Chapter 1.3

On her first day at the Crown Prince’s palace, when she met everyone, Leonid furrowed his brows deeply before smoothing his expression. Katia didn’t know why he frowned at her, but she smiled anyway.

“If you overwork yourself like that, you’ll burn out quickly.”

“I’m fine, Captain.”

“It’s not a good look, seeing someone struggle so desperately.”

For some reason, Leonid often made sharp remarks toward her, his handsome face marred by a frown. Each time, Katia would pout her lips and glare back at him.

“I know you don’t like me, Captain, but don’t rain on the parade of someone working hard.”

“Hah…”

Every time she retorted, Leonid would sigh and rub his forehead. She couldn’t understand what bothered him so much. As a result, among the few people in the Crown Prince’s palace, Leonid became the most emotionally distant person to her.

Leonid wasn’t just cold to Katia; he maintained a certain distance from most people. He rarely spoke casually and limited his conversations to official matters.

“Maybe it’s because he comes from such an outstanding family.”

Some people gossiped about him in that way. While Katia didn’t particularly like him, she didn’t think the rumors were entirely fair. From what she observed, Leonid simply wasn’t the type to let people get close to him. Perhaps he was awkward with interpersonal relationships. Regardless, Katia didn’t like the way he constantly made snide comments toward her, so she ignored the gossip.

An event occurred that marked a significant turning point in the relationship between the two. Or, to be precise, it was an incident that left Katia harboring resentment in her heart.

It happened on a midsummer day when Katia was twenty-six, during lunchtime.

After finishing their meal, everyone had returned to their seats to drink tea, read the newspaper, or chat leisurely.

“Hmm, who’s that?”

Darius Delta, the chief aide, muttered in surprise while holding a cup of hot tea, which seemed out of place for the season, as he gazed out the window. His words drew the attention of the other four aides, who all turned their eyes toward him. Placing the cup on the windowsill, Darius tilted his head and looked outside again before turning back to his subordinates.

Then, in a slightly bewildered voice, he said, 

“Did any of you know that Captain Karev has a lover?”

“What?”

“The escort captain?”

No way. Everyone stopped what they were doing and gathered behind Darius. As they all crowded around the window to look outside, exclamations of astonishment erupted simultaneously from their mouths.

“No way.”

“It’s really a woman?”

“Leonid Karev in a relationship…? That’s impossible!”

“He’s never dated anyone since becoming captain. What on earth is going on?”

While everyone expressed their shock in their own ways, Katia widened her eyes and looked at Leonid. Sure enough, beside him was a petite young lady, so delicate she seemed as if a gust of wind could blow her away. What’s more, Leonid was matching his stride to hers!

The aides began debating which family the young lady might belong to. It made sense, as Leonid himself came from a prestigious family. He wouldn’t choose just anyone as his partner. The Karev family, still holding a duke’s title, was one of the most influential noble families.

Then, someone suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!” and identified the young lady next to Leonid.

“Isn’t that Marielle Ivans?”

“What? Ivans?”

“Marquess Ivans came to the capital a few days ago. It’s no secret that the Ivans and Karev families have been close for a long time. Besides, that family is known for their silver hair. How many people have such distinctive hair color?”

Ahhh, murmurs of agreement spread among the group. Now that they thought about it, beneath the wide-brimmed hat the young lady wore, a single braid of silver hair could be glimpsed. Katia blinked as she stared intently at the fairy-like young woman.

She thought they made a rather fitting couple. Though the difference in their physiques was striking, like a warrior and a fairy, they were both so beautiful that they looked good together.

Even that stoic man is capable of romance, Katia thought with amazement.

At that moment, Leonid’s gaze shifted directly to the window where Katia stood. As he looked, the aides grinned and waved at him. When Leonid stopped walking, the young lady Ivans also halted and turned to look in the same direction.

“Wow, unbelievable.”

“Is she even real? She’s stunning.”

While the other aides were mesmerized by the stunning beauty of the young lady, Katia found herself flustered. Leonid was staring so directly at her that it was overwhelming. His eyes seemed slightly angry, or perhaps surprised. However, he soon returned to his usual indifferent expression, and Katia convinced herself that she must have imagined it.

Leonid said something while still looking at Katia, and the young lady Ivans smiled brightly and curtsied slightly toward the aides. The aides, in turn, bowed their heads deeply in response.

