The carriage moved at a very stable pace, providing a comfortable ride. But this also meant it traveled slowly.

As the sky darkened in the evening, the carriage stopped, and there was a knock on the door. When the carriage door opened, a knight holding the reins asked:

“It’s evening now. Would you like to rest? Viscount Rogers’ mansion is nearby.”

“No, let’s just—”

Just as Diego was about to say they should continue, a rumbling sound came from Siara’s stomach. Everyone’s eyes turned to her, and Siara awkwardly touched the back of her head.

“I didn’t eat anything because I was busy getting dressed.”

“…Let’s take a rest. We need to eat too.”

The knight bowed his head.

The carriage headed toward Viscount Rogers’ mansion.

Shortly after arriving at the mansion, Viscount Rogers, who had been having dinner, rushed out to welcome the Crown Prince.

“My goodness! Your Highness the Crown Prince visiting such a humble place!”

The carriage went into the stable, and the Viscount guided the Crown Prince who stood beside Siara.

“Could we have a meal? We also need a place to sleep.”

“Of course! We were just having dinner.”

The knights, the attendant Peter, and the coachman decided to dine elsewhere, while Diego sat at the Viscount’s table with Siara. The woman who appeared to be Viscount Rogers’ daughter blushed immediately upon seeing Diego.

The Viscountess kindly served the food.

“To meet the Crown Prince, what a fortunate day this must be.”

“Nothing special about it. Annie, how’s the food?”

Siara’s cheeks were full of food. Though the home cooking was mildly seasoned, it was perfect for filling her hungry stomach.

“Not bad.”

“Right, you always liked spicy food. Viscountess, do you have any spicy dishes here?”

The Viscountess rolled up her sleeves.

“I’ll make some right away. Is there any particular dish you’d like?”

“Chicken stew so spicy it could kill you.”

“Understood!”

The Viscountess dashed off to the kitchen.

Siara was impressed that Diego remembered her preferences.

“Diego, thank you.”

“…It’s nothing.”

A slight blush appeared on Diego’s face.

The Viscount, watching the two, cleared his throat and began introducing his daughter.

“Ahem! Your Highness. This is my daughter. Melissa, introduce yourself to His Highness.”

Melissa rose from her seat and gracefully curtseyed, holding her dress. Her blonde hair and green eyes blended beautifully.

“Your Highness. It’s an honor to meet you. I am Melissa Rogers.”

Diego merely nodded and spread strawberry jam on a soft piece of bread, then held it up to Siara’s mouth.

“Eat.”

“Sure. Thanks.”

Siara didn’t hesitate and opened her mouth wide to take a bite.

Watching the two, the Viscount waved his hand at his daughter, signaling her to sit down. He carefully observed Siara, who was receiving all the Crown Prince’s attention.

“May I ask who this young lady might be?”

His words were extremely polite, and just then, the Viscountess returned with the chicken stew. The Viscount and Melissa, who disliked spicy food, declined, but Siara was very grateful.

“I’ll enjoy this. Thank you, Viscountess.”

“I put in every spicy seasoning I could find. I hope it suits your taste.”

The Viscountess ladled the food onto Siara and Diego’s plates. She wondered if they could really handle such spicy food, but Siara ate heartily, red seasoning staining her lips.

Viscount Rogers and Melissa grimaced, but Siara devoured it urgently like someone who hadn’t eaten for years.

“Ah. I’m full!”

“Water?”

“Yes. Plenty.”

Diego filled a cup with water and handed it to Siara. The Viscount and his wife tensed up, never having seen a noble ordering the Crown Prince around.

The Viscount cleared his throat and asked again.

“Pardon me, but may I ask your surname, miss?”

“Sia… Ah, no, I mean Annie. Annie Light.”

“Ah. Are you Duke Light’s daughter? Then you must be the second daughter.”

Thinking she might be a duke’s daughter, the Viscount asked cautiously. Siara glanced at him and smiled wryly.

“No. I’m the first daughter.”

“Ah, then you’re the illegitimate…”

The Viscountess elbowed him, and the Viscount finally fell silent. At the mention of “illegitimate,” Melissa’s eyes grew malicious.

“No wonder. She seems to lack table manners too, Father.”

“…Melissa. What are you saying? Heh heh.”

“Did I say something wrong?”

The Viscount glanced nervously at the Crown Prince. Siara didn’t particularly mind, but Diego glared at Melissa with fierce eyes.

“…Are you insulting my friend?”

“Friend?”

As Melissa flinched, Siara wiped her lips with a napkin and spoke.

“Come on. We’re just close at magic school. Classmates, friends.”

