THIEM 21

Chapter 21

Back in my room, I trembled alone.

‘At least it was better that there was a choice…’

If even that hadn’t existed, I would have been forced to act out Evelynn’s personality and cause chaos without restraint.

But the news that followed was grim.

“…The atmosphere was bad?”

“Yes, after you left, voices were raised several times. I’m not sure of the details, but… it seemed like the Duke and the young duke were angry.”

I tilted my head in confusion.

The Duke and Killian, not Raquel? If anything, Raquel should have been the one feeling insulted.

I had thought that if I just stepped back, everything would proceed smoothly…

“The Crown Prince returned with a stiff expression, and the Duke and young duke had a serious discussion afterward.”

Listening to Jenny’s report, I started thinking intensely again.

I couldn’t dwell on failure. It was better to solve it immediately.

While thinking that, I spoke differently out loud.

“Hmm, I’d rather not marry the second prince than get engaged to him…”

“Why? The second prince is very handsome, you know.”

“Are you serious? What’s so handsome about him?”

I frowned sharply.

“You don’t understand. A man should shine like the sun of high society.”

After possessing Evelynn’s body, I learned her taste in men was surprisingly simple.

She admired the Crown Prince’s natural brilliance—his ability to draw all attention wherever he went, his overwhelming presence that made him the protagonist of any scene.

She believed that standing beside such a person would make her part of that brilliance too. A foolish thought, of course.

I smiled bitterly and continued.

“Golden hair shining like sunlight is the symbol of the imperial family, isn’t it?”

“Is that so? But that doesn’t mean the second prince isn’t a prince. Black hair is just uncommon.”

“So you’re saying I’m wrong?!”

I frowned in irritation, and Jenny flinched.

“No, no! You’re right, my lady! Men should be dazzling and radiant!”

“Good.”

Satisfied, I flicked my hair over my shoulder.

Now the problem was helping Raquel and the Rosenthal Duke align again.

The Duke’s intention was clear. I had been rejected by the Crown Prince, so securing another imperial marriage would restore the situation.

From his perspective, it must have felt like a desperate situation.

A daughter who couldn’t marry would be a disaster in this era.

So this was his chance.

If I became engaged to another imperial family member, the humiliation of the Crown Prince’s rejection could be erased. And if that person became emperor, even better.

“…Do I have to step in myself?”

If I couldn’t persuade Raquel as Evelynn, there was only one option.

Something very convenient in moments like this—

The misunderstanding that he thought I was just a maid.

* * *

“You were too hasty.”

Hagen spoke with a stiff expression.

Raquel, glancing at his rigid face, turned to look out the carriage window.

He didn’t feel like responding.

“Are you listening? I said you were too hasty. Have you considered the consequences of those words?”

“…You talk too much.”

“Am I supposed to stay silent? I told you clearly before.”

Raquel slowly turned to look at Hagen. Meeting his red eyes directly, Hagen continued.

“An engagement was inevitable anyway. Did you really think you could avoid a political marriage by allying with the Rosenthal Duke?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then turn the carriage around immediately.”

At his firm tone, Raquel let out a long sigh.

He couldn’t deny Hagen’s nagging had a point.

It had all happened earlier—right after Evelynn stormed out of the reception room upon hearing the word “engagement.” The room had frozen in silence.

Of course, anyone would be offended by her rude behavior. Even if it was expected.

What Raquel said afterward was driven by momentary emotion.

— I will accept the engagement.

— I will persuade my daughter myself…

— However, I have one condition.

— A condition?

— The engagement with the young lady will be formal only. As for actual marriage… well.

And the next words were enough to ignite the Duke and the young duke’s fury.

— I don’t want to see my fiancée chasing after another man while calling his name.

— …! Are you insulting my sister?!

Raquel pressed a hand to his forehead.

‘Damn it…’

He admitted it. He had gone too far.

He was now regretting letting emotions take over.

‘Strangely, I lose control whenever it involves that woman.’

Perhaps it was because she obsessively followed the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was like a sore spot that Raquel couldn’t ignore.

“Are you not turning the carriage?”

At Hagen’s cold voice, Raquel sighed again.

“I admit I was wrong… but the Rosenthal lady also bears responsibility. Don’t you think this is something both sides should apologize for?”

“For a man, you’re rather petty. I already knew that.”

“…Fine, fine.”

Raquel leaned back, drained of energy.

He closed his eyes briefly in thought.

‘Now that I think about it…’

A strange sense of familiarity lingered.

That pale face beneath silver hair—somehow it felt familiar.

‘Oddly familiar.’

It felt different from when he had met Evelynn at the banquet. Her tone, her atmosphere… everything had become strangely composed.

‘She must have been shocked after the Crown Prince broke off the engagement.’

He dismissed the thought.

Raquel straightened himself.

“…I won’t turn the carriage. The Duke of Rosenthal probably needs time to calm down as well. I’ll visit again in a few days.”

He muttered with a displeased expression.

“Still, I’m not sure whether the lady will truly abandon her feelings for my brother and accept this engagement.”

In this state, what meaning would an engagement even have?

It would only bring unhappiness to both sides.

* * *

The next morning.

After the Rosenthal Duke entered the palace, Killian left for the estate. Even while greeting me, neither of them could hide their grim expressions.

What on earth happened…

‘What, did Raquel say something bad about me?’

Even if he did, how bad could it be? Everything he said about Evelynn would probably be true anyway.

I had long given up on my reputation.

Most likely, they were talking about the family rather than me.

Anyway, after the Duke entered the palace, I secretly slipped into his office.

‘I need to enter the palace to meet the second prince…’

While rummaging through his desk, I found a hidden drawer.

“Ah, here it is.”

The Rosenthal family seal.

I placed a blank sheet into an envelope and sealed it with the wax stamp. In an instant, a convincing forged letter was complete.

“With this, entering the palace will be much easier.”

I smiled in satisfaction, grabbed the letter, and quickly left the mansion.

* * *

At the back gate of the imperial palace, servants hurried back and forth.

“I don’t recognize your face. What is your business?”

A knight blocking the gate stopped me.

People nearby were quickly writing their names in the register and entering the palace.

“I’ve come to see the Duke of Rosenthal. I have an urgent message.”

“The Duke of Rosenthal? From his estate?”

He looked me over suspiciously.

‘Hmph, just as planned—I’m wearing a robe with the family insignia.’

I calmly pulled out the letter from my chest.

I held out the envelope so the seal was clearly visible.

“…Hmm, Rosenthal family seal. But we weren’t informed a maid would be visiting.”

“It was too urgent to send notice in advance. I’ll just deliver this and leave.”

“Very well. But don’t stay long.”

“Understood.”

I answered brightly, and he seemed satisfied as he handed me the register.

I paused for a moment before writing casually.

[ Eve – Rosenthal Household ]

The palace was still unfamiliar to me. I had been here for banquets, but rarely wandered inside.

Trying not to look around, I searched for the Second Prince’s residence.

‘It should be around here…’

As I slowly followed my memory, I stopped.

Between the neatly trimmed gardens, I caught sight of black hair.

There he is.

I started to approach Raquel—then stopped.

‘…What is he doing?’

He was walking toward a secluded outer wall of the palace.