It shouldn't be this quiet. It was clear that something would move again, whether it was Duke Spelman or another political rival.
Spelman, who had planted me here, would try to use me to the fullest to achieve his goals.
As I pondered how to stop them, I lay back down on the bed.
Then, feeling bored, I pulled out a jar full of candies from under the bed. Staring at the colorful candies, I picked one and put it in my mouth.
As I chewed the candy, I thought...
"This isn't bad."
Thinking of Cerden while chewing made it taste even better. I should chew on candies every time I get angry because of Cerden.
It was so sweet that my mouth felt numb. The sweetness spread throughout my mouth, making my head feel heavy.
Just like Cerden.
Did the candy resemble the person who gave it to me?
Thinking of Cerden made me angry, yet at the same time, I felt sad, and on another level...
"Pitiful."
He was just like me. A person who couldn't find peace anywhere.
"Like a ferocious wolf."
Why did he have to stir people's hearts like this? To me, he was no longer an ordinary villain.
While Evelyn was rolling around in bed, Cerden was meeting Rozalina.
Rozalina smiled, pretending to be innocent and wistful. On the table, there were luxurious snacks tailored to Rozalina's taste, thanks to the maids who quickly moved at Mortega's urging.
Rozalina thought all of this was Cerden's consideration. Her cheeks flushed.
"Indeed, Your Highness, the Crown Prince thinks of me as special."
Such little things made Rozalina giddy. A single glance, a hint of a smile made it impossible for her to give him up.
It was the reason she couldn't quit being a maid even after being humiliated by Evelyn.
"That foolish and ignorant girl."
Evelyn really didn't suit Cerden at all.
Rozalina glanced at Cerden. The way he held the teacup, his formal attire, and his relaxed smile.
He was the very embodiment of refined elegance.
Cerden was someone who suited the title of Crown Prince better than anyone else. Rozalina bit her lip.
Just watching him made her breathless. What would it feel like to touch those fingers? What if she could be held in that broad embrace?
While Rozalina was lost in such fantasies, Cerden spoke in a voice that seemed to melt away.
"I heard the lady has been having a hard time."
"No, Your Highness, the Crown Prince. It's just unavoidable."
Cerden narrowed his eyes.
Rozalina seemed to firmly believe that Evelyn was unwell.
"How was the rain that the lady observed?"
"Um... He seems like a child. Pure in that sense. Sometimes, he can be quite cute."
Rozalina spoke as positively as she could. Even though she wanted to punch that annoying girl. The swelling had gone down, but her forehead still throbbed from being hit by Evelyn.
In her life, it was the first time she had crawled on the ground so disgracefully, picking up stones.
Rozalina asked with a distant smile.
"He seemed like a good person."
"If the lady thinks so, then it must be true. Anyway, please continue to take care of him. I really have no one I can trust."
Cerden's languid smile made Rozalina's eyes soften. Cerden was someone she would pour her soul into, even if he showed just a little bit of leeway.
Rozalina nodded vigorously.
"Please trust me, Your Highness, the Crown Prince. I will take good care of His Highness. I can do anything for you. Please know my loyalty, Your Highness."
"Of course. If anything happens to him in the future, come to me anytime and let me know."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
A slight illusion of being special, a misunderstanding of being close to Cerden.
All of that would drive Rozalina to act.
Cerden curled his lips into a smile.
Two days later.
I, who had been quietly staying put, suddenly found myself in trouble.
"Ugh? Where are you going?"
What do you mean suddenly going out? I have so much to do in the palace! Besides, there are so many people outside, and I don't know who is who!
I was flustered when I heard that I had to accompany the Crown Prince on his official schedule.
"I don't want to go. Evelyn is going to draw today!"
"You can't, Your Highness. This outfit is pretty, right? Please take a look."
Cherryna coaxed me with an awkward face. Next to her, Rosie was holding shiny shoes.
"Look at these shoes! Aren't they beautiful? Wow, if you wear these, you'll really look like a princess!"
"I don't want to. They're not pretty at all. You wear them!"
I turned my head sharply. Cherryna and Rosie looked like they were about to cry.
Ever since Augustine was dragged out like that, the two had been treating me more cautiously. They were scared I would go find Cerden and bite them.
Tsk. I should have used this method earlier.
"Then, how about this?"
"What about this?"
While Rosie and Cherryna were trying to coax me with pale faces, someone from the Crown Prince Palace arrived.
"I greet the small moon of the Empire. Your Highness, the Crown Princess, I am Mortega. I work as Your Highness, the Crown Prince's aide."
"Ugh! It's been a while!"
He was the aide I had met before. It was the first time I was formally greeted. Rozalina, who had been sitting quietly and elegantly reading a book, exchanged greetings with the aide.
"Lady Rozalina, the weather is really nice today. Are you well today as well?"
"It seems thanks to Lord Mortega. I heard that His Highness will be accompanying the Crown Prince on an external schedule today. Is there anything I need to take care of?"
"None. His Highness, the Crown Prince said he would take care of it himself."
"…Thank you, sir."
Oh, so they know each other. Their conversation seemed very familiar.
