Souvenir? Rosia found something very strange in Davion’s sentence but chose not to point it out. It sounded similar to suggesting when else would she get to ride a boat with such a wonderful prince. Though it could have sounded unpleasant at first glance, Rosia shifted her focus elsewhere.

Several sturdy men stood watching them near the lake railing where Davion had pointed. Certainly, royalty couldn’t go around without guards. If any accident were to happen, the whole country would be turned upside down.

Rosia nodded in understanding and unconsciously glanced to the side. A familiar face caught her attention.

It was Nigel Gragford. Rosia’s gaze lingered for a moment. The man frowning while looking down at the lake with his arm linked with another woman was definitely Nigel Gragford. His perfect appearance was clearly visible even from this distance. The problem was that the man who had asked Rosia for just one month’s time had appeared in an intimate pose with another woman, and the bigger problem was that Rosia was currently enjoying a rowboat date with his brother.

Rosia felt strange realizing she was at the date location she had refused. She withdrew her gaze somewhat unnaturally. Davion spoke as if he had been waiting.

“We should get off soon. The lake gets cold when the sun sets.”

“Ah, yes.”

As Davion said, the rowboat gradually approached the dock. Rosia wanted to avoid running into Nigel and creating an awkward situation. Fortunately, Nigel seemed to be moving elsewhere, slowly getting farther from the dock. Finally, the boat docked and Davion, who got off first, extended his hand to Rosia.

“Let me help you, Miss Berthe.”

“Thank you.”

Rosia lightly grasped Davion’s hand and got off the boat. Just as she was feeling relieved that this burdensome boat ride was finally ending, Davion suddenly shouted.

“Nigel!”

Nigel, who had been walking away, whirled around. Rosia unconsciously held her breath.

A cool breeze blew past, brushing through Nigel’s fine hair. Under the bright sunlight, his lemon-colored hair fluttered beautifully. As several strands of hair that had crossed his smooth white forehead settled down calmly, Rosia realized she had been staring at him too directly. But it was too late to look away, so she pretended to look straight ahead as if nothing was wrong.

Though quite far away, Nigel’s presence was stronger than anyone else’s. Every passerby turned to glance at Nigel, and even Betty, who had been stuck close to Leo’s side, stared at him blankly with her mouth open. Nigel approached and stood before Davion with elegant steps. He seemed to glance down at Rosia before fixing his clear golden eyes on Davion.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here, Davion.”

“With the royal carriage so obviously parked there, you must have known.”

Davion seemed not to notice the changed atmosphere around him as he treated Nigel casually. Rosia wondered if the man before her eyes was the same person who had asked her out on a date just yesterday. He was now treating Rosia like a complete stranger. Finding it awkward to greet him first at this point, Rosia quietly waited for the two men’s conversation to end.

“Nigel, would you introduce me to this lady?”

Davion made eye contact with the woman standing next to Nigel. Rosia reflexively looked at her as well. She was an attractive woman with a tall stature and sharp eyes. Though she couldn’t compare to Nigel’s beauty, anyone standing next to Nigel would receive the same treatment, so his beauty was an exception. The woman spoke in a sharp tone instead of Nigel.

“Why are you pretending not to know? Are we strangers, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

“That can’t be, Gloria. It’s been a while.”

Davion burst into a clear laugh and kissed Gloria’s hand. Rosia was somewhat bewildered. It meant that Davion had known who the woman was all along. Gloria slightly raised her chin and spoke in a sulky voice.

“I came from far away, and all you show me is this common park. It seems our Grand Duke finds me bothersome.”

“I told you. That I had an appointment. You’re the one who dragged me out here forcefully, Gloria.”

Nigel immediately retorted. His indifferent gaze moved toward Rosia. His lips twisted askew.

“Now, will you introduce me to this beautiful young lady? Davion?”

Rosia felt increasingly confused. Was he really pretending not to know her on purpose? Should she also pretend not to know him then? Rosia barely swallowed the words that had risen to her throat. Davion, wearing a peculiar smile, formally introduced Rosia.

