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Chapter 3
It was so embarrassing that she had deliberately avoided recalling the details.
Even so, Rovellin could never have imagined that the man with the famously loose morals—Ian—had actually been the one to seduce her.
“So bold, right? I heard that noble lady even called His Highness a bastard to his face.”
“Pff—!”
Hearing reports of her own behavior from her favorite character’s mouth was a truly horrifying experience.
If she could, Rovellin would have traveled back to last night just to slap herself repeatedly.
What on earth had she drunk to cause this mess?!
“Bell, are you okay?”
“I-it’s just… the tea is too hot.”
Cornelia quickly wiped the tea Rovellin had spilled.
Watching the pure white handkerchief stain orange made Rovellin feel like the worst trash in the world.
‘I can never let Cornelia find out about last night.’
She made a solemn vow to take it to her grave.
Then she asked again.
“Th-then what is His Highness going to do to that woman?”
* * *
“Do what? Behead her, of course.”
Ian replied without hesitation.
At the same moment, sunlight reflected off his blade in a sharp flash.
It was Crown Prince sword training time.
Unlike usual, the knight commander had been dismissed, leaving Ian to train one-on-one with Duke Brian Raven.
“Haah…”
Brian let out a long sigh as their swords clashed.
Brian Raven—the original male lead, one of only three dukes in the Empire, and one of the few people capable of standing equal to the Crown Prince.
In the original story, the two men had clashed over Cornelia.
But at this point in time, they were still on friendly terms.
Brian served as Ian’s aide, sparring partner, and advisor.
“Even so, you can’t just sentence her to execution.”
“She broke into my bedroom. What if she was an assassin?”
“She’s a noble lady, Your Highness. You said so yourself.”
Ian clicked his tongue, unable to respond.
Clang—Their swords collided again.
Unlike before, Ian’s strikes were noticeably more irritated.
But Brian continued calmly.
“You know noble trials require complicated procedures.”
“Hmm…”
“And honestly… why did you even go to that banquet when you never attend them?”
Brian’s relentless pressure slowly pushed Ian back.
Ian blocked the strike and exhaled.
“There were rumors Count Kale was involved with the ‘Demon of Pernin’, so I went to investigate. Unfortunately, there was nothing.”
“Then you should’ve just sent me instead.”
Brian shook his head.
He understood why Ian had gone personally.
The Empire had recently been troubled by something called the “Demon of Pernin.”
A poisonous herb from the Pernin Kingdom that slowly drained a person’s life away.
Worse, it was addictive—victims would willingly seek it out even knowing it would kill them.
It was called a “demon” for a reason.
‘He’s acting indifferent, but he’s not.’
Ian would never ignore a disease poisoning the Empire.
Brian knew this, which is why he stopped scolding him about last night.
But one thing still needed confirmation.
He eased his sword back and asked carefully:
“Could it be someone from the Empress’s faction?”
“If it were, the newspapers would already be full of insults about me.”
Ian shrugged.
His stepmother, Empress Karola, was an ambitious woman determined to place her own son on the throne.
She would never waste an opportunity like this.
“Fair enough. Then I’ll stop worrying about that.”
“Anyway, when can we find that woman?”
Ian pressed forward again, his sword pointed toward Brian.
Sighing, Brian lowered his blade.
He was not a fool.
A man searching desperately for a woman after spending a night with her—
‘He must’ve had quite the night…’
Ian was a healthy young man. It wasn’t surprising.
The problem was his position as Crown Prince.
If the Empress found out, it would become a disaster.
Brian deflected Ian’s sword lightly with the back of his blade.
“Your Highness, perhaps it would be best to let this go quietly.”
“Why?”
“If the trail is too long, the Empress will step on it.”
“….”
Ian frowned and sheathed his sword.
His expression was clearly displeased.
“I’m not chasing her because of desire. I suspect she may be connected to the poison herb incident.”
He had assumed the woman might be connected to Count Kale or used as a distraction.
Brian sighed.
“But you barely saw her face.”
“Brown hair.”
“…Do you know how many brown-haired ladies exist in the capital?”
“Her dress was white.”
“They all wear white dresses to banquets these days, Your Highness.”
“…”
Brian shut down every argument flawlessly.
Normally Ian would agree with him, but today—
For some reason, he felt stubborn.
And more than anything, he wanted to see her again.
“Duke.”
“No.”
Brian was still firm.
Ian finally resorted to his last tactic.
“Then I suppose I’ll have to search clumsily on my own and get caught by the Empress.”
“….”
“She won’t miss the chance. The Emperor will depose a disgraceful heir, and the throne will go to the second prince—”
“Your Highness!”
Brian shouted in exasperation.
Ian grinned.
“So, help me avoid that outcome.”
Despite his nagging nature, Brian was loyal.
He knew Brian would eventually give in.
And that was exactly why teasing him was fun.
Sighing deeply, Brian finally relented.
“…Fine. Just this once.”
* * *
After leaving the palace, Brian headed straight to the Marquis of Bennet’s estate.
He had endured another exhausting day with Ian and intended to vent by complaining to Cornelia and Rovellin.
And frankly, this ridiculous detective work…
“Maybe I should’ve refused…”
He shook his head as he walked.
“Bri!”
A bright voice called out.
In the garden, Cornelia was sitting at a table, waving.
Beside her sat Rovellin.
The sight of his friends softened Brian’s tired expression into a smile.
“So the ladies are meeting without me? I feel left out.”
“Oh? We should be the ones saying that. Who’s been disappearing after joining the palace?”
Cornelia shot him a playful look as he sat down.
Rovellin watched them warmly.
‘They really do suit each other.’
In the original story, they were a passionate couple.
The episode where Brian confessed “I would give my life for you” had exploded in comment sections.
Just as described in the novel, Cornelia smiled brightly at him.
“Bri. Tell me more about His Highness. Any new news?”
