CHAPTER 29
“I have plans.”
“What kind of plans? Don’t tell me… you’re not going to a party, are you?”
The Marchioness narrowed her eyes, arms crossed tightly. Claire immediately realized what was going on from the spiteful look on her face.
Ivy and Matilda must have tattled.
As she suspected, the Marchioness had been briefed by the maids and came here with the intention of interfering.
“Claire, why are you always so rash and thoughtless?”
The Marchioness let out a deep sigh as if dealing with a problem child, but the jealousy and anger in her eyes were impossible to hide.
Ever since Claire had suddenly declared her relationship with Theodore, the Marchioness had fainted from sheer outrage upon hearing the news.
The illegitimate child she had intended to use as a pawn for a profitable marriage had now become the Crown Prince’s lover—untouchable and beyond her reach.
So furious she was nearly driven insane, the Marchioness had shrieked and thrashed on the floor in a fit of rage.
“His Highness the Crown Prince must be mad! How could he go for that half-wit…! Oh, how I’ve been fooled! Argh!”
Still, there was nothing she could do, so she kept uncharacteristically quiet for several days.
It would’ve been better if she had stayed that way, but the Marchioness resolved to sabotage Claire’s future however she could.
There’s no way I’ll let that bastard child become the Crown Princess!
“If you’re fortunate enough to become His Highness’s lover, you should behave with dignity and modesty!”
Her voice rose as she glared at Claire.
“A girl who hasn’t even been properly educated in nobility is already distracted by pleasure and going out? Don’t you realize this brings disgrace not only to His Highness but also to our household?!”
“Don’t worry, Grandmother. I’m not going out for fun. I’m making my debut in society.”
Claire smiled smoothly, easily countering the Marchioness’s words.
Taken aback, the Marchioness had been hoping to crush Claire’s spirit.
“That’s not something you decide on your own! I’ve already found you a good teacher. Madam Garner. She’s an expert at turning unruly girls into refined noblewomen.”
At the familiar name, Claire furrowed her brow.
Madam Garner was a cruel woman who had abused Priscilla under the guise of education.
If she didn’t like something, she’d beat your palms or legs with a rod. Claire had even gotten into a huge fight with her once.
She’s trying to sic that woman on me again?
That wasn’t going to happen.
“I don’t need that kind of education. I already received training before I came here.”
“What?”
“I came here expecting to be trained as the family successor. Was I wrong?”
“Have you lost your mind?!”
The moment the word successor came out of Claire’s mouth, the Marchioness’s expression twisted as she pointed accusingly.
“How dare you aim for the heir’s position?! That belongs to our Alex!”
“Yes, after Grandfather. But if Uncle doesn’t marry or have children… wouldn’t it naturally come to me?”
“You… you…!”
Her sweet, smiling face was infuriating. The Marchioness grabbed the back of her neck as her blood pressure spiked.
Even more vicious than her aunt!
Fuming, the Marchioness snapped with a harsh glare.
“The way you talk so shamelessly just shows how poorly you were raised. Until Madam Garner’s lessons are over, forget society! You’re banned from tonight’s party!”
“That’s going to be a problem.”
At that moment, the door opened and a calm, unfamiliar voice rang out.
Seeing Theodore suddenly appear, the Marchioness nearly fainted.
“Y-Y-Your Highness?! Why are you here…?!”
“Why else? He came to escort me.”
Claire answered nonchalantly.
Theodore was dressed in a cream-colored formal uniform that matched Claire’s outfit perfectly.
“What? You…!”
Only then did the Marchioness realize Claire wasn’t going to the party alone. Her face turned red and blue.
That cunning little witch didn’t say a word on purpose!
Flustered, she quickly switched gears and pleaded with Theodore.
“It’s so nice to see you, Your Highness. I apologize, but Claire still needs proper instruction. She just needs a little more time before—”
“Marchioness Ravello, your words are rather harsh toward someone I care for and cherish.”
Standing behind Claire, Theodore frowned and made his displeasure clear.
“Are you saying I chose someone unworthy to be my partner? Are you questioning my judgment?”
“N-No! Of course not…!”
“Of course not. There’s no one in the world as lovely as Lady Ravello.”
With a crooked smile, Theodore tilted his head affectionately toward Claire.
“Wouldn’t you agree?”
“…Well, only when it comes to Your Highness.”
Claire linked her arm with Theodore’s, trying not to blush.
