Chapter – 14
The Crown Prince seemed to be studying me, as if waiting for my answer. If he had said the same thing to Icklet, people would have thought, “Typical Crown Prince, making reckless flirtations,” but what use is saying something like that to me…?
“Miss Rosemary Liotium, are you not aware of how it might appear to those who love to gossip, that you are seeking out His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Any story circulating about me and the unattached Crown Prince would inevitably tie Liotium to politics in some way.
It felt like I was reading something I already knew.
If some scandal were to happen, Icklet would misunderstand, and the Crown Prince would go after the misunderstanding, just as in the story.
Sorry, but I have no intention of playing a role that invites such misunderstanding.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but even if I am curious about such matters, I will not seek you out. And I will not relay today’s events to my father or my brother either. I do not wish to see Liotium thrown into upheaval by your reckless actions.”
Today’s incident should remain buried. There’s no need to make it worse.
“I will keep what you did today a secret, but in return, I ask you for one favor.”
“…What is it, Miss?”
“Liotium keeps her distance from the royal family to protect her precious family, and I do the same, Your Highness. So please…”
Lifting the hem of my dress, I bent my knees, needing to deliver words that were polite yet impolite.
“Do not threaten Liotium, Your Highness.”
“Threaten…”
The Crown Prince cautiously reached out and helped me to my feet.
“Miss, I know I was wrong… but if you see it that way, it will hurt me. To an old friend, no less.”
Friend…? I had no intention of ever being in that kind of relationship with the Crown Prince.
“Let me tell you one more thing from back then…”
“No, you don’t have to…”
“I once pestered His Majesty to let me marry someone with your meaning in mind.”
“Excuse me?”
“It means that when someone so important to me acts that way, it also pains me.”
I hadn’t expected the story to be stronger than ‘friend,’ and I couldn’t imagine there could be such a story between the Crown Prince and me.
A warning bell rang somewhere in my head.
I don’t know how I got the Crown Prince sent away.
I quickly told Gerard I had met Count Decard, made excuses to my brother that I hadn’t obtained the information I wanted because I wasn’t in a good mood, and then hid in the study like I was fleeing.
The only thing I had learned was that the Crown Prince’s intelligence network was not yet capable of mapping out the Foundation’s relationships, as there had been no mention of the Foundation or the Eastern slums.
But there were too many strange things. Why was the Liotium Count House, which hadn’t even been mentioned in the story, so involved…?
“…Because of me?”
According to the Crown Prince, if Liotium’s alignment with the royal faction had originated because of me…
My father built his strength to step away from the royal family, and Liotium grew stronger. So the Crown Prince would desperately need Liotium’s support.
“No. Absolutely not.”
Even if I alone were dragged in, I couldn’t allow my father or brother to be swept into the events of the story.
The invitation to the Foundation. The Eastern slums.
If I wanted to resolve these without entangling Liotium…
“….”
I picked up my fountain pen.
The blank paper before me didn’t bear Liotium’s seal. I dipped the nib in ink and hesitated to write a single letter.
“Is this the right thing to do…?”
I was hesitating to write to one of the protagonists, someone I had resolved not to entangle.
And yet, I knew perfectly well that one letter could solve the problems I had been worrying about.
Duke Bihan Kaisers had already offered to help.
If he had wanted to sabotage the Foundation’s work, he would have done so long ago.
For example, no architect in the capital would work with the Foundation, land purchases would run into major accidents and be splashed across newspapers, or he could have exposed my identity to the other protagonists, forcing me to answer their suspicions.
The Duke could have interfered with the Foundation in any number of ways—but he didn’t.
And above all, if the Duke was the person I thought he was, he would never say things he didn’t mean. If he were that kind of person, he wouldn’t have angered Princess Lucia.
Since the Duke, interested in the Foundation’s affairs, had offered to help, he would sincerely assist if I asked.
At least, he was more trustworthy than the Crown Prince and would have less impact on Liotium.
“The question is why…”
Why was he being so courteous and willing to help me? That was the real problem.
“….”
It would be better to propose a transaction. One-sided help could not be trusted.
Then what could I offer the Duke in return for his help…?
Future information.
I made up my mind and finally began writing.
After signing “Rosemary Liotium,” which I never really had to use, I stamped the letter with a lavender seal.
“…I hope this is the right choice.”
I had chosen one way to prevent two, three, or maybe four people from finding out—but I hoped it was not a wrong choice.
[Esteemed Miss Rosemary Liotium,
I have been eagerly awaiting your letter.
Regarding the ‘transaction’ you mentioned, I dare to overstep my bounds and enclose a carriage with a suggested time for you to visit the Count House. Of course, the carriage bears no markings and will move in complete secrecy.
If the timing is inconvenient, please let me know through the person I send, and I will adjust accordingly.
With respect,
Bihan Kaisers.]
Along with the polite letter, a small card with the date and time was enclosed. Late at night, I waited with Rodel at the rear entrance of the estate for the carriage the Duke had sent.
“Miss, should Mr. Dean come with us?”
“We’re not going to fight, so it’s fine, Rodel. Ah, is that it?”
“Seems so, Miss. That’s not our carriage.”
The unmarked black carriage arrived exactly on time. Two footmen got down, and one of them opened the door for me.
With Rodel escorting me, I stepped into the carriage and naturally looked around. Though it looked ordinary outside, everything inside was top-notch, and I shrugged my shoulders in appreciation.
“Surely the Duke’s wealth is impressive.”
“Liotium does not lose either, Miss.”
Rodel looked frustrated as he examined the carriage. Poor Rodel, it seems the other Liotium carriages will all be getting new drivers soon.
“Where are we going, I wonder?”
“Who knows.”
The Duke must have several secret meeting places. Perhaps we’d ride for a while.
Meeting a Duke with underworld ties, we would need mobility.
So wearing a slightly short dress to show my ankles may have been a good choice. I had also worn a wide-brimmed hat with a veil, though that might be a bit inconvenient.
No, I couldn’t waste time worrying about such things. To steer the conversation with the Duke in my favor…
“Uh… Miss.”
“Yes?”
“I think we’ve arrived…”
“Already?”
I hadn’t realized how quickly the time had passed while contemplating what to say to the Duke.
I lifted the veil slightly and looked outside.
“This is…”
It hadn’t been long. We were at Duke Bihan Kaisers’ estate, not far from Liotium’s house…?
The carriage passed through the firmly closed gate and the beautifully maintained gardens before stopping in front of the house.
When I saw the Duke himself, waiting at the door, I froze. Why did he come out personally…?
“…Your Excellency.”
“Miss Liotium.”
He even extended his arm to escort me down. If he had done this even once for the princess, she wouldn’t have tormented Icklet so.
I had no choice but to take his arm and step down, keeping a respectful distance. The Duke looked at me for a moment, then bowed politely.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation, Miss.”
“…Thank you for inviting me to your estate, Your Excellency.”
It was late at night. If anyone knew a young lady had come to Duke Bihan Kaisers’ house at this hour, it would be a huge scandal. How could he call me here? A man so cold to women…
When I looked at him with feigned displeasure, the Duke silently answered my silent protest.
“No one will know that you came here, Miss. And thanks to your thorough preparation, even if rumors arise, I can take responsibility for them all.”
He gently lifted the veil over my hat and offered his arm.
“May I escort you?”
It was hard to refuse when he asked so openly.
With a short sigh, I placed my hand on his arm.
