At Alexion’s reply that it was out of the question, Erna put strength in both eyes as if she absolutely would not back down this time. She pointed to the pile of documents stacked like a mountain in front of her and questioned how he could work her without even a day’s rest.

“This is clearly an exploitation of labor. Your Highness, I know you don’t want to become an evil employer either.”

“Ha.”

When Alexion’s eyebrows rose steeply as he had been listening silently, Erna flinched, belatedly wondering if she had been too insolent toward the crown prince.

Advisors Hubert and Neison stepped back one step in advance to avoid getting caught in the crossfire, watching the situation leisurely with expressions that said ‘Here they go again.’

“Now you’re crossing the danger line as if it’s nothing. Erna Lizbeth, do you really want to be punished for the crime of insulting the imperial family?”

It was a murmur as cold as sub-zero temperature, but the two advisors didn’t look particularly worried. They knew that their lord’s attitude toward Erna had become noticeably more lenient recently.

Erna, who had been busy getting scared at first, had also reached the level where she no longer blinked an eye at Alexion’s threats and even straightened her back to boldly counter him.

“The crime of insulting the imperial family? I merely offered loyal advice as a faithful servant with a heart that cares for Your Highness, who will become the Sun of the empire in the future.”

Who would dare take such an attitude toward the crown prince rumored to be a merciless tyrant? But there was no displeasure whatsoever in the silver-gray eyes looking at Erna.

“Three days. No more than that.”

“Really?”

A fresh smile bloomed on Erna’s lips like spring flowers in full bloom. Alexion, who had been chuckling, coldly bid farewell to the two advisors who were subtly sending him looks that they too wanted vacation.

“You two are out of the question.”

***

Erna, who had managed to obtain golden vacation time with difficulty, immediately made an appointment to meet Violet and Zenon the next day.

“Hmm, it’s not like home, but this place is comfortable too.”

A cafe in the capital’s downtown district. Each section was divided into rooms, making it suitable for quiet conversation, and one entire side was made of glass windows so it didn’t feel stuffy.

“……Anyway, don’t give up. Never. If you both stay firm without wavering, it may take some time, but those around you will eventually acknowledge you.”

“Will that really happen?”

Violet lowered her eyes with an uncertain voice. Feeling how much mental anguish she must have suffered looking at her gaunt face, Erna bit her lips.

“Hey, didn’t I tell you not to worry?”

To lighten the mood, Erna deliberately spoke with an exaggerated tone while laughing.

“Don’t you know the saying that no parent can defeat their child? Soon your parents will give permission too.”

“Thank you, Erna. I keep relying on you all the time.”

Feeling a bit relieved, a faint smile appeared on Violet’s lips.

“Now, you need to eat well to cheer up. Hurry and eat this too.”

Erna, who was pushing a dessert plate toward Violet, suddenly turned her gaze as if something had occurred to her.

“Oh, right. Zenon, you must participate in this hunting festival too. If you win, it will definitely help make your name known.”

“Of course I was thinking of doing that too.”

“But the hunting festival is dangerous. If Zenon gets hurt……”

Erna reassured the anxious Violet.

“It’s okay, I heard it’s not as dangerous as you think. I’m participating too, so I’ll help Zenon win when I get the chance.”

“Aren’t you participating with His Highness the crown prince, Erna?”

Starting with Zenon’s question, the conversation topic instantly changed to Alexion. Facing the two people who poured out questions as if they had been waiting—when exactly did she become that kind of relationship with His Highness the crown prince, who confessed first, etc.—Erna had to break out in cold sweat trying to give appropriate evasive answers.

“Well…… it just happened that way somehow.”

“There’s also talk that you’ve been internally decided as the next crown princess, Erna. Is it true?”

“What?! Who said that?”

It was when Erna was about to immediately deny it.

“Has such a rumor already spread?”

Someone wearing a dark blue robe gently embraced Erna’s shoulder. Recognizing the silver-gray eyes fixed on her, Erna’s mouth fell open.

“Your Highness? Why are you here, Your Highness?”

“I saw you from outside.”

“No, I mean, how did you know to come here?”

Alexion left the bewildered Erna alone and exchanged greetings with the other two.

“Though it’s late, I apologize for the rudeness I committed to Miss Plessen at the victory banquet. I should have given you advance notice about my relationship with Erna. You must have been very surprised.”

After finishing his greeting, he joined them at the table as if it had been arranged in advance.