Afterward, Leonid’s gaze finally left Katia. Watching the two enter the Crown Prince’s palace, the aides began murmuring among themselves. Katia, however, returned to her seat in silence, feeling slightly unsettled.

‘Why was he looking at me like that?’

But the moment to resolve her question never came.

A little while later, Leonid entered the aides’ room with the fairy-like young lady. He escorted her with an unusually gentle demeanor.

“Marielle, these are the aides who serve His Highness the Crown Prince. This is Marielle Ivans, the only daughter of Marquess Ivans.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Marielle Ivans.”

Her voice was as elegant and melodious as pearls rolling on a silver tray. Katia couldn’t help but admire Marielle’s flawless grace and beauty. She thought it was a pity that such a wonderful young lady was dating someone as stoic and dull as Leonid.

Then, Katia suddenly realized that Leonid had addressed Marielle informally. The others didn’t seem to notice, but Katia was startled by the realization. Leonid Karev, who didn’t even speak casually to Darius, whom he had known for a long time, was speaking informally to Marielle.

Leonid introduced the aides and then approached Darius to ask, 

“Is His Highness inside?”

“Oh, he stepped out for a moment. He should be back soon.”

“Then we’ll wait inside. Marielle, let’s go in.”

Following his lead, Marielle gracefully entered the Crown Prince’s office. After the two disappeared behind the door, the aides exchanged glances and silently came to the same conclusion.

They must be here to announce their engagement!

After all, Leonid was already thirty-one years old. It wouldn’t be surprising if he decided to marry. And if he were to marry, one of the first people he would inform would naturally be his lord, Alehin.

Later, when Alehin returned, he entered the office with a bright smile. The door soon closed behind him, leaving the aides unable to hear the conversation. After some time, Alehin emerged with Leonid and Marielle, followed by Darius. Only Darius returned after a while, looking unusually excited.

“Wow, unbelievable.”

The aides, knowing that Darius rarely got worked up, looked at him with curiosity. Leaning against the door, Darius kept exclaiming in awe before letting out a sigh and clutching his chest.

“This is insane.”

“What’s going on, Sir?”

Unable to contain his curiosity, Aide Roland asked. Darius shifted his eyes before seating himself in the central spot on the sofa in the aides’ room. He gestured for everyone to gather around, and they quickly surrounded him like ants drawn to honey.

Smiling broadly, Darius looked around at everyone and declared, 

“Lady Marielle Ivans is not Captain Leonid Karev’s lover!”

“What?!”

“Then why is she here?”

Katia had a sinking feeling even before Darius spoke. Her heart raced wildly. No, it couldn’t be. There was no way. Unconsciously, she bit her lower lip.

And then, as if to confirm her worst fears, Darius solemnly announced, 

“She’s a candidate to be the Crown Prince’s consort…!”

“What?”

“Oh my goodness.”

Hearing those words, Katia felt as if the ground had given way beneath her feet.

From that point on, her memories were fragmented, but she understood enough to piece together what had happened. Leonid, who had known Marielle since childhood, believed her character made her a suitable match for Alehin and had spent considerable time fostering a connection between them.

Unrequited love—what a trivial thing. Those people lived above the clouds, while someone like her crawled on the ground. She had known this from the start, but facing the moment when her feelings were crushed still gave her a splitting headache.

She couldn’t remember how much time had passed after that. When she came to her senses, Katia found herself walking along the road in front of the Crown Prince’s palace, bathed in the red glow of the setting sun. Her steps felt heavy as she made her way home.

“Ah…”

Feeling tears welling up, she pressed her fingertips against the corners of her eyes.

After taking a few deep breaths, the turmoil in her chest seemed to subside slightly.

“I knew this would happen.”

Knowing it was an impossible dream didn’t make it any less painful. Katia trudged along, her steps heavy. She wanted to go home quickly, bury herself under her blanket, and cry until she felt better. Sniffling for no reason, she quickened her pace, but up ahead, she saw someone.

Katia instinctively bowed her head toward them. Even in her sadness and exhaustion, her ingrained manners wouldn’t allow her to lose her courtesy.

There stood Alehin, Marielle, and Leonid, just returning to the Crown Prince’s palace.