Chapter 24
“Lady Ariandel sent this.”
“Blake? Give it here.”
Valerie, who had been in the middle of handling paperwork, tossed his pen aside and took the box from his aide, Joan.
Had she sent a return gift in response to the present he gave her?
She didn’t seem like the type to fuss over such things, but either way, he was pleased. After all, it was something she had sent. Even if it turned out to be trash, he would gladly accept it.
A black box tied with a gray ribbon—it suited her perfectly. Just imagining her casually picking this out made him smile again.
“Um…”
Joan hesitated instead of leaving, as if he had something to say. Valerie lifted his head.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Your Highness… will you be meeting her formally?”
Joan carefully voiced his concern about Blake Ariandel. There were no issues with her background, but somehow, there were many aspects about her that felt suspicious.
A meeting between a man and a woman was natural enough—but the status of a crown prince was different. Every meeting drew countless eyes, followed by politics. And if a light acquaintance deepened, that scrutiny only intensified.
More than anything, the idea of a “natural meeting” for a crown prince was absurd. Any noble in this country would recognize his face. There was no such thing as a spontaneous encounter when everyone coveted his position.
Compared to that, the daughter of Count Ariandel was somewhat different. Still, one could never be sure. Though she owned trade ships and often stayed abroad, that alone wasn’t enough to be certain.
Valerie’s expression stiffened slightly.
“Is there a problem?”
“No, not exactly. I was just concerned, just in case…”
“She is not that kind of person.”
“Pardon?”
Joan unconsciously took a step back, startled by the firm, formal tone.
“I owe her my life.”
“To her?”
“Yes. If it hadn’t been for her when I was attacked in the North, I wouldn’t be standing here now.”
“Ah…”
Mallon’s death during the attack had been a tremendous shock among the aides. In contrast, the fact that the crown prince had returned safely had brought immense relief. He had mentioned receiving someone’s help back then, but he had refrained from elaborating.
To think it was her… He hadn’t said a word after returning safely, so this was completely unexpected.
“And I’m the one clinging to her.”
It was him who liked her. Him who yearned for her. Valerie muttered softly.
“I understand what you’re worried about.”
Joan said nothing more, bowed politely, and left.
“What could it be?”
As soon as Joan was gone, Valerie untied the ribbon with visible excitement. When he opened the lid, a pair of silver cufflinks set with red gemstones lay inside. Valerie’s gaze deepened.
Silver cufflinks embedded with red jewels.
They reminded him of her—of the cold winter day when he first saw her.
Was it a coincidence? Maybe he had misunderstood something. If she had chosen them without thought, he had assumed she would pick a color that had nothing to do with him.
Or was this her way of accepting his feelings, even just a little?
Valerie decided on the latter without hesitation. He removed the cufflinks he was wearing and replaced them with the ones Blake had sent. The corners of his lips rose uncontrollably.
“Blake Ariandel.”
What kind of expression would she make if he appeared before her wearing these?
He wanted to see her face as soon as possible. He wanted the promised day to arrive quickly—so he could see the necklace hanging around her neck.
Winter in the capital was a season overflowing with banquets.
While people in the North struggled desperately to survive the harsh cold each year, this place was different.
I myself had been fretting just recently about running out of firewood, yet here I was again, climbing into a carriage to attend another banquet I didn’t want to go to.
It was supposedly a casual gathering of young, unmarried nobles—but I had received information that the First Prince would be attending.
From the very start of winter, the doors of major banquet halls—including the imperial palace—opened wide, and banquets were held every single day until spring arrived. I had no idea how many this made already.
Thankfully, only the first banquet of the season was extravagant. After that, attendance gradually thinned out, which made things a little less exhausting.
Still, I’d gained some confidence. Being surrounded by people who didn’t know me was oddly thrilling, and after hiding away in the North for so long, it almost felt liberating rather than isolating.
Of course, I still hated banquets.
Lost in thought, I suddenly felt the atmosphere inside the carriage change.
Ian’s gaze sharpened. When I turned toward the window, I saw a carriage following us from behind. It hadn’t been there earlier.
“Are we being followed?”
“It seems so. I’ll shake them off.”
“Figures. As if things would be easy here.”
But that carriage looked strangely familiar…
After studying it for a moment, I clicked my tongue.
“No need to lose them.”
“Pardon?”
“Just keep going. They’ll try to stop us somehow, so don’t fall behind.”
Even as I spoke, I kept my eyes fixed on the carriage behind us.
“…Understood.”
“Good eye, recognizing that carriage. Tell Mother later—say the dogs were following us.”
“The dogs…?”
I let out a hollow laugh. Looks like Mr. Schwald hadn’t explained this part to Ian.
“Who else? The Ludwig family. They picked the wrong target.”
That illustrious Ludwig family—the one that expelled Mother and me, then dumped all their crimes on us.
I knew they’d been monitoring us nonstop even after the expulsion, but I hadn’t expected them to notice us and move so openly in the capital.
After all, they knew very well that we were keeping our heads down, barely leaving our residence here.
Let’s see if they can drag me out in front of the banquet hall. Anyone who recognizes my face wouldn’t dare acknowledge me anyway.
“Tell Mr. Schwald to stop by their estate and remind them to watch their mouths. Otherwise, they’ll try to use us.”
“Yes, I’ll do so.”
“Speed up.”
At my command, Ian urged the carriage faster. It jolted violently, but thankfully, they didn’t overtake us.
“…I’m exhausted already.”
Feeling this tired before even arriving was irritating. Still, the sight of them hastily turning their carriage around the moment we entered the busy district was downright amusing.
Honestly—if they’re that scared, why follow us at all?
I snorted and stepped down from the carriage.
Erasing my bored expression, I put on a bright smile, presented my invitation, and entered the hall.
The moment I stepped inside, a thick cloud of perfume washed over me.
Whether it was because flowers were hard to come by in winter, or because heavier clothing inspired people to overdecorate, everyone was drenched in scent, dressed as flamboyantly as peacocks.
Dozens of perfumes mingled into a strange, overwhelming fragrance.
“Call me if you need anything. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious.”
“Yes.”
Leaving Ian to survey the area as usual, I quickly blended into the crowd.
Finding the First Prince inside the hall wasn’t difficult.
Unmarried young ladies kept glancing in one direction—and at the end of their gazes was the prince’s group.
It felt too suspicious to approach directly, so I headed the opposite way.
“Blake!”
A familiar voice called out warmly. When I turned, it was Elabrich Hemmel. I hadn’t realized how much impact a single pearl could have.
“Ah, Ella.”
“You came too, Blake?”
“Thankfully, I received an invitation.”
“Mm, I see. See? Once you start coming, you keep coming!”
I nodded shyly.
“Blake, look at this. What do you think?”
Elabrich tilted her head slightly, clearly wanting my approval.
Her hair was softly twisted and intricately woven, and atop it rested a Shioke mermaid pearl—set into the flower-shaped jeweled pin I had suggested. The red accent complemented her pale yellow hair beautifully.
“I noticed this at the tea party too—Ella, you have great taste.”
Her face lit up instantly.
“You really think so?”
“The colors suit you perfectly. Your face looks brighter too. It would’ve been pretty even without the Shioke pearl, but today, you’re especially beautiful.”
“I begged them over and over to make sure the pearl wouldn’t get scratched. Do you know how many times people have mentioned it since I arrived? More than ten times already. And most of all—”
“Hm?”
Elabrich covered her mouth with her fan and leaned in closer.
