Chapter 5

The graceful way he stepped down from the carriage, the radiant silver hair, and the vivid ruby eyes turned toward Reinel. For a moment, Reinel was dazed as she watched the First Prince.

He was always a beautiful man. Standing there, Reinel felt as if she had returned to the moment she first met him at the Academy. The First Prince smiled gently as he looked at her.

“It’s been a while, Countess Kaiden. I haven’t seen you since the wedding.”

“Yes. It’s the first time since then for me as well. Welcome, Your Highness.”

The First Prince chuckled softly and approached Reinel. His gaze, as he observed Reinel’s polite, formal greeting, was warm. For some reason, her cheeks felt hot, but Reinel slowly met his eyes.

His silver lashes gently veiled those ruby eyes, curving beautifully. Unable to face his smiling gaze, Reinel lowered her eyes. Perhaps because he was so handsome, whenever she faced the First Prince, her heart always raced and she couldn’t help but feel tense.

‘He’s just too handsome… It’s not good for my heart.’

The first time Reinel saw the First Prince at the Academy, she had been so mesmerized she lost her senses. The First Prince was elegant and pretty, but also had the impressive physique of someone skilled with a sword, so women often found themselves entranced as he passed by. Every time Reinel faced him, she always felt her body tense with nerves.

The only time she didn’t freeze up was right after graduating from the Academy, at her wedding. The First Prince had given his congratulations and said, “I hope you’ll be happy.” For Reinel, who was already in love, those simple words felt like a blessing, and she could meet his eyes and smile.

But now, things were different.

Now that she was divorced and had returned to her family, Reinel watched the First Prince with nervousness. Perhaps because of that tension, she couldn’t quite manage a smile. She needed to ask him to change how he addressed her. The fact that she was divorced struck her deeply.

Noticing the difference in Reinel’s stiff demeanor, the First Prince added in a gentle voice,

“I never expected to see you here… But it’s even more pleasant to see a face I haven’t seen since the wedding, Countess Kaiden.”

“I’m glad to see you too, Your Highness. But I’m no longer Countess Kaiden.”

At those words, the First Prince’s eyes widened. The gentle smile shifted to a look full of curiosity, and in an instant, he seemed to realize something. The First Prince brought his hand to his lips for a moment and said simply, “I see.”

“It seems I’ve made a mistake. Lady Estrid.”

“No, it’s my fault for not telling you sooner… I’ve just returned to my family after the divorce.”

“I see… I understand. I’m sorry, Lady Estrid.”

“No need to apologize, Your Highness. Of course you wouldn’t know since I hadn’t told you.”

As Reinel spoke with the First Prince, she found it strange herself. He was someone who always made her tense up, yet she was able to say she was divorced so easily to him.

‘It seems His Highness the First Prince has always been kind to me…’

It was only Reinel who became so tense.

After the first day she met the First Prince at the Academy, Reinel and him often crossed paths, and each time, the First Prince would smile at her. Sometimes, that gentle smile felt as if it bound her, but most of the time, Reinel felt relieved whenever the First Prince turned away.

It was remarkable that she revealed her divorce so easily to someone like him and didn’t feel gloomy afterward. Just moments ago, she had been crying.

Maybe the fresh air had improved her mood.

Reinel tried to smile without awkwardness. She lowered her gaze from the First Prince but made an effort to look up again. In that brief moment, the First Prince had already come somewhat closer to Reinel.

The distance between them—about one and a half steps—made Reinel tense up again. Perhaps it was because of his beautiful and elegant appearance. She felt as if she could hardly breathe and almost stepped back unconsciously.

‘Don’t act strange……’

Reinel repeated to herself the phrase she always used when facing the First Prince at the Academy.

Was it because the First Prince was such a special person to her?

Her thoughts grew confused, so Reinel decided to speak first to break the tension.

“But what brings you here? Did you come to speak with my father?”

“That…….”

The First Prince smiled warmly, his silver eyes curving beautifully. As Reinel’s heart fluttered, she couldn’t help but tremble.

‘I didn’t want to act strange……’

She hoped she didn’t look odd in the reflection of the First Prince’s ruby eyes. Thanks to her efforts, the First Prince continued in his usual gentle manner.