“Heh heh. Is that so? Ah, if you’ve finished eating, let me show you to your rooms!”

The Viscount quickly changed the subject.

The attendant Peter and the knights must have finished their meals too, as they followed behind Diego.

Melissa continued to glare at Siara. Siara tried to smile back, but Melissa snorted each time.

‘Hmm, jealousy. Pure jealousy.’

Being next to Diego often attracted such looks. Jealousy and envy.

But those people couldn’t approach Diego. Not only did he not welcome them, but even those brave enough to approach were quickly dismissed. Like a true person of power, Diego didn’t easily allow others close unless he chose them. And Siara had been chosen by him.

‘He must have originally liked Annie, so I’m just lucky.’

It was a choice she had gained by chance.

The Viscount gave Diego the most luxurious room. The room had other adjoining rooms where the attendant and knights could also sleep. Then he took Siara to a room hardly different from what a maid would use.

“We’re short on rooms, you see.”

“I understand.”

It didn’t matter as long as there was a bed where she could stretch out her legs.

Watching the Viscount leave with Melissa, Siara closed the door. She had thought she couldn’t possibly sleep in such a place, but since being possessed in Annie’s body, she had grown accustomed to storage-like rooms.

‘I should clean up a bit before sleeping.’

The room was full of dust from disuse, so she opened the window and shook out the blanket. Just then, Diego opened the door and entered.

“Oh.”

“Cough! Cough. What’s this?”

Diego, who had just entered, coughed severely. His attendant Peter frowned, not knowing what to do.

“How could they give a guest such a room?”

“…Well. Probably because they found out I’m illegitimate.”

Siara spoke nonchalantly. After shaking out the pillow, she finally lay down on the bed and stretched out her legs. The single bed was barely big enough for one person, so Siara looked up at Diego standing there.

“Are you going to keep standing there? I need to sleep.”

Diego suddenly brought his face close to hers.

“…Want to switch rooms?”

“What?”

“This place looks dangerous for a woman to sleep alone. I noticed the door was loose earlier.”

Siara sat up abruptly and stared at Diego.

“…Are you serious?”

What about the attendant and knights if they switched rooms? Peter looked at Diego with exasperated eyes, but Diego’s gaze was fixed solely on Siara.

“I don’t go back on my word.”

“Then shall we switch?”

“Let’s do that.”

So Diego’s spacious room became Siara’s, and Siara’s storage-like room became Diego’s. When Viscount Rogers found out about this later, he hurriedly ran over and guided Diego to another room.

Siara was able to sleep comfortably, rolling around on the pleasant, spacious bed.

The next day, they left the Viscount’s mansion and boarded the carriage. Siara’s face glowed from sleeping better than usual. In contrast, Diego, his attendant, and the knights looked haggard from moving rooms and sleeping late. Of course, Diego had been unable to sleep for different reasons.

When they had separate dormitories, it hadn’t mattered, but being in the same space with Siara made him excited. Just a few steps away was the room where Siara slept. He had to suppress the urge to go to her room, though he didn’t understand what that feeling was.

“Ah. So refreshing. The difference in beds really makes it wonderful.”

When she had slept on an old bed, her whole body had ached, but sleeping on a plush, high-quality bed made her feel completely rested.

Diego looked out the carriage window and said:

“I’ll give you the best room in the palace too.”

“Yes. I’m looking forward to it.”

Peter shook his head watching Diego’s reddened face and Siara’s casual demeanor.

“Lady Annie.”

“Yes, Peter.”

“Now that the engagement is broken off, what will you do about your father’s debt?”

Diego suddenly tried to speak.

“I’ll pay it—”

Just then, Peter poked him in the side with his finger. When Diego looked at him, Peter put his index finger to his lips. It meant to be quiet. Though somewhat impertinent, Peter couldn’t stand by any longer.

A man in love wanted to give everything to a woman. And such women knew how to use men. From his perspective, Siara seemed at least more experienced than Diego.

“…Actually, I was going to ask you for help, Diego.”

“With the debt?”

“No. It seems Marquis Marcel created the Duke’s debt. I want to investigate that connection and eliminate the debt entirely.”

“…Connection?”

“Yes. Marquis Marcel appears to pay off debts to marry young women, but in reality, he makes them bear children, then uses those children to take over titles, power, and entire estates and territories.”

While such nobles existed occasionally, it was surprising that Siara knew about it.

“…How did you find that out?”

“I investigated. But to hold a noble trial, I need your help. And I’d appreciate your help in obtaining evidence too.”

Since Marquis Marcel was meticulous and vicious, having the Crown Prince Diego’s help rather than relying on this young body would give her a better chance of success.