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Chapter 7
“L-Lady Cornelia and I have to go together.”
Rovellin timidly resisted for the last time, clinging to Cornelia’s arm.
But this time, Cornelia was not on her side.
“Bell, I’m fine.”
“Connie?”
“My family’s carriage will arrive soon. I can go home in that.”
Whether she knew Rovellin’s feelings or not, Cornelia simply smiled and pushed her forward.
‘W-why? Why are you doing this?’
Helplessly pushed forward, Rovellin approached the imperial carriage as if being dragged to the slaughterhouse.
Watching her, Ian’s lips curled slightly upward.
“I’ll safely take you to the viscount’s estate.”
What if he had recognized her?
Throughout the ride, Rovellin curled herself up in anxiety.
But contrary to her expectations, Ian said nothing.
He only stared at her quietly, as if observing her.
“……”
“……”
A suffocating silence stretched between them, but for Rovellin, it was almost a relief.
It was better than being dragged into a conversation and getting caught on something unnecessary.
“Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the viscount’s estate.”
“Thank you for the ride. Then I’ll be going now…”
As soon as the carriage stopped, Rovellin jumped up as if she had been waiting for it.
“…Your Highness?”
But just as she tried to step out, Ian grabbed her arm and stopped her.
Startled, she turned around and saw Ian deep in thought.
After a moment, he spoke.
“Have tea with me.”
“…Pardon?”
“Get down.”
‘Excuse me, this is my house.’
Rovellin stared at him, mouth agape at his shamelessness.
But he was already standing.
“I’m your lifesaver today, aren’t I? Can’t I even get a cup of tea from my benefactor?”
“I-I’m actually not feeling very well today…”
“No choice then. I’ll just have to spread the rumor that the Viscount Dines family turned away the Crown Prince who saved their daughter.”
“No, no! Tea! Tea sounds great! Please come in!”
“Should’ve said that from the beginning.”
Ian stepped out with a casual gesture.
What a ridiculous, shameless man.
Feeling like she was being dragged along, Rovellin had no choice but to follow him out.
“L-Lady! You’re back—gasp!”
The servants who rushed out to greet her froze in shock.
They quickly recognized the man from the imperial emblem on the carriage.
‘W-what is this? The young lady came home with the Crown Prince?’
‘But why does she look like that? Her clothes and hair are a mess…’
‘Don’t tell me she fought with His Highness the Crown Prince…’
They whispered, unable to hide their curiosity.
After all, it was their first time seeing the Crown Prince in person.
And behind him stood their young lady in a disheveled state.
It was a rare spectacle they would never see again even if they paid for it.
For some reason, everyone seemed to assume Rovellin was at fault…
‘What? Why is everyone looking at me like that?’
Rovellin looked around in disbelief.
Every single person was staring at her like she had caused some disaster.
But there was something more important right now.
“Your Highness, as you can see, I’m a bit of a mess. I’ll go clean up quickly.”
“Ah.”
“I’ll return soon after tidying my clothes and hair. It won’t take long.”
Explaining rapidly, Rovellin hurried out of the reception room.
She hoped, very sincerely, that Ian would leave while she was gone.
But that kind of luck did not exist for her.
She had taken her time changing and brushing her hair as slowly as possible—
yet Ian was still sitting in the reception room when she returned.
“……”
He was looking at a family portrait.
A small portrait that had been made when Rovellin was still a child sat in a tabletop frame.
“Oh my, look at His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“I only heard rumors… I didn’t know he was this handsome!”
Behind her, the maids whispered excitedly, their faces red.
Leaning comfortably on the sofa with his long legs crossed, Ian looked effortlessly attractive.
Even while resting, he carried the dignity of royalty.
‘Well… he is handsome.’
His sun-like golden hair shimmered in the light.
Rovellin thought it absently.
No wonder Cornelia in the original story had once fallen for him.
‘But that same man is the one who made Connie suffer until she wanted to die.’
She would absolutely not be fooled by his face like everyone else.