Mortega, who looked somewhat disappointed, turned his gaze toward me.
His smile had faded.
"Your Highness, have you finished preparing?"
"I'm not going! I'm not going! Today, Rozalina promised to draw for me!"
"…If you do this, Your Highness, the Crown Prince will be upset. You should hurry and prepare…."
"Lord Mortega. You can't make me understand like that."
Rozalina closed her book and squatted down in front of me.
"If you do this, you'll get scolded by your husband. You won't be able to eat chocolate, cake will be banned, and you won't be able to play hide and seek. I'll draw for you tomorrow."
Looking at Rozalina's bright smile, I thought. To threaten children with such things. Truly, there is no villain like her. But the desperate thing is...
"…Really?"
I had no choice but to accept it.
Ha, really. This is a reality check.
Cerden watched Evelyn, who was hanging out of the carriage window, looking outside.
Evelyn seemed completely uninterested in him, only looking outside. She really looked like a child.
A child who couldn't contain her excitement on the way to a picnic.
She had clearly thrown a tantrum about not wanting to come out, but there was no trace of that now. Cerden chuckled and said.
"I heard it will rain tonight."
"I like rain!"
"They say there will be thunder and lightning."
"Ah! That's scary!"
"If you're scared, you can sleep in my bed."
Evelyn blinked at Cerden's words. S-sleep together?
'Is that guy crazy?'
Really, I was Cerden above Evelyn.
Sometimes, his ability to leave her speechless was truly remarkable. There was nothing to say in response to that. Evelyn swallowed.
'I should just say I'm not scared at all.'
Evelyn gripped the window ledge tightly, blinking her eyes.
"Why aren't you saying anything? I said I would sleep with you if you're scared."
"…Um. I was thinking."
"What were you thinking?"
"My mom said if a girl sleeps holding hands with a boy, a baby will come. But I don't think I can take care of a baby yet."
I blurted it out without thinking.
"Ugh."
Cerden covered his mouth with the back of his hand and chuckled softly. Is it funny?
"It's okay, Evelyn. Then I'll take care of that child."
That guy...? What if he goes further than me? How should I respond to that? I was just pondering with a confused head when Cerden said.
"Then it's all settled. Sleep in my bed tonight, Evelyn. I'll make sure you sleep without fear."
Then, fine. Let's go all the way.
"Then you'll also play shadow games... read me a fairy tale, sing me a lullaby, and pat me to sleep?"
Cerden smiled sweetly, his eyes narrowing.
"Of course, Evelyn. Do you think I'm the kind of man who can't do that?"
You really have no limits, do you? Ha.
Spelman, who had planted me here, would try to use me to the fullest to achieve his goals.
As I pondered how to stop them, I lay back down on the bed.
Then, feeling bored, I pulled out a jar full of candies from under the bed. Staring at the colorful candies, I picked one and put it in my mouth.
As I chewed the candy, I thought...
"This isn't bad."
Thinking of Cerden while chewing made it taste even better. I should chew on candies every time I get angry because of Cerden.
It was so sweet that my mouth felt numb. The sweetness spread throughout my mouth, making my head feel heavy.
Just like Cerden.
Did the candy resemble the person who gave it to me?
Thinking of Cerden made me angry, yet at the same time, I felt sad, and on another level...
"Pitiful."
He was just like me. A person who couldn't find peace anywhere.
"Like a ferocious wolf."
Why did he have to stir people's hearts like this? To me, he was no longer an ordinary villain.
While Evelyn was rolling around in bed, Cerden was meeting Rozalina.
Rozalina smiled, pretending to be innocent and wistful. On the table, there were luxurious snacks tailored to Rozalina's taste, thanks to the maids who quickly moved at Mortega's urging.
Rozalina thought all of this was Cerden's consideration. Her cheeks flushed.
"Indeed, Your Highness, the Crown Prince thinks of me as special."
Such little things made Rozalina giddy. A single glance, a hint of a smile made it impossible for her to give him up.
It was the reason she couldn't quit being a maid even after being humiliated by Evelyn.
"That foolish and ignorant girl."
Evelyn really didn't suit Cerden at all.
Rozalina glanced at Cerden. The way he held the teacup, his formal attire, and his relaxed smile.
He was the very embodiment of refined elegance.
Cerden was someone who suited the title of Crown Prince better than anyone else. Rozalina bit her lip.
Just watching him made her breathless. What would it feel like to touch those fingers? What if she could be held in that broad embrace?
While Rozalina was lost in such fantasies, Cerden spoke in a voice that seemed to melt away.
"I heard the lady has been having a hard time."
"No, Your Highness, the Crown Prince. It's just unavoidable."
Cerden narrowed his eyes.
Rozalina seemed to firmly believe that Evelyn was unwell.
"How was the rain that the lady observed?"
"Um... He seems like a child. Pure in that sense. Sometimes, he can be quite cute."
Rozalina spoke as positively as she could. Even though she wanted to punch that annoying girl. The swelling had gone down, but her forehead still throbbed from being hit by Evelyn.
In her life, it was the first time she had crawled on the ground so disgracefully, picking up stones.
