“So, you fell in love with Lady Lilien Mipedian at first sight?”
“Something like that. At first sight…”
So he had fallen for her. The Crown Prince covered his mouth, his face turning red.
Ha. A small laugh escaped through his teeth.
According to Jake, during the banquet, Lilien had rushed out of the hall looking for me and ran straight into him in the corridor. As she fell, he reached out to help her up, and in that brief moment, seeing her blushing face as she looked up at him, he felt an indescribable flutter in his heart.
Just thinking about that moment made his pulse race and his stomach churn.
I raised an eyebrow, my expression unimpressed.
Jake, meeting my gaze, awkwardly ran a hand through his bangs and laughed sheepishly, like a boy clumsy in love.
“So, what do you think? I never ask favors from anyone, but since you’re close to Lady Lilien, I thought it might be less burdensome if I asked you to arrange a meeting with her.”
There was no reason I couldn’t do it. Having the future emperor owe me a favor would make my life easier. However—
“I’m sorry, but I must refuse.”
“What—”
“I said no.”
Before Jake could ask again, I cut him off firmly.
His eyes clouded with confusion.
“But she could become the Crown Princess. That would benefit you, as her friend—”
“I don’t build relationships based on personal gain.”
More importantly, Lilien’s feelings mattered the most.
If I introduced them, she wouldn’t fall for him—she would simply follow my lead. She would hide her discomfort behind a forced smile.
I didn’t want that. Our sweet little Maltese, with her round brown eyes and silvery hair like moonlight, should never be put in an unpleasant situation.
‘Unless Lilien has feelings for Jake, things won’t change.’
Snapping out of my thoughts, I faced Jake with a firm smile. Seeing the resolute wall of my decision, Jake buried his face in his hands, looking utterly devastated.
He could use his power to arrange a political marriage, but would Lilien ever be happy in such a forced relationship?
“Then what am I supposed to do?”
Jake’s arrogant confidence had faded, leaving only dejection in his voice.
I stared at him for a moment before speaking, remembering a worried comment the emperor had once muttered about his son.
“Your Highness, have you ever worked hard for something in your life?”
“What?”
Jake looked at me like I was speaking nonsense.
It must have been painful for him, once called a genius, to realize he had no magical or physical prowess.
A Crown Prince is expected to be extraordinary. That’s why history often embellishes royal births with myths—falling stars, divine prophecies, and the like.
I didn’t doubt the weight of his burdens, but Jake had always hidden away rather than striving to overcome them. And now, he wanted to win over Lilien just as easily.
“I know you’re talented, Your Highness, but you can’t just keep doing only what you’re good at. You can’t hide forever. No one is born a great rider; they fail, learn, and improve.”
“I was a great rider from the start.”
…Of course, you were.
Jake must have noticed my unimpressed expression because he turned his head away, looking sheepish.
“What I mean is, you can’t just sit under a persimmon tree with your mouth open, waiting for fruit to fall.”
“But if I do that, then I…”
Jake trailed off, running a hand down his body as if hesitant to voice his thoughts. His shirt buttons were barely holding together against his rounded belly.
I shrugged indifferently.
“Looks like you’ll have to step outside. Exercise, for your health if nothing else.”
Jake let out a deep sigh, muttering that I sounded just like his aide.
I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and smiled.
‘Our Lilien isn’t someone I can just hand over to anyone.’
For a brief moment, I felt like a strict mother-in-law.
Then, the thought of Antra crossed my mind, and I quickly shook it off—I never wanted to be like her.
Sigh.
Lilien stirred the meringue in a stainless-steel bowl with a whisk, letting out a troubled sigh. Watching her, Marie wiped her wet hands on her apron before approaching.
“Miss, why the deep sigh?”
Lilien hunched her shoulders and stirred the mixture sluggishly.
“Why isn’t there any progress…”
“Progress?”
“Between Lady Etricia and Edmund. They even went on a trip together, but they don’t seem any closer.”
