“……”

Rainan remained silent at the sight he could hardly believe. After a long while, his mouth finally opened.

“Your Highness, the maids will soon arrive to clean up.”

“That’s why I called you first.”

Rainan stared blankly at the pillows thrown about in disarray, the blanket with feathers pulled out, and the sheets crumpled in the corner before quickly coming to his senses. He was a capable aide who had served Achilleon for eight years.

“Then I’ll move the lady first.”

That ‘thing’ curled up in the corner of the bed without moving was surely Hari.

“Leave her to sleep. Just close the curtains and clean the room.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Rainan moved immediately. What surprised him wasn’t the somewhat messy traces of intercourse. It was commonplace for those in power to take women they fancied, and cleaning up afterward was the job of those around them. What surprised him was that Achilleon had fallen asleep defenseless with someone.

Even after Dictys’s death, Achilleon had lost several people he kept close. Most, like Huliya, had betrayed him. Huliya’s betrayal after ten years likely triggered this, but afterward, Achilleon’s wariness bordered on obsession.

Perhaps he had only let the woman sleep while he himself stayed awake all night. Swallowing a sigh, Rainan looked with bitter eyes at the water glass placed on the table. He knew Achilleon would discard it without even taking a sip. It merely represented something he provided every morning out of long habit.

‘For His Highness to spend a wild night with a woman from Galate…’

Had there been a precedent for this?

“Your Highness, the cleaning is complete.”

“Good work. You may go now, Rainan.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Swallowing his questions, Rainan withdrew, carrying the disheveled bedding.

* * *

Click-clack. The fierce heels crossing the corridor stopped behind the man. Selina raised her hand and slapped Antor’s cheek.

Slap—

“You tried to kill Achilleon using my hands?”

“……”

“I did everything you told me to, so why is that Galate wench still fine! The entire social circle is talking about that woman. What happened? I heard you even persuaded Princess Madalena to change the opening ceremony performance!”

“Haah….”

The veins on Antor’s forehead throbbed. In an instant, he reached out and grabbed Selina by the collar.

“Ack!”

“Don’t cross the line.”

Perhaps he should reward his capable physician. During the race, the chariot was destroyed, and he couldn’t avoid injury, but his recovery was quick. The agents stationed nearby had taken swift action as soon as Antor fell from the chariot. Thanks to that, he could also silence the annoying chatter. Life is convenient.

Selina’s legs dangled in the air. Cough, hack. Her pale blue lips gasped pitifully.

“You’re not the only one who wants to smash everything, Selina.”

Despite his murderous expression, Antor’s voice sounded sweet.

“I’m the one whose plans were ruined, so I want to destroy anything—”

Moonlight streaming through the long window illuminated the back of his hand with its protruding veins.

“—I can get my hands on. Do you understand?”

The tampered chariot lay shattered at the bottom of the cliff. It had been discarded conspicuously in his favorite hunting ground, seemingly mocking Antor’s scheme. And on the day of the race, Achilleon appeared with an identical chariot.

The situation suggested this stupid woman must have been discovered.

“…We were found out.”

Tsk, Antor clicked his tongue.

“Selina, if you had just done your job properly, this wouldn’t have happened. You couldn’t even manage to tamper with a single spoke?”

“Wh-kack…! What are you saying? I did… exactly what you told me to! I was never… caught!”

“Then why is that bastard unharmed? Speak if you have a mouth, Selina.”

“St… stop this, Antor… Let me… go…!”

Her long nails dug mercilessly into the back of his hand, but he felt no pain. Her foot, in sharp heels, kicked Antor with all her might. He stared expressionlessly at Selina, who glared at him with half-crazed eyes, then suddenly released his grip.

“Did you just strangle me? Cough…! How dare you treat me like this? Do you know how much money my family has poured into the royal family to be treated this way!”

“A mistake.”

“You’ve ruined everything! Now that woman will become the Charis of the social circle, boo-hoo…!”

That woman. Margharita.

Suddenly, Antor’s expression turned peculiar. Looking back, things had started going wrong since that woman arrived. The evil hand that tried to harm Anasha had also strangely retreated. At that very moment, he recalled what Margharita had casually mentioned.

