🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 15
“What?”
“His Highness has invited you to dine with him. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Iva, who had been discussing the interior layout of the west hall with Pell, blinked at Chase’s words in surprise.
“Oh! You mean a meal with the whole preparation team?”
“No, just you.”
“Just me? Alone with His Highness?”
“Yep.”
Iva’s expression darkened instantly.
It had been one week since she started working at the Imperial Palace.
During that time, she had done a fairly good job avoiding Rai and Claude.
She memorized the route from the west gate to the hall so she wouldn’t get lost, and whenever she needed to report to Claude, she always went through Pell or Chase.
But now, after all that careful avoidance, an order had come for her to see him. It felt pointless and exhausting—like he was mocking her, telling her that no matter how much she tried to run, she could never escape his grasp.
“You’re eating with me too, right?”
“Nope. I’m His Highness’s aide, not his dining companion.”
“But you have to eat too. Everyone works to live, you know.”
“Not today. I have another engagement and need to eat outside the palace. His Highness is waiting, so hurry up.”
“R-right now?!”
“Yes. Now, immediately, this instant.”
She quickly tried to think of a way to slip away, but Chase, quick as ever, caught her by the collar.
Before she knew it, she was being pushed toward the West Palace where Claude would be waiting.
Just wait and see if I do you any favors next time. I’ll get my revenge soon.
Iva muttered in frustration at Chase as she made her way to the rear garden of the West Palace.
As soon as she entered the garden, she saw a long table set for ten, with an assortment of dishes already laid out.
But there were only two chairs—arranged opposite each other for direct eye contact.
Who eats like this with their boss?!
Her plan to sit as far away as possible was already ruined.
And to make matters worse, Claude wasn’t alone. She spotted someone else behind him.
“What the—why is he here?”
Claude, dressed in beige ceremonial attire that complemented his pale skin, stood beside Rai, who was clad in shadowy black training clothes.
“Chase, you liar! You said it would be just Claude!”
Of all the people she least wanted to see, why were the two of them together?
Her stress level spiked before she even sat down.
“You mean you invited this amusing lady here?”
“Yes. She’s been appointed as the party organizer this time.”
“Really? So that’s why you’ve been paying extra attention to the upcoming party.”
“I haven’t had a proper introduction with her yet, and I also wanted to introduce her to you, so I arranged this meal.”
“I’m very curious to know what kind of person she is.”
Claude’s rare, genuine smile prompted a small smile from Rai as well.
Who was this woman who had dared to tell the Crown Prince to go to the countryside and become a village chairman?
As Rai quietly imagined a bold, fearless lady, Iva’s face suddenly came to mind.
Even when he was busy with other things, thoughts of her would pop up unexpectedly, breaking his focus.
The image of her in the infirmary—eyes tightly shut, bracing herself for his touch—lingered in his mind so vividly it appeared in his dreams.
But even in dreams, he never crossed the line. He’d slap his own thigh just to keep himself in check.
“You’re here.”
Pulled from his thoughts by Claude’s voice, Rai followed his gaze to the newcomer.
And there stood Iva.
He blinked several times, wondering if he was still imagining her.
But with each blink, her image became clearer—it was undeniably her.
“…Lady Iva?”
Rai asked Claude, his face slightly stiff.
“Oh? Rai, do you know the lady?”
“…We met at the debutante ball.”
“I see. So she’s the Lady Blanche I told you about—the one I find amusing.”
Rai’s mood, which had lifted slightly from Claude’s earlier smile, now tightened.
Oblivious to this, Claude walked toward Iva with a warm smile. Iva bowed hesitantly.
“G-greetings, Your Highness.”
“Welcome. I suppose you were surprised by this sudden dinner.”
“Yes. A little… no, a lot.”
“My schedule’s been busy, and it bothered me that I’d given you work without even showing my face, so I arranged this. Please, have a seat.”
As Iva moved to sit, Claude stepped forward to pull out her chair.
A polite gesture, but one she didn’t appreciate. She forced a strained smile that was already starting to twitch.
She sat first, and Claude took the seat across from her.
Rai did not join them but stood behind Claude, his expression stiff and unguarded.
“So we finally meet face-to-face in the palace.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
Even Claude’s friendly greeting only made her uncomfortable. Seeing him reminded her of her execution scene, and having Rai glowering behind him made it worse. She felt like she’d lose her appetite before she even touched the feast before her.
“I didn’t know your preferences, so I had everything prepared. Please enjoy.”
“Thank you for the consideration.”
She picked up her utensils, but only poked at her food.
Claude’s presence was distracting enough, but Rai’s piercing stare made it even harder to eat.
Resolutely, she ignored both men and kept her eyes fixed on the dishes.
“Oh, right. I heard you know Rai?”
“What?!”
Her head snapped up from her plate at his question.
Did he mean the date? She didn’t want to stir up any unnecessary rumors, especially about something already over.
She’d even overheard whispers about it at the masquerade ball, so her guard shot up as she glanced at Rai.
