The social circles were buzzing due to the incident of Spelman’s fool marrying the Crown Prince.
With the Crown Princess unable to fulfill her role, those vying for her position were starting to raise their heads again. Among them, the most notable was Rozalina.
Rozalina’s father had been shining among the nobles.
‘……Father. Please don’t worry too much. How can such a fool fulfill the role of Crown Princess? Surely Your Highness, the Crown Prince will come looking for me soon.’
It was as Rozalina said.
It was confirmed that the Crown Princess was indeed strange. While the Crown Prince might currently be interested in Evelyn, how long would that last?
Moreover, the royal family could never ignore the eyes of the world. The moment they lost the people's favor, they would lose their legitimacy as well.
Right now, everything was overshadowed by the shining title of war hero, but how long would that last? As the next Emperor, he had to ensure a successor.
And what about the numerous schedules he had to fulfill as Empress? Could she even welcome delegations or carry out business? And could she soothe the noblewomen to lead internal affairs?
It was clear that she would be looking for a partner who could help her, just as Rozalina had said. Rozalina’s judgment was correct.
When she heard that the Crown Prince had made Rozalina act as the Crown Princess’s maid, she was angry, but not anymore.
If things continued like this, the chances of Cerden and Rozalina encountering each other would also increase.
‘The more you look, the more your heart follows.’
Moreover, there had been a verbal engagement between Cerden and Rozalina. It was clear that they still had a chance.
“Now, everyone should take their leave. Instead of dining with Your Highness, the Crown Prince, I will host you.”
At Count Carma’s words, the nobles cleared their throats and reluctantly turned to leave. Mortega stood like a sentry in the direction the Crown Prince had disappeared.
Count Carma turned away with a chill and hurried down the path.
Mortega, who had forced himself to see them off, bit his lip. He was just as bewildered and displeased with the current situation.
Mortega turned his body and stared at the place where the Crown Prince had vanished.
In the spot they had left, only light remained.
‘What could he be thinking…….’
Mortega clenched his fist.
All of this was pity. The Crown Prince was a good person. That was all. Mortega repeated this to himself to calm down.
I poked a bean with my fork. The bean that escaped my fork rolled away.
I swallowed and glanced across the table.
Ha, why am I even here? I can walk around barefoot just fine! I can eat by myself without any help!
It seems I ended up getting tricked while trying to trick Augustine.
I couldn’t enjoy lunch at all, which should have been a fun time teasing Cherryna and Rosie. Cherryna and Rosie served us with their puffy faces.
Cherryna glanced at Cerden and then whispered to me.
“Oh, do you dislike beans today too? Should I bring you something else?”
“Yeah. I hate beans! I also hate carrots!”
I boldly declared my pickiness. Seeing the chickpeas I disliked mixed with carrots made my appetite plummet. Just as Cherryna was about to take the plate in front of me away.
“Wait a minute.”
It was Cerden.
Why, again!
Cerden narrowed his eyes and looked at me. At his gesture, Cherryna put the plate back down.
Cerden smiled gently at me.
“You shouldn’t be picky. If you want to grow tall, you need to eat a variety of foods.”
He pretended to be kind, but he was waiting for my reaction. Does he think I should be taller? I was already of a perfectly suitable and nice height.
Besides, I wasn’t at an age to grow taller. Still, I had to comply. I’m five years old!
I puffed my cheeks as much as I could and shook my head.
“No, I don’t want to! I won’t eat! I don’t need to grow taller! My husband should be tall! I’ll give all of this to my husband. Cherryna!”
Cherryna made a face like a shrimp caught between me and Cerden. Seeing her puffy face made me feel a bit sorry for her.
Cerden rested his chin on his hand.
What was he going to say now?
I was too anxious when he smiled.
Cerden was the first person to show me that a handsome face could look so frightening.
And he was also the first person I couldn’t predict. I thought I had a grasp of his personality since I had read the novel he appeared in.
Cerden pointed at my plate with his handsome finger. His soft, low voice was filled with amusement.
“If you don’t eat all of that, I won’t give you any candy or chocolate. No dessert. Oh, and no cake either.”
……Does he really think I’m five years old? No, he should think I’m five years old.
But in the novel, he clearly had no interest in Evelyn, so why is he acting like this?
I let out a big sigh and puffed my cheeks deliberately, like a sulking five-year-old.
“If I eat it all, will you give me everything?”
“I promise, Evelyn.”
“Then I’ll eat it. I have no choice. Hah!”
I exaggeratedly pretended to eat. I shoved the chickpeas and carrots into my mouth, pinching my nose as I chewed a few times. Then I swallowed in one go.
“I ate it all!”
“Ah, do it. You have to show me.”
Really. That guy?
“My husband thinks I’m a child! I’m a grown lady!”
“Oh. Is that so?”
