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IGF 30
“I don’t misunderstand.”
Regardless of what Bertha said, only the words that she liked her reached Roselyn's ears. Perhaps because she had lived in loneliness for so long, she tended to open her heart easily to anyone who showed even a glimmer of affection toward her.
Bertha, who had been staring blankly at her beaming face, shook her head. It had only been a few days, but her beauty was blooming so radiantly that soon, Violet Russell—the so-called Violet of the Empire—wouldn't even be able to compare.
“And please, I told you to speak informally to me. If it becomes a habit, you'll end up doing this in front of other people. As the woman who has bewitched His Highness the Prince, you must be more arrogant!”
“Ah, I suppose so.”
Roselyn reminded herself once again that her role was that of a decadent temptress who had seduced the prince. Only then did she understand why Aiden had summoned three different jewelers. He wanted her to spend money lavishly and indulge in luxury so that she would be further embroiled in gossip. She nodded in understanding. But was this the end of today's schedule? She hoped it was.
“Is this all I have to do today?”
“Hmm, since His Highness is still out, this should be it. He didn't give any other specific instructions. Ah, he did say he wanted to dine with you, so he should be back around evening.”
Ah, he had mentioned dining together. Recalling the prospect of a meal alone with Aiden, Roselyn's face looked as if she were about to suffer from indigestion.
‘It's so uncomfortable...’
What should she say? Since there would be servants attending them, she would have to strive to look like a lover even in the dining hall. However, she felt utterly lost, not knowing what lovers usually talk about. Hesitating, she looked at Bertha, hoping for some advice.
“What do typical lovers talk about?”
“...I'm not actually sure about that myself.”
The two women leaned their heads together, immersed in shared distress. Soon, Bertha spoke up, snapping her fingers as if a solution had occurred to her.
“I think you should act in accordance with the image the public has of you, My Lady.”
“A... lewd and foolish temptress, you mean?”
“Ahem, I'm sorry, but yes, that's correct.”
Could she do it? Just imagining herself leaning into Prince Aiden with a flirtatious smile made her feel dizzy. But considering the high-level acting he had displayed this morning, she had no choice. He would expect Roselyn to act the same way.
Just think about my mother's keepsakes and the noble trial. Roselyn bit her lip hard, her eyes gleaming.
“I'll try.”
“Yes. I'm sure you can do it. Perhaps it would be more natural if you projected something you love most onto His Highness?”
Something she loved. Roselyn's gaze deepened. What did I love? It had been so long since she had anything she loved that nothing came to mind immediately. Herbology...? But she couldn't project things like common milkweed or lakegrass onto Prince Aiden. There was no way she could calmly think of herbs when her mind went completely blank just by facing him.
Noticing that Roselyn's expression had grown even darker than before, Bertha brought up another topic to lighten the mood.
“Take your time thinking about it. There's plenty of time until evening, so how about touring the estate? The Prince's residence is quite large.”
Only then did Roselyn realize that she hadn't stepped outside once since arriving. She snapped her head up and nodded. Since this was where she would be staying until winter, it seemed best to familiarize herself with the place thoroughly.
“Where is Roselyn?”
Thanks to the work being handled well as Dylan had instructed, Aiden returned home earlier than expected. As soon as he stepped through the door, he loosened his stifling collar and immediately asked for Roselyn's whereabouts.
“She is in the garden.”
The butler answered politely while taking his jacket. Aiden headed straight toward the garden. The garden—was she taking a walk? Around the time Crown Prince Deimos had handed this estate over to him, he had to depart for the North immediately. Since he hadn't had cause to return for about five years, he had intentionally not hired a gardener. Although he had been gradually renovating the mansion recently, he hadn't had the leisure to attend to the garden yet, so there shouldn't be much to see.
Passing through the corridor and stepping outside, he saw two figures standing where the lowering sun cast long shadows. Glancing over the garden, he found it unexpectedly tidy. Though it was a stretch to call it a noble's garden. Thinking he should give a bonus to whoever had been maintaining the grounds, Aiden walked slowly toward Roselyn, concealing his presence. Her face, smiling at Bertha while bathed in sunlight, looked far more relaxed than before.
“Anyone who doesn't know would think this is her own home,” he murmured to himself with a smirk.
Only then did Bertha sense his presence. She looked around with wary eyes before discovering Aiden.
“You've returned, my lord. You're back early.”
“That's because the man I appointed as my proxy is efficient.”
“...You're here?”
Roselyn approached him hesitantly and greeted him. Her bold resolve to run and throw herself into his arms the moment she saw him—to look like the temptress who bewitched the prince—had been tucked away. Since there are no eyes watching here anyway, it should be fine, right?