But the man who’d been staring at her so intently just moments ago now quietly looked away.
What’s this? Did he actually tell him about the date?
“I heard you two met at the debutante ball.”
“Oh, the debutante ball?”
So he doesn’t know about the date? Iva felt a wave of relief.
“Yes, we briefly crossed paths with the Duke there, and that was the end of it.”
Her tone implied she didn’t even recall what happened on the balcony. Rai’s gaze lowered further.
“So you’re not particularly close?”
“No, not at all.”
“Yet you seem very aware of Rai standing behind me.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s like you’re deliberately avoiding looking his way.”
Claude didn’t even have to look at her directly to read her thoughts.
“Oh, I just thought it would be nicer if he joined us. It felt strange to have him standing there, but since you didn’t say anything, I tried to act natural. I guess it showed.”
“Rai’s already eaten. He has training with me later this afternoon, but I called him early so I could introduce you two. I didn’t expect it to make you uncomfortable. Rai, have a seat.”
“No, Your Highness. My duty right now is to guard you. If my presence bothers the lady, I’ll step back a bit.”
Rai retreated about five paces. But that did nothing to ease her discomfort.
“How’s the party preparation going? I’ve been very pleased with the reports so far.”
“Yes, I plan to center it around the garden to give it a summery feel.”
“A fine idea.”
“I’m also thinking of installing a fountain in the center and changing the wallpaper in the hall.”
“I’ll fund it generously, so don’t worry about expenses.”
“Thank you. Also, I’d appreciate it if Your Highness wore something in a darker color that day.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“The delegation will likely see themselves as representing the Emperor, so they’ll want to be the center of attention.”
She cautiously shared the suggestion she’d discussed with Pell.
“Also, since they won’t know our nobles by sight, I plan to have them wear necklaces or brooches indicating rank.”
“So there’s no confusion. Good thinking.”
“Yes. People from any country dislike being accidentally disrespected.”
Claude nodded approvingly, clearly impressed.
“Chase was right. You’re perfect for this party.”
Iva gave a small, polite nod in thanks.
“You’ve handled my first request so well… I hope you’ll accept my second.”
“Pardon?”
“I mean, marrying me.”
Thud.
The loud noise made both Claude and Iva turn their heads. Rai had dropped his sword.
“My apologies,” Rai said in a low voice, feeling their eyes on him.
“Your Highness, as I told you when you visited my estate, I have no intention of marrying.”
“This time, I’m the one proposing.”
“What?”
Claude smiled faintly, clearly enjoying himself.
This jerk is just toying with me now.
There’s still a week until the party. If she let Claude keep pushing her around, she’d never survive the encounters ahead. She had to show him she could hold her own so she could cut ties immediately after the event.
Looking him straight in the eye, she said, “Then let’s do it right now.”
“…What?”
“Tonight, we can head straight to the countryside and find a newlywed house. I’ll hand the party preparations over to someone else. If I’m moving to the countryside anyway, the delegation’s visit won’t matter.”
Her confident tone made Claude’s eyes narrow slightly.
“I’m glad to see you’ll be able to set down your burdens, Your Highness. You must’ve been under a lot of pressure.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Yes. I’d prefer a quiet wedding in the countryside, just the two of us. I hate noisy affairs.”
She met his intense blue eyes without flinching.
Claude burst into laughter a beat later.
“Hahaha!”
His hearty laugh didn’t warm the air; the atmosphere around them remained icy—especially from Rai, who stood silently in the back radiating cold.
“I’ve never met a woman like you.”
“Is that so?”
“You know full well I wouldn’t choose that option.”
Of course she did.
Of the three princes, he was the most ambitious. No one knew better than Iva that Claude would never give up his royal status.
“Your Highness, to be honest, I never wanted to take on this party.”
“So you’re finally being honest.”
He looked at her with an expression that said she never failed to meet his expectations, waiting for her to continue.
“But now that I am in charge, I’ll see it through without running away. So there’s no need to test me further. Until the party ends successfully, I won’t elope or get married.”
“Truly?”
“Yes. So I look forward to working with you, Your Highness.”
To show her sincerity, Iva stood and approached Claude, bowing slightly as she extended her hand for a handshake.
After a brief pause, Claude rose and took her hand.
Unlike the handshake they shared at the Blanche estate under threat, this one carried mutual respect. Claude, too, genuinely trusted her now.
“I look forward to it as well, Lady Iva.”
“If it’s not too forward, may I take my leave now? I have many meetings to prepare for the party.”
She could hardly breathe in the same space as these two any longer.
“I’ll escort you.”
“That’s not necessary, Your Highness, I—ah!”
The moment she released Claude’s hand and stepped back, her foot caught, sending her stumbling.
She shut her eyes tightly, bracing for impact.
“Huh?”
But instead of the ground, she felt warm hands holding her. She peeked her eyes open.
“Are you all right?”
“Careful, my lady.”
Behind her, Rai had caught her by the shoulders, while in front, Claude’s arm was wrapped around her waist.
