Kaiden Istazio, the Crown Prince who found formalities bothersome, felt quite strange today.
Every year, when the social season began, he was always on edge from the morning because he hated spending time dressing up and having to keep smiling in front of people he wasn’t close to.
But today was different.
‘She’ll surely look good.’
Today, just thinking about the woman who would be at the banquet made time fly by.
‘Everyone else will be as surprised as I am. They’ll be thinking, “I didn’t know she had this side to her.”‘
He looked at the various accessories being placed on him.
“Oh, let’s go with that for the epaulet decoration.”
It wouldn’t do to match too closely, but it would also be a problem if it felt too out of place.
He selected accessories that would complement the dress he had gifted.
That woman, Ellen Crient, was truly a talent he coveted.
Such bold judgment and execution!
Yet he couldn’t help but be bothered by the inexplicable aspects of her that lingered in his mind.
‘Letting her attach herself to Crescent would surely cause trouble.’
The recent incident at the dock made that clear.
At least with the cornerstone mine, it was more advantageous to keep it hidden than to reveal it.
If not for her, they would have faced unexpected musket troops later and suffered significant losses.
There were many things to learn about her, but one thing was certain: she was someone he had to keep by his side.
‘Since conflicts with Krembell are bound to arise, it’s better to emphasize the closeness between our families from now on.’
So the greeting should appear sufficiently intimate.
“Are we done? Then let’s go.”
As soon as the maid arranging his hair withdrew her hands, Kaiden stood up.
The chamberlain looked at him with a puzzled expression, wondering what was going on.
“Your Highness? Why are you leaving so early today?”
Kaiden, feeling a bit self-conscious, snapped back.
“Why are you questioning me today? Isn’t this enough dressing up? What more do you want me to do?”
Yes, I am a bit excited today.
He avoided the chamberlain’s gaze, internally acknowledging his unusual state.
But he had no intention of sharing this with him.
“Yes… Just go, then.”
The chamberlain sighed, giving up on the conversation, turned away, and moved out the door.
“Hmph, hmph.”
Feeling a bit awkward, Kaiden cleared his throat and passed by the chamberlain who was waiting for him.
The chamberlain followed behind him, keeping pace with his brisk steps.
Today’s goal was to clearly show his friendship with Crient and discuss funding.
He resolved not to get caught up in anything else.
With that firm resolve, he entered the hall where the banquet was being held.
As soon as he entered, intending to locate his target, he quickly spotted her, even before he could scan the hall.
‘…The dress certainly stands out. While everyone else is in light spring tones, she’s strikingly bold.’
The order of greetings is quite important.
He had deliberately arrived early today because it was better to greet Ellen first than to come late and ignore other lords.
After all, he would be greeting her first.
But as he approached, he noticed something unusual about the women who seemed to be having a casual conversation with her.
It appeared to be a power struggle among the ladies.
‘Oh, this looks interesting. I’m curious if anyone can outshine Lady Crient.’
His curiosity piqued, he headed toward the group of women.
As people recognized him and approached to greet him, he gestured that he would visit them later and quietly moved toward the women.
“Madam, should I find you a good doctor? It seems you have memory issues, forgetting even the dress trends you see daily, and I’m worried.”
“Indeed. In that case, I could recommend a good boutique. Since I manage it, I can guarantee the quality of the products.”
Oh, so they’re saying the dress I gifted is a problem?
He quickly grasped the essence—her unintended criticism from those who knew nothing.
‘They must be in a position to seek Crient’s help. This might be somewhat beneficial.’
Kaiden was pleased with the unexpected stroke of luck.
“Is my taste really that poor?”
“Your Highness!”
‘Your Highness?’
“I’m guilty of gifting something without knowing the trend.”
“Your Highness, that’s not what I meant…!”
He was too busy glancing at Ellen’s face to listen to what the women were saying.
Would this be enough? Should he push a bit more?
As he threw out each remark, keeping Ellen in mind, she responded with a radiant smile.
‘Good, it seems she likes it.’
Seeing the favorable outcome, he smiled with satisfaction.
‘If she’s in a good mood, the conversation about funding might go more smoothly.’
As he was timing when to bring up the funding, he heard someone calling for him.
It was Marquis Port, who had come to discuss the recent Meeting of the Lords.