Steeling herself, Rovellin sat across from him.
“Ah.”
Only then did Ian lift his gaze from the portrait.
“Please enjoy the tea. It’s not imperial quality, but it’s an honor to host you here at the Viscount Dines estate.”
Hurry up and drink it and leave.
Rovellin poured tea into a cup less than half full and handed it to him.
It was clearly meant to send him away quickly, but Ian accepted it without concern.
“Where are the Viscount Dines couple?”
“My parents are currently in Newarie for business.”
“I see.”
Ian nodded, then casually slipped the portrait he had been holding into his coat.
Rovellin almost missed it entirely due to how natural the motion was.
“…Why did you put that in your pocket?”
“I’m taking it.”
“…Pardon?”
“Why? Is there a problem?”
‘That’s my family portrait.’
Rovellin stared at him in disbelief, blinking.
“T-that’s a bit embarrassing for me to give you, and if you want artwork, our family has a collection you can—”
“No. I like this one.”
Why?!
Rovellin felt like she was being robbed in broad daylight.
But Ian calmly tucked the portrait away and even tapped his coat as if satisfied.
‘I’ll just ask Brian to get it back later.’
She gave up arguing, feeling once again like she was being dragged along.
Meanwhile, Ian hummed softly while drinking his tea.
‘I really want to punch him once. Is that allowed?’
Rovellin clenched her fist.
But she had to endure it.
She was in no position of power, especially after what had happened earlier.
‘From everything so far, it doesn’t seem like he recognized me, right?’
She cautiously observed Ian over her tea.
From what Brian said, he had intended to punish the culprit immediately upon finding them.
But from the plaza onward, he hadn’t said anything about it.
Maybe he just thought she was involved in the accident.
Just as she was beginning to relax slightly, Ian spoke.
“Does Lady Bennet have any enemies?”
Rovellin froze.
Enemies? Cornelia?
Leaving aside the original story, Cornelia’s current personality made it impossible for her to have enemies.
Rovellin could confidently say that.
“Lady Cornelia would never have enemies. Why would you say something like tha—”
“This incident likely targeted Lady Bennet.”
“…Pardon?”
Rovellin’s heart sank.
‘Now that I think about it… the carriage accident…’
She hadn’t had time to think earlier, but now that she did, it resembled something from the original story—
an accident Rovellin had once orchestrated to harm Cornelia.
She had studied Cornelia’s schedule through their friendship and bribed a public carriage driver to stage the incident.
If Brian hadn’t happened to pass by and save Cornelia, her plan would have succeeded.
But now, she hadn’t done anything… so why was this happening?
Uneasy, she asked carefully.
“S-so this wasn’t just an accident…?”
“Correct. The fact that there was no driver is evidence enough.”
“My goodness.”
Rovellin unconsciously grabbed her cheeks with both hands.
She had assumed that since she was no longer committing evil deeds like in the original story, Cornelia would no longer be in danger.
But was that completely wrong?
“D-do you know who’s behind it? Or even have a guess?”
She asked urgently, still pressing her cheeks.
Her face had gone pale under her hands.
‘She’s desperate because it involves her friend.’
Ian watched her trembling green eyes lazily.
Having her weakness in his grasp didn’t feel bad at all.
“You want to know?”
“Of course I want to know! Connie—no, Lady Bennet is my closest friend!”
Watching her clench her fists as she spoke made Ian’s lips curl upward.
She looked like a small, trembling Maltese.
“I’ll tell you. But what will you give me in return?”
“…Huh?”
“Isn’t that unfair? Only I’m sharing what you want to know.”
‘What about the portrait you just stole?!’
Rovellin swallowed her scream.
Ian, enjoying her reaction, lifted his teacup gracefully.
“If you answer my questions honestly from now on, I’ll tell you.”
“What? What does that—”
“The Count Kail family.”
At those words, Rovellin’s eyes widened.
Cold blue eyes locked onto hers without missing a single reaction.
“That woman… it’s you, isn’t it?”
