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chapter 11
The Crown Prince and Erica attended a party celebrating the debut of artists sponsored by the Imperial family.
“Lady Medina, you are truly beautiful today as well.”
“Oh my, thank you. But, Lady, I heard you recently attended Duke Baraota’s wedding. Is that true?”
At Erica’s question, the young lady before her could not hide her expression.
“Oh dear, anyone watching might think I’m bullying you. I merely asked a simple question. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
“Ah, forgive me. I haven’t been well lately, you see. You asked whether I attended the Duke’s wedding, correct?”
“Yes.”
“I did attend.”
Though only for an instant, the Crown Prince caught Erica’s expression stiffening completely.
How can her inside and outside be so different?
“I see. Then, would you mind having a private word with me? There’s something I’ve been wanting to discuss with you.”
“With just the two of us?”
“Is there anyone else here? Kian, I’ll step aside for a bit to talk with the young lady.”
Erica said this, then lightly kissed the Crown Prince on the cheek. Witnessing this, the onlookers all remarked how close they seemed and how promising the Empire’s future looked.
The Crown Prince left the banquet hall with a smile.
I can’t keep doing this any longer.
Once he confirmed no one was nearby, he wiped off the cheek Erica had kissed. All he wanted was to leave the hall and head straight to Duke Baraota’s residence.
“Wasn’t her name Bliss Longo?”
Longo?
At the familiar name, the Crown Prince held his breath and listened carefully. Though he could have stepped around the corner to reveal himself, the men seemed convinced no one else was nearby.
“If you manage to seduce that woman, won’t you become connected by family to Duke Baraota?”
“I heard she was married once, but the Duke brought her to the capital after paying a huge sum. But do you think that’s really possible?”
“Well, she’s already been married once. Awkward, yes, but in a way that’s convenient. Since remarriage is difficult, she might be glad to accept a proposal. And if both parties are willing, what could the Duke do to stop it?”
The Crown Prince felt disgust rising in him. Even if marriage was treated as business, they showed no intention of keeping the most basic decency.
“Besides, I have a clever trick up my sleeve. So there’s nothing to worry about.”
“A trick?”
“That’s right.”
The man smirked slyly.
“What kind of trick?”
“Do you know what this is?”
He pulled a small glass vial from his coat and showed it.
“And what is that?”
“It’s the very substance currently all the rage in high society.”
The vial contained a drug that caused temporary disorientation when ingested.
“How did you even obtain that? I heard the Imperial family is cracking down so hard that you can’t get it even for double the usual price.”
“I asked a certain acquaintance as a special favor.”
“I see. But what do you plan to do with it?”
“Haha, I’ll tell only you. In truth, I have Bliss Longo’s ex-husband under my control. I’ll feed him this, then take him to where the Longo sisters live. Imagine the scene that would unfold. That’s when I make my entrance.”
The man laughed heartily, clearly pleased with himself.
“What, are you trying to play the role of some righteous knight?”
“You could say that. But remember, this is between us—keep it secret.”
“Understood. But don’t forget me when the time comes.”
The Crown Prince knew well that Uriel cared for her family even more than Duke Baraota himself.
If I tell her this, I might earn her trust. No—if I appear in his place, wouldn’t that secure it even more?
A faint smile lingered on his lips at the thought of persuading Uriel. Just then, the sound of heels approached.
“Your Highness, where have you been? Do you know how long I’ve been searching for you?”
Perhaps because no one else was around, Erica’s tone turned sharp, quite unlike her demeanor inside the hall.
“Still not enough?”
“…What?”
It was the first time the ever-considerate Crown Prince had spoken to her with such a cold tone. Erica was visibly flustered.
“Playing the loving future Emperor and Empress—isn’t that enough by now? Aren’t you tired of it too? Though perhaps someone with a strong stomach like you doesn’t mind, seeing as you can so easily kiss the cheek of a fiancé you don’t even love.”
“Kian!”
Erica shouted his name, her face flushed red.
“You shouldn’t raise your voice like that. What if someone sees?”
“…Your Highness, did something happen? You’re not yourself.”
“Something happen? Yes, something did. Looks like your mother hasn’t told you anything.”
He gave a crooked smile as he spoke.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that the obedient fiancée who just smiled and nodded like a doll is gone. So take care of yourself from now on.”
With that, the Crown Prince walked away.
Left alone, Erica could not contain the surge of anger.
“Argh! What on earth is wrong with him? I’m his fiancée! So what if I kissed his cheek—not even his lips? Do I deserve to be spoken to like that?”
Frustration boiled over, consuming her thoughts.
“And what happened between him and the Empress, anyway?”
The Empress had chosen Erica as the Crown Prince’s fiancée partly because of her family’s background, but more importantly, because she resembled the Empress herself so much.
Wasn’t it the Empress who insisted Kian needed someone ambitious like me at his side since he was too soft? And now, why hasn’t she told me anything? Until just the other day, he was smiling sweetly, doing everything as told…
She recalled that the Crown Prince had even disobeyed the Empress’s orders to attend Duke Baraota’s wedding. She began piecing together why he had always been so compliant and uncomplaining.
Of course. It’s loneliness. He’s just envious after seeing others happy. They’re no different from us, yet he envies them…
Erica convinced herself that Kian was simply jealous after witnessing the Duke’s seemingly happy marriage, which she believed was nothing more than a sham to deceive the Imperial family.
Leitz could never truly love anyone. That marriage can’t be genuine.
“Madam, a letter has arrived, but the sender’s name wasn’t written.”
Late at night, Madel spoke in surprise about the sudden delivery.
“Could it be from that place we went earlier today?”
“Most likely, yes.”
Uriella assumed without question that it was from Soren and accepted it casually.
Soren is skilled, but could he have already found that man? Or is he asking for help?
As she unfolded the letter, her fingertips trembled.
“Madam, what is it?”
“Oh, nothing.”
[To my beloved Riel,
There is something I must tell you, so I write this letter.
I wished to invite you to the palace, but thought you might refuse.
It is regarding your sisters.
It is important—if you don’t come, you may regret it.
If you are curious, come to the location written below.
I will be waiting.]
Uriella immediately crushed the letter in her hand.
Now he’s using my sisters to lure me out?
The moment she read the line about regret, fury welled up inside her, and she bit her lip hard.
Unforgivable. Of all things, to use my family—knowing how deeply I care for them—to try and threaten me.
She resolved firmly that if she gave in to such cheap tricks, she would be endlessly manipulated by the Crown Prince.
I will not let him play me.
“Madel, tear this letter into pieces and throw it away. Make sure no one ever sees it.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Good. I’ll retire for the night. You’ve worked hard—go rest in your room.”
“Understood.”
As soon as she left Uriella’s chambers, Madel began tearing up the letter.
“Madel.”
“Your Grace.”
Startled by Duke Baraota’s voice calling her, Madel froze.
“What are you doing?”