He decided to finish his conversation with the marquis first and then visit Ellen, and not even an hour later…
Sir Cheshire hurriedly ran towards him.
“Your Highness!”
“Sir? Where is Lady Crient…?”
He had assigned him to block Gillian’s approach, so why was he here alone?
The answer to his question came immediately.
“Duke Krembell has taken Madam Crient, no, Lady Crient, to the terrace and hasn’t come out. Please help!”
Interrupting the Crown Prince, Sir Cheshire’s words made Kaiden’s expression harden.
“He drew a line, saying it was a family matter, and even disregarded Duchess Tria. If that’s the case, there’s nothing I can do…”
“Let’s go.”
Kaiden headed straight for the terrace.
‘If Gillian takes her back like this, I’m doomed.’
Failing to negotiate with her and not securing financial support would leave him in a difficult position.
Kaiden walked straight to the terrace door where Krembell had entered and flung it open.
There were two people inside, exuding a cold atmosphere.
“Oh, here you are.”
He greeted Gillian with the same demeanor as when he considered him his closest friend.
But that was the only thing that was the same.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I have some matters to sort out, so I’ll come to you shortly.”
Gillian indirectly told him not to interfere with the situation.
Gillian Krembell, who had always claimed to be his loyal confidant and followed the Crown Prince’s words to prove his harmlessness.
“Oh… I see. That’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped. Then, since the party is boring, I’ll enjoy the banquet with the lady first. Come to me when you’ve sorted your thoughts.”
Sensing a subtle difference, Kaiden took Ellen’s hand right before his eyes.
Ellen took his hand without hesitation, and he left the place with a mix of relief and bitter satisfaction.
* * *
“It didn’t seem like there were any particularly pleasant things. You’re good at managing your expression.”
Kaiden glanced down at her face and said.
“Hehe, Your Highness may not know, but there were plenty of good things.”
Ellen replied with a smile, and Kaiden looked at her playfully and said.
“Like me causing a scene?”
“Of course, that too.”
Ellen thanked him with a bright smile.
“Thank you earlier, Your Highness.”
When she didn’t easily fall for his teasing, Kaiden turned his gaze forward with a slightly deflated expression.
“It seems you’re surprised that I’m smiling right now, Your Highness.”
“Well, that’s how everyone is in this field. Poker face.”
He brushed his hand over his face.
Ellen chuckled and said,
“People’s minds are inherently unknowable. When you think it’s this way, it’s that way, and when you think it’s that way, it’s this way.”
She joked that it was a life lesson she had learned at a high price and suggested he take it to heart.
She was undoubtedly speaking about her experiences with bitterness, yet she was smiling.
This caught Kaiden’s attention, and he asked her,
“…Would you like to dance?”
Ellen looked at him steadily, surprised by his suggestion.
Even when he looked at her like this, it was impossible to tell if that smile was genuine or false.
‘Moving your body might improve your mood a bit—’
While gauging the situation, he subtly brought up today’s agenda.
“If you recommend it, gladly.”
Ellen burst into light laughter and replied.
As the two approached the center of the hall, people began to move aside, creating space for the main figures of the stage.
Judging by their sidelong glances, they seemed quite curious about the events earlier.
When they reached the center, the musicians began to play.
To the music that filled the hall, the two gracefully took their first steps.
It wasn’t long after that they began to match their steps.
“You’re quite skilled.”
Ellen exclaimed softly.
Kaiden smirked and asked,
“Is that a compliment?”
“Of course. I didn’t think you particularly enjoyed dancing, so I said it.”
“If I didn’t enjoy it and was also bad at it, I wouldn’t have lasted long in this position.”
“I think I’ve heard that somewhere before.”
As Kaiden pulled Ellen strongly, her skirt drew a graceful curve.
Spinning halfway, Ellen moved away from him, and the rebound put strength into Kaiden’s hand.
He really ad an eye for things.
Her lips formed a beautiful arc, matching the flowing dress that followed the soft lines of her body.
“My lady.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I have a favor to ask. Can you listen without getting angry?”
He asked cautiously.
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Ivashkinator
I like the story and the translation is very good! But Elen she seems like she could be a villain.. like self centred main character.. I mean she left all her friends to die in her first life and in this life she buys all the food supplies from the Vienna teritory leaving the people to die.. I do not like her..