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Chapter 05
From the moment he was born, he had been royalty, and he had been educated accordingly. He lived a life of
perfection and ease, enjoying freedom, while also bearing the responsibilities and duties that came with it—and the
excessive public attention and discomfort that followed. Therefore, such low-grade gossip had no influence whatsoever on his mood.
“Isn’t Prince Franz’s every move already more entertaining than fiction? The whole of Billen is currently engrossed in
detective games over ‘who will become the princess.’ Every story ends with the implication of ‘to be continued,’ so of course people are eager for the next installment.”
“But this time, it feels almost too plausible to dismiss as fiction. My younger brother says the gossip magazines even reported that Agnes ordered the finest materials from a dress shop to have a wedding dress tailored.”
Despite Marco’s remark, Franz remained indifferent. His attendant Hans had already reported the matter to him.
Seeing his usual cynical demeanor, the two men shrugged.
“People are fascinated by ridiculous stories. The reason is simple—they’re entertaining. Especially in times of peace and beauty like now, anything that can stimulate excitement gets exaggerated even further.”
At Marco’s words, Richard chimed in.
“Exactly. Rumors spread and grow—that’s what gossip is. Not even power can stop it. Right, Franz?”
Leaning back casually on the sofa, Franz stood up with an elegant motion that was flawless in every way.
“Most rumors are nonsense. But not all of them are.”
At Franz’s incomprehensible remark, Richard tilted his head.
“Franz. What do you mean? Are you saying this is all true?”
“Well…”
It was an ambiguous answer.
Even Marco was surprised by his vague response. Richard pressed again.
“Don’t tell me… you’re actually planning to marry Agnes? Oh my God! Lord, grant your boundless mercy and save some poor woman’s life.”
At Richard’s theatrical lament, Franz let out a faint laugh.
Agnes was a woman overflowing with ambition as much as she was with talent. She knew how to disguise what she lacked with skill and a glamorous appearance.
Her superficial, status-conscious nature was tolerable, almost even charming in its own way. More importantly, Agnes understood her position. She knew exactly what others wanted and followed the rules accordingly. That was what Franz liked most about her.
A calculating woman who clearly understood give-and-take was worth respecting. Even if she caused minor issues, he could overlook them generously.
But if she wanted to step beyond the boundary he had drawn, that was another matter. He had thought her reasonably bold and intelligent, but she was more naïve than expected.
Or perhaps not naïve—just absurd.
In any case, it was unfortunate that she was not even remotely cute enough for him to overlook such behavior kindly.
Agnes was absolutely not a woman suited to become the mistress of Grenville. Even without his mother’s warning, he had no intention of allowing it.
No matter how acclaimed she was as the finest singer of the Royal Opera, there existed a clear difference in social class. He had no intention of challenging that. Unfortunately for her.
One must be able to accept praise directed at oneself while also remaining humble and modest, but Agnes’s ambition only continued to grow. She lacked even the basic virtues required of a princess, yet still seemed to believe she could become one.
Even for noble-born ladies, wisdom and humility were difficult virtues to maintain. Genuine respect and admiration could not be forced.
It was not an easy position. A princess consort was such a role. He had thought she understood that much, but it seemed she was more foolish than expected.
In any case, he had never expected her to be different, so there was nothing to be surprised or disappointed about.
“One way rumors become truth is when the subjects of those rumors make them real. But I have no intention of making it true.”
Though Agnes might think differently.
The latter thought lingered only within Franz’s mind.
His voice, rich and resonant, was calm and almost leisurely. Watching him absentmindedly trace the wooden ornament on the sofa with his long fingers, the two men exchanged looks that said, “Of course.”
“Franz’s arrogant and generally indifferent personality is exactly why women can’t stay away from him. There are probably countless poor women who marry him, fooled by his polished appearance, only to regret it later. He should just remain single for life. I’ll never understand why people are so obsessed with toxic men.”
Richard shook his head.
“Still, if there were a refined woman who could fulfill the role of mistress of Grenville—someone who would be a proper wife and a responsible mother to his children—that might be different.”
A warm smile appeared on Franz’s lips as he raised his whisky glass.
“Marriage is marriage, and love is separate.”
At Marco’s remark, Franz lifted his glass as if cheering himself on and smiled seductively. Then he drank the remaining whisky in one gulp.
“So you’re saying you’ll marry?”
Richard asked in shock.
“If fate defies me and comes to find me, I will have no choice but to marry.”
Franz spoke with confidence, as if fate itself were on his side.
“Is there even such a woman?”
Marco soon laughed.
“There isn’t. Absolutely not.”
“A hopelessly selfish prince,” Richard muttered, though he was smiling as he drank.
Franz did not deny it. Perhaps he really was selfish. From childhood, he had been given everything he desired. He had been born into a world where that was possible.
Perhaps the idea that somewhere there might be a destined person was nothing more than a selfish wish.
Of course, he did not truly expect it. For someone who preferred fleeting relationships over romantic ideals, it was better to enjoy a single night than to believe in love that might betray him.
In truth, his reputation had been exaggerated, but he did not care. He deliberately played into it, maintaining the image of a reckless womanizer.
“Even if he’s selfish, women still like him.”
At Marco’s sigh, Franz found himself wondering.
“What exactly is my charm? People don’t even really know me—why are they drawn to me?”
The two men exchanged glances.
A moment later, Richard burst out.
“Argh! That infuriating arrogance—I can’t even criticize it!”
“He is undeniably excellent, but as a lover, he has plenty of flaws. Still, no matter how you look at it, he’s better than most.”
“Yeah. That’s true.”
They reached a rational conclusion.
“Franz, I sincerely hope you meet a woman just like yourself someday and suffer deeply.”
At Marco’s earnest joke, Franz scoffed.
“No. I will never meet someone like me.”
He smiled with absolute certainty.
As always, there was no long conversation between them. Having been friends since childhood, silence never felt awkward.
“Miss. You must wake up now.”
“Betty… just a little longer…”
After a night of tossing and turning, consumed by worry and thought, Elara had only fallen asleep at dawn.
“What are you saying! Do you intend to miss class? Absolutely not!”
Without hesitation, Betty pulled back the curtains.
“Please… Betty…”
As the curtains opened, morning sunlight flooded the dark room, making Elara wince. The brightness pressed painfully against her closed eyes.
A moment later, Betty’s cool hand touched her forehead.
“Hm. No fever… Are you feeling unwell?”
Elara had never once missed class, nor had she ever been seriously ill. So Betty immediately assumed something was wrong.
“It doesn’t look like you’re faking it either…”
Betty murmured in concern.
“No, I’m fine, Betty. Just a little sleep-deprived.”
“You’re even being moody about sleep now.”
Betty’s laugh echoed softly. Elara smiled faintly with her eyes still closed. Sleep tempted her sweetly, but she knew Betty would wait until she got up, so she forced herself awake.
She could not show her family any careless behavior, especially since they had come to the capital last month for Louisa’s debutante. If she said she was skipping the academy because she was sick, they would worry endlessly.
The academy and the university Prince Franz attended were far apart, so she rarely saw him. But today, he would be coming to the academy.
If she missed today, she had no idea when she would see him again.
If she wanted even a little more time, she could not skip it.
To prevent Allen Ziverman’s threat from becoming reality, she had concluded that she needed to diligently follow behind Prince Franz at the academy.
With that thought, Elara finally got out of bed and began preparing for the academy.
