That afternoon, the fourth male lead appeared at the tea party.

As a servant loudly announced the Princess’s arrival, he knelt on one knee and bowed his head toward the entrance.

‘If I had stayed in bed just one more day, I would have missed this scene.’

Bella, following behind Natalie into the tea room, let out a sigh of relief.

The fourth marriage candidate was neither a noble nor royalty. He was a wandering musician and singer.

One of the nobles invited to the summer palace had been impressed by his performance in their territory and brought him along so that he could dedicate a song to the Princess.

When Natalie took her seat, he raised his head.

“Oh my…!”

The ladies whispered softly. It was because of his extraordinary beauty.

The man with long silver hair loosely braided over one shoulder had mysterious purple eyes.

‘Florian…’

Bella whispered his name in her heart.

At just twenty-one years old, he possessed a beauty that seemed more like a spirit from somewhere rather than a human. He had a strange charm with a somewhat precarious atmosphere, as if he might helplessly fly away and disappear with the slightest breeze.

‘He was supposed to have an incurable disease.’

That disease, which slowly consumed his vitality without a known cause, actually made Florian’s beauty appear even more pitiful and heartbreaking.

Florian placed his white, long fingers on the strings of his instrument. A sorrowful melody flowed out, and soon he began to sing along with the music.

‘Wow… Amazing…’

Bella covered her mouth. His soft tenor voice touched her heartstrings. It was a tone that could break records with every album release if he debuted as a ballad singer in the other world.

How could a man who looked so detached from worldly matters sing so poignantly?

Several ladies were already dabbing their eyes with handkerchiefs, and some even looked like they might faint.

In the latter part of the game, there were even false rumors that his voice had hypnotic effects. She had wondered what kind of voice it could be, but now that she heard it in person, she immediately understood.

‘Ah… this is healing.’

She was completely immersed in Florian’s song, clutching her chest. Only after the song ended did she remember.

‘Oh no, Natalie.’

She had completely forgotten to observe the Princess’s reaction. Bella quickly turned toward Natalie, pretending to fill a teacup.

But there was neither emotion nor admiration in Natalie’s pretty blue eyes. Her face was almost expressionless.

‘She doesn’t like the fourth male lead either?’

When playing Florian’s route, the Princess was supposed to be moved by this first performance, take his hand, ask his name, and request that he stay until the end of summer. Then Florian was supposed to blush and agree…

At that moment, Natalie glanced at Bella. Caught off guard as their eyes met, Bella hurriedly lowered her gaze to her teacup. She hadn’t done anything wrong, but it felt like she’d been caught secretly observing the Princess.

Natalie smiled gently and addressed the stage.

“Musician, what is your name?”

“Florian, Your Highness.”

“Your voice is beautiful. I would like you to stay until the end of summer and sing for us often.”

“Ah…! I would be delighted to do so.”

Bella raised her head in slight surprise at this unexpected exchange. Even without saying those lines, Florian would have stayed here throughout the summer anyway.

‘But she’s never said those lines without taking his hand before…?’

Was she misremembering? Or was there a route she had missed?

Still, saying those lines meant that Florian’s initial likability would increase significantly.

The fact that Florian suffered from an incurable disease and wandered in search of a cure could only be learned with high intimacy. And by using the Princess’s power and authority to find a cure, one could properly progress into Florian’s route.

‘Does this mean Florian has a greater chance than the other three male leads? Florian’s route would be nice, too.’

Bella smiled contentedly.

This route led to an ending where a healthy Florian and the Princess would live freely, traveling the world away from formalities and constraints.

It featured an illustration of Florian singing only for the Princess and the Princess dancing to his songs with a happy smile.

Of course, the Princess looked happy in other endings too, but Florian’s true ending illustration seemed especially warm, making it one of her favorite endings.

Of course, with the current low likability, Natalie was still showing such a formal smile.

Looking around to see how the other male leads were doing, Everitt was sitting at some distance engaged in conversation, and Blake was nowhere to be seen, perhaps not attending at all. It seemed like nothing would happen today.

Bella relaxed a little and turned her gaze back to Florian on the stage.

As she was peacefully listening to the song, Leon approached and addressed Natalie.

“Your Highness looks beautiful today as well. Even the largest and most fragrant rose in the summer garden would pale beside Your Highness.”

“Prince Leon, don’t you ever get tired of giving such compliments every time?”

When Natalie laughed lightly, Leon smiled broadly and replied.

“Tired? I’m only expressing my honest feelings. May I sit beside you?”

“Of course. Please sit.”

As Leon took his seat, Bella pretended to listen to the song while perking up her ears.

Soon they began chatting quietly while drinking tea. Their conversation was barely audible beneath the music.

‘Around this time, wasn’t Leon supposed to talk about the dog he raised when he was young? The brave dog that stood between him and a bear when he was attacked during a hunting expedition.’

Sure enough, Natalie asked with wide eyes.

“Such a small dog?”

“It’s true. It was only six months old at the time. So I…”

See, even if it’s not clearly audible, I can still hear it. These unpretentious stories, unlike what you’d expect from the prince of a country, are part of Leon’s charm. That boyish side that occasionally emerges from someone who has just reached adulthood.

Bella glanced at the two with a slight smile. They looked exactly like an adorable couple. Seeing them sitting close together, almost touching heads and whispering to each other, made her heart tingle.

‘Yes, this is how “The Princess’s Summer Palace” should be.’

Florian’s beautiful song still filled the tea room, and the tea was delicious. It was a happy, healing afternoon.

As Bella sipped her tea with her eyes closed, listening to the song, Leon’s words suddenly caught her attention.

“Then would it be alright if I borrowed Your Highness’s lady-in-waiting for a moment?”

Bella opened her eyes in surprise. Looking back hurriedly, she saw Leon pointing at her. Natalie nodded with a bright smile.

“Of course.”

Bella, who had planned to stay glued to Natalie’s side without moving, was slightly taken aback.

Leon approached her and extended his hand. Though his expression with its faint smile showed no sign of darkness, she felt uneasy for no reason. She wondered if he might try something with her like the other two male leads.

“What is it about? Can’t we talk here?”

“It’s nothing serious, Miss Carta. I just have something to discuss with you in private.”

“With me?”

Bella gave Natalie a desperate look, asking to be saved, but Natalie, oblivious to her concern, simply smiled and said.

“I don’t mind, so go ahead, Bella.”

Finally, Bella placed her hand on Leon’s, trying not to show her anxiety.

Leon led her to an adjacent room. Bella carefully watched to see if he would try to lock the door.

Once they were alone, what he actually said required no tension at all.

“Miss Carta, thank you.”

“Pardon?”