chapter 8
“Hello, Your Highness the Prince.”
Celestine greeted him with a warm, sunny smile and a gentle voice. Anyone who saw her would think she was breathtakingly beautiful.
‘In the original story, they said she had a somewhat crazy personality, but her appearance was flawless.’
And with George being the kind of man who went crazy over women, there was no way he wouldn’t be drawn to her.
Celestine fixed her sparkling eyes on him, and George, disgustingly enough, returned a subtle, sly smile.
“…Was that a greeting to me, young lady?”
“Yes, of course! It’s a true honor to meet you!”
George seemed a little surprised by her sudden appearance, but he didn’t look displeased—in fact, quite the opposite.
“Hmm, hmm.”
He covered his mouth, cleared his throat a few times unnecessarily, and then, in a slightly husky voice, asked Celestine,
“Are you the young lady invited to the Crown Prince’s banquet?”
“Yes. I was graciously sent an invitation, so here I am.”
“I see…”
“I actually came early, excited to attend, and now meeting you as well… today is truly a day full of wonderful things.”
Celestine forced as cheerful an expression as she could muster and looked at George.
Up close… he was truly ugly.
And for some reason, his gaze felt unpleasant, like he was appraising her as if she were meat on display in a butcher shop…
“I’m pleased as well, to meet such a beautiful young lady. Seems I’m having a particularly lucky day.”
Oh. Definitely a man obsessed with women.
A flicker of hope sparked in Celestine as she smiled innocently, trying her best to appear attractive.
As she smiled at him, George flinched slightly.
When she noticed the flush rising in his pockmarked cheeks, she felt an almost violent impulse to punch him.
“What family do you belong to?”
He might survive this banquet, but sooner or later, Hella would have him killed.
There was no need to reveal her identity prematurely. Especially considering what she was planning from now on.
“Oh, I got so excited that I forgot to introduce myself. My apologies. I am Grace, daughter of the Antiana Viscount family.”
Celestine quickly mentioned a family she had once heard from Greg, along with a hastily made-up name.
…Wait, why did I hear about the Antiana family from Greg?
“Grace…?”
Melsi, who had been sent by her mistress, muttered in disbelief, clearly thinking Celestine had gone mad.
“The young lady is the daughter of the Antiana family?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“But I heard their only daughter passed away suddenly not long ago.”
Damn it. So that was why she mentioned needing to attend a funeral.
Celestine ignored it and continued, forcing a sad tone,
“Yes… I was so saddened when I heard the news. I actually grew up in the orphanage supported by the Antiana family, and they helped me for many years. Later, the viscount couple, who had lost their own child, adopted me.”
A perfect, smooth lie.
“So, technically, I only recently became the daughter of the Antiana family. That’s why Your Highness may not know me.”
“I see. Seems that’s what happened.”
George, slow to comprehend, nodded as if understanding.
‘Adopted child.’
But his brain wasn’t completely dead. As Melsi had said, George was a notorious womanizer.
Unfortunately, due to being extremely unattractive, he had never been with anyone, despite being a prince.
‘He seems to like me…’
Apparently, it was love at first sight—or at least some strong interest.
Celestine thought it was the sort of crazy idea that would make her want to beat him senseless.
‘He likes me despite my looks… and being adopted. Also, the Antiana family isn’t all that powerful.’
Perfect for a little short-term manipulation.
George smiled with satisfaction.
“What a shame, Grace. If today weren’t the birthday banquet, I’d happily take the time to enjoy some fun with you.”
“Oh… really?”
Celestine, embarrassed, had only one thought in her head:
‘There’s only one way now.’
“Of course. Though I am very busy, I am not so busy that I can’t spend some secret, pleasurable time with a woman as beautiful as a flower.”
Wow. What an absurd, outdated line. Celestine forced herself to suppress her disgust and quickly continued.
“Then, would you like to have a brief cup of tea?”
“Tea?”
“I was invited to the banquet as well. It seems His Highness the Crown Prince appreciates my family’s long history of supporting the orphanage.”
“Hmm…”
“There’s still some time before the banquet. If Your Highness the Prince doesn’t mind, it would be a great honor for me.”
George seemed to ponder for a moment, then took a pocket watch from his vest to check the time.
Celestine had been right. There was plenty of time for tea.
“Alright, let’s do that.”
Having made up his mind, George looked at Celestine.
“Oh, I’m so happy, Your Highness!”
“You have a cute side, young lady.”
George gave a disgusting smile, and Celestine quickly scanned the area—specifically, the knights still standing guard nearby, even as they spoke.
“Will… they all be coming too?”
Celestine asked carefully. George shrugged as if it were obvious.
“They are my bodyguards. They always come with me wherever I go.”
This was troublesome. Handling just George would be one thing, but adding skilled knights changed the entire situation.
‘Even if I can’t take them all out, at least I need to separate a few.’
“Is there a problem, young lady?”
“Well… it’s just…”
Celestine’s cheerful expression vanished, replaced by a sulky, almost scolded-child look.
“Of course, I understand that for Your Highness’s safety, bodyguards must accompany you… but I feel that even if something happens, Your Highness could handle it alone… and also…”
“But young lady, my martial skills are excellent, but outside the palace, who knows what might happen—”
“I was just excited to spend time alone with Your Highness…”
George paused mid-sentence.
“With so many guards present… private conversation, secret time… that might be difficult…”
“….”
“You understand, right? With so many eyes, I’d have to be careful. That would defeat the purpose of taking the time to meet…”
“I understand perfectly.”
George’s sly, lecherous smile appeared as he replied.
“Still, I can’t dismiss all the guards. Two—just two will come along.”
Even two was better than none, and far better than taking them all.
“Really? You understand my feelings. Thank you, Your Highness!”
“You have a surprisingly assertive side for a young lady. I quite like such women…”
“Yes, that’s right! But may I inform my father before we go? He might worry.”
“Hm, yes. Do so.”
Celestine thanked him, then glanced at Melsi, who still had a ‘are you crazy?’ expression.
“I’ll speak with him for a moment, Your Highness. Please wait a little.”
“Alright, fine.”
No sooner had he agreed, Celestine grabbed Melsi’s wrist firmly and led her far enough away that George couldn’t overhear.
“Melsi. Go to my father immediately and tell him…”
“Tell him what? What should I say? That the young lady abandoned her family…?”
Melsi panicked.
“Of course not.”
Celestine shook her head.
“Tell him the moment he’s been waiting for has arrived. That this is the opportunity to gain Crown Prince Dravaltin’s favor.”
“….”
“And every detail I tell you now—place, preparations—make sure nothing is left out.”
Her eyes burned with a kind of fanatical fire, almost as if possessed.