“I came for business regarding the Kulston Mine. I’m deeply interested in the diamonds produced at Kulston. Research has shown they contain more magical power than ordinary magic stones.”

“Ah…….”

It was a matter she hadn’t heard from her father yet. Since she had only just returned, he probably hadn’t had a chance to mention it. She would soon learn about it as she resumed managing the merchant group, but hearing it from the First Prince felt more special.

“So it’s also in preparation for the monster wave that comes every decade or so.”

“That’s right. The next monster wave will be handled by the Northern Duke, the Levias Duchy, but the Imperial Family must also provide proper support, so diamonds from Kulston Mine are needed. That’s why I’ve agreed to mediate between the Imperial Family and the Estrid Earldom.”

In other words, he was acting as the Imperial envoy. Still, it wasn’t something that usually warranted a personal visit… If it were the arrogant Second Prince—now Crown Prince—Kalix, he would have summoned her father to the palace.

But the First Prince was different.

His gentle smile continued to make Reinel tremble, but she could keenly feel his thoughtfulness.

‘He could have used his title to pressure us, but he didn’t.’

By coming directly to the Estrid residence and coordinating opinions, he showed genuine respect for the Estrid Earldom.

“Then, rather than standing out here, shall we go to the drawing room? I’ll inform my father for you.”

“I’d appreciate that. If you lead the way, I’ll follow.”

With a gentle smile, Reinel managed to smile despite her trembling. It was thanks to the First Prince’s character, which she found truly admirable. No matter how nervous she felt, the First Prince never pressured her or tried to force answers, so even in her anxiety, she could treat him kindly.

Thus, her steps toward the drawing room were light.

“If you sit here, I’ll go and fetch my father.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll wait.”

Reinel turned her gaze from the First Prince, who was now seated on the sofa, and headed toward her father’s office. However, it seemed a servant had already delivered the message, because she met her father right in the middle of the hallway.

As soon as Reinel spoke, her father nodded.

“The First Prince has arrived…”

“Yes, I know, Reinel.”

The documents in her father’s hand—were they related to the Kulston Mine?

Reinel was curious about how her father and the First Prince would converse, but for now, she decided to leave it be.

“The conversation will take quite a while. So don’t wait—just go do what you need to do, Reinel.”

“All right, Father.”

After her father disappeared around the corner, Reinel headed to her own office. She still had merchant group business to handle. She had once worked under the Kaiden Earldom. Anyone who was still under the influence of the Earl of Kaiden would be replaced, so she would never have to see him again.

Once she arrived at her office and began handling paperwork, time flew by. In the quiet, where even the ticking of the clock’s second hand could be heard, Reinel worked steadily.

***

The First Prince did not visit only that day.

Reinel glanced at her father’s empty seat and focused on her paperwork. Her father was once again in the drawing room with the First Prince today.

Outside the window, the season was lush and green, as expected. Since that day, she had seen the Kriashers seedlings planted in the garden bloom into huge flowers several times, but walks in the garden were always enjoyable.

Since Kriashers were flowers that produced magic stones, demand was high but supply was low, as she learned from Will. After that, Reinel no longer picked the flowers lightly. Of course, since the flowers produced magic stones, the ones in her room didn’t wilt easily.

Thinking of the pleasant fragrance lingering in her room, a smile crept onto her lips. This made her look forward to returning to her room after finishing work. Unconsciously, Reinel hummed a tune as she processed the documents.

After approving the hiring of new talent for the merchant group, she stood up. She planned to visit the merchant group herself and oversee the selection.

Most of the candidates were long-term employees with spotless records, so she could have made the selections without going, but she wanted a change of pace and to finish the task thoroughly.

Reinel told the aide, Earl Baker, who came to collect her documents, that she would be going out, and left her office.

Since it was obvious she was heading to the merchant group, Earl Baker simply replied, “I’ll inform the Master.” Leaving Earl Baker behind, Reinel’s steps toward her room were light.

She got ready and applied a light touch of makeup before leaving her room. The comfortable outdoor dress she wore was almost the first time she’d worn such attire outside of her wedding.

To look her best for her ex-husband, she had always worn full makeup and chosen only glamorous dresses, but now, wearing a comfortable dress, she felt like she could finally breathe.