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chapter 71
“There he is!”
Iva, running through the crowded market in search of the man, spotted the glint of dark blue hair from afar.
It seemed he was only interested in the Bled herbs, ignoring the other stalls entirely, so Iva quickened her pace to keep up.
Finally catching up, she grabbed his shoulder firmly.
“Huh?”
Startled by the sudden touch, the man turned sharply, but upon recognizing it was Iva, he broke into a smile.
“You’re that lady from earlier?”
His tone was relaxed, almost casual.
“Did you come after me because of the herbs I bought?”
“Yes, I need them too.”
“What should we do? I need these herbs as well.”
“I picked them first. Besides, you could easily get them somewhere else, couldn’t you?”
Iva glanced between the herbs in his hand and his eyes.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to get them in the palace?”
The man tilted his head, seemingly puzzled, and Iva grinned knowingly.
“Your Highness Claude, you even have a wig like this.”
His eyes widened, then he laughed wryly, removing his glasses to meet Iva’s gaze.
Claude’s signature blue eyes sparkled.
“Haha, I thought you wouldn’t recognize me. How did you know?”
“Very simple. You spoke casually to the stall owner, called me ‘lady’ despite my maid’s uniform, and your tone and posture gave you away.”
“Others didn’t seem to recognize me.”
“They don’t know your face. But they would know you’re a high-ranking noble.”
Claude had approached her assuming no one would recognize him. His mistake flustered him, but he felt pleased that Iva had noticed.
“What brings you here?”
“Hmm… let’s move somewhere else first. If we stay here, we’ll both be exposed.”
Whispering in the middle of the market drew attention, so they moved to a quiet restaurant.
The table wasn’t set for a banquet, just simple food on a wooden table.
Sitting here with the Empire’s prince Claude felt unusual.
“Your Highn…”
“Don’t use formal titles. We can’t let anyone recognize us.”
Claude instinctively started to say “Your Highness,” but caught himself.
“Then what should I call you?”
“Hm, maybe ‘dear’? How about it, my wife?”
He propped his chin on his hand and winked.
“Ugh.”
Iva frowned at the sudden mock couple scenario.
“Better just call me ‘older sister.’”
“Haha, I’m two years older, you know?”
“Do you know my age?”
“You’re close friends with Chase, right?”
“Ah…”
Claude couldn’t take his eyes off Iva. Meeting her in relaxed clothes and outside the usual formal setting felt refreshing.
Moreover, a countess wearing a maid uniform while inspecting the market was entirely in Iva’s style.
“How about calling me ‘older brother’?”
“Better just call me Chase. We both know that name.”
“Haha, you’re not easily fooled.”
“I’m not easily swayed.”
Iva felt more at ease thanks to Claude’s joking.
“Then I’ll pretend you’re really Chase and speak casually.”
“Eh? I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“Look, they’re already watching us from the other table.”
Claude gestured subtly toward a table behind Iva. She glanced back—two men were watching them.
“Ahem… but our casual talk today will be our little secret, right?”
Iva stepped closer to Claude.
“A little secret… even better.”
His smile curved pleasantly.
“Your Highn… no, Chase, you need to change your tone. They’ll notice with that speech.”
“Then I have to mimic the tone you two were using… ah, never mind. Haha, it’s hard to do consciously.”
Though he smiled at Iva, his eyes toward the men were icy cold.
Noticing them trying to see Iva’s face, he shot them a glance. The men quickly looked away, intimidated.
“So this time it’s a blue wig instead of blonde?”
“I’m planning to wear the blonde one again when I become Youth President.”
“Ahem… just wear whatever you like.”
Claude hadn’t taken his eyes off Iva, proving he wasn’t lying when he said he’d try to tempt her a few days ago.
Iva pretended not to notice him.
“Why did you want to buy these herbs?”
“Why did you want them?”
“I asked first.”
True to Chase’s meticulous nature, his tone had instantly become annoyingly similar.
Iva shot Claude a quick glare.
“My younger cousin has a weak heart. I heard these herbs help, so I wanted to buy them.”
“The child you were with earlier?”
“Uh, yes.”
She couldn’t admit she bought them to find out if Julian was using the herbs.
Claude’s memory of worrying whenever Julian was even slightly unwell lingered in her mind.
“Hm… so these herbs are good for heart conditions too, huh?”
“Why did you want them?”
Claude also found it difficult to speak honestly.
He had learned from the pharmacy room that the red powder found in Julian’s room was Bled herbs. He wanted to use the herbs to see Julian’s reaction, but without conclusive proof, he couldn’t tell anyone.