Rozalina asked with a distant smile.
"He seemed like a good person."
"If the lady thinks so, then it must be true. Anyway, please continue to take care of him. I really have no one I can trust."
Cerden's languid smile made Rozalina's eyes soften. Cerden was someone she would pour her soul into, even if he showed just a little bit of leeway.
Rozalina nodded vigorously.
"Please trust me, Your Highness, the Crown Prince. I will take good care of His Highness. I can do anything for you. Please know my loyalty, Your Highness."
"Of course. If anything happens to him in the future, come to me anytime and let me know."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
A slight illusion of being special, a misunderstanding of being close to Cerden.
All of that would drive Rozalina to act.
Cerden curled his lips into a smile.
Two days later.
I, who had been quietly staying put, suddenly found myself in trouble.
"Ugh? Where are you going?"
What do you mean suddenly going out? I have so much to do in the palace! Besides, there are so many people outside, and I don't know who is who!
I was flustered when I heard that I had to accompany the Crown Prince on his official schedule.
"I don't want to go. Evelyn is going to draw today!"
"You can't, Your Highness. This outfit is pretty, right? Please take a look."
Cherryna coaxed me with an awkward face. Next to her, Rosie was holding shiny shoes.
"Look at these shoes! Aren't they beautiful? Wow, if you wear these, you'll really look like a princess!"
"I don't want to. They're not pretty at all. You wear them!"
I turned my head sharply. Cherryna and Rosie looked like they were about to cry.
Ever since Augustine was dragged out like that, the two had been treating me more cautiously. They were scared I would go find Cerden and bite them.
Tsk. I should have used this method earlier.
"Then, how about this?"
"What about this?"
While Rosie and Cherryna were trying to coax me with pale faces, someone from the Crown Prince Palace arrived.
"I greet the small moon of the Empire. Your Highness, the Crown Princess, I am Mortega. I work as Your Highness, the Crown Prince's aide."
"Ugh! It's been a while!"
He was the aide I had met before. It was the first time I was formally greeted. Rozalina, who had been sitting quietly and elegantly reading a book, exchanged greetings with the aide.
"Lady Rozalina, the weather is really nice today. Are you well today as well?"
"It seems thanks to Lord Mortega. I heard that His Highness will be accompanying the Crown Prince on an external schedule today. Is there anything I need to take care of?"
"None. His Highness, the Crown Prince said he would take care of it himself."
"…Thank you, sir."
Oh, so they know each other. Their conversation seemed very familiar.
Mortega, who looked somewhat disappointed, turned his gaze toward me.
His smile had faded.
"Your Highness, have you finished preparing?"
"I'm not going! I'm not going! Today, Rozalina promised to draw for me!"
"…If you do this, Your Highness, the Crown Prince will be upset. You should hurry and prepare…."
"Lord Mortega. You can't make me understand like that."
Rozalina closed her book and squatted down in front of me.
"If you do this, you'll get scolded by your husband. You won't be able to eat chocolate, cake will be banned, and you won't be able to play hide and seek. I'll draw for you tomorrow."
Looking at Rozalina's bright smile, I thought. To threaten children with such things. Truly, there is no villain like her. But the desperate thing is...
"…Really?"
I had no choice but to accept it.
Ha, really. This is a reality check.
Cerden watched Evelyn, who was hanging out of the carriage window, looking outside.
Evelyn seemed completely uninterested in him, only looking outside. She really looked like a child.
A child who couldn't contain her excitement on the way to a picnic.
She had clearly thrown a tantrum about not wanting to come out, but there was no trace of that now. Cerden chuckled and said.
"I heard it will rain tonight."
"I like rain!"
"They say there will be thunder and lightning."
"Ah! That's scary!"
"If you're scared, you can sleep in my bed."
Evelyn blinked at Cerden's words. S-sleep together?
'Is that guy crazy?'
Really, I was Cerden above Evelyn.
Sometimes, his ability to leave her speechless was truly remarkable. There was nothing to say in response to that. Evelyn swallowed.
'I should just say I'm not scared at all.'
Evelyn gripped the window ledge tightly, blinking her eyes.
"Why aren't you saying anything? I said I would sleep with you if you're scared."
"…Um. I was thinking."
"What were you thinking?"
"My mom said if a girl sleeps holding hands with a boy, a baby will come. But I don't think I can take care of a baby yet."
I blurted it out without thinking.
"Ugh."
Cerden covered his mouth with the back of his hand and chuckled softly. Is it funny?
"It's okay, Evelyn. Then I'll take care of that child."
That guy...? What if he goes further than me? How should I respond to that? I was just pondering with a confused head when Cerden said.
"Then it's all settled. Sleep in my bed tonight, Evelyn. I'll make sure you sleep without fear."
Then, fine. Let's go all the way.
"Then you'll also play shadow games... read me a fairy tale, sing me a lullaby, and pat me to sleep?"
Cerden smiled sweetly, his eyes narrowing.
"Of course, Evelyn. Do you think I'm the kind of man who can't do that?"
You really have no limits, do you? Ha.
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