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Chapter 20
“Yes, Sylvia, you’re right.”
Calliope replied with a smile.
“See?!”
Sylvia beamed proudly, while Agnes grumbled.
“Countess, you’re far too biased toward Sylvia.”
“Try to understand. Sylvia tends to hold grudges for a long time.”
Calliope winked and then turned her body toward Lerazier.
“If you were offended, I’ll apologize on their behalf.”
Agnes immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply.
“I never intended to be rude. I apologize, Your Highness.”
Sylvia also bowed her waist. But Lerazier simply shrugged, as if it was nothing special.
“I just heard the same things I always hear. No big deal.”
“Kyaa…! That’s what you call real grace!” Sylvia gasped admiringly, but Agnes quickly clamped her hand over Sylvia’s mouth and dragged her out of the room.
“Then, we’ll leave you two to talk.”
Click. The door closed, leaving only Calliope and Lerazier in the room.
“Feels like a typhoon just swept through.”
Calliope placed a hand on her forehead and shook her head in disbelief.
Seeing that, Lerazier chuckled and sat down on the sofa.
“I thought it was fun. So what?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I mean it’s nice to see something informal and noisy, like commoners.”
“…Is that a compliment or an insult?”
“Who knows. If I had to say, maybe I’m a little jealous.”
“Talk like that and people might think you ate something bad today.”
The corner of Lerazier’s mouth curled up.
“I did drink a lot of lake water.”
“…”
“Thanks to someone.”
His mysterious golden eyes glinted lazily.
Calliope, who was quick to fire off sharp remarks, clammed up.
Enjoying her reaction, Lerazier added,
“So, what’s the next plan? Hopefully something better than falling into a lake.”
He casually picked up the teapot on the table and poured himself some tea. The way he did it was so elegant and proper—truly princely.
Calliope looked at him incredulously.
“Anyone would think this is your room.”
“Then you pour it.”
“Are you insane? Don’t you have hands? Feet?”
“That’s why I’m pouring it myself. I knew you wouldn’t do it.”
You…!
Calliope shot him a sharp glare with narrowed eyes, but Lerazier remained unfazed as he filled his cup and asked as if nothing had happened,
“Want some too?”
Instead of answering, Calliope pushed her teacup saucer toward him with a prim look.
Lerazier chuckled and filled her cup. Then, he quietly watched her sip the tea.
Strangely, his eyes kept being drawn to her, and he couldn’t look away.
Calliope rotated her stiff neck and spoke,
“Don’t worry. No more falling into lakes from now on.”
Her confident gaze made Lerazier’s eyes sparkle.
“Oh? Sounds like you’ve got a plan.”
“I’m Calliope Verdi. Listen carefully. This is just the beginning.”
“Sounds like it’ll be as fun as the lake operation.”
“You really looking forward to it?”
“Of course. You must be aiming for something more meaningful than the last operation, right?”
“Well… I guess so?”
Calliope looked surprised at Lerazier’s rare moment of acknowledgment.
He asked smoothly,
“Is it something we have to do before we act as each other’s partner at the New Year’s ball?”
Calliope nodded.
“You being my escort is a given.”
She set down her teacup and straightened her posture.
“But before that, I want to plant a few seeds.”
“Seeds?”
“Throw out some bait so others start to believe our relationship is real.”
“How are you planning to do that?”
Although no one else was around to hear, Calliope looked around theatrically, then beckoned him closer with her finger.
“This way.”
“You’re so dramatic.”
Lerazier grumbled, but obediently leaned in toward her.
“…te.”
“What? What did you say?”
Lerazier tilted his head, confused, and Calliope exploded in frustration.
“What, you’re supposed to be a Sword Master and can’t even hear this? All that physical prowess is useless when it actually matters!”
“What do you want me to do if I can’t hear you?”
“Ugh! You’re no help at all!”
“You could just repeat yourself. It’s not that hard. Honestly, your personality…”
Unable to hold back any longer, Calliope shouted,
“A date! I said a date!”
“Ah, so I did hear that right.”
Lerazier nonchalantly dug in his ear and replied casually.
“It just didn’t sound like you, so I thought I misheard.”
“…”
“What, are you mad now? Over something like this—ugh!”
A sudden sharp pain struck his shin, and Lerazier let out a groan.
Meanwhile, Calliope, who had just kicked him, looked refreshed as she dusted off her hands.
“Ah, that felt great. Should’ve disciplined you sooner. For a disobedient prince, a good beating is the best medicine.”
Looking smug, Calliope smirked, while Lerazier protested,
“Are you seriously hitting me right now? You know laying hands on a royal is punishable by law, right?”
“Come on, who doesn’t know that in the Empire?”
Calliope replied shamelessly.
“Hah. You must not know this, but royals are required to carry magical recording orbs for security at all times.”
“Oh, really?”
Calliope didn’t flinch at Lerazier’s attempt at intimidation.
Instead, she crossed her arms and leaned back comfortably on the sofa.
“Well, that’s a shame. Because I’m pretty sure you’re not carrying one.”
“What are you talking about…?”
“I didn’t tell you? My room is enchanted with security spells. All magical devices, including artifacts, get detected.”
The moment Lerazier, who had been lying confidently, clamped his mouth shut.
Calliope fired again with an expression of disbelief.
“And by the way, you weren’t even wearing clothes earlier—so what magical recording orb? You hiding it in your underwear?”
“…”
“And since we’re on the topic, let me ask—your claim that you had a recording of the graduation… That was a lie, right?”
Lerazier’s pupils flickered momentarily.
There it is. Calliope grinned triumphantly and narrowed her eyes.
Realizing the situation had turned against him, Lerazier quickly changed the subject.
“So how exactly are we doing this date thing? Time’s ticking—let’s hear it.”
It was a very obvious diversion, but Calliope decided to let it slide. It was the generosity of a victor.
* * *
By the time the two finished talking, dusk had already fallen.
Lerazier, rising from his seat, looked out the window.
“Time really flies.”
Strangely, whenever he was with Calliope, time flew by.
“I’ll lend you a carriage. Take it.”
“I won’t say no.”
There was no need to sneak back to the palace tonight.
After all, the earlier incident and the fact that he had come to the Verdi estate with Calliope would surely be all over the rumor mill by now.
‘Finally, I can move around freely for once.’
Just as he turned to leave, something outside caught his eye.
“Wait a second.”
Lerazier moved closer to the window and eventually opened the terrace door and stepped out.
“What is it?”
Calliope followed him with a puzzled expression.
“Looks like a rat snuck into your house.”
“A rat?”
Lerazier pointed to somewhere in the air.
Calliope followed the direction of his finger and soon spotted a shadowy figure she didn’t recognize.
“Well, isn’t this interesting?”
She looked at Lerazier. As their eyes met, he gave a meaningful smile.
“Suspicious, right?”
“Yeah. Big time.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“Well…”
Calliope’s gaze grew cold. Her sharp, violet eyes followed the figure’s movements.
They were heading toward the annex where her uncle Gilbert’s family was staying.
