Episode 101
They seemed to be genuinely fond of me, fuming about Cesar.
Then, as if coming to their senses, they stopped.
“We apologize. We got carried away talking while we should be helping you get ready.”
“It’s alright. It seems you were all very fond of Lily.”
“Would you mind not mentioning what we said to His Grace…?”
“I won’t. I also know that he has… a difficult personality.”
“Who has a difficult personality?”
My head slowly turned towards the voice.
‘Why does he always come in when I’m talking about him?’
The maids, who had been listening, quickly scurried away.
No! Don’t go!
But despite my silent plea, only Cesar and I remained in the room.
“I heard it’s not good to eavesdrop.”
“So you were badmouthing me to the maids?”
“…I apologize.”
It was clearly my fault, so I apologized. He touched my neatly brushed hair.
“They were asking about your name.”
“Ah, right. Wait. Were you listening to everything?”
“I was waiting, so…”
“And you deliberately came in when I mentioned your name?”
“Perhaps.”
His smirk annoyed me. I grumbled, feeling teased,
“That’s what I mean by a difficult personality!”
“Are you angry?”
“Yes.”
“Then how should I appease you?”
As I rolled my eyes, not wanting to meet his gaze, he tucked my hair behind my ear. His fingertips grazed my neck.
His face was close.
“…Well.”
His breath tickled my skin as he pretended to think. I looked at his shimmering eyes, and a wish came to mind.
“Cesar.”
“Yes?”
His lips curved into a smile.
“Give me a jewel. Then I’ll feel better.”
I held out my hand, and his eyes turned cold, his smile disappearing.
“You can be so clever, yet so clueless.”
As I tilted my head in confusion, he placed a jewel on my head.
“Hey, it will fall if you put it there!”
I carefully took the jewel in my hand. I didn’t need to save up for an escape fund anymore, but it was still nice to look at the sparkling jewel.
“But why were you suddenly in a bad mood, Cesar?”
“…It’s nothing.”
“Hmm. Your tone is a bit cold.”
“It’s fine.”
His voice, saying it was fine, didn’t sound fine at all.
I smiled faintly and said,
“Are you upset that I asked for a jewel, pretending not to know your intentions?”
His touch, his gaze, it was all so obvious, how could I not know?
But since he teased me, I teased him back.
“I was just pretending not to know because you teased me, Cesar.”
He chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“I can’t win against you.”
Really? I don’t think I’ve ever won against him. He would always find me when I ran away, and he would always turn my pranks against me.
I rolled the jewel in my hand and thought about his words.
“So, they were talking about my name? The servants asked, and I wasn’t sure how to answer. I’m wondering if it’s okay to keep using the name Valerie. And I’m also worried they might treat me differently if I tell them I don’t have a last name.”
This was, after all, a rigid class society. They might treat me badly if they found out I wasn’t a noble.
As I was worrying, he gave me the answer.
“Valerie Witten. Tell them that.”
“Witten? I don’t have a last name.”
I was originally a bird.
I flapped my imaginary wings, and Cesar chuckled.
“I’ve adopted you into the Witten Viscount family. I thought it would be more convenient for you.”
I suddenly had a title. I had thought it would be nice to be a noble, but…
“Should I personally go and greet the Witten Viscount family?”
“No. There’s no need for that, since they’re not your real family. Stay here.”
The results of Cesar’s efforts to keep me at the Dukedom were becoming increasingly apparent.
As I sat there, lost in thought, swinging my legs, Cesar asked,
“Are you angry that I acted on my own again?”
“…I was angry at first. Anyone would be upset if you bound them without their consent.”
It was natural for a normal person to be angry and scared.
“But it’s also my fault. I understand your anxiety, Cesar.”
I was the one who broke my promise and ran away. I had nothing to say about that.
“Did I ever say that?”
“Say what?”
“I… like you. I’ll stay by your side even if you don’t try to keep me here.”
I had said I liked him and that I wouldn’t leave, but it felt like a proper confession now that I was saying it as a human, and I felt embarrassed.
“So please ask for my opinion next time.”
I carefully took his hand, and he held it. His warmth spread through my fingertips, and my face flushed.
“L-let’s go meet His Highness the Crown Prince now! We’re going to be late!”