Cerden’s eyes curved softly into crescents. His sparkling blue eyes were overwhelming, but I glared back defiantly.
“Yes! Treat me like a lady from now on! I was so embarrassed! Just like earlier…… and now! You should pretend you don’t know!”
I argued as logically as I could.
“Do ladies drool?”
My hands trembled.
Th-that memory from that day…….
“Eat well, Evelyn.”
“Th-that…….”
Why can’t I win against the author? Because he brought up my embarrassing past, the air puffed out of my cheeks.
Today, I felt drained and didn’t want to do anything. So, I sent Cerden away and sprawled out on my bed.
And I should give Cherryna and Rosie time to set up their little nest. That way, we could go treasure hunting again.
I let out a deep sigh and rolled around on the bed.
I had been wandering around the palace, pretending not to know anything. But it was clear that the faces of the guards had changed. The knights guarding the Crown Princess’s palace were the same.
After confirming that no one was around, I pulled out a jewelry box from under the bed. I unfolded the notes inside and sat up straight.
“Hmm.”
It seemed Cerden had noticed something from this.
Was it the guard shift schedule?
I flipped the paper over and over, letting out a sigh. Still, it seemed to have helped Cerden to some extent.
Duke Spelman might have thought of sending an assassin while avoiding the shift schedule.
It might be better to expose Cerden to this kind of information if there was something he didn’t know.
“Ah, but I really don’t want to run into that guy.”
It’s not that I dislike him…… it’s just troublesome.
When I face those deep eyes that seem to be testing me, I feel like a mouse in front of a cat.
Every word I say is calculated, and I feel suffocated as he observes my reactions.
And every time he gets too close, I wonder what expression I should wear.
Is he unaware? He was excessively charming to me. He was also terrifyingly threatening. I bit my lip.
“……This is troublesome, troublesome.”
If I could just embody a simpler character, it would be nice.
No, that’s not right.
I shouldn’t forget the difficult past of just trying to survive. I had decided to think of it as being on a stage for life. Had I forgotten the day I shared a single ramen noodle all day long?
I continued my thoughts, arms crossed and legs shaking.
Still, whether my acting was good or not, others seemed completely fooled, but strangely, Cerden was the only one suspicious of me.
“Well, who would he trust? He doesn’t even trust himself.”
That’s why he could achieve victory in the war in the shortest time and become a hero.
I organized the notes and put them back in the box. At least it was a relief that I wouldn’t have to see that annoying Augustine’s face for a while.
Is there no way to never see him again?
With the Crown Princess unable to fulfill her role, those vying for her position were starting to raise their heads again. Among them, the most notable was Rozalina.
Rozalina’s father had been shining among the nobles.
‘……Father. Please don’t worry too much. How can such a fool fulfill the role of Crown Princess? Surely Your Highness, the Crown Prince will come looking for me soon.’
It was as Rozalina said.
It was confirmed that the Crown Princess was indeed strange. While the Crown Prince might currently be interested in Evelyn, how long would that last?
Moreover, the royal family could never ignore the eyes of the world. The moment they lost the people's favor, they would lose their legitimacy as well.
Right now, everything was overshadowed by the shining title of war hero, but how long would that last? As the next Emperor, he had to ensure a successor.
And what about the numerous schedules he had to fulfill as Empress? Could she even welcome delegations or carry out business? And could she soothe the noblewomen to lead internal affairs?
It was clear that she would be looking for a partner who could help her, just as Rozalina had said. Rozalina’s judgment was correct.
When she heard that the Crown Prince had made Rozalina act as the Crown Princess’s maid, she was angry, but not anymore.
If things continued like this, the chances of Cerden and Rozalina encountering each other would also increase.
‘The more you look, the more your heart follows.’
Moreover, there had been a verbal engagement between Cerden and Rozalina. It was clear that they still had a chance.
“Now, everyone should take their leave. Instead of dining with Your Highness, the Crown Prince, I will host you.”
At Count Carma’s words, the nobles cleared their throats and reluctantly turned to leave. Mortega stood like a sentry in the direction the Crown Prince had disappeared.
Count Carma turned away with a chill and hurried down the path.
Mortega, who had forced himself to see them off, bit his lip. He was just as bewildered and displeased with the current situation.
Mortega turned his body and stared at the place where the Crown Prince had vanished.
In the spot they had left, only light remained.
‘What could he be thinking…….’
Mortega clenched his fist.
All of this was pity. The Crown Prince was a good person. That was all. Mortega repeated this to himself to calm down.
I poked a bean with my fork. The bean that escaped my fork rolled away.
I swallowed and glanced across the table.
Ha, why am I even here? I can walk around barefoot just fine! I can eat by myself without any help!
It seems I ended up getting tricked while trying to trick Augustine.
I couldn’t enjoy lunch at all, which should have been a fun time teasing Cherryna and Rosie. Cherryna and Rosie served us with their puffy faces.
