Chapter 7

“It’s about time to get off. Lady Estrid, may I escort you?”

“Yes, of course. Being escorted by you is an honor for me, Your Highness.”

After the carriage stopped, Reinel took the First Prince’s hand and stepped down from the carriage. The First Prince watched her descend the carriage steps gracefully and smiled as he escorted her.

The carriage from the Estrid Earldom followed and parked behind the carriage bearing the imperial crest. In front of the two carriages was a large shop with a sign reading <Freshly Baked Bakery>. People were lined up at the bakery’s open entrance, and staff occasionally came out to hand out waiting tickets.

“The line is really long… It looks like we’ll have to wait quite a while to get a seat inside.”

“Can you stand for a long time, Lady Estrid?”

“For me… it’s fine. Waiting in line like this isn’t a problem.”

Reinel felt pleased when the First Prince said he would wait in line. He could have used his status to disperse the queue at this large bakery, but instead, he chose to be considerate and wait, which she liked.

However, there were eyes watching as Reinel and the First Prince stood in line. Most people recognized the First Prince’s face. Since nearly everyone waiting in line was a noble, anyone with a certain rank would know the First Prince.

Eventually, the First Prince and Reinel ordered the coachman to stand in line for them and decided to wait at a nearby café. The line was long, but many people bought their goods quickly and left, so it didn’t seem they would have to wait very long.

Inside the café, they ordered a simple Americano and café latte, then sat together at a large table. Thanks to the bakery next door, about half the tables in the café were occupied. Occasionally, attendants carrying bread bags entered and left with customers, suggesting that, like Reinel and the First Prince, some patrons were waiting in the café.

“Your Highness, you must spend a lot of time out and about like this.”

“That’s true. Ah, and when we’re outside, don’t call me ‘Your Highness.’ Call me Cassius.”

“Cassius… That’s your middle name, but how could I dare…?”

“Calling me ‘Your Highness’ here would attract more attention. People recognize my face, but not many know my middle name, so my identity won’t be revealed right away.”

“Then… Understood. All right, Sir Cassius.”

“Good. Then what about you? Is ‘Lady Estrid’ still enough?”

Reinel unconsciously gave a small smile as she answered his playful question.

“For me… please call me Reinel.”

The First Prince widened his eyes, then responded with a soft smile.

“All right. Reinel.”

Just then, their drinks were finished, and the server brought them over on a tray. However, the young woman’s face was flushed with anticipation.

‘The First Prince placed the order, didn’t he? It makes sense she’d blush after seeing his face. His Highness really is beautiful.’

Her expression revealed all her excitement. Reinel covered her mouth and smiled, finding the server cute.

Seeing Reinel’s expression, a gentle smile appeared on the First Prince’s lips as well.

“Here are your drinks.”

Even as the server set down the cups, she couldn’t take her eyes off the First Prince’s face, and Reinel couldn’t help but smile knowingly. She understood why the server had stammered and blushed earlier when seeing the First Prince’s face during the order.

‘That’s right. Anyone would freeze up in front of His Highness. I was the same at first.’

And whenever she stood before him, she automatically became tense.

‘But now, it feels a bit strange. Because our conversation is so natural, I feel my nerves relaxing…’

Back at the Academy, she had always been too nervous to hold a proper conversation with him. Now, she could talk with him naturally, even mentioning her divorce without trouble.

‘The First Prince is someone who treats others naturally. That’s why I can’t help but relax around him.’

Especially because his tone was gentle, Reinel found it enjoyable to talk with him. She carefully accepted the drink he handed her. The cold café latte was perfect for the moment, and when she sipped through the straw, the mild taste of milk mixed with espresso coated her throat as she swallowed.

As she savored the moment, music from the café washed over her ears.

Being with the First Prince was nothing short of delightful.

Even the occasional conversation while drinking was light, often about trends. Reinel wasn’t very knowledgeable about trends, so she found the stories the First Prince told entertaining.

She enjoyed hearing about a fabric called “denim” that was popular in Chebangs, a city quite far from the capital. The cloth was tough and somewhat water-resistant, and while it had originally been worn mostly by commoners, it had become popular after a designer showcased it at a ball.

“I’d like to try it on sometime. If I were to wear it as pants like the commoners do, it would probably need to be made as riding clothes. I think it would look nice as a dress too.”

“If I ever visit Chebangs, Reinel, I’ll bring you some of that fabric as a gift. Of course, since you have a merchant group, you could import it ahead of time…”

“No, I’m looking forward to receiving it from you, Sir Cassius. I’ll wait until then.”

The First Prince smiled brightly, his eyes curving with delight.

“All right. Then you can look forward to it. If I happen to visit Chebangs during my schedule, I’ll bring it right away.”

“Yes, thank you so much.”

The two exchanged smiles, covering their mouths as they laughed together. As Reinel watched the First Prince’s crimson eyes sparkle with light, she suddenly realized she was looking at his face quite naturally.

‘Most people who talk with His Highness must have felt this happiness. I think I can finally look at the First Prince properly now.’

As she played with her fingers, letting the droplets on the cup moisten her fingertips, the café door opened and the coachman came in. He was carrying a bread bag in each arm, apparently having bought all the bread they had ordered.

“Shall we get going, Reinel?”

“Yes. It looks like he’s bought the bread.”

They each took one of the two bread bags stamped with the name <Freshly Baked Bakery> and stood up. Reinel headed for the Estrid Earldom’s carriage, marked with its crest. The First Prince escorted her.

“Well, I’ll be going now. Sir Cassius, are you heading straight back to the palace?”

“I’ll watch you leave and then head to the palace. I hope you have a wonderful time.”

He covered his mouth and chuckled quietly. The bread bags gave off a savory scent, stimulating the appetite. The First Prince’s hand was careful as he helped Reinel up into the carriage. He didn’t pull too hard, nor was his grip so weak that her hand might slip away.

“Sir Cassius, I hope you have a great time as well.”

“Yes, I will.”

The First Prince’s silver eyes curved gently. Regretting the moment their hands parted, Reinel stared at her own hand. The brief touch of the First Prince’s soft hand made her feel even more reluctant to let go.

The First Prince watched with a smile as Reinel’s carriage moved away into the distance. Once the rear of the carriage disappeared from sight, he walked toward the carriage he had arrived in. As he entered, he found himself muttering unconsciously.

“It’s truly different from how it was at the Academy.”

Back then, the First Prince could only speak one-sidedly to her. Whenever he tried to talk, he could see her nerves immediately. So even if they were assigned to the same group, becoming close was nearly impossible.

‘She was certainly close to being an acquaintance…’

As the carriage began to roll, the First Prince rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought. It was good that Reinel had finally relaxed around him, but he felt sorry that she had gone through a divorce. She seemed like someone who could have lived happily with anyone.

“Should I investigate Neque Kaiden?”

The First Prince didn’t know why Reinel had divorced. The rumors said it was the usual “personality differences,” but he wanted to know the real reason, not just the official story.

His instincts beat sharply against his heart. Tapping his arm with his fingers, he tilted his head. The smile faded, replaced by another expression.

He gazed outside.

Scenery from the bustling street passed by beyond the carriage window. The sun was beginning to set, and the orange glow seeped into the carriage.

Bathed in the warm sunlight, the First Prince’s pale hand was gently warmed by its touch.