hunch” in the story?
Now that we’ve met him, I just have to pray we don’t get caught up in that terrifying intuition.
“I’m sorry, but that must have been our telegram, Sir. We sent a message saying we would come to help the foundation.”
“Hmm… I see. So, the one the representative was waiting for wasn’t the owner but a lover?”
“Excuse me?”
“No? You’re sitting there with that guy, and Marie, you’re, you know… together?”
“What kind of nonsense are you saying, Sir Ventus!”
I stayed still, but Dean was the one who actually flared up at Luke Ventus’ remark.
It makes sense—Dean got upset because someone dared link the lady he serves to a ridiculous story… But that anger must have looked very strange in Luke Ventus’ eyes.
“So, what? You two were lovers?”
“Sir!”
See? Misunderstandings.
“Dean, hold it.”
“…Understood…”
“Thanks for getting angry on my behalf, Dean… And Sir Ventus.”
“Oh? So it’s not the two of you. Just unrequited love, then?”
“None of that is true. Of course, I’m aware that I’m beautiful enough to attract unnecessary misunderstandings.”
“Hmm?”
“But because I’m talented, I have rather high standards.”
“….”
“So even someone like you, Sir Ventus, doesn’t meet them.”
“What? Me? I don’t meet them?”
His sharp black eyes seemed to widen in surprise, as if utterly unthinkable.
Seeing his usually confident expression crumble made a small smile involuntarily appear on my lips.
“That’s just how high my standards are.”
“Eh?”
“Well, we’re busy, unlike you, Sir. I think it’s best we go in now. It was an honor to meet the master of Delua whom I respect.”
I tugged Dean along past Luke Ventus without looking back, even though I felt the heat of his gaze on the back of my head.
Luke Ventus is like a beast—he acts on instinct over reason. If you make eye contact, you immediately become prey. Never turn back.
As I berated myself for my reckless words, I realized I had been too careless lately. It’s been two years of quiet… and now I’ve already interacted with both the Duke of Bihean and Knight Commander Luke Ventus.
Still, the small comfort was Eclett Adrian. Since he’s Luke Ventus’ greatest interest, I’m sure Ventus will forget today’s incident quickly.
Even if later I keep regretting that I couldn’t restrain my words…
“Dean.”
“Yes…”
“Later, sneak a look outside. If no one’s there, sprinkle some salt. It feels like one of those unlucky days.”
“…Marie, why salt…?”
“…It’s a superstition, something from a past life…”
Dean, unhelpful as ever today, only received my sigh as an answer.
“Marie, I think you need to check this.”
While I was reviewing documents, Lennon cautiously handed me a letter, giving me the seat of the representative.
The moment I saw it, I had barely finished worrying about Luke Ventus before an even bigger worry arose.
“It’s troublesome.”
The letter was on the fine paper usually used in the royal palace, sealed with a crimson stamp. Lennon handed me a letter from the Administrative Palace, which oversees royal administration.
The recipient was the head of the Earth Foundation, and the sender was Count Decar, the palace treasurer.
“Of all people… Decar.”
“Since it came from the palace, I thought you should check it first, Marie.”
I didn’t want to open it. My brow furrowed as I reluctantly broke the seal. The letter was simple: a formal invitation. Though full of praise for the foundation’s work, the conclusion was clear—they wanted to discuss the Earth Foundation’s charitable activities.
On the surface, it seemed like the palace wanted to help the foundation. But in reality… a treasurer taking interest in charity is suspicious.
“This is inviting the Earth Foundation’s representative to the Administrative Palace.”
“Me? Then I…?”
“No, Lennon.”
Visiting the palace is a dream for any commoner.
I wanted to send Lennon, but Count Decar was essentially the right hand of the crown prince. That means this isn’t just about the treasurer—this is the crown prince’s doing.
The most inconvenient person among the three nobles? The crown prince.
If he wanted to press me down with my status, there’s no easy way to resist. That’s the biggest problem.
Before he loved Eclett, he was meticulous and calculating, never leaving a single vulnerability. That’s the second problem.
Golden hair unique to royalty, emerald eyes. Always smiling. Every young noblewoman dreams of being the crown princess someday, believing he’ll be a good emperor…
“Do you know, Lennon? Count Decar works for His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Then isn’t that… good news?”
“Hmm…”
The crown prince is the most reputable member of the royal family, so Lennon’s reaction was natural. Surely he wouldn’t block charitable work.
If only I didn’t know that “he” was the crown prince from the novels… then I would have assumed the same thing.
“Maybe he already knows, Lennon… that I’m the real representative.”
“…You mean me, as a proxy?”
“I don’t think they know me personally, but they probably know that Lennon is the proxy. That’s why the invitation was sent this way.”
Of course the noble Administrative Palace wouldn’t ‘invite’ a foreign-born commoner like Lennon just because she’s the head of a foundation.
Instead of naming Lennon, they addressed it to the ‘Earth Foundation Representative,’ clearly intending to summon the true head. That’s exactly what the crown prince wants to check.
It also seems Duke Kaiser hasn’t told the crown prince that the real head is Rosemary Riotium.
“Lennon, you focus on securing the library site. How far along are we?”
“The building site has been secured. Most people in the slums, who are desperate for money, rarely refuse… But you mentioned creating gardens and shopping areas around the library, right? So we’re identifying the land needed while consulting with architects.”
“We’ll also need other advisors. I’ll look into it and let you know.”
“Understood, Marie.”
“I’ll leave now. I may not come to the office for a while. Send important matters through multiple channels.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Inform the foundation too. More eyes are watching now.”
Exiting the foundation building, I mounted my horse. Dean, who would normally be ready to escort me, climbed on silently, keeping watch.
“Dean.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“You’ll have to do me a favor. My father is at the estate now.”
Since the Riotium estate isn’t far, my father often travels between the estate and the capital. If Dean rides quickly, it’ll take about half a day to reach him.
“Bring my father. I’ll tell him I need to enter the palace. He’ll prepare immediately.”
“Understood.”
Dean bowed and immediately turned the horse in the right direction.
Once father returns, I can enter the palace within four days at most. Ideally, I’d coordinate it for the weekend.
I would accept the Administrative Palace’s invitation, but since they made the first move, I have no intention of complying passively.
“I don’t want to see the crown prince, so I’ll need to negotiate with his subordinate first.”
Thanks to my father, Count Riotium, entering the palace itself is easy. Following him into the most dangerous place… risky, but doable.
Still, I was confident. I’ve been in the capital, the same stage as the protagonists, for two years, avoiding them successfully.
After encountering them head-on like this, only one remains—the most difficult person to meet, and someone I cannot meet even if I try. But I felt fine.
“Riotium…?”
“…May I behold the light of Vientia?”
I never expected to face him alone.
I slightly lifted my dress and bowed deeply.
God, isn’t this a bit much? Cornering me like this, at the worst possible timing.
I could hear the sound of my carefully laid plans collapsing.
“Please, rise, my lady.”
“…Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Those emerald eyes refused to look away. I had no choice but to avert my gaze first—a breach of royal etiquette.
“I… I beg your pardon, my lady. I cannot bring myself to avert my gaze from you.”
For a moment, I almost asked back, breaking every rule of court etiquette.
Crown prince, why are you like this again?
