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Chapter 48.
“What? Why the Crown Prince?”
“Hehe, even the great Rosia Levian would be shocked to hear this!”
Stella smiled in amusement and handed me a handkerchief.
“They say he entered the late Empress’s garden.”
The late Empress’s garden—that was the place I had secretly slipped away to during the knights’ ceremony. I had felt sick and was resting there when I ran into Lexian.
“They say he claimed he didn’t know. But really, does it make any sense when a royal decree banning entry to that garden was sent to every noble house?”
“Of course it doesn’t. And even His Majesty the Emperor didn’t stop him, which means it was a silent approval.”
“Exactly. Everyone knows how the Crown Prince felt about bringing in a new Empress.”
Stella picked up a second grape.
The Crown Prince, who had deeply loved his mother, was furious when, right after her death, his father, the Emperor, announced his intention to take a new wife.
He’d even threatened to renounce his title and flee to another country.
The Emperor, who couldn’t afford to lose a Crown Prince with such sharp political instincts and scholarly talent—no matter how difficult he could be—had forcibly kept him in the palace.
The Emperor managed to persuade him by declaring a mourning period for the late Empress.
Well, rather than the Emperor persuading him, it was more accurate to say that the Crown Prince changed his mind because he wanted to honor his mother’s dying wish—to become a great ruler.
He knew that if a child of the new Empress ascended the throne, his mother’s memory would be pitied and overshadowed.
“Anyway, because of that, it seems the Crown Prince forbade Merina Ikel from entering the palace. The Empress even petitioned His Majesty to overturn the order, but it seems that didn’t work.”
“Well, that makes sense. It would disgrace the Crown Prince’s dignity if His Majesty intervened.”
The Emperor wasn’t on bad terms with the late Empress, and he cherished the Crown Prince deeply.
Since the Crown Prince hadn’t acted out against the Empress, and it was Merina who was in the wrong, demanding the Emperor to revoke the Prince’s order would be equivalent to undermining his position.
The Emperor might be fond of his young new Empress, but he was far too sensitive about imperial authority to take back that order.
“Still, it’s surprising. I never thought the Crown Prince would drive Lady Ikel away.”
“I know, right? That’s what shocked me too. I thought they were close.”
Stella added that she used to think the Crown Prince was just immature.
Indeed—there was no way the Crown Prince should have ever turned against Merina. He wasn’t capable of loving me like Lexian did, but neither was he the type to fall for another woman.
I drank my tea calmly, but my mind was spinning.
Merina had been the only person allowed to freely enter the late Empress’s garden without punishment—so for the Crown Prince to become furious over that?
It struck me with the same kind of shock as when Lexian had treated me kindly.
“Well, anyway, it worked out for the best, didn’t it? By the way, Roa, have you heard about the Crown Princess selection?”
“Yes. Our family won’t be participating. It’s something everyone in the family agreed on.”
“It would’ve been nice if Lady Levian became the future Empress of the Empire, what a shame,” said Lord Stein teasingly.
“Don’t say such unlucky things, Gades,” Stella scolded, elbowing him hard in the stomach. “The Crown Prince would hunt Roa down like a rat. I’m not losing my friend just to gain a bit of power.”
“Ugh, I’m kidding! Just a joke! Lady Levian, you know I didn’t mean it, right?”
Lord Stein groaned and hurriedly apologized.
“I’m not sure what will happen with Fony, but even if you withdraw, I doubt His Majesty will let you off so easily.”
“True. Right now, I’m the daughter of the highest-ranking noble family in the Empire.”
“You should’ve gotten engaged earlier, like me,” Stella teased.
“You were just lucky, Stella. I’m not so fortunate.”
The Marquisate of Meritney and the Duchy were close business partners, so their families often interacted.
It was only natural that Stella and Lord Stein frequently met, their mutual affection growing until it led to an engagement.
“What about Duke Lixiansius? The way he looks at you isn’t normal.”
“No,” I said firmly, but Stella didn’t look convinced.
“He doesn’t like me that way. And I don’t have any feelings for him either.”
“Maybe you’re not interested, but he definitely is. I’d bet my family’s pearl farm on it.”
For her to be so certain, even though I hadn’t told her what happened between Lexian and me—just how closely had she been observing us?
“Do you remember his face during the hunting competition? He looked ready to tear apart the man who hurt you! And that stone-faced man even took your side at the party!”
“Oh, yes, I was surprised about that too,” Lord Stein chimed in.
“I’ve met Duke Lixiansius a few times and heard plenty about him, but he’s completely different when he’s with Lady Levian.”
Yes—Lexian’s behavior toward me had reached a level of obviousness that even others noticed.
If things continued this way, it wouldn’t be long before he recognized his feelings and started pursuing me earnestly.
And when that day came… the chance of him dying in front of me would rise drastically.
The time had come to make a choice.
“He might be interested in me, but I’m not. To me, he feels more like a reliable older brother than a man. If anything…”
…I’m interested in someone else.
I had told countless lies before, but this one felt like a thorn caught in my throat, refusing to come out.
Lexian—my savior.
I can’t destroy the only person who’s ever truly mattered in my countless lives.
I might say with my lips that I like another man, but my heart for you will never change.
After confessing silently to no one but myself, I lowered my gaze so Stella and Lord Stein wouldn’t notice anything strange, and whispered softly:
“I’m more interested in Silla.”
“Silla? Who’s that?”
“Silla Bernstein—the Archmage.”
Stella and Lord Stein’s jaws dropped in unison. Stella recovered first and fired off questions like arrows.
“Since when did you two start calling each other by name? Have you met outside the imperial ball? Does the Archmage like you? When’s the engagement?”
“We’re not at that stage yet. We just… have some interest in each other.”
Considering the Archmage had sworn not to kill me, he definitely had some sort of interest. And in a way, I was interested too—because he was useful.
“If rumors spread, things might get complicated, so please keep it secret for now, okay?”
“Of course! Oh—but can I tell Fony?”
“Yes, but ask her to keep it secret too.”
“Obviously. I’m so happy for you, Roa. If things work out with the Archmage, even His Majesty will have to give up on you.”
Her joy for me pricked at my conscience, but I smiled anyway.
“So, that means you’ll be going to the upcoming imperial ball with the Archmage?”
“I haven’t decided yet, but probably. He even asked why I didn’t invite him when I went alone to Fony’s party.”
“Oh my!”
Stella’s eyes sparkled—clearly, she was already imagining a pink, romantic story in her head.
“The Archmage, hmm…”
“Gades, you’re thinking about business again, aren’t you? Stop it.”
Stella smacked her fiancé on the back.
Since I had also wondered if I could use the Archmage for business purposes, I couldn’t really blame him. But I hid my expression and quietly took another bite of cake.
After sorting through all the new developments and twisted events, a whole day had passed.
It felt like my lifespan had been extended by at least a year—but the problem was that too many things had diverged from the novel’s original storyline.
Especially the behavior of the male leads—it was becoming suspicious.
Knock, knock.
Before I could even respond, the door burst open.
“Sis!”
At Calvin’s sudden entrance, I quickly slid the documents I’d been organizing under another stack of papers.
“What is it, Cal? Isn’t it still before training time?”
“I came for something else. Sister, let’s go to the imperial ball together.”
Right—Calvin, one of the male leads, was now acting as if he had completely forgotten about Merina.
