“Gloria Perti is a relative of His Highness Gragford. Being related to the royal family, I’m so envious. She must see those wonderful princes often.”

“I see.”

Rosia felt awkward for a different reason. It wasn’t pleasant to see Nigel associating with another woman after he had confessed to her. However, since he had merely shown his cousin around the park, it was purely Rosia’s misunderstanding. But Rosia had rejected Nigel’s proposal saying she had prior plans, and then showed him herself enjoying a boat ride with another man at that very place. It was a situation bound to cause misunderstandings. Should she apologize first? Even though it was a relationship with a set time limit, it would be better to maintain mutual courtesy. Rosia thought about writing an apology letter as soon as she arrived at the mansion, but then concluded that meeting in person might be better. However, since she couldn’t just visit the royal palace, Rosia’s concerns deepened.

“Though I’ve never met Her Majesty the Queen in person, she must be incredibly beautiful. How can both her sons be so handsome and wonderful!”

Betty muttered, bumping her forehead against the carriage window. Thanks to this, Rosia was able to escape from her useless contemplation.

I should write a letter after all.

Rosia finally reached a conclusion while staring at the darkening outside. However, Rosia didn’t need to write a letter. When she safely dropped off Betty and returned to the mansion, she found a carriage stopped in front of the main gate. Unlike the royal carriage she had seen yesterday, it was just an ordinary black carriage, but the man standing beside it was anything but ordinary. Nigel Gragford was waiting for Rosia.

“Miss, it seems you have a visitor.”

The elderly coachman said quietly while opening the carriage door. Rosia slowly nodded and stepped out of the carriage. Nigel slowly turned around, sensing her presence. Rosia approached him in an oddly tense state.

“What brings you……”

“I never expected that important prior engagement to be dallying with my brother.”

Nigel bluntly stated his business in a cold tone. Rosia finally understood why he had come all the way to the Berthe mansion at this late hour. It was to question her about what had happened earlier that day. It gave her a strange feeling, as if they were really lovers. Even though that wasn’t the case at all. Rosia answered calmly.

“I was just going out for a walk with my friend. I had no idea I would encounter both princes there.”

Nigel gave no response. He merely looked Rosia over slowly, like he was scoring her. Before he could find something to nitpick about, Rosia spoke again.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

Nigel raised one eyebrow as if surprised.

“Why are you apologizing?”

“Because you seem upset.”

Rosia answered honestly. She had planned to apologize anyway, but the moment she saw Nigel’s face, she forgot why she needed to apologize. No, she didn’t feel like apologizing. Nigel let out a laugh of disbelief.

“So you apologized without even knowing what you did wrong.”

“To be honest, it’s because I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Brazen as well.”

Nigel clapped his hands, mocking Rosia. Unfazed, Rosia looked up at him steadily and said.

“After all, you didn’t propose this relationship because you genuinely like me.”

Nigel lifted his gaze from Rosia and looked at the modest Berthe mansion. The mansion was brightly lit, and they were probably busy with dinner preparations now. Rosia wanted to go inside and rest quickly. After thinking for a while, Nigel looked back at Rosia.

“If I were sincere, would you treat me sincerely as well?”

It was truly an unexpected question. Rosia barely composed her momentarily disturbed expression and responded calmly.

“Your Highness, I don’t understand why you’re acting this way with me. To be honest, it’s burdensome and uncomfortable.”

Rosia’s words were very direct, perhaps because she hadn’t filtered anything. Nigel made an irritated expression. He moved very close to Rosia and spoke in a low voice.

“Even if I say I’m sincere, you wouldn’t believe me anyway.”

“Then you’ll have to try harder. So that I can believe you.”

Rosia smiled brightly with her hands neatly clasped together. Her plump, pale rose-colored lips curved up pleasantly. Nigel unconsciously fixed his gaze on her lips and asked casually.

“Do you have any plans tomorrow?”

Rosia pondered briefly how to answer, but decided that she shouldn’t lie. She shook her head once.

“Not particularly.”

“Then tomorrow we shall attempt that effort I mentioned. I’ll come to pick you up around noon, so I’ll see you then.”

Nigel gently caught Rosia’s hand and kissed the back of it before boarding the carriage he came in. Rosia thought his lips felt remarkably warm. After the carriage door closed, Nigel gazed down at Rosia through the small window. Rosia likewise stared back at him silently. The carriage began to move. Rosia stepped back slightly and stood quietly until the carriage disappeared from view.

