~Chapter 33~
“Ah, so even the twins of House Herolds have arrived safely.”
Marquis Nor greeted both Ares and Aveline, then looked at Count Herolds and frowned.
“Why is your forehead like that?”
“Ah… I was careless and fell.”
“Haha, so even you can fall, huh.”
Count Herolds couldn’t bring himself to say he was hit by a stone thrown by his daughter, so he just made an excuse. Marquis Nor laughed lightly.
‘I feel so guilty.’
Aveline listened to the two men talk and felt uncomfortable.
Just then—
“Ares, did you get home safely yesterday?”
The Crown Prince, Serio, who had been standing beside Marquis Nor, suddenly came over and spoke.
Gasp. Edward…
It was only the second time she’d seen him, but his looks, exactly like her favorite character, were hard to get used to.
His golden hair, blood-red eyes, and slightly tanned skin made him very striking.
“We greet Your Highness, the future light of the Litoria Empire.”
“We greet Your Highness, the future light of the Litoria Empire.”
“…We greet you…”
Aveline mumbled her greeting as she followed Count Herolds and Ares, who bowed quickly.
She hadn’t had much practice greeting people because of her long time staying hidden, and Serio’s sudden approach made her flustered.
“That was short and simple. I like it.”
Aveline hoped nobody noticed, but it seemed Serio had heard her awkward greeting.
‘I’m doomed.’
She had tried not to stand out, but meeting Serio this way made her the center of attention.
To make things worse, as soon as the Crown Prince spoke to Aveline, everyone around them started sneaking glances her way.
“I’m sorry.”
Aveline apologized with her head still down.
‘Please just go away.’
She really wanted Serio to leave, but things didn’t go her way.
“I heard from Ares that you’re quite skilled. Would you like to have a match with me sometime?”
Serio didn’t look like he planned to leave at all.
On top of that, he was challenging Aveline to a duel.
People nearby started whispering.
Until now, Serio had never talked directly to a young lady or made such a suggestion.
And it was not the kind of thing you’d normally say to a noble girl.
Aveline was just as shocked.
‘My first words to the Crown Prince are… a challenge?’
Just as she feared, people started looking at her with pity, as if she must have done something to offend him.
Most young ladies never trained, so people who didn’t know about Aveline’s training probably thought Serio was picking a fight.
“Your Highness, I have something to discuss with you…”
“Count, I’m not done talking to your daughter yet.”
Count Herolds tried to interrupt, but Serio brushed him off.
“Young lady, can you raise your head?”
By the Crown Prince’s order, Aveline had no choice but to look up.
“Open your eyes, too.”
‘Did he notice?’
She had tried not to look directly at him, pretending to keep her eyes closed.
“Now you’re looking at me.”
Serio smiled brightly when their eyes met.
“Wow…”
Because she’d recently dreamed of Edward, her heart beat fast even though she knew Serio and Edward were not the same person.
“Are you not going to cry today?”
Serio watched Aveline try her best to keep a straight face and spoke again.
“Huh?”
“You cried last time, remember? You said I looked like someone you knew.”
“Ah…”
The fact that he remembered made Aveline flustered.
Ares was watching her, as if waiting to see if she would say he was right.
“I’ve been so curious ever since. Who is this person I look like?”
“Well…”
“Yes?”
Aveline opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came to mind.
“Well, if it’s hard to say, just tell me next time.”
Seeing her hesitate, Serio let it go.
‘How strange…’
Not just Aveline, but even Ares and Count Herolds were surprised by the Crown Prince’s unexpected kindness.
“His Highness is letting it go?”
“What a world…”
“It’s just postponed. I’ll ask again next time.”
Serio’s next words made Count Herolds’s face stiffen.
‘Why has Father been acting so strange since yesterday?’
Just a little while ago, he had tried to set her up with Marquis Nor’s illegitimate son, but now he seemed worried about her getting close to the Crown Prince.
‘Wouldn’t it be better for Father if I ended up with the Crown Prince?’
For a noble on the Emperor’s side, having a direct tie to the royal family should be the highest honor.
‘This is weird. And suspicious.’
While Aveline was puzzled by her father’s reactions, a voice came from behind her.
“Sorry, but I already have plans with her that day.”
Someone else had shown up to make Count Herolds even more anxious.
When Aveline turned, she saw the real sender of the flower basket.
Because of the party, Theron had brushed back his hair, showing his handsome forehead.
He always looked good, but with his features on full display, he looked even better.
“I haven’t even said when yet.”
Theron just shrugged at Serio’s surprised reaction, not really caring.
Other people might think his attitude was rude, but since he was already known as a crazy man, it didn’t matter.
“Anyway…”
Theron turned to look at Aveline.
When their eyes met, his blue eyes curved gently.
Seeing him up close made Aveline nervous again.
‘No, don’t say anything…’
But her wish didn’t come true.
“Did you get the flowers I sent?”
Clunk.
“Father!”
Next to her, Count Herolds stumbled and had to be supported by Ares.
“Duke Ribes, were you the one who sent Aveline the flowers?”
Count Herolds barely managed to ask.
“Yes, I did.”
Theron answered before Aveline could stop him.
“Flowers?”
Serio tilted his head.
“So you sent them?”
He sounded like he already knew someone had sent Aveline flowers.
“I heard a giant flower basket arrived at the Herolds estate, and I was curious. So it was you.”
“You sure get news fast.”
“Haha. Didn’t you send something so big on purpose so everyone would hear about it and it couldn’t be hidden?”
Theron just smiled instead of answering.
He clearly wasn’t going to deny it.
‘What’s with these two…’
Caught between Serio and Theron, Aveline felt so awkward.
Everyone was staring, as if waiting for her to explain, but she had nothing to say.
She really didn’t know what was going on either.
Then Theron turned back to Aveline and asked,
“By the way, did you like the flowers?”
His voice was smooth and tempting.
Gulp.
Aveline realized she had swallowed hard and quickly shook her head.
“No.”
“Oh, then next time I’ll pick something more to your taste.”
But Theron just kept smiling, not bothered at all.
“She doesn’t seem to like it,” Serio said with a happy voice.
He seemed pleased with Aveline’s answer.
“Lady Herolds, how about if I give you flowers?”
“I’ll pass on that, too.”
Aveline shook her head again, stepping back so she wouldn’t get caught by either of them.
“I don’t want any flowers. But since you both want to give them, why not give flowers to each other? That would be great!”
Aveline even clapped her hands, backing away bit by bit.
‘Ares, I’m counting on you.’
She gave her twin a meaningful look before slipping away into the crowd.
“Oh, right…”
Seeing his sister’s look, Ares quickly stepped forward to hold the two men’s attention.
Meanwhile, Aveline managed to blend in among the people and escape.
She leaned against a wall in the corner of the hall and let out the breath she’d been holding.
“Ha… ha… I thought my heart would burst.”
Being caught in the middle of Serio and Theron’s fight was exhausting.
‘Does having a high status make your energy that strong?’
She remembered how powerful the Emperor had felt, too.
“I thought you might be hiding here.”
A soft voice spoke.
“Logan?”
When she turned her head, she saw Logan standing there, looking even paler than before.
