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~CHAPTER 88~
Flip—
I couldn’t focus on the book for a while now.
Because of the handsome sculpture sitting right across from me.
Vincent had chosen to sit opposite me instead of in his office, reviewing documents for the past hour.
“Your Highness.”
At my call, Vincent slowly lifted his gaze to meet mine.
My lips froze as my heart reacted to his look.
I must never let him notice this reaction.
I tried to look calm and spoke.
“I was thinking of heading back now.”
“Really? I was about to do the same. Let’s go.”
Was he serious?
Lately, his behavior had been confusing.
It no longer felt like he was acting.
I thought if I brought Sylvia here, he’d take an interest in her and naturally drift away from me.
But contrary to my expectations, the “Sylvia effect” was nonexistent.
Maybe because Vincent showed no particular reaction, Sylvia didn’t seem interested in him either.
Maybe it’s because I’ve changed.
That thought brought a mix of anxiety, guilt, and a faint, ticklish feeling.
A tiny, foolish hope.
Then I felt stupid for even thinking that.
To calm down, I recalled what I’d heard last time on the terrace of the Loisen estate.
“If I truly fell for a woman like that, I’d have to be insane. And a madman can’t inherit the throne, so I’d rather give up being Crown Prince.”
“Phew…”
I could feel Vincent watching me quietly as he gathered his papers.
“Amelia, is something bothering you?”
“Ah, no.”
As I closed the book and tried to stand, a dried maple leaf fell from between the pages.
“Ah.”
It had dried out completely after a few days, so I probably needed to find a new one.
I bent down to pick it up, but his hand reached out first.
“A maple leaf?”
Vincent held it by the stem, turning it this way and that.
One corner of the brittle leaf had already crumbled.
“Yes, it was pretty, so I used it as a bookmark.”
If I could laminate it, it would last longer, but that was impossible here.
I wonder if you could even make a laminator with magic tools.
Vincent gave a small smile at my answer.
“Using a leaf as a bookmark… how unusual. Mind if I keep it?”
“Huh? Well… sure. But it’s really dry—it might crumble.”
“That’s fine.”
He carefully tucked the leaf into his pile of papers.
I’ll have to find him a new one next time.
Thinking that, I walked alongside him.
We took the garden path on purpose, enjoying the sound of our steps on the ground, when a familiar, unpleasant voice called out.
“Hey, Amelia!”
I turned to see Aidan storming toward me, huffing in anger.
As usual, Eric followed behind him quietly.
Seeing Aidan made me flush with embarrassment.
“Your Highness…”
I was about to ask him to excuse me, but Vincent didn’t look like he planned to leave.
“Wouldn’t it be better if I stayed? Easier to deal with him.”
“He might be rude…”
“That’s fine. I think I already know why he’s here.”
I closed my mouth and glanced between Aidan and Vincent.
I had a hunch too.
This morning, Vincent had gone to see the Emperor.
To report on the slave auction and discuss the punishment for those involved.
That probably included Duke Wentworth.
The Duke must have sent Aidan here to protest.
A man who cared so much about appearances wouldn’t come to the Crown Prince’s palace himself.
Still, I didn’t know the exact punishment yet.
Banishment from the capital? Confinement to the estate?
“…I’m sorry, Amelia.”
Vincent’s quiet voice made me turn toward him.
Was the punishment worse than I thought?
Would the Duke lose his title?
If so, I’d have to leave the palace too.
“Amelia! What have you done? How could you do this to Father? Banned from the palace for three years!”
“Sir Aidan, Lady Wentworth has no such authority.”
“…Ah, I—Your Highness.”
Only then did Aidan seem to realize who was standing beside me.
How could anyone miss Vincent, of all people?
That was a skill.
“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Eric quickly bowed, and Aidan followed awkwardly.
He mumbled something polite, but it was too quiet to hear.
“The punishment for the Duke was decreed by His Majesty. If you disagree with His Majesty’s decision…”
Vincent smiled brightly as he finished the thought.
“…you could always rebel. I doubt it would succeed, though.”
“R—Rebel? Y-Your Highness, what are you saying!”
Aidan’s face turned white.
Even he knew what the word “rebellion” meant.
Eric quickly lowered his head again.
“Your Highness, please understand that I had nothing to do with this.”
“Of course, Eric.”
The young man’s quick judgment amused me.
Aidan glanced around nervously before glaring at me and saying,
“Your Highness, may I speak with Amelia alone?”
Vincent looked at me.
“Amelia, will that be all right?”
I sighed quietly.
If he left, Aidan would probably throw a tantrum again.
Still, I was curious what he wanted.
“Yes, Your Highness. It’s fine.”
“All right, then I’ll leave you to talk.”
Vincent left easily, and Derek stood a little ways off.
Far enough to give space, but close enough to overhear or step in if needed.
Foolish Aidan probably didn’t realize that everything said here would reach Vincent.
I walked slowly through the garden, aware of Derek’s presence.
“Brother, what is it you wanted to say to me?”
“What did you do?”
“What do you mean?”
“That thing Father was doing! What were you doing when the Crown Prince stormed in?”
I stopped and looked at him blankly.
“You mean the slave auction? I only heard about that today. You know me, brother. Would His Highness ever tell me things like that personally?”
Since I couldn’t think of a better excuse, I reused the one that had worked before.
“Well, that’s true, but still… no, wait. You seem closer to the Crown Prince than I thought. I saw you two walking together earlier.”
“That was only because His Highness was being considerate of appearances. I barely see him once a day. I really only found out about Father’s situation today.”
“Exactly! Then how could he ban Father from the palace for three years?”
“Hmm… three years. But I guess it’s only Father?”
If you’re here, Aidan, it must be.
“Yes, for now. I came before it was enforced, but Father went to see His Majesty!”
“Ah, so Father went to the Emperor. Three years, huh… that’s serious. Anything else?”
“Of course. He has to step down as Chief Treasurer.”
That made sense.
The Chief Treasurer couldn’t be banned from the palace and keep the job.
“Anything else?”
“No, that’s it… wait, you sound disappointed.”
Oops, caught.
I had been thinking the punishment seemed lighter than expected.
“Of course not. It’s really unfortunate.”
“Don’t just pity him. You’re close to the Crown Prince—can’t you do something?”
“Sigh… I wish I could.”
I let out a quiet sigh, and Aidan leaned closer, glancing around first.
“Hey, so… there’s really no chance? You and the Crown Prince?”