“I need to build immunity to poisons as a royal. These herbs contain a poison, so I bought them to strengthen immunity.”
“Poison? In herbs?”
“Poisons aren’t always harmful. The palace pharmacist said these herbs stimulate the nervous system in small doses.”
Since palace pharmacists were skilled professionals, Iva nodded in agreement.
“So your sister takes them too to build immunity?”
She asked lightly, hiding her suspicion, as if concerned for a close friend.
Claude’s sharp eyes fixed on Iva.
“Why ask that all of a sudden?”
“Oh, nothing. I just wondered if it would be too much for a sick sibling to take them…”
His princely presence made Iva speak respectfully.
Still, it was a good way to see if Julian was taking the Bled herbs.
She subtly gauged his expression. He didn’t seem to suspect her of doubting his sister. Instead, his eyes were curious, as if asking whether she knew something. But it didn’t last long. Soon he returned to the expression of a caring older brother.
“I guess it depends on how the child is doing.”
“I see.”
“Shall we head back? I think Chase might be waiting.”
Claude got up first.
“Are you ready for Pene?”
“Yes, I’ve prepared warm clothes.”
“Why are you suddenly using formal speech?”
“…You’re speaking completely like Your Highness now.”
“Oh, it’s a habit.”
“Even now.”
“I’ve never changed my tone when leaving inspections.”
Claude pressed his lips shut, though he wasn’t upset.
“Pfft, you didn’t know what to say, so you stayed silent, right?”
“…I’ve always spoken like this.”
“Hahaha, right. It’s hard to change at once.”
Outside the palace, Claude showed small cracks in his otherwise flawless demeanor. He covered his awkward smile, checking if Iva disliked seeing him imperfect.
“So, I’m the only one who speaks casually with Your Highness? Makes me feel proud.”
Iva remained nonchalant.
Those around her usually tried to exploit flaws, but she naturally accepted them.
“You’re truly dazzling.”
“Huh? The sun’s setting, and you say I’m dazzling?”
“Yeah, it’s blinding.”
“I’ll switch seats with you.”
Iva thought he meant sunlight.
“Even after switching, it’s still dazzling.”
“Oh, now you really feel like Chase.”
“Hahaha, I’ll pay closer attention to Chase’s tone when we return to the palace.”
They laughed as they left the market.
“Thanks for walking me this far.”
“It’s a shame we’ve arrived already. Where is this place?”
“I wanted to check on the relatives’ children I mentioned earlier.”
Claude felt unusually reluctant to part ways. Their accidental meeting had been so enjoyable.
“I hope the day we go to Pene comes quickly.”
Claude clutched the Bled herbs tightly.
“Huh? Pretty sister, now?”
Suddenly, Mayni came out from inside.
He immediately realized the oddity of calling her “relative.”
“Ma-Mayni! Why are you out here?”
Iva hurriedly picked her up.
“Brother is asleep, and big sister didn’t come, so I was bored.”
“I see. Now that you’re here, let’s go inside?”
“But who is this brother?”
Mayni pointed at Claude, and Iva quickly grabbed her hand.
“Ma-Mayni, don’t point at adults like that.”
Mayni stared at Claude, then hugged Iva tightly.
“Pretty sister will marry Mr. Bear.”
“Huh? Bear…?”
“Haha! Mayni, you must have been dreaming. You even have drool on your lips!”
Iva wiped the drool from Mayni’s lips with her sleeve, stopping her from speaking further.
“There’s a child here, can we go inside first?”
“Do that.”
Iva greeted briefly, then entered the hideout with Mayni.
Claude, returning to the palace, recalled something Rai had said before.
“Leo teaches the children at Grace?”
“Yes, just basic education. I also help with swordsmanship and physical training.”
“Haha, Rai, take it easy. They’re just children.”
“I know. And they’re not afraid of me. They call me Mr. Bear.”
“Mr. Bear? Hahaha, Rai, that fits better than ‘wolf’.”
“…Does it fit that well?”
“Yeah, perfectly. Children always see clearly.”
It was clear Mr. Bear referred to Rai.
How did Iva know Mr. Bear, and why did she stop the child from speaking?
“Could it be… the two of them together…?”
Claude stopped walking, staring at the hideout Iva had entered before finally turning away.
On the day they departed for Pene:
“No! I’m going too!”
Just before leaving the palace for Pene, with Claude, Rai, and Iva ready and waiting for the emperor’s order, Julian’s stubborn insistence delayed everyone’s departure.
“Julian, calm down.”
“I want to go too! I want to come with you!”
The little prince’s tantrum was holding up their exit.
