Chapter 6

However, when Reinel ran into her father and the First Prince coming out of the drawing room, she felt a slight regret. She worried that the First Prince might think she looked too casual and simple in her dress. The regret came from knowing that the First Prince was always dressed neatly and elegantly.

“Lady Estrid. We meet again.”

“Welcome, First Prince. It’s an honor to have you visit.”

The First Prince smiled pleasantly, his gaze fixed on Reinel’s face. His vivid ruby eyes sparkled as they took in Reinel. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Reinel wanted to hide her clothes, but she endured and waited for him to speak.

“Today, you’re shining. It looks like you’re in a good mood. Are you headed out?”

“Yes. I’m planning to visit the merchant group myself for some business.”

“The merchant group? Hm. Seeing things for yourself is a wise choice. Coincidentally, I also have business in town today. How about we go together?”

Reinel watched the First Prince’s expression, but he didn’t seem likely to criticize her attire. He simply waited for her answer with a gentle smile on his lips.

“Yes, that sounds good.”

When Reinel replied, the First Prince’s silver lashes curved delightfully. The ruby eyes hidden beneath the silver were beautiful. Reinel felt her face grow hot and looked away, but the First Prince gazed at her warmly.

“We’ll probably part ways in the middle, but until then, it’ll be nice to go together so you won’t be lonely. I’ll have an extra carriage follow for the return trip… For now, ride with me.”

“Yes.”

He turned his gaze from Reinel to Lyle Estrid as well.

Lyle Estrid, for the first time, realized that his daughter was nervous in front of the First Prince.

But since Reinel had already agreed to the First Prince’s request, Lyle found it curious—and maybe promising—that his daughter, who never got nervous in front of anyone, was now so tense.

It was understandable, though, since the First Prince’s gaze was so gentle.

No matter how polite and dignified the First Prince was, he didn’t look at people with such warmth lightly.

As Lyle began to suspect the First Prince might be interested in Reinel, he watched his daughter’s expression.

Reinel quietly lowered her gaze to avoid the First Prince’s eyes. Clearly, she was embarrassed. Lyle cleared his throat, drawing the First Prince’s attention to himself.

“Hmm. Earl Baker, prepare a carriage. Reinel will ride with the First Prince but she’ll need a carriage for the return.”

“Understood.”

As Earl Baker disappeared down the hallway, Lyle accompanied Reinel and the First Prince to see them off. After escorting Reinel into the carriage, the First Prince greeted Lyle.

“I’ll be going now. Today’s discussion was good. Next time, I’ll bring His Majesty’s approval for the bulk purchase of diamonds produced at the Kulston Mine.”

“There’s no need to hurry.”

“No, moving quickly is best for preparing for the monster wave. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

The First Prince disappeared into the carriage. Through the window, Lyle could see his daughter facing the First Prince.

For some reason, it felt unusual that the First Prince, whom he’d only dealt with for business, wanted to ride in the same carriage as Reinel simply because he didn’t want to be alone.

‘Could it be… His Highness is interested in Reinel…?’

His daughter had been divorced for less than two weeks. Since the wounds in her heart had not yet healed, it was only natural for her to be cautious, but Reinel did not say she disliked the First Prince—she was merely tense. Of course, there was probably no one who would say they disliked the First Prince to his face, but it was still remarkable that she didn’t refuse by saying she had other business.

While Lyle was lost in thought, the carriage moved farther away. Watching the imperial crest attached to the back of the carriage, Lyle could only hope that good things would happen to Reinel. A fresh breeze brushed past his ears in the season of lush greenery, and somewhere, the scent of flowers tickled his nose.

With Lyle’s wishes, the carriage moved off into the distance.

***

Meanwhile, Reinel was extremely tense about riding with the First Prince. However, the First Prince eased her nerves by bringing up the latest trends in a gentle tone. It didn’t take long for Reinel, who hadn’t been able to look at him properly, to relax enough to lift her head and meet his gaze.

Reinel stared into his eyes, which glowed pink in the sunlight. The way they sparkled like jewels was still beautiful. When she first saw him at the Academy, she realized for the first time in her life that a man could be beautiful. The First Prince had been so striking that Reinel had lost herself gazing at him for a while, and he had approached her with a smile.