I hurriedly stood up and was about to call the maids. I was embarrassed by my bright red face.
He let go of my hand considerately.
As soon as I called for the maids, they opened the door and entered. I was about to leave, relieved, when he suddenly stood beside me and kissed the ends of my hair.
A seductive voice whispered in my ear,
“Lily, you’re so lovely.”
His voice wasn’t soft at all. It was loud enough for everyone around us to hear, as if intentional.
The maids blushed and lowered their heads, and even the knights guarding outside seemed to have heard it, as they coughed awkwardly.
Only Cesar remained nonchalant.
“That’s my revenge for you teasing me earlier.”
He whispered, and I realized, yet again, that he was someone I could never win against.
“Why are you so late?”
The Crown Prince, who had been waiting for us in a private room at a luxurious tea house, not the Imperial Palace, raised an eyebrow, as if reprimanding us for our tardiness.
Despite the Crown Prince’s cold words, my mind was elsewhere.
I was worried about how quickly today’s events would spread through the Dukedom, with the maids being so curious and gossipy.
It wouldn’t spread if someone influential stopped it, but the person in question didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so.
“We were delayed because we had something to discuss, Your Highness.”
Cesar replied smoothly, as if nothing had happened.
So it’s just me again… only me…!
As I glared at Cesar and then lowered my head, the Crown Prince said casually,
“Did you have a lover’s quarrel?”
“I-it wasn’t a lover’s quarrel! Nothing like that happened!”
After my vehement denial, the Crown Prince’s gaze shifted to Cesar.
“The Duke is usually good at hiding his emotions, but it seems she isn’t. Teach her to be more discreet in my presence.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
‘No! No, it’s not like that! Why are you agreeing with him, Cesar?!’
I was frustrated, but these male leads were all the same, so I decided to just keep quiet.
After the brief commotion subsided, they began a serious discussion.
“So, did you find out where the Second Prince’s funds are coming from?”
“Not yet. We’re looking into the Empress’s family, considering the possibility of foreign collaboration.”
“I see.”
“I’m focusing on the Holy Kingdom.”
I flinched, hearing those words. My heart pounded, my body reacting involuntarily, and I felt embarrassed.
“The Empress seems to have connections there. But I’m puzzled, since there’s no reason for them to support the Second Prince.”
“I’ll investigate. Then we might be able to find something.”
“While you’re at it, look into the possibility of the Duke’s bird being connected to them. The Duke doesn’t seem to know, but that bird has the mark of the Holy Kingdom.”
“I knew she could wield divine power, but this is news to me.”
Their gazes were on me. I nervously clutched Cesar’s sleeve, worried he might misunderstand.
“I’ll tell you everything when we get back. So please don’t misunderstand. Okay?”
As I anxiously looked at him, his stern expression softened.
“Alright, Lily.”
“Ahem.”
Arenz, who was standing behind the Crown Prince, coughed. I hurriedly let go of Cesar’s sleeve.
“…I’d rather not see such displays of affection.”
“You can leave if you’re displeased.”
They were getting along fine and now this.
‘They’re not even trying to hide their animosity.’
I had thought they didn’t get along because they were rivals for Sylvia’s affection, but it seemed like they just didn’t click.
The Crown Prince was the first to leave.
“That’s enough. Anyway, the Empress’s movements are suspicious. I think something will happen at the upcoming hunting competition. And I heard the delegation from the Holy Kingdom, who might be supporting her, will be there as well. And His Majesty hasn’t been well, so it’s all very unsettling.”
“Wait. His Majesty isn’t well?”
The Emperor was supposed to be poisoned and fall ill after the hunting competition. He should be healthy now.
The Crown Prince, at my sudden reaction, slowly spoke,
“Yes. It’s being kept secret, and the Imperial servants’ mouths are sealed. News of His Majesty’s poor health at this time would cause chaos in the Empire.”
I wondered which part had changed. In the original story, the Crown Prince was framed for the poisoning.
But the more the story deviated, the calmer I had to be. I could find the answer if I could differentiate between what had changed and what hadn’t.
“It would be best to discuss the hunting competition later. First, there’s something I need you to check regarding His Majesty.”
Perhaps the Emperor was already poisoned.