At her greeting, Aiden turned his head. With the sunlight permeating his sculpted profile and a shadow falling along his prominent nose, he exuded the unmistakable aura of a predator. Roselyn felt as though she understood the heart of a weak herbivore standing before a wild beast.
“I have something to say to Roselyn, so you may head inside first.”
“Yes!”
Bertha, failing to see Roselyn's desperate gaze, quickly departed. Aiden stepped closer to the disheartened Roselyn, his voice devoid of inflection.
“Your acting this morning was terrible. Are you doing that on purpose?”
“No, I'm not!”
Roselyn shook her head urgently. After stammering for a moment, she finally closed her eyes tight and confessed.
“It's just... a bit awkward still... I can do better from now on.”
“I'll trust you once.”
That meant there would be no second chance. Perhaps feeling amused by the sight of Roselyn hanging her head, Aiden changed the subject.
“What were you looking at here?”
“Ah, that greenhouse over there. The other areas are maintained, but that place doesn't seem to be.”
“I suppose I should bring in a gardener.”
It was a glass greenhouse of beautiful appearance, but the interior was utterly desolate. Aiden rubbed his chin, thinking deeply.
“I'll have them bring in and plant plenty of rare and expensive flowers. I'll say it's for a lover who loves flowers.”
Decorating a glass greenhouse and then hosting a tea party to show it off was one of the extravagant hobbies of noblewomen. It seemed like a good idea to have Roselyn do such a thing. It would add fuel to the rumors that Roselyn Bluebell was indulging in luxury beyond her station, backed by the prince. As Aiden was formulating the plan in his head, he heard a hesitant voice.
“Um... Your Highness, would it be alright if I tended to that greenhouse?”
At the unexpected request, he gazed intently at Roselyn, who blushed and fidgeted. Nevertheless, he could clearly see the longing in her blue eyes.
“It doesn't have to be the whole thing. If I could just use a small corner...! I'm sorry if I'm overstepping.”
Roselyn bowed her head deeply, her voice trailing off. After seeing the greenhouse, she had become too greedy... Since it was a place no one used anyway, she wanted to try growing herbs and flowers there. It was one of the things she was best at, and one of the things that made her happiest. If she could do that, she felt she could find some small solace amidst the hardships of being Aiden's partner.
“Do as you wish.”
In any case, he would have to hire a gardener, but it was a simple matter to tell them not to touch the greenhouse. When he answered simply, as if it were no great effort, Roselyn's expression brightened instantly. Seeing her look up at him with a radiant smile, Aiden felt an inexplicable thirst surge within him.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you, huh.”
Repeating her words, Aiden impulsively reached out. His fingers lightly brushed her slender jawline and then tilted her chin up.
‘I have to get used to this.’
His palms were nearly sweating from the tension, but he composed himself to avoid showing it. Getting used to simple skinship was also one of his conditions. With trembling eyes, she slowly nodded.
“Thank you so much. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time.”
“...”
Aiden looked at her in silence, his Adam's apple bobbing. Without letting go of her chin, he gazed toward the mansion and whispered to her.
“The maids are watching us from the second-floor window.”
“What?”
“Don't look away.”
Pressure was applied to the finger lifting her chin. As she stopped trying to look toward the mansion and looked at Aiden, he was smiling freshly. Roselyn could not hide her bewilderment at the words that followed.
“How should lovers express their gratitude, Roselyn?”
“T-that is...”
“I clearly said I'd trust you only once. From now on, you should do your best to seduce me. Hmm?”
This was definitely a punishment for her clumsy acting this morning. Roselyn looked at him, her eyes wavering in uncertainty, but Aiden merely quirked an eyebrow, indifferent. She should have found his arbitrary behavior unpleasant, but her heart was pounding so wildly on its own that she had no room for any other emotion.
After a moment of conflict, she seemed to make a decision, rising on her tiptoes and wrapping her arms around Aiden's neck.
“...Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Aiden.”
“...Thank you, Aiden.”
The breath reaching her ear seemed to have grown slightly rougher. Roselyn, who had been clinging to him almost like a whimpering puppy, felt that this should be enough and released her arms to step down. However, Aiden's expression had grown even fiercer. With a look of dissatisfaction and golden eyes shining intensely, Roselyn's shoulders instinctively hunched. It felt as if she were about to be devoured.
“You were only half right, Roselyn.”
“...What?”
“This is how lovers should give their thanks.”
Before she could answer, his face descended instantly. Because his palm firmly supported the back of her neck, their lips overlapped before she had any chance to avoid him.
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