CHAPTER 50………………………………………………..
I gave a faint smile to Veronica, who had openly talked about Perrphone in front of me, and was about to look away when the soft sound of a chair being pulled echoed.
“It’s almost time for my fiancé to come pick me up.”
Veronica’s light brown eyes softened as they fixed on me. Her lips smiled, but her gaze had an oddly sharp edge directed at me.
“I’ll get up first, then.”
Her long hair swayed as she stood. As Veronica’s figure slowly receded through the greenhouse garden, the suddenly tense air left everyone silent. Julian, who was close to Veronica, was the first to speak.
“I thought things had improved with your fiancé… but I guess not.”
His voice carried faint worry. Was there trouble between Veronica and her fiancé?
This was the first I’d heard of it.
At tea time, she had spoken proudly of her fiancé several times, and he had even sent a dress and a flower corsage for the upcoming Founding Festival party. So what could be wrong?
From anyone’s perspective, they seemed perfectly fine.
“Did Veronica and her fiancé fight?”
The previously concerned atmosphere turned icy in an instant.
Their eyes seemed to subtly blame me. Did I… say something wrong?
Trying to hide my fluster, I maintained an air of composure, and Julian sighed lightly before continuing.
“It’s because of Sir Balstein.”
Why was Demian’s name coming up here…?
Question marks ran through my head, but I couldn’t show it, which only frustrated me further.
“You knew, Princess, that during her academy days, Veronica had a secret crush on Sir Demian.”
This was the first I’d heard of it. I couldn’t see the connection between Veronica’s crush on Demian and the accusing glances directed at me.
So what was the point? The nobles’ roundabout way of speaking was infuriating.
“Apparently her fiancé found out that Veronica secretly loved Sir Balstein, and that’s why they fought.”
“I’ve heard there was quite a bit of gossip about a possible engagement breakup because of it. Neither of them showed it outwardly, though.”
For such a trivial reason? I made a small disgusted face at the fiancé’s pettiness.
“He apparently thinks the reason Veronica attends social gatherings is because of Sir Balstein.”
I had held this tea time to gather information, yet all I obtained was useless gossip. I frowned slightly.
Demian Dinea Balstein.
I whispered the name of the only person from academy days who knew my true abilities.
“Come to think of it, that’s strange.”
Stopping abruptly in the royal palace corridor, I tilted my head. Demian was the only close friend I could call a true confidant from academy days.
Because our families were similar, I had felt an internal closeness for him alone. Once he discovered my secret, our relationship had quickly deepened.
Being Perrphone’s cousin, it was natural for him to be closer than ordinary classmates.
“I suppose he misunderstood that Veronica attends social gatherings because of Sir Balstein.”
Even hearing this, I struggled to understand what it truly meant.
I couldn’t exactly ask a young lady at the gathering to explain in simpler terms, and those who didn’t attend the gatherings wouldn’t know the rumors anyway.
“Strange, indeed.”
He had probably heard I was convalescing at the villa, yet he had never visited. Even after my return to the capital, he hadn’t sent a single letter.
“What on earth happened in these past three years?”
Had Demian… found out? The theory struck my mind with a thud.
It made sense—Demian knew my secret, so if I’d suffered even a small wound in his presence, he would have noticed immediately.
Clutching my throbbing head, I arrived at the crown prince’s office, where a guard blocked my path.
“I’m here to see Your Highness.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Even a fiancé had to have permission to enter, so I nodded slightly.
One guard entered to announce me, while the other stood at the door with a stern expression. I quietly asked:
“Is Countess Betrice off duty today?”
“Yes.”
The crisp, short answer made me nod. Would she attend the swordsmanship tournament at the Founding Festival?
Though I asked teasingly, it was ultimately her decision.
For the Betrice family, blinded by their son, ignoring other talented children, Sir Adonis was far too valuable.
“Princess, you may enter.”
With Perrphone’s permission, the firmly closed door opened.
Five steps in, I saw Perrphone’s face—slightly flustered, unsure how to react.
His expression, utterly astonished, mirrored the Perrphone I had known as a child, and I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“Princess, you arrive without notice? Whatever is the meaning of this?”
Lervian asked, leaving the awkwardly acting Perrphone behind. I rolled my eyes and replied:
“Am I not allowed to come see my fiancé?”
“Not that it’s impossible…”
I pulled a chair close and sat, quietly pressing my lips together as Perrphone muttered near it.
Lervian shrugged and stepped back, alternating glances between us.
“You’re aware, Your Highness, that the nobles are particularly excited with the Founding Festival approaching, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Could you grant me a single favor?”
“I’ll hear it and decide.”
“I’ve heard persistent rumors among the nobles that we are to be broken off from engagement.”
His golden eyes, staring directly at me, wavered uncertainly, like curtains fluttering in the wind.
They reminded me of the look he gave me early one morning, a few days ago.
The same as when I had told him not to laugh—though back then, he seemed slightly on the verge of tears. Now, there was none of that.
Finally averting his gaze, he replied coldly:
“I don’t know who started those rumors, but I must say, their observation skills are impressive.”
Perrphone had always treated everyone kindly, avoiding enemies in the palace—even Rozian, who once nearly threatened his life.
I blinked at his pointed coldness, intrigued by his deliberate distancing.
“Since I didn’t visit during the month and a half you stayed at the villa, it’s only natural that rumors arose.”
“Now.”
I immediately realized that his cold attitude was deliberate.
“You’re speaking coldly on purpose, aren’t you?”
Caught in the act, his pale ears flushed red. His lips moved slightly as he tried to say something. I watched and he squeezed his eyes shut, finally asking:
“How did you know?”
“It would be strange not to. We’ve spent years together.”
Just as Perrphone knew me better than anyone, I knew him.
Through sadness, embarrassment, awkwardness, shame, and genuine joy, I had always been by his side.
“Do you think I’ve only known Your Highness for a few years?”
Even with a three-year gap, it was impossible for all the Perrphone I knew to vanish.
“If you intend to hide something from me, it will take you at least five more years, Your Highness.”
A familiar, habitual phrase. Usually, it made Perrphone smile—but this time, he didn’t.
He sat silently, expressionless, staring at me.
Had I said something strange? Nothing should have been particularly odd.
Perrphone exhaled quietly in the stillness. His trembling breath made him seem tense.
“So… what is it that brought you here?”
“The Founding Festival is approaching, so I wanted to go out with Your Highness.”
“There’s no time for that.”
“You promised to cooperate until just before the engagement is called off a year from now.”
