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Chapter 18
‘Why does he keep staring at me?’
Iela tried to stay calm, but she grew increasingly restless. From some time ago, the top of her head felt prickly and hot.
She unconsciously lifted her head, only to meet a sharp gaze directed at her. She immediately ducked back down as if struck, as though that gaze alone was choking the air out of her lungs. Her heart began to pound uncontrollably as well.
At any rate, she should have been relieved that the mission had succeeded, but the situation was anything but fortunate. If the prince came to interrogate her, she would have no excuse—there was no way to justify it.
Iela fidgeted nervously, her eyes darting around.
“Miss, what’s wrong?”
Betty, sitting right in front of her, noticed her complexion turning pale and her anxious behavior.
“Huh? Ah… Betty. Let’s go!”
Only then did Iela remember she was sitting right there.
“What? Already? But there’s still so much food left.”
Betty pointed at the dishes she had barely touched.
“I’ll buy you more outside. Let’s go quickly.”
At her urgent tone, Betty sensed something was off and began gathering her things.
But then, a shadow fell across the table. Iela immediately thought she was doomed and hastily searched for an excuse.
“U-um…”
It was Prince Franz’s voice. Her heart, which had been pounding moments ago, felt like it dropped to her stomach.
“Have we met somewhere before? I feel like I’ve seen you.”
Iela blinked blankly and looked up at Franz’s face.
‘What is this supposed to mean?’
She assumed she had been exposed. But judging by his serious expression, it didn’t seem like he recognized her.
Since she had only stared at him openly today, and previously had been subtle enough not to draw attention, she concluded there was no way the prince actually knew—and decided to feign ignorance.
“No, we haven’t.”
His sharp blue eyes studied her calm expression. Franz already saw through her intentions, but pretended otherwise.
“No? That’s odd. My memory is quite good.”
At his continued probing, Iela frowned slightly.
“There’s no way.”
‘So you’re going to keep this up?’
A faint smile rose on Franz’s lips.
“You are an academy student, aren’t you? I’ve seen you often. Why lie?”
“…Pardon?”
Iela felt the world go dark.
‘Did he find out? If so, how much does he know?’
Her thoughts spiraled into confusion.
“Well… I…”
Just as she was about to deny it again, Franz cut her off.
“I honestly don’t recall.”
“What do you mean?”
Iela steadied her trembling voice and asked cautiously.
Franz looked at her wary eyes and spoke with a questioning tone.
“Am I the one who keeps appearing and loitering around you, or is it you? What do you think?”
Only now did he feel certain, though he had been slightly unsure before. The reason was simple: wherever he went, Iela was always there. She would either be reading or scribbling in a notebook.
To him, she was just a passerby. Perhaps she had simply been where she needed to be—so he had even entertained a “pure curiosity” about it.
Under his piercing gaze, Iela felt every hair on her body stand on end.
‘He figured it out.’
The realization filled her with embarrassment; she wanted nothing more than to disappear somewhere.
It had been necessary, but it was undeniably unladylike behavior. And lying on top of it… she had no excuses.
“I’m not interested in this kind of game,” Franz said calmly.
“Game…?”
“This dull back-and-forth, this staged attention-seeking—it’s far too cliché for my taste.”
“…”
Iela stared at him, speechless.
So the prince thought she was trying to get his attention because she liked him.
She felt utterly stunned by the misunderstanding.
“Compared to that, I find honest and direct seduction far more interesting.”
At his low murmur, Iela’s face flushed bright red.
‘What is this man even talking about?’
“That’s quite rude,” she snapped, her face burning.
Her defiant gaze flared toward Franz.
‘Is he looking down on me because I’m a woman?’
But Franz only looked amused, not at all intimidated.
“You’re the one being rude. You should realize it and behave more properly as a lady next time we meet.”
His voice carried far more authority than his expression suggested. He was not someone to be taken lightly.
Struck by his words, Iela became flustered. In truth, he wasn’t wrong.
Since everything he said was correct, she had no counterargument. In situations like this, the only option was to apologize.
“Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness.”
Iela lowered her head respectfully. After today, she intended never to meet him again.
It was already humiliating enough that she couldn’t even look him in the eye.
Franz looked down at her bowed head quietly.
“So you want me to forgive you?”
“I will ensure this never happens again.”
“Hm.”
He pretended to think, stroking his chin.
“Whether I forgive you or not, I’ll consider it later.”
His tone was indifferent, but a faint smile lingered on his lips.
“…”
Iela had nothing left to say. She only prayed desperately for the situation to end.
And then, a savior appeared.
“Franz!”
At the voice calling him, Franz turned.
“Marco.”
“Hey, what are you doing here? Why are you alone?”
Marco recognized him immediately. Franz disliked crowds and social gatherings, so seeing him in a busy district was surprising.
“…You’re not alone?”
Marco noticed a maid standing by the table. The young maid looked back and forth between them nervously.
‘What’s going on?’
Behind Franz’s tall frame, only strands of light brown hair were visible.
“Did I interrupt something?”
“Wait a moment.”
Unlike his usual self, the atmosphere around Franz felt tense. Marco decided not to ask further and waited silently.
Franz looked down at Iela, still bowing her head. His gaze briefly fell on her neck.
Loose strands of hair swayed against her pale skin.
‘She does have a somewhat feminine side.’
He looked away.
“Then I’ll look forward to our next meeting. I hope to see a more proper, ladylike demeanor next time.”
Iela abruptly lifted her head, startled.
‘Again?!’
She looked like she couldn’t believe it.
Franz, irritated by her reaction, frowned slightly.
“What, you asked for forgiveness but didn’t want to see me again?”
“No!”
Startled, she quickly smiled.
“Of course not. Really.”
But her lips trembled, and Franz didn’t believe her.
“Well, I’m not fully convinced—but I’ll trust you once.”
He turned away casually.
The moment Franz moved, Marco finally saw the girl fully.
His eyes widened.
‘No way…’
It was Iela Clarence.
Marco stood frozen for a moment.
‘Franz and Iela?’
What kind of combination was this?
He couldn’t make sense of the situation at all.
“Let’s go.”
Franz spoke casually and began walking ahead.
Still shocked, Marco glanced back a few times before following him.
“Wow… it really is her.”
“Is it really Iela Clarence?” Marco muttered.
“Obviously.”
Franz smirked.
“But how…?”
Marco tilted his head in confusion, unable to reach any conclusion.
“So what exactly is going on?”
After thinking for a moment, Franz finally spoke.
“There was a stalker following me. Turns out it was Iela Clarence. I only found out yesterday.”
It was a statement that could easily lead to misunderstanding. Not entirely accurate—but not exactly wrong either.
