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Chapter 13
“Tsk. Too bad I couldn’t finish scolding you, Calliope.”
“You should consider yourself lucky.”
Calliope growled like a beast that had just lost its prey, and Lerazier chuckled in response.
“I’ve always been a lucky guy, you know. Even when I don’t try, things just happen to go my way.”
Calliope glared at him, not letting him win a single word, with a face that screamed ‘pathetic.’
“It was you. My luck vampire.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Now she was sure—ever since graduation, her luck had been in ruins, and she had found the reason why.
‘Damn it. I should’ve kicked his shin one last time that day.’
But even then, Calliope had been too practical to beat up a prince in front of a crowd of graduates.
‘It’s fine. The chance will come eventually.’
She silently swore that one day, when the time was right, she’d get him back good—preferably in a vital spot. Or a vital spot. Or maybe… a vital spot.
With that fierce resolve, she walked out of the parlor and gave a firm warning.
“Don’t even accidentally say something like that in front of my grandfather.”
“Say what?”
Lerazier blinked like he had no clue what she meant.
“Still playing dumb?”
Swallowing back the surge of irritation, Calliope leaned in and whispered close to his ear.
“Don’t even say the word emperor, got it?”
The soft breath that escaped her lips tickled Lerazier’s ear, and his mouth involuntarily curled into a relaxed smile.
“Oh, that.”
Unlike Calliope, who looked worried someone might overhear, Lerazier replied nonchalantly.
“Is it really that big a deal?”
“That big a—?! Do you have no sense of danger?!”
The one who got anxious was Calliope, not her ever-unconcerned fiancé-to-be.
“Listen closely. Grandpa has no interest in political fights or power struggles. The moment you show any hint of that, he’ll cancel this engagement. And…”
Her calm tone wavered for a second before she spoke again.
“You know what happens to imperial family members who pose a threat to the throne, don’t you?”
That voice, almost as if she was worried for him, made Lerazier momentarily flinch.
His golden-yellow eyes flickered with faint confusion.
‘No way.’
Calliope Verdi… worried about him? Of all people?
Ridiculous.
And even if it were true, it would be as a partner with shared goals. She wouldn’t want their plans to fall apart—that was all.
Just as Lerazier pulled himself back together, Calliope said firmly:
“So promise me. Never say anything like that again.”
She exuded confidence, as if it was only natural he’d agree.
It was that confidence that always irritated Lerazier—and yet, kept him from looking away.
So familiar.
He suddenly recalled the feel of her hand earlier.
Smaller and softer than expected. It had surprised him, even made him instinctively cautious.
As if he might break her by accident.
‘What nonsense. Fragile Calliope Verdi? What a laughable delusion.’
Forcing the memory out of his mind, Lerazier feigned calmness and asked:
“What if I don’t promise?”
“Then our engagement is off.”
Lerazier let out a dry laugh.
“You really don’t go easy, huh.”
“Only just figured that out?”
“As if.”
He shook his head and replied obediently.
“Fine, I promise. I won’t bring it up with anyone again.”
“That’s all I needed.”
Relieved that the issue was finally settled, she turned with a refreshed expression.
She was just about to head toward the dining room when—
“Calliope.”
Lerazier called her name. She glanced back at him over her shoulder.
“What?”
His sharp eyes curved into a sly arc.
As if to say this wasn’t over yet.
“So… can I say it to you, at least?”
…Do you want to die?
* * *
From the moment he stepped across the dining room threshold, Lerazier, who had just been acting like he left half his brain behind, transformed completely.
So much so that Calliope’s worries felt unnecessary. He slipped into his new role like a custom-tailored suit.
Seeing the dramatic change up close, Calliope was almost in awe.
In any case, the meal with Archibald and their fake romantic act was proceeding smoothly.
“I’ve prepared everything with care, though it may fall short of the Imperial Palace’s cuisine.”
“Not at all. My tongue is quite pleased with such an excellent dinner.”
Archibald offered modest words, and Lerazier responded with gracious compliments.
As the meal progressed from the aperitif to the next courses, their conversation flowed effortlessly.
Sometimes, they even laughed at light jokes.
‘Honestly, I didn’t think he’d pull it off this well. He’s exceeding expectations.’
Glancing at her grandfather, Calliope noticed that Lerazier was scoring some serious points.
‘It’s a relief, but…’
A subtle sense of discomfort settled over her.
‘If he’s that good at talking, then why is he always such a pain when it’s with me?’
Polite without being servile, confident without being arrogant—his conversation was polished and charming.
‘This is kind of pissing me off.’
Just as she gripped her steak knife a little tighter—
“Come to think of it, Lord Verdi may also be interested. I recently came across information about a—”
‘…!’
“—site where gold is believed to be buried.”
Calliope nearly leapt out of her seat.
She had really thought he was about to say “emperor,” and her heart nearly stopped.
But when Lerazier turned to her with a mischievous—no, downright devilish—grin, she realized she’d been completely played.
‘That bastard.’
That she had fallen for such a childish prank was both embarrassing and infuriating.
‘Just wait. I’ll make you pay back double for this.’
Fuming, Calliope glared daggers at him.
But he didn’t flinch under her sharp gaze.
Instead, he smiled sweetly—on purpose—and continued speaking with Archibald.
“It’s a mine in the Mentura region. The information came through a reliable source. Worth verifying, I believe.”
“Is it really all right for you to share such valuable information with me?”
“My fiancée’s grandfather, after all. With family, what’s a bit of info between us?”
He casually dropped another mention of their engagement for good measure.
Thanks to the high-value intel he brought, the atmosphere between the men grew even more cordial.
Only Calliope, caught in Lerazier’s prank, could do nothing but hold her forehead in disbelief.
Just like that, half the peaceful meal passed uneventfully.
‘Huh?’
Then, Calliope noticed something strange.
Lerazier’s fork was moving oddly—something was being pushed aside little by little.
‘No way…’
Her eyes narrowed.
A moment later, she saw it.
A boiled carrot from the garnish was being quietly rolled away by a smooth fork swing, disappearing into the sauce.
‘Oh. My. God.’
Her eyes slowly traveled from the plate up to Lerazier’s face.
He looked utterly calm, as though he hadn’t just pulled off the perfect crime seconds ago.
‘So that’s how it is.’
Still holding her knife, Calliope tapped the handle with her index finger.
Then her lips curled into a sly, devilish grin—an idea had just struck her.