“Lady Berthe, this is my brother Nigel.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

Rosia slightly bent her knees in courtesy. When she raised her head, her eyes met Nigel’s. His eyebrows twitched, but only for a moment.

“To think my brother, known for being as stiff as a wood, would show interest in a woman. The weather must be making people change.”

“We just happened to meet. The boat ride was quite enjoyable, Nigel.”

“If the noble Crown Prince went as far as taking a boat ride, you must have taken quite a liking to her.”

Nigel spoke in a sarcastic tone. For some reason, he was staring intently at Rosia rather than Davion. Rosia felt like a criminal despite having done nothing wrong. To shake off that unpleasant feeling, she deliberately gave Nigel a bright smile. Simultaneously, Nigel’s brow furrowed even more.

“Well, we should get going now, Nigel. Gloria.”

Davion bid farewell while moving closer to Rosia. Gloria nodded as if she had been waiting and pointed to the dock with her long finger.

“Let’s take a boat ride too, Your Highness.”

“Where are you going?”

However, Nigel asked Davion while still looking at Rosia. Betty was still too absorbed in admiring Nigel’s appearance, and Leo was glaring at Nigel with a frown. Meeting Leo Palena’s cold eyes, Rosia thought she should leave, even if she had to drag Betty away. As Davion was about to wrap his arm around Rosia’s shoulders, he answered with a gentle smile.

“Somewhere I don’t want to tell you about.”

“Have you made a secret hideout without me knowing?”

“Well. I said I don’t want to tell you, Nigel.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. My friend and I need to leave now.”

Rosia suddenly interrupted the two men’s battle of nerves. Nigel, Davion, and Gloria all looked down at her. A brief silence fell. Though Rosia was as small as a rabbit among predators, she continued speaking with a smile, not at all intimidated.

“The boat ride was really enjoyable, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

After paying her respects, Rosia quickly led away Betty, whose soul seemed half-gone. Even as she was being pulled along, Betty kept looking back. But Rosia only looked straight ahead without showing any lingering attachment. She could feel Nigel and Davion’s gazes on the back of her head.

＊＊＊

Even in the carriage, Betty remained out of her senses, as if possessed by a demon. She kept praising Nigel’s appearance with an expression of unbearable regret.

“I’ve never seen such a beautiful man, no, such a beautiful human being before…… Why didn’t I know until now?”

“Well. Since he left for the principality when he was young, there was no chance to meet him.”

“Rosia, were you really not affected at all? How is that possible?”

Betty wore an expression of utter disbelief. When Rosia first met Nigel, she too was captivated by his appearance, but only for a moment. While his looks were momentary, Nigel’s personality would probably last a lifetime. Rosia let out a small sigh.

“……Looks aren’t everything, Betty.”

“But with the Grand Duke’s appearance, that could be everything.”

Betty seemed not to care what Rosia said. She gazed out the window at the evening sunset with dreamy eyes. Unable to watch any longer, Rosia pointed out her behavior.

“What about Young Master Palena? Didn’t you say he was destiny?”

“Ah, right, he was there. Actually, everyone looked like common fish compared to the Grand Duke!”

Betty mumbled while covering her flushed cheeks with both hands. It seemed this state would continue for several days. Betty had always been prone to love at first sight since childhood, but it had never been this serious before.

“By the way, the Grand Duke kept glancing at you, Rosie.”

Betty suddenly changed the subject and turned sharply to look at Rosia. Rosia was somewhat taken aback that Betty had noticed the critical point despite seeming distracted by Nigel. She tried to respond casually.

“That’s impossible. The Grand Duke was with that lovely lady.”

“No, Rosie. My instincts are accurate! The Grand Duke definitely felt attracted to you. And don’t you know Gloria Perti? Ah, you wouldn’t know. Our fragile Rosia is just a chick who’s newly entered society.”

Rosia faced Betty with an ambiguous expression. Although Viscountess Luther had told her about the people she must know in society, she hadn’t listened properly and couldn’t remember most of them except for a few. When she kept her lips tightly sealed, Betty added an explanation as if she was bestowing a great favor.