Chapter 74

“Rayden will be the closest escort. Since the wedding is approaching, it’s not strange for the imperial knights to escort Vivian, so it might actually be a good thing.”

As Rayden nodded, Aitor spoke up.

“I will join as well.”

“No.”

Louis cut off Aitor’s words decisively. As Aitor leaned forward to persuade him, Rayden intervened.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is right. As you said, he’s quick-witted and a seasoned mage, so he’ll quickly realize you’re a mage.”

“But…”

“If he realizes you’re a mage, everything will be ruined. An escort mage for the future Crown Princess? It doesn’t make sense.”

Aitor had no choice but to relent. If Tristan noticed and fled, this mission would be as good as a failure.

“Aitor, you’ll hide near Earl Moore’s residence with Zero and observe the situation. The knights of the Dinever Ducal family and the 2nd Imperial Knights will surround the area and prepare for any contingencies.”

“I’ve arranged to meet with the captain of the Dinever Duchy’s knights in the afternoon. We’ll discuss the division of roles and the surrounding search. I’ll report back once it’s decided.”

Louis nodded, and Rayden left his office. As Aitor stood to follow Rayden out, Louis called him back.

“Investigate the Earl Moore’s residence the day before to see if there are any harmful devices using magic stones.”

“Yes, understood.”

“And…”

Louis trailed off, turning his gaze. Aitor noticed Louis’s hesitant demeanor but didn’t press him.

“Did you meet with Vivian yesterday?”

“Yes, I had dinner with the Duke and Ian yesterday.”

“…Did she seem upset?”

It was the first time seeing the Crown Prince like this. Others might not notice, but there was clear anxiety in his charming golden eyes.

“Why do you ask?”

Aitor could have just answered, but he didn’t want to. When Aitor asked back, Louis got up from the sofa and walked to his office desk.

“Just go back.”

Louis acted as if he hadn’t asked anything, and Aitor’s mouth dropped open.

“She didn’t seem happy.”

Louis stopped shuffling through the papers scattered on his desk and looked at Aitor.

“Then, I’ll leave now.”

Aitor bowed and quickly left the office before Louis could stop him. Walking down the corridor of the Crown Prince’s palace, Aitor stopped and looked back at the path he had walked.

“Please treat her well. So I won’t want to take her.”

It was a very small voice. Aitor’s eyes were piercingly blue as he stood in the empty corridor, looking in the direction of the office.

* * *

The work Vivian was doing would all pass to Duke Tereon after she got married. Vivian, knowing how busy her father already was with the estate and imperial affairs, wanted to create a proper system to ease the Duke’s workload.

Not only was she preparing for the wedding, but the lights in both the office and Vivian’s room stayed on late into the night due to the Dinever Ducal work.

She planned to set up a list of fixed quarterly expenses and separate the lists that Duke Tereon didn’t need to check himself, leaving them for the butler to manage.

“Why don’t you take a break?”

Tia, who was keeping Vivian company while sewing, nodded off like a chick in the spring sun. Worried that her neck might hurt, Tia suddenly woke up and quickly wiped the drool from her mouth.

Seeing Vivian buried in documents, relying on the brightly lit magic stone, Tia asked worriedly, but Vivian was too focused to lift her eyes from the papers.

Sighing, Tia quietly closed Vivian’s door and went to the kitchen to bring her a warm cup of tea and some snacks.

“Aitor.”

Tia greeted Aitor warmly as she saw him climbing the stairs.

“Tia. It’s been a while.”

“Indeed. Oh! Zero played with Young Master Ian today and fell asleep.”

“Haha, I see.”

Watching Aitor chuckle, Tia thought Vivian was fortunate to have good men around her.

“Is Vivi asleep?”

“Oh no. She’s been lacking sleep lately, and her skin is getting all rough. It’s so worrying.”

Tia’s expression quickly turned gloomy.

“Where are you going now?”

“I’m bringing some tea and snacks for her. Would you like anything, Aitor?”

“I’m fine.”

As Aitor declined, Tia nodded and quickly descended the stairs. Watching Tia’s busy back, Aitor continued up and stood in front of Vivian’s door.

Light seeped out from the firmly closed door.

‘Knock, knock.’

After a moment, Vivian’s voice invited him in. Turning the doorknob, Aitor opened the door slightly and saw Vivian still focused on her work, not lifting her head from the desk.

“Vivi.”

At Aitor’s call, Vivian quickly looked up.

“Aitor?”

Blinking rapidly, Vivian checked the clock on her desk and frowned.

“Are you just coming in? It’s too late. You’ll harm your health if you overdo it.”

“Look who’s talking… Vivi, aren’t you overdoing it lately?”

“Well…”

Vivian awkwardly laughed, closed the document she was reading, and stood up. She invited Aitor, who stood by the door, to come in, but he firmly refused.

Approaching Aitor, who was standing at the door, Vivian asked.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Not really… I ran into Tia on the way up, and she’s very worried about you.”

“Tia always carries my worries.”

At Vivian’s words, Aitor fixed his gaze on the pile of documents on the desk in Vivian’s bedroom.

“Are you busy with wedding preparations?”

“Wedding preparations, yes, but I’m also organizing the work I’ve been doing at the Ducal house.”

Aitor frowned, running his hand roughly through his hair, not liking Vivian’s heavy expression.