“Come to think of it, we ran into each other often at the Academy, but after graduation, we hardly ever did.”

“That’s because there was little overlap between you and me, Your Highness. And since I married right after graduating, it was only natural I didn’t see you much.”

At Reinel’s explanation, the First Prince covered his mouth and chuckled.

“I used to spot you from afar at the occasional ball. But whenever I tried to dance, Earl Kaiden always blocked me, so I never got to dance with you even once.”

At the First Prince’s words, Reinel could only say, “That’s…” as her face turned red. Partly because of the First Prince’s gentle words, but also because she was reminded of how Earl Kaiden had openly shown his possessiveness about her in public, which made her uncomfortable.

But if the First Prince hadn’t mentioned it, she would not have known. Soon, Reinel composed herself and asked again.

“Was Earl Kaiden really that obsessed with me?”

“You didn’t know? At every ball, he would get ahead of anyone who tried to ask you to dance. That’s why sometimes, people would call you a wallflower and say it was a shame.”

“I… see…”

She managed not to let her expression falter, perhaps because she was in front of the First Prince.

Her nerves had settled, but she didn’t want to show any weakness in front of this man. Of course, it also helped that the First Prince quickly changed the topic so she wouldn’t feel vulnerable.

No matter how obsessed Earl Kaiden had been with her in public, Reinel could never forget how poorly he treated her in private.

“…By the way, Your Highness, where in town are you headed? I was planning to go to the Jean Cloche Atelier.”

“I’m going to the bakery next door. These days, the walnut condensed milk baguette they sell is all the rage. I wanted to try at least one while it’s still popular.”

At those words, Reinel smiled bashfully. The First Prince, true to his role as a businessman, was well-versed in trends and always made those around him enjoy his company.

Reinel was no exception; she watched the First Prince, who spoke cheerfully about past trends, with a smile.

‘It’s strange… Even when Earl Kaiden is mentioned in front of the First Prince, I don’t feel sad or angry.’

Perhaps it was thanks to the First Prince’s kindness toward her. Reinel found herself wanting to visit the bakery with him.

“Then, would it be all right if I joined you at the bakery?”

At those words, the corners of the First Prince’s eyes curved gently.

“Of course. It sounds fun to stop by the bakery with you before returning to the palace. Since it’s best for a lady to enter the atelier alone, let’s visit the bakery first.”

“That’s a good idea. I think that would be perfect.”

“Oh, and it might be fun to order coffee at the nearby café and drink it there.”

“Yes. Then let’s spend some time together there and have a chat. That sounds enjoyable, too.”

Reinel found it enjoyable to converse with the First Prince. He smiled gently in front of her, and unlike Neque Kaiden, he was easy to talk to and never made her uncomfortable.

Given his high status, he could have spoken to her as if giving orders, and she wouldn’t have been able to resist, but his deliberate politeness left a strong impression.

‘Come to think of it, His Highness was like that during the Academy days, too.’

He didn’t have any rough edges to his character, but when he needed to, he could be decisive as sharp as a blade. Most of those who gathered around the First Prince were intellectuals. There were never any rude people among them, which reminded her of the saying, “birds of a feather flock together.”

Reinel only realized she was smiling after several seconds had passed.

“How is it that you know so much about what’s popular, Your Highness? There aren’t many who are as in touch with trends as you.”

“It’s because it’s advantageous for business to keep up with trends. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I know most of them. Still, there are times I don’t, so I pay extra attention to that.”

“I see…”

Reinel looked forward to visiting the bakery with him. While she was anticipating it, the carriage sped through the bustling street, heading toward the bakery.

The bright scenery of the street passed by outside the window for only a moment, and Reinel found herself with a brief chance to observe the First Prince. Though it was a rare quiet moment, it wasn’t awkward; it felt natural, so she watched him comfortably.

‘He really is a beautiful person.’

The First Prince was beautiful enough to be called the Empire’s greatest beauty. His brilliant silver hair fell softly over his neck, and the ruby eyes partially hidden by his bangs reminded her of the finest jewels. His face was so beautiful that even seeing it every day would never grow old; Reinel watched him, entranced.