＊＊＊

It was a rare gathering of brothers. Davion had first proposed having dinner together, and Nigel accepted, thinking he might scratch beneath the surface a bit. The Crown Prince’s palace was needlessly ornate and spacious. Despite being a meal for just two people, too many dishes were prepared, and silence filled the vast dining room throughout the meal. Perhaps thanks to their noble etiquette training, not even the sound of clinking silverware could be heard. Nigel was the first to break the silence.

“I’ve officially begun courting Viscountess Berthe, Davion.”

His tone carried a hint of ambiguous superiority. Davion, who was about to cut and swallow a piece of meat, paused.

“……That’s rather surprising.”

Nigel enjoyed Davion’s reaction as he cut his meat. Though both appeared to focus solely on their meals without looking at each other, they were actually more aware of each other than anyone else. Nigel forced down his full stomach and spoke again.

“So I’d appreciate it if you’d stop your pointless meddling.”

“Meddling? Such vulgar expressions are things we used only as children, Nigel.”

Davion cut, chewed, and savored his meat as if he had never paused. He dabbed his clean lips with his napkin. Nigel put down his fork and leaned back in his chair. He raised his chin slightly toward Davion and said,

“It means your behavior is indecent.”

Davion showed a gentle smile. He looked as if he found this whole situation quite amusing. Nigel disliked that aspect of him. He hated that arrogance that always seemed to place Davion above him. After a slight pause, Davion countered smoothly.

“It’s not like you’re sincere anyway. Right?”

“……”

“You just want to pluck the pretty flower I’ve shown interest in first. Isn’t that right?”

Nigel would normally have refuted immediately, but for some reason, words wouldn’t come. Davion’s words penetrated deep into his mind at once. It was true, but difficult to admit. From the moment Davion mentioned Rosia Berthe, Nigel had been thinking about how to trample him. But unlike that obvious plan, he felt uncomfortable. He even felt a slight sense of guilt. He crossed his arms and stared at Davion, pretending to be unbothered.

“You should choose your words carefully.”

“Looking at her closely today, Lady Berthe is quite pretty. And mysterious too. A beautiful young lady who made her social debut late due to poor health. Interesting, isn’t it?”

Nigel wasn’t actually the type to find such things interesting. He would have considered it an unremarkable background. But Davion viewed Rosia from a different perspective than Nigel. It was like choosing an ornament, an accessory to make himself shine, rather than seeing her as a person. Taking Nigel’s silence as agreement, Davion continued.

“And she’s innocent too. Sharp-witted. I have no interest in pretentious women. So you can have her, Nigel.”

Nigel’s expression soured at Davion’s mocking words. It was similar to carelessly tossing aside an unwanted object. Davion knew well how to upset Nigel.

“I’m worried you might break first, my dear brother.”

“I’m overwhelmed that His Highness the Crown Prince would worry about me. Though it’s needless worry.”

“Do you think I don’t know how you looked at that woman?”

Nigel laughed lightly. Davion apparently had no idea how he had lived for the past 10 years. He probably couldn’t imagine that even the look in his eyes toward Rosia Berthe was false. The little brother who used to only be pushed around by Davion was gone now. Nigel pressed his napkin firmly against his mouth and said,

“How novel. Isn’t it natural to be attracted to beauty?”

“Yes, truly novel.”

Nigel thought Davion’s smiling face resembled Rosia’s, then immediately dismissed the thought, realizing it would be insulting to her. He stared at Davion before standing up straight. Despite his composed movements, his stomach felt queasy and he wanted to vomit immediately. Just as Nigel bowed slightly to Davion and was about to leave the table, Davion picked up his fork again and stopped him.

“Ah, Nigel.”

“……”

“Come to think of it, having a bit of fun for one night wouldn’t be bad. That much is fine, right? We are brothers after all.”

Nigel wasn’t a child anymore. He wasn’t emotional enough to fall for minor provocations. Though his principality belonged to the kingdom, he was still the ruler of a country. But for some reason, every single way Davion treated Rosia was unpleasant. He suppressed his inexplicable emotions and walked forward again. Behind him, Davion let out a quiet laugh. After closing the door and leaving the dining room, Nigel quickened his pace.