“Do you have time tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Can you spare some time in the bustling district tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow…”

As Vivian hesitated, Aitor leaned in close and lifted his lips into a charming smile.

“Don’t you want to go on a date with His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“A date?”

“Tomorrow at 2 PM. I’ll tell you the location tomorrow.”

With just those words, Aitor turned and headed to his room on the third floor.

“Aitor.”

Vivian, unable to shout loudly due to the late hour, called after Aitor, but he continued walking, waving his hand before disappearing quickly to the third floor.

“Young Lady? Why are you standing out here?”

Tia, carrying a tray full of snacks, asked Vivian, who was standing alone in the hallway.

“Huh? Oh… It’s nothing.”

Vivian shook her head, glanced once more at the stairs leading to the third floor where Aitor had disappeared, and returned to her room.

Zero, who had been sleeping, briefly opened his eyes when Aitor entered, then quickly buried his face and fell back asleep.

Seeing the book <How to Succeed in Unrequited Love> that Vivian had told Tia to throw away, Aitor smiled wryly as he removed his outerwear.

I shouldn’t have opened it. 

Skimming through the book, densely underlined, Aitor let out a long sigh of frustration.

* * *

The note Vivian found when leaving her room in the morning was written by Aitor.

[2 PM. Zenta River 3rd Bridge. Dress simply.]

Is it really a date? 

Vivian stared at the note for a while before instructing Tia to prepare simple clothes.

After quickly finishing her wedding preparations and work in the morning, she hurriedly got ready to head to the bustling district.

Once she was ready and seated in the waiting carriage, Vivian felt her previously heavy body lighten. The weather was overcast with light gray clouds covering the sky.

Although the temperature wasn’t very low, the sun was hidden behind the clouds, making it feel even chillier.

The day she received permission from the Duke, she parted awkwardly with Louis.

The carriage quickly traveled to the Zenta River, the largest river in the capital, and stopped near the 3rd bridge, known for its charming shops.

“Lady.”

As Vivian stepped out of the carriage, Rayden greeted her.

“It’s quite chilly today, but I’m glad you dressed warmly.”

Receiving Rayden’s escort, Vivian scanned the surroundings.

“Ah, His Highness is inside that café. He came out a bit early, but the wind is quite chilly. Let’s go, Lady.”

Rayden whispered quietly, leading Vivian to where Louis was waiting.

“From today, I’ll be your escort, Lady.”

“You, Rayden?”

“I’m here to escort you in preparation for your visit to Earl Moore’s residence in a week. It’s under the pretext of escorting the future Crown Princess. If I were to be assigned as your escort on the day itself, it might raise suspicion.”

Nodding at Rayden’s kind explanation, Vivian followed him. The café where Louis was waiting was a small two-story establishment. The seats with views of the Zenta River were already packed with people.

Most were couples, openly making eye contact and engaging in skinship, causing Vivian to blush and turn her head.

“These days, it’s trendy among commoners to express their feelings of love without restraint. Isn’t it a very desirable sight?”

Rayden, who said he would go on a blind date after the wedding and this mission, spoke to Vivian with determined eyes.

“I hope it goes well for you!”

At Vivian’s sincere encouragement, Rayden grumbled that he wanted to continue escorting Vivian until the wedding after this mission, then walked to a secluded spot.

At the innermost wall of the café, under a painting of the Zenta River at sunset, Louis was seated.

“I’ll be nearby. Have a good time.”

Rayden winked and quickly vacated the spot. Vivian, who was about to lift her teacup, avoided Louis’s gaze and sat across from him.

“Oh my. I wondered who this handsome man’s girlfriend was, and it turns out to be a dazzlingly beautiful young lady.”

The waitress who brought the menu was an elderly lady. Her neatly styled hair, well-groomed eyebrows and nails, and flashy earrings suited her very well.

“Oh, hello.”

When Vivian greeted her, the lady handed over the menu, saying that such greetings made an old woman feel burdened.

“What my husband makes best is right here.”

As Vivian thoroughly read the menu, unfamiliar with the type of tea, the lady pointed to one item.

“Your boyfriend is drinking this too. What do you think? Is it a taste your girlfriend would like?”

At the lady’s question, Louis alternated his gaze between the orange-hued tea in his cup and Vivian.

“The tea has a strong aroma. Initially, it has a bitter taste, followed by a faint floral scent. It’s a flower from a region called Cherti in the west, and when it blooms, the whole area is filled with its scent.”

After the lady’s explanation, Vivian hesitated for a moment, then looked down at the menu and asked.

“I don’t particularly like strong-scented teas.”

“Is that so? Then how about this tea?”

Vivian chose the tea recommended by the lady and looked around the café with anticipation.

As the lady tidied up the menu and said something to her husband, he took out a jar of tea from the shelf filled with cups.

“I didn’t know you didn’t like strong-scented teas.”

Louis spoke.

“I don’t like them, but that doesn’t mean I won’t drink them.”

Vivian replied, and Louis crossed his arms and leaned back on the sofa. Perhaps because of his casual attire and more relaxed hairstyle than usual, he seemed more at ease.

Until Vivian’s tea arrived, Louis stared intently at her. Not knowing where to direct her gaze, Vivian was relieved when her tea came and eagerly lifted her teacup.

“It’s delicious.”

As if expecting that response, the lady left, wishing them a pleasant time, and Louis extended his hand to Vivian.