Erna looked at Alexion’s profile with a dazed feeling. The scene of him, the epitome of coldness and taciturnity, conversing with her acquaintances was strange and fascinating.

‘Isn’t this too natural?’

Moreover, where had his usual mischievous playfulness gone, as he even sent affectionate glances as if they were real lovers. At his completely changed appearance, Erna was dumbfounded and stabbed at her lemon cake with her fork.

“Erna, there’s cream on your lips.”

“Huh?”

It was when Erna was about to receive a napkin from Zenon. Alexion, who gently held her chin without hurting her, made her look at him and then directly wiped the lemon cream from her lips. At the sensation of his thumb slowly tracing her lower lip, Erna stiffened for a moment.

When she sent a silent look asking why he was doing something he’d never done before, Alexion slightly curled up the corner of his mouth.

“You’re so sloppy, Erna.”

“!”

‘This person is doing this on purpose to tease me right now.’

Erna glared at him narrowly. It was even more frustrating because Violet and Zenon across from them were making expressions as if they had witnessed the sweet affectionate display of lovers.

After leaving the cafe, Erna walked behind Alexion, who was walking a few steps ahead, staring daggers at the back of his head while thinking to herself.

‘I really can’t figure him out.’

There was no way he would be interested in the leisurely activity of strolling through the downtown district and looking at accessories put out by merchants or unfamiliar street food. Yet she couldn’t fathom why he insisted on accompanying her, so Erna tilted her head.

“Your Highness.”

While she was busy looking around, Advisor Hubert, who should have been at the imperial palace, approached quietly. After briefly bowing his head to greet Erna, Hubert stepped aside and whispered something to Alexion.

There was no change whatsoever in Alexion’s expression after hearing the full report from Hubert. Even to Erna’s question, he was just as calm as usual, as if it were nothing.

“You have to return to the palace right now? Are you sure it’s really nothing?”

“Yes.”

Erna, who had been watching Alexion’s retreating figure with worry, raised her head to look at the sky. The warmly shining sun had disappeared somewhere, and only thick dark clouds filled the sky.

It looked like it would pour rain soon.

***

Immediately after returning to the palace, Alexion headed straight to the emperor’s bedroom. As soon as he entered, he frowned at the strong sleeping incense that permeated the air.

“Open the windows.”

“Your Highness, I humbly report that Her Majesty the empress ordered us not to extinguish the sleeping incense……”

The attendant who met Alexion’s gaze turned pale and shut his mouth with a gasp. The attendant immediately extinguished the sleeping incense and threw open all the windows.

Walking past the entrance to reach the bed located deep inside, the bedroom maids who saw Alexion bowed their heads, not knowing what to do.

“Ha.”

Emperor Morentius’s unusual womanizing tendencies were known to few in this empire. But to think he would keep bedroom maids by his side even while lying sick in bed. Alexion swallowed cold laughter.

“Everyone get out.”

Without even glancing at the chair placed beside the bed, Alexion just stood still and looked down at the emperor. Only the steady ticking of the second hand was the sole noise floating through this vast space.

Around the time all the sleeping incense had dissipated from the room, the emperor, who had regained consciousness, opened his eyes.

“You came.”

Though it was virtually their first private meeting since Alexion had returned from the battlefield, there wasn’t even a trace of affection in the way they looked at each other, making the six years seem meaningless. As if paternal love had never existed in the first place. Dry and desolate air like desert sand surrounded them.

“I heard your activities on the battlefield were remarkable. You managed to return alive from such a dangerous place.”

The familiar gaze he had received all his life since birth. Alexion couldn’t fail to notice the deep-seated hatred underlying it.

“Were you disappointed that the child you pushed into mortal danger returned unharmed? I’m sorry for not meeting your expectations.”

“……With your temperament, you wouldn’t engage in love talk. Is your recent meeting with the daughter of the Lizbeth family perhaps to rebel against the empress’s wishes?”

At Alexion’s silence, the emperor clicked his tongue with displeasure.

“If it’s childish rebelliousness, stop it. Taking the daughter of Marquis Plessen’s family, which is the empress’s faction, as crown princess would be much more beneficial to the imperial family.”

“I refuse.”

“What?”

“Shouldn’t it be proper for me to choose my own companion? Above all, I have no desire to cooperate with the wishes of the woman who drove my mother to death.”

The emperor, filled with rage, threw the vase from the nightstand at Alexion.