Cherryna glanced at Cerden and then whispered to me.
“Oh, do you dislike beans today too? Should I bring you something else?”
“Yeah. I hate beans! I also hate carrots!”
I boldly declared my pickiness. Seeing the chickpeas I disliked mixed with carrots made my appetite plummet. Just as Cherryna was about to take the plate in front of me away.
“Wait a minute.”
It was Cerden.
Why, again!
Cerden narrowed his eyes and looked at me. At his gesture, Cherryna put the plate back down.
Cerden smiled gently at me.
“You shouldn’t be picky. If you want to grow tall, you need to eat a variety of foods.”
He pretended to be kind, but he was waiting for my reaction. Does he think I should be taller? I was already of a perfectly suitable and nice height.
Besides, I wasn’t at an age to grow taller. Still, I had to comply. I’m five years old!
I puffed my cheeks as much as I could and shook my head.
“No, I don’t want to! I won’t eat! I don’t need to grow taller! My husband should be tall! I’ll give all of this to my husband. Cherryna!”
Cherryna made a face like a shrimp caught between me and Cerden. Seeing her puffy face made me feel a bit sorry for her.
Cerden rested his chin on his hand.
What was he going to say now?
I was too anxious when he smiled.
Cerden was the first person to show me that a handsome face could look so frightening.
And he was also the first person I couldn’t predict. I thought I had a grasp of his personality since I had read the novel he appeared in.
Cerden pointed at my plate with his handsome finger. His soft, low voice was filled with amusement.
“If you don’t eat all of that, I won’t give you any candy or chocolate. No dessert. Oh, and no cake either.”
……Does he really think I’m five years old? No, he should think I’m five years old.
But in the novel, he clearly had no interest in Evelyn, so why is he acting like this?
I let out a big sigh and puffed my cheeks deliberately, like a sulking five-year-old.
“If I eat it all, will you give me everything?”
“I promise, Evelyn.”
“Then I’ll eat it. I have no choice. Hah!”
I exaggeratedly pretended to eat. I shoved the chickpeas and carrots into my mouth, pinching my nose as I chewed a few times. Then I swallowed in one go.
“I ate it all!”
“Ah, do it. You have to show me.”
Really. That guy?
“My husband thinks I’m a child! I’m a grown lady!”
“Oh. Is that so?”
Cerden’s eyes curved softly into crescents. His sparkling blue eyes were overwhelming, but I glared back defiantly.
“Yes! Treat me like a lady from now on! I was so embarrassed! Just like earlier…… and now! You should pretend you don’t know!”
I argued as logically as I could.
“Do ladies drool?”
My hands trembled.
Th-that memory from that day…….
“Eat well, Evelyn.”
“Th-that…….”
Why can’t I win against the author? Because he brought up my embarrassing past, the air puffed out of my cheeks.
Today, I felt drained and didn’t want to do anything. So, I sent Cerden away and sprawled out on my bed.
And I should give Cherryna and Rosie time to set up their little nest. That way, we could go treasure hunting again.
I let out a deep sigh and rolled around on the bed.
I had been wandering around the palace, pretending not to know anything. But it was clear that the faces of the guards had changed. The knights guarding the Crown Princess’s palace were the same.
After confirming that no one was around, I pulled out a jewelry box from under the bed. I unfolded the notes inside and sat up straight.
“Hmm.”
It seemed Cerden had noticed something from this.
Was it the guard shift schedule?
I flipped the paper over and over, letting out a sigh. Still, it seemed to have helped Cerden to some extent.
Duke Spelman might have thought of sending an assassin while avoiding the shift schedule.
It might be better to expose Cerden to this kind of information if there was something he didn’t know.
“Ah, but I really don’t want to run into that guy.”
It’s not that I dislike him…… it’s just troublesome.
When I face those deep eyes that seem to be testing me, I feel like a mouse in front of a cat.
Every word I say is calculated, and I feel suffocated as he observes my reactions.
And every time he gets too close, I wonder what expression I should wear.
Is he unaware? He was excessively charming to me. He was also terrifyingly threatening. I bit my lip.
“……This is troublesome, troublesome.”
If I could just embody a simpler character, it would be nice.
No, that’s not right.
I shouldn’t forget the difficult past of just trying to survive. I had decided to think of it as being on a stage for life. Had I forgotten the day I shared a single ramen noodle all day long?
I continued my thoughts, arms crossed and legs shaking.
Still, whether my acting was good or not, others seemed completely fooled, but strangely, Cerden was the only one suspicious of me.
“Well, who would he trust? He doesn’t even trust himself.”
That’s why he could achieve victory in the war in the shortest time and become a hero.
I organized the notes and put them back in the box. At least it was a relief that I wouldn’t have to see that annoying Augustine’s face for a while.
Is there no way to never see him again?
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