Marie rolled her eyes before noticing a bit of flour on Lilien’s cheek. She took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her face.
“I think they’ve grown quite close, actually.”
Lilien narrowed her eyes at Marie, then vented her frustration by whipping the meringue more vigorously.
“I don’t trust you anymore. Last time, you said you heard strange noises, and Lady Etricia ended up in an awkward situation! Do you know how much Edmund scolded me because of that?”
Marie scratched her head with an awkward smile. She had been suspicious ever since the Duchess fell ill and the Duke’s expression started changing.
Smiling sheepishly, Marie suggested, “Then how about we hold a small celebration once the Duchess’s trial is over and her inheritance is settled? Not a grand party, just a simple dinner.”
By the time Marie finished speaking, the meringue had turned perfectly stiff. Lilien’s eyes lit up.
“That’s a great idea!”
“Right? The Duke has been busy with estate matters lately and rarely stays at the mansion. We can make it a surprise and ask him to keep the Duchess occupied until then, giving them time alone together.”
“Marie, you’re a genius!”
Oh, Miss, you only just realized? Marie wiped her nose with satisfaction.
In truth, she hadn’t been exaggerating earlier. Edmund’s behavior had changed.
Since their trip, he had been returning home late due to work. Though he had told the servants not to greet him upon arrival, Marie and Rail continued to do so. That’s how she noticed.
He no longer asked, “Where is my sister?” but rather, “Where are they?”
And recently, he had started asking specifically, “Where is Countess Buell?”
Just the other night, after returning from their trip, he had found the exhausted Countess asleep on the sofa and covered her with a blanket. When he noticed Marie standing there, he even shook his head slightly, as if telling her not to wake her.
Marie felt like she was watching a budding romance bloom into full bloom.
Rail, being too close to the situation, hadn’t noticed. The head maid dismissed it as nonsense. But Marie was certain.
Oh! That reminded her. Marie pulled out a letter she had received from the head maid.
“Baron Montree sent a letter.”
“For me, not Edmund? Read it to me.”
“Me?”
“It’s fine. He only contacts Edmund for urgent matters.”
As Lilien confidently flipped the bowl upside down to test the meringue’s stiffness, Marie unfolded the letter.
Her eyes widened as she read.
“What is it?”
“He’s asking if you have any thoughts about marriage.”
Plop. The meringue fell onto Lilien’s head, dripping down her nose and into her mouth.
“Ack!”
“Miss!”
Marie rushed over, frantically wiping her hair with a handkerchief.
“That was careless! Weren’t you paying attention?”
“I was thinking about the dinner surprise.”
“Speaking of which, do you have any thoughts about marriage, Miss?”
“Hmm, not really.”
“Then, what’s your type?”
Marie tapped her handkerchief against Lilien’s hair, prompting her to roll her eyes in thought.
An ideal type…?
She hadn’t really thought about it.
But if she had to choose—
Lilien recalled the man she had collided with at the royal banquet.
A massive, bear-like figure towering over her, with eyes so bright they seemed to illuminate the entire corridor.
For a moment, she had truly thought someone had turned on a spotlight. Her heart had nearly stopped from shock.
“Miss?”
“Ah! Nothing.”
Lilien shook her head so vigorously that Marie scolded her for making it difficult to wipe her hair.
Perfect freedom!
I had just filed for divorce and was about to spread my arms wide like a Hollywood star to express my sense of freedom, but I stopped myself for the sake of dignity.
Ahem. I let out a short, joyful cough instead and walked down the white steps of the building toward the carriage.
The place I arrived at was Rainbutton’s office.
Today was the day of Devon’s trial verdict, and also the day when all legal matters would finally be settled.
The office door was slightly open. After making a dull knock sound, I stepped inside and saw the office, cluttered with papers everywhere.
“Ugh!”
Rainbutton, who had been napping and groaning on the sofa, suddenly opened her eyes. Her gaze landed right on me, standing in front of the sofa.
“C-Countess Buell…”
Facing me, Rainbutton looked completely worn out.