“Then what would Your Highness think if I were forced to study under a cruel teacher who beats her students?”
At her deliberate question, the Marchioness visibly flinched.
“I’d never let that slide. Not the teacher, nor whoever dared assign such a person to you.”
Theodore’s voice turned icy. The warmth vanished from his face, replaced by a chilling coldness.
“Why? Has someone tried to do that to you?”
“Well, you see—”
As Claire deliberately stalled, the anxious Marchioness burst out:
“N-No, of course not! Claire, hurry along to the party with His Highness.”
“What about Madam Garner’s lessons?”
“Why would you need those? J-Just ignore them and enjoy yourself.”
Trying to force a smile, the Marchioness’s face twitched.
Claire smiled back at her. After this scene, the Marchioness wouldn’t dare bring up lessons again.
Hand in hand, Claire and Theodore left the mansion and boarded the carriage. Claire commented with amusement:
“I’ve noticed, Your Highness… you’re surprisingly good at saying cheesy things.”
He was good with words, yet awkward with physical contact.
Even earlier, he tensed up slightly when she linked arms with him.
Claire was the opposite—words were harder for her than touch.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I thought you’d be terrible at it.”
Theodore crossed his legs and muttered with a faint smile.
“When I was younger, I often regretted not saying the right things. Now I try not to make that mistake.”
The weight behind his casual words made Claire pause. Then he lifted his chin and grinned confidently.
“I believe in doing things properly—so you can look forward to more.”
His words carried more than confidence—they carried a strange sense of joy.
Claire couldn’t help but worry a bit.
To her knowledge, Theodore had no experience with romance. Even when she was Priscilla, she’d never seen him around women.
The Crown Prince who treats women like rocks.
Can such a man convincingly act like he’s in passionate love?
I’ve never dated either… Maybe that’s why I’m worried.
If Theodore stumbled, she’d have to cover for him.
Sensing her thoughtful expression, Theodore spoke lazily:
“Don’t worry. You only need to do one thing.”
Their eyes met, and the Crown Prince gave her a dazzling smile—one that would make any woman fall deeper in love.
“Enjoy yourself.”
The Marquis Mitchell’s party was attended by several well-known nobles from the capital.
The marquis was from a prestigious family, and his second son served under the Crown Prince. Many people came hoping to form a connection.
Theodore and Claire arrived last.
“His Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Ravello…!”
“Seeing them arrive together—perhaps they really are that close?”
“I still can’t believe it, even seeing it with my own eyes.”
All eyes were on their joined hands.
The distance between them had clearly lessened.
Some nobles had been hoping the relationship wasn’t real, or at most, a fleeting flirtation. They clung to that slim hope.
For them, the sight of the two dressed in matching outfits was a nightmare.
Through the murmuring crowd, Jake approached with his parents.
“Your Highness, it’s an honor to see you. I hope you’ve been well?”
“It’s been a while, Marquis Mitchell. Marchioness.”
“Yes, I apologize for not visiting more often after entrusting our unworthy son to you.”
With the same face as his son, the Marquis gave a warm smile.
“It’s lovely to see you, Lady Ravello. That dress suits you beautifully.”
“Thank you, Marchioness.”
Claire responded with polite gratitude.
Then Jake, after exchanging a glance with Theodore, raised his voice clearly:
“I heard you confessed your feelings to Lady Ravello at the National Theater and became a couple. Did I perhaps get the details wrong?”
It was a deliberate move to shatter the denial of those still refusing to believe in the relationship.
All eyes turned to Theodore, hoping he would deny it.
“There’s nothing wrong.”
“Then, you and Lady Ravello are…?”
“In a serious relationship—”
“My darling.”
Just as Claire shyly tried to respond, Theodore boldly declared:
“We’re each other’s darling.”
More powerful than lover, dating, relationship, or partner, it was a word full of intimacy.
Claire and Jake nearly choked on their own tongues.
“I hope from today forward, no one questions our relationship again.”
Theodore turned to the room and issued a firm warning.
Someone, unable to accept it, asked weakly:
“D-Did you say ‘darling’?”
“Darling.”
“I thought I heard ‘jarling’…?”
“Darling.”
“I-I heard ‘baby’…!”
“Baby? That’s fine too.”
A mischievous yet affectionate smile curled at Theodore’s lips. At this point, he might as well have been a theater actor.
His usually sharp, wolf-like eyes softened as he gazed at Claire.
“What do you think, darling?”
…Your Highness has officially lost his mind.
