Florence tightened her corset to emphasize her figure.

While it was common in high society to wear blouses that came up to the neck, she wore a red dress that revealed her cleavage.

The feathered hat she wore was from a famous brand in the capital. When the wind blew and Florence’s hat flew off, Reizen quickly caught it and handed it back to her.

“Your Highness, you’re so kind!”

A high-pitched laugh rang out.

Her lace-gloved hand grabbed Reizen’s forearm and stroked it. Florence’s touch and expression made her feelings as transparent as the sea.

If her feelings were visible from this distance, there was no way Reizen, who was so close, couldn’t notice. He often pretends not to notice while seeing right through people.

Was he pretending not to know Florence’s feelings, or was he aware and using them?

Though the truth couldn’t be known, neither option sat well with her. Even if he wasn’t quite the playboy the rumors made him out to be, people wouldn’t leave him alone, so he could easily make enemies by charming various women.

‘Why is he just standing there smiling?’

Wasn’t he bothered by a woman touching his arm?

Before she knew it, Melissa had fixed her gaze on that spot. The seagulls, receiving no attention, fluttered away somewhere.

Melissa got up from her seat along with the seagulls. When she suddenly opened her parasol, maids came running from afar.

“My lady? Where are you going alone? Let us come with you!”

She finally understood what had been twisting her mood since arriving in Glinford.

This feeling that made her stomach hurt and gave her fever until she was bedridden, all while being completely unaware of it.

A feeling she absolutely didn’t want the person causing it to discover.

This feeling that felt uncomfortable and vulgar just by existing within her.

It was… jealousy.

* * *

Melissa’s day dragged on unbearably until evening. After seeing the two people walking together, she lost interest and returned straight to the hotel.

She bathed in lukewarm water, changed into fresh clothes, and sat at the table drinking tea.

With each sip of hot black tea sliding down her throat, she felt like her insides were burning black.

‘Honestly, it would be stranger if a man like His Highness didn’t have a lover.’

Being so handsome and charming, not to mention holding the position of prince, he was the type of man any noble lady would eye at least once.

In reality, it was rare for nobles not to have lovers. They would openly frequent the Rose Maze even after marriage or enjoy nighttime affairs at parties.

Even during her crown princess education, her teacher repeatedly told her:

“You must respect your husband’s private life.”

When she asked why, there were the usual string of answers, but this was ultimately the main point:

“Because if you worry about every little thing, you’ll die early from stress-induced illness.”

They kept emphasizing this to her, citing many cases of noble ladies who died early from distress over their husbands constantly bringing home illegitimate children.

“But I don’t think His Highness the Crown Prince would do that.”

When she said this with innocent eyes, her teacher’s eyes narrowed.

“Though I know it’s disrespectful, I must tell you this as something you absolutely need to know. The men of the imperial family have historically…”

Melissa froze with her mouth open in shock as she listened. That’s why the teacher emphasized again and again that not just anyone could become a crown princess or empress.

But she really thought Reizen would be different.

Though rumors painted him as a playboy, he was such a gentle person when they actually met that she firmly believed in his character.

After all, rumors tend to be exaggerated. According to gossip mongers, Melissa herself was supposedly a great seductress, a witch, and a murderer.

“My lady, shall I bring you more tea?”

This would be the fifth time since afternoon.

Though Nora carefully entered the room to ask, Melissa knew the maids were busy preparing for their departure.

“I’m fine now, please pack comfortably. We need to return to the castle later…”

Yes. It will all be over once we return. She wouldn’t set foot here again, and she wouldn’t have to see that woman.

Melissa bit her lip and forced a smile.

Just then, Whilton knocked and entered the room. He looked confused, having expected Reizen to be back by now.

“Oh, His Highness isn’t back yet? I thought he was with you. Then I’ll come back later…”

“Lord Whilton.”

He turned around when she called out.

“Could I perhaps get some of that medicine too?”

“Medicine…?”

“The medicine His Highness takes.”

Melissa quietly asked while holding her left arm.

“Ah.”

Whilton realized what she meant and bit his lip. He scratched his bird’s nest-like hair that had grown out and said with a troubled expression.

“About that medicine. His Highness was told to stop taking it, but it was problematic that he kept taking it.”

Melissa blinked at this new information. When she asked him to explain further, Whilton let out a deep sigh and came closer.

Why did she always learn about this man’s pain through others? She was always the one sleeping closest to him.

Melissa fell into thought while quietly nodding at Whilton’s words.

That night, Reizen didn’t return.

Only in the morning did he appear, drunk and leaning back languidly in the carriage.

Melissa silently joined him in the carriage.

The carriage smelled of strong whiskey, cigars, and an unfamiliar woman’s perfume.

The man who would kiss Melissa all night and still get up early to move about was today tired and sleeping against the carriage.

Not a single word was exchanged during the two-hour journey.

* * *

“I think I need to go to the capital for a few days.”

The man said after waking up from his sleep upon arriving at Miellin Castle. Melissa had just entered the room after finishing her preparations for bed, having eaten dinner alone.

Another announcement of departure only drew a sigh-like laugh from her now.

“I see…”

She nodded and got under the covers.

It was her duty to respect and accept her husband’s private life. She reminded herself again and again not to read too much into a man’s actions and needlessly worry.

The problem was that it wasn’t as easy as she wished.

She wanted to question him about where he was and what he did last night. But Melissa had never had good outcomes from discovering truths others were hiding.

Just as she had severed ties after finally discovering Selheim’s hidden nature, it was the same with Reizen. She didn’t want to dig up things he wasn’t voluntarily sharing and end up hurt.

Melissa pulled the covers up to her neck. As she closed her eyes trying to sleep…

“Is this about Florence?”

Reizen sat on the edge of the bed and stroked Melissa’s forehead. His hot, lingering touch caressed her head and cupped her entire cheek.

“Melissa.”

It was unfair when he called her name so warmly. Melissa bit her lip and turned her back to Reizen.

“Your Highness knows my feelings but pretends not to, you’re deceiving me.”

She carefully chose her words, afraid her voice might quiver with hurt.

But even though she suppressed her emotions, something in her awkward voice must have revealed her disappointment, as Reizen slowly let out a sigh.

“Because Florence likes me?”

“…”

“I can’t stop her from liking me, Mel.”

How could he speak so coldly?

She wasn’t asking him to do anything about another woman liking him.

Melissa was just anxious and needed reassurance. Though they hadn’t felt afterglow the night before, they had shared physical intimacy.

She had gone to sleep with an excited heart, thinking about what to say and how to act the next morning. But how could she not feel bad when the first thing she heard in the morning was that he went for a harbor walk with another woman?

Melissa felt wronged for no reason.

“I can’t give up business advantages just because the other party is a woman. And women usually falling for me is a common occurrence…”

“You say it like it’s natural.”

“Because it’s true.”

Reizen shrugged and grabbed her shoulders. Wanting to talk face to face, he easily turned her small body to face him and smiled.

“Is there any woman who doesn’t like me, Mel?”

Looking directly at that face, Melissa replied stiffly.

“There’s no law saying every woman in the world has to like Your Highness.”

“My, I should have made one earlier.”

Was this mocking her grandfather?

Before he became the Chief Justice, her grandfather had held that position and was famous for creating various laws for nobles.

Melissa’s lips trembled faintly.