“Additionally, since Your Highness the Second Prince has a reputation for fairness, I believe you will approach the chariot race with proper conduct.”

Could she have known? Though he thought it represented an excessive leap, the suspicion wouldn’t fade easily.

‘…There’s something there.’

Outside his control, something proceeded secretly. Antor furrowed his brow at the eerie premonition crawling up his spine.

“She is indeed a poisonous flower.”

The chilling murmur echoed through the dim corridor. Though he had no evidence, he vaguely believed that the series of unfavorable situations and that woman connected somehow. He spoke kindly to Selina, speaking as if he had never threatened her.

“I’ll get rid of that woman for you.”

Don’t they say one wants to keep beautiful things close? Antor twisted his lips. Should he transplant this beautiful flower with a good scent and appearance into his garden?

“Or should I spray pesticide?”

As he passed by the huffing Selina, Antor hummed a tune.

* * *

Hari woke up late in the morning. Her body ached from the aftereffects of their lovemaking. Instinctively, she reached for the space beside her, but only traces of warmth remained. Hari recalled the memories of the previous night. From the third time onward, her memories became hazy. She seemed to have lost consciousness after clinging to him, delirious until her lips turned white and cracked. Whether from physical exhaustion or the warmth of his body covering hers, she hadn’t woken once during her sleep.

‘This is a problem.’

She needed to target his sleeping time, but instead, she had passed out first.

‘But at least I’ve taken the first step.’

It probably felt tiring because she wasn’t used to it; things would improve with adaptation. Having vaguely expected a formal coupling like during the Imprinting Ceremony, last night had somewhat overwhelmed Hari too.

Swish, as she lowered the blanket, her body in thin undergarments appeared. Her white skin displayed embarrassing marks.

‘What time is it now?’

As she fumbled to draw the curtains, a quiet voice spoke.

“Miss, are you awake? Breakfast is ready. Please eat before it gets cold.”

Hari hastily put on a bathrobe and stepped out of the bedroom. Though she covered herself, she could do nothing about the bite marks on her neck. Fortunately, the head maid who brought the meal tactfully averted her eyes, ignoring the awkward situation.

Her arms felt stiff as she scooped soup with a spoon. Nevertheless, the food tasted exceptionally delicious after expending so much energy and eating on an empty stomach.

“Where is His Highness?”

Her heavily hoarse voice sounded unfamiliar.

“He is inspecting the Sacred Beast Protection Zone for investigation. Recently, a medium-sized monster appeared there out of nowhere, and Princess Anasha nearly met with misfortune. His Highness has a lunch appointment with Her Majesty the Queen today, so he said you should eat lunch whenever you feel comfortable without waiting for him.”

“Ah… I see.”

Hari, who had naturally intended to eat alone, tilted her head in confusion before awkwardly nodding.

“Is there anything uncomfortable? If you’re not feeling well, I’ll call a physician.”

The head maid sent her a careful gaze.

“I’m fine.”

Was this also that man’s consideration? Hari watched the head maid who bowed her head politely. Besides the impeccable manners, she moved silently without making a sound even when carrying dishes and plates. The perfectly trained servant and the breakfast prepared with even more care than before.

In Hitais, melons rank as the second most precious fruit after sacred fruits. The small piece of melon and lime ice cream served as dessert showed her changed position. Though people might curse her as lowborn behind her back, no one could disrespect her to her face anymore. Far from feeling satisfied, she only felt uncomfortable in a place that didn’t suit her.

“You may clear the meal now.”

“Yes, miss.”

As the untouched dessert plate was being cleared, a knock sounded at the door, and a short maid entered carrying a silver tray with a letter. Behind her stood Aide Rainan. A letter with the royal emblem of a golden snake on a red background. Hari immediately opened the envelope and examined the contents, muttering grimly.

“I thought I’d be bedridden for ten days, but it seems he’s fine.”

“Pardon?”

“I’d appreciate it if you could bring me new stationery and a quill.”

Leaving the confused head maid behind, Hari took a calm deep breath.

The invitation from the Sun Palace was, as expected, from the Second Prince Antor.