~Chapter 151~
It had already been three years since His Highness the Crown Prince left the capital.
By Imperial tradition, in the year the Crown Prince comes of age, he is granted the most barren land under the Imperial family’s direct rule, and must govern it for at least one year.
This is partly to gain experience in ruling the nation in advance.
And partly, to show that the Imperial family never neglects even the lowest of its people.
“At last, His Highness the Crown Prince is returning.”
Yet even in front of such a great figure, the Duke’s voice was light.
“Yes. It’s just an invitation to have a meal together. By the way, Lari, you were also invited.”
“……”
Light, he said… but still.
This was the return of the next Emperor of the Empire after three years.
I couldn’t help feeling a little nervous, and swallowed dryly.
Then—
“What’s with all the sidelong glances?”
Lady Eva narrowed her eyes into triangles and snapped at the Duke.
“When are you going to stop interfering?”
The Duke raised a brow without even blinking.
“I’m trying to spend a rare quiet moment alone with Lari, you know.”
“What? You’re the one getting in the way between me and Lari!”
“Getting in the way? I’m Lari’s lover.”
“How many times do I have to tell you? By that logic, I’m Lari’s best friend!”
The Duke and Lady Eva bickered fiercely, neither giving an inch.
‘Mm, as always, it’s the Duke and Lady Eva.’
With a resigned smile, I simply watched them argue.
Seraphina had been in a very good mood lately.
The reason was the elegant man standing before her.
“Welcome, Lady Lopez.”
With a smile, Isaac not only escorted Seraphina to her seat but even pulled out her chair himself.
“Please, have a seat here, Lady Lopez.”
All his subtle dismissiveness of the past was gone. Lately, Isaac treated Seraphina with remarkable courtesy.
He spent time with her regularly, spoke to her kindly, and every time they met, he served her the finest tea and sweets—
As though she were his most beloved lover.
Of course, it was suspicious how suddenly he had flipped his attitude.
Yet, she couldn’t help but feel proud.
‘Maybe he’s being careful because of Priest Pedro’s accusations?’
Seraphina glanced at him cautiously.
But since Isaac still held his position as Chief Priest, it seemed his place in the Grand Temple was surprisingly solid.
For now, keeping ties with him wouldn’t do her any harm.
“I heard you like sweet desserts, so I prepared something myself today.”
Isaac placed a brownie on the table, topped with plenty of whipped cream.
Seraphina smiled brightly, lifted her fork, and took a big bite.
Just then, Isaac picked up the teapot and poured tea into her cup.
“Please, enjoy the tea as well.”
The pale green liquid filled the cup, releasing a delicate fragrance—bitter yet refreshing.
“These are rare tea leaves sent from my family.”
“Is it really alright for me to drink something so precious?”
“Of course. Who else would I serve, if not Lady Lopez?”
His gentle words made Seraphina blush as she sipped. Her eyes widened.
“This is… delicious!”
“Wonderful. I was worried it might not suit your taste.”
Her eyes shimmered with emotion. He had often been cold, but when he suddenly showed kindness like this, her heart beat faster and faster.
“By the way, I hear you’ve been shining in society lately, Lady Lopez. That made me happy as well.”
“You flatter me.”
“Not at all. Many gentlemen admire you, don’t they?”
At his words, Seraphina subtly straightened her shoulders with pride.
Isaac only smiled softly, though inside he scoffed.
“Still, I hope you don’t forget—my feelings for you are no less than theirs.”
After raising her confidence, Isaac lowered his voice slyly.
“Do you still exchange letters with Her Majesty the Empress?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“How often do you write to each other?”
“Well… maybe two or three times a week.”
She wondered why he was asking, but answered honestly.
Isaac’s face lit up with satisfaction.
And then, another odd question:
“Are you still using the ink I gave you?”
“Ink?”
Ah—she blinked.
A month ago, Isaac had gifted her a bottle of ink—deep green, shimmering faintly when it caught the light.
‘Since you have the chance to write to Her Majesty, wouldn’t it be best to use a beautiful ink?’
He had said that firmly as he handed it to her.
She hadn’t cared much about ink color before, but this one truly looked lovely.
She tried writing a letter with it—
[“My, what a beautiful ink color. Did you buy new ink?”]
The Empress herself had praised it.
Pleased, Seraphina had kept using that ink for all her letters since.
“Yes, I’m using it well. Her Majesty even complimented me on it, so now I write all my letters with it.”
“I see. That’s very good.”
Isaac’s face brightened with deep satisfaction.
“If she replies regularly, it must mean Her Majesty cares for you deeply.”
“That may be… but compared to Lady Claudius, I’m nothing.”
Her expression darkened. The Empress was kind to her, yes—
But her warmth toward Lady Eva Claudius was on a whole other level.
“…I’ll never measure up to Lady Claudius.”
“Oh, don’t look so sad. It pains me too, seeing you like this.”
Isaac wore a sympathetic face, soothing her.
“Don’t despair. If you keep strengthening your bond with Her Majesty, your reputation will rise even higher.”
“But still…”
She hesitated.
“Nothing is impossible, Lady Lopez.”
His voice dripped like honey into her ear.
“Who knows? If your fame keeps rising, one day you might even surpass Lady Claudius.”
“D-Do you really think so?”
“Of course.”
Like poison hidden in honey, his words slowly seeped into her heart.
Seraphina couldn’t resist.
After giggling dreamily for a while, she asked carefully:
“Oh, I also heard the Crown Prince is returning soon.”
“Yes, that is true.”
At that moment, a small crack appeared in Isaac’s flawless smile.
