In conclusion, the escape plan that I had prepared from the beginning crumbled miserably.

This was because Calix warned me to stay quietly by his side unless I truly wanted to die by being caught by the temple.

‘I don’t want to die either.’

I looked at Calix with mixed feelings.

“…So, did you see your fate?”

I was surprised by Calix’s question and noticeably averted my gaze, but.

“You did see it.”

He’s quick-witted too. I laughed awkwardly.

“How was it?”

My hands suddenly became sweaty.

He must be curious. I understood. But the content is nothing good for Calix to hear.

I carefully chose my words, again and again.

“I was told Your Highness’s fate is the most powerful on the continent.”

“That’s not the reason you were trying to leave me. Speak in detail.”

Calix persistently pursued my gaze.

“Your Highness, isn’t it that you shouldn’t know your fate in advance?”

“Seeing how reluctant you are to speak, it must be quite terrible.”

I couldn’t manage my expression at his easy penetration of my thoughts. This is why being too smart is not good.

“Well, it’s not that terrible, just be careful of Duke Tianel…”

“Why, does that old fox try to kill me and start a rebellion?”

I just laughed helplessly without making a sound.

“I see.”

“Your Highness, for now, it might be better to focus on dealing with the current situation rather than thinking about fate.”

“I didn’t like him from the first impression.”

Calix nodded and said with an angry face.

“I should kill him.”

“Pardon?”

I flinched at the brutal word that came out after a long time.

No matter how much Calix has softened, that’s only limited to his own people.

If he says he’ll kill someone, he really will.

“When the First Prince comes charging into the imperial palace with his private soldiers, I should kill him for treason too. I thought he was a somewhat useful inspiration. It’s a shame.”

I nodded.

Anyway, in the book I read, the Duke was an irredeemable trash.

It didn’t seem like a bad idea.

“Ah, Your Highness. While I was down in my hometown, I told Viscount Estanya to gather local forces to pay respects to you. They said they haven’t met the Crown Prince yet.”

“For someone who cried and begged to leave here, you’ve planned quite a lot.”

Calix frowned and looked me up and down.

“I heard somewhere that it’s a good method to employ powerful new forces to deal with the existing privileged class, so I thought just in case…”

“Are you indirectly criticizing me for not having support?”

Calix asked sarcastically. I just kept my mouth shut.

What’s the point of saying anything?

“You’d rather not speak at all than lie?”

“Haha.”

“Don’t laugh, I’m being serious.”

Damn, he’s so picky.

“I’ve thought long and hard. About what I should do.”

Calix glared at me intensely as if still unsatisfied, but his expression soon softened.

“As you said, I’ve thought of a way to gain the support of the imperial citizens and the temple.”

It seems he had his own concerns as well.

“I don’t even hope for His Majesty the Emperor’s support, but once this matter is resolved, well, I might receive a tiny bit.”

He smiled bitterly.

Then suddenly, he pointed at me and showed a confident attitude.

“The elves said you were the chosen one. And you’ve been to the Temple of Fate.”

He grinned.

“Pack your bags.”

“Pardon?”

I just blinked in confusion at Calix’s reaction.

“I’ll show that damned Morisias clearly. Who he dared to mess with.”

When I stood there with a dumb expression, Calix raised an eyebrow and said.

“Why are you standing there in a daze? I said pack your bags. We’re going to raid the elven residential area.”

Calix said, grinding his teeth.

“As much as I’d like to leave you at the palace, there are too many risk factors, so it’s better for you to be by my side.”

To be honest, I couldn’t help but seriously consider Milla’s words.

‘Are you really not in any kind of relationship with His Highness, Rose?’

Are we really not in any relationship? Really? What kind of crown prince would treat his maid this well?

I could clearly feel the difference in his attitude when dealing with Ruel and me.

“Your Highness, I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

So I closed my eyes tightly and asked.

The reason I closed my eyes was because I thought I might get scolded.

“Aren’t you going to find a Crown Princess?”

I opened one eye slightly to observe Calix’s expression.

As expected, it had hardened.

“Why are you curious about that?”

“Well… the other princes are all already married, and even the Third Prince has a fiancée…”

Calix spoke with a fierce expression.

“You’ve been getting on my nerves lately, are you enjoying it?”

At his words, I hurriedly waved my hands.

“Of course not, Your Highness. Absolutely not.”

At that, Calix fixed his gaze on me intently

. His expression suggested he had something important to say.

“…If a Crown Princess is really necessary, it would be best to choose the most trustworthy person.”

I frowned at his words.

Saying that while looking at me, doesn’t it sound like he’s talking about me?

Calix’s hand carefully touched the ends of my hair.

“Don’t you think so?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to choose someone from a family with moderate power and influence, Your Highness?”

At my words, he put his hand on his forehead.

Gritting his teeth and smiling meaninglessly, he somehow looked troubled.

“Right, your words…”

It was then. Ruel suddenly appeared and said with an urgent face.

“Your Highness, I have an urgent matter to report.”

“Say it here.”

Until just a moment ago, his mood seemed fine, but now he suddenly looks upset.

‘Is it because of me?’

I thought it didn’t make sense myself.

However, I started to feel anxious.

I had a bad feeling.

I began to mull over each and every word Calix had said.

He said the Crown Princess should be the most trustworthy person.

Does Calix know any other women? Before that, are there any people who fall into the category of trustworthy that he mentioned, other than Ruel and me?

In an instant, I felt as if a heat was spreading throughout my body.

The reason Calix kept me alive, the reason he insisted on keeping me by his side.

And Ruel’s ambiguous attitude towards me.

Even now, he was trying hard to separate Calix from me while watching my reaction.

“Is this something I shouldn’t know about?”

At my words, Ruel openly showed a troubled expression.

And his gaze slowly moved to the ends of my hair. To Calix’s fingertips that were carefully touching my hair.

“It’s not particularly that, but it’s about… troop-related matters.”

I quietly clenched both my fists.

My head throbbed for a different reason.

Even though I wanted to dismiss it as a wrong assumption, there was a clear difference between not knowing at all and making even a guess.

‘Does Calix… like me?’

Once the thought started, it was unstoppable.

Because I couldn’t help but consciously think of him romantically.

I tried to smile calmly.

“You’re not thinking of subjugation, are you?”

At my words, Calix hurriedly removed his hand from my hair and mumbled awkwardly.

“We’re going to contact the elves and find out their plans first.”

Then he glanced at me.

“The First Prince will definitely try to kill me. Troops are essential if I don’t want to be defeated.”

Calix’s expression became quite serious.

Even though he tried to appear calm, I could see he was worried about his unstable future.

“That’s why I’m planning to take only elite agents to the elven residential area.”

Calix turned to face me directly, his tone carrying a clear warning.

“It’s dangerous, so don’t think about leaving my side.”