TNKBP 55

The sound of shoes echoing through the corridor was strangely sharp.

Matthias opened the office door in a fit of irritation.

Inside the Central Palace, where the quiet night had settled, Reina stopped working and slowly stood up at the unusually loud sound.

She had been preparing to wrap up her work after finishing everything, even sending Mar and Lindsey, who had been working nonstop for the past two days with overtime, but for some reason she had a feeling she would be leaving late again today.

Reina quickly went to the First Prince’s office, took a deep breath, and knocked carefully.

“Your Highness, it’s Reina….”

“Come in.”

The low voice sounded tense. Reina immediately realized that the banquet had not ended well and entered the office as quietly as possible.

“Your Highness, did something happen?”

“Ha, Karl… that weasel bastard….”

Matthias slammed his hand on the table, unable to contain his anger.

“He definitely had his eyes on Lindsey. Damn it, why is this happening….”

At the nonstop stream of profanity, Reina flinched.

“So it seems the talk started because House Hopens and House Ritberg are in the same place.”

“That bastard… has he met Lindsey before? Why is he suddenly interested in her?”

Matthias frowned as if he couldn’t understand it. Reina calmly gave her thoughts, as if she knew this moment would come.

“I heard that… Lady Lindsey was placed in the banquet hall earlier, and at that time the Second Prince stopped by briefly. The Second Prince’s office staff didn’t explain clearly, so I don’t know the full details….”

Reina hesitated uncharacteristically before continuing.

“But it seems he showed a strong interest in Lady Lindsey. If even the attendants noticed, then….”

“He must want to keep her under him. That’s why he brought it up at the banquet.”

Matthias sighed and looked up at the ceiling, then walked toward the window.

Outside was a pitch-black night.

As he stared into that darkness, looking toward the approaching red dawn, he wondered how long he had been waiting for her.

‘I worked so hard to keep her by my side….’

Matthias closed his eyes tightly.

There was a reason he had not brought Lindsey into his personal office.

The biggest reason was that he did not want her to know he was a prince yet.

But more than that, he felt that if he saw her often, he would no longer be able to hide his feelings for her.

And if those feelings piled up, rumors would spread that the First Prince had feelings for the daughter of House Ritberg.

Then Lindsey, who shone wherever she went, would inevitably catch the attention of Karl and the Empress.

So he had been carefully keeping her at a distance while watching over her.

But there had been a variable.

Lindsey was far more capable than he expected, and unlike other noble ladies, she never avoided difficult work.

The daughter of the Ritberg Duke who had not even received a recommendation letter from her father.

A person who was personally recommended by the teachers of Saint Gartain Academy, and even had a separate letter sent to the Imperial Palace.

Someone who could survive anywhere, and who did not hesitate to blend into any group.

From the moment Lindsey first stepped into the Imperial Palace, she had drawn attention.

He had struggled so much to take her away from the Duke’s side.

“…If I had known this would happen, I should have just left her with the Duke.”

“No, Your Highness. Keeping her close was the right choice. If not, the Second Prince would have noticed Lady Lindsey even faster. Given the Duke of Ritberg’s personality, he would not be able to stop himself from showing off his daughter.”

“I see.”

Reina was one of the loyal aides who knew Matthias and Lindsey’s secret relationship.

Because of that, at first, she had not trusted Lindsey.

She did not believe in the rumors circulating in the Imperial Palace. She was the type who needed to see and judge for herself.

And she had been worried about what kind of arrogant noble lady would arrive.

But when Lindsey first came to work, all of those prejudices shattered.

She bowed respectfully even to ladies from other noble houses, listened to her superiors, and learned rather than argued when she made mistakes.

Reina found it admirable.

So she did not want Lindsey transferred to another department either. After thinking with Matthias, she carefully spoke.

“Your Highness, wouldn’t it be better to reveal yourself now?”

“……”

At Reina’s words, Matthias fell silent.

In truth, he was not ready.

He was afraid of what he should say when he finally met her.

Afraid she might feel betrayed.

Afraid she had already forgotten their past memories.

Reina, noticing his hesitation, spoke again.

“As long as there is no conflict with Your Highness, they cannot easily move Lady Lindsey. But from now on, she will be watched closely.”

“A reason to remove Lindsey from here, you mean?”

“Yes. Since the Second Prince has already brought it up, the Empress will not stay still either.”

“Yes… that’s right. She’ll do everything to get what her son wants.”

Matthias’ expression hardened.

“So, from now on, we just need to give Lady Lindsey a reason to choose Your Highness. A choice she won’t be swayed from no matter what happens. In this era, no department can forcibly take someone unless it’s truly necessary.”

Matthias nodded slightly.

“…Go ahead and leave for today. I’ll think a bit more and head out later.”

“You don’t need me to stay…?”

“It’s fine.”

Matthias gave a bitter smile.

“I need some time alone. To think about… how I can feel less betrayed.”

“…Then I will take my leave. See you tomorrow.”

At her formal farewell, Matthias simply waved his hand.

He turned back toward the window.

His father, the current Emperor, had golden hair like fine sand, and green eyes like his mother.

And beyond the window, he seemed to see the girl from his academy days looking back at him.

‘Martin. Matthias Schulman.’

He quietly called the name from his memories.

A name no one called him anymore.

“Good morning, Reina. Huh, but….”

“Ah, Lindsey….”

It was an ordinary morning.

But unlike my mood, the atmosphere of the First Secretary Office was tense and cold.

Among the well-dressed attendants, Reina looked especially bad.

“Lady Lindsey Ritberg?”

One of the attendants around Reina spoke to me.

I exchanged a silent glance with Reina and slowly answered.

“Yes, I am Lindsey Ritberg.”

“You’re here. We’ve been ordered by the Empress to escort you. Could you spare a moment?”

It sounded like a question asking for permission, but it clearly wasn’t.

Reina rubbed her head as if she had a headache, and I quickly realized I had no choice.

I quietly followed them.

It seemed the First Prince had not arrived yet.

If he had been here, he would have stopped them, saying they needed permission to take someone under his wing, even if it was the Empress.

I walked slowly behind the attendants.

They headed north, so it seemed we were going to the Empress’s palace.

After walking quite a long distance, the attendant suddenly stopped me and told me to wait.

Then he went into an entrance hidden among rose bushes.

A moment later, he gestured for me to come in.

At that sight, I slowly stepped forward.

‘The Empress, suddenly?’

I hadn’t done anything noticeable recently.

The fact that someone of such high status had called for me made me uneasy.

I kept my gaze lowered and walked across the fresh green grass.

Soon, I saw violet shoes among the grass.

I slightly bent my knee and greeted her.

“I am Lindsey Ritberg of House Ritberg. I greet the Empress, the other sun of Epenia.”

“Raise your head.”

A soft, almost seductive voice spoke.

I slowly lifted my head.

Standing there among the rose-covered bushes was a woman more beautiful than the roses themselves.

“Nice to meet you, Lindsey.”

She greeted me with a red curve on her lips.