Even Cassian, who had known Charlie longer than I had, just held my hand tightly with a face that showed he couldn’t find the answer either.

Just like someone who was truly jealous, as Charlie had said.

*

“This is truly outrageous, Your Highness the Imperial Consort!”

After the meal began, Duke Zamoti burst out in anger as he spread word about what had happened during today’s exhibition check.

Though the Imperial Consort’s brow furrowed slightly, she maintained a facade of calm as much as possible.

“I thought she was just an ignorant child, but what noble lady presents her debutante greeting to His Majesty the Emperor instead of me, the Imperial Consort?”

Of course, her words weren’t gentle in the slightest.

“Brother, let it pass through one ear and out the other.”

“Sigh, I know. I must endure today’s humiliation for what’s to come.”

“His Majesty has been lenient with those children lately, so they think they’re similar to our Charlie.”

The Imperial Consort soon spoke with a gentle smile, as if comforting Duke Zamoti.

“Also, don’t feel too hurt by Charlie.”

Charlie, suddenly named by his frightening mother, wanted to cover his ears.

“As you know brother, Charlie is the First Prince, and His Majesty’s most cherished son.”

“That’s true……”

“If Charlie hadn’t spoken to you that way, His Majesty might have been angered instead.”

“His Majesty……”

“Though they haven’t held an engagement ceremony, it is a relationship His Majesty personally acknowledged. Even if her status is severely lacking.”

The Imperial Consort let out a gentle laugh like a spring breeze passing by.

“Isn’t this actually good for us? What power could House Saliche, a barony whose location is barely known, have compared to House Hanella?”

“You’re right!”

“Prince Cassian is choosing a difficult path himself. It would have been better if we could have sent him away to another kingdom.”

“Indeed, Your Highness.”

“If not that, then having him play at love with a girl from an insignificant family works in our favor.”

The Imperial Consort said this while giving her son a satisfied smile.

“Now you understand how wisely Charlie acted today, don’t you?”

Duke Zamoti nodded at the Imperial Consort’s words as if reaching an enlightenment.

“Indeed, as the First Prince he upheld imperial dignity while making Prince Cassian let his guard down.”

Of course, Charlie……

‘I’ve finished dessert, shouldn’t I get up now?’

Was just thinking leisurely to himself.

Fortunately, the Imperial Consort who knew her son well spoke up.

“You have things to do this afternoon, thank you for granting your mother’s request despite being busy.”

Charlie obediently stood up, shivering slightly at his mother’s familiar public smile.

The Imperial Consort’s expression, which had maintained a gentle smile until her son left, hardened with the sound of her teacup being set down.

After gesturing to dismiss all the servants keeping watch nearby, she spoke deliberately.

“So did you check the items?”

“Y-yes……”

Duke Zamoti hunched his shoulders at his sister’s ice-cold tone.

No one was less happy about Charlie leaving than Duke Zamoti.

“Sigh, that lowborn thing grows more insolent by the day.”

“Please calm yourself, Your Highness the Imperial Consort.”

“I am very calm right now, brother.”

The clinking sound of the Imperial Consort lifting her teacup struck Duke Zamoti’s ears.

“So we must not fail this time. I won’t let that woman’s son rise above me.”

“……Of course, of course.”

“We must strike while they think things are going according to their plans. Little by little while they’re off guard.”

The Imperial Consort’s lips curved up coldly.

“We must tighten the noose, understand?”

“Y-yes……”

Duke Zamoti barely managed to answer while bowing his head.

His sister’s aura was so piercingly cold that he felt its blade aimed at his own neck.

*

Three days later, Cassian and I graciously accepted Duke Zamoti’s request for another visit.

We also kindly granted his request to view things alone without us this time.

“I wonder who’s really letting their guard down, Rose.”

“The rose maze garden should be getting beautiful around now.”

Cassian laughed softly at my seemingly unrelated response.

“Indeed. Though it would be a shame if it got hit by sudden frost.”

The rose maze was where the Imperial Consort resided.

Cassian had deliberately assigned a young knight who had just recently joined to accompany Duke Zamoti.

Driving the Duke into a corner like that last time wasn’t just about revenge or stress relief either.

It was simply to naturally show that we were proud and letting our guard down.

Since we had anticipated and prepared for how the Duke and Imperial Consort would respond, we turned our attention away from that matter for now and focused on handling the pressing morning work.

The apprentice knight returned with his report around when we finished lunch.

After hearing the full report, Cassian and I smiled wickedly as if we had planned it.

“Unfortunately, they won’t be able to make the flowers bloom.”

Cassian said this with a face that showed no regret at all.

*

After a full week of overtime work, we were finally able to open the exhibition.

We moved all the exhibits carefully using reliable knights to ensure nothing would be damaged.

Though tickets for this exhibition were quite expensive, they allowed anyone to view it regardless of status.

The newspapers wrote positive articles about Cassian’s decision for the first time in a while.

Prince Cassian’s Bold Decision! Anyone Can View the Anden Kingdom Exhibition with a Ticket

Viewing Guidelines from the Second Prince’s Assistant’s Office for the Anden Kingdom Exhibition!

How long has it been really?

Articles about Cassian and me without mentioning demons…!

As I stared at the articles feeling touched, Cassian burst out laughing.

“I’m disappointed, Rose. I quite liked our special nickname.”

“Please let that remain as Your Highness’s nickname alone.”

Despite my firm words, Cassian reached out to fix my hair with an unintimidated expression.

How serious his eyes were as they looked at me, with careful touches brushing my ear.

“……Do I have stray hairs sticking out again?”

I carefully asked, wondering if my strong-willed hair had acted up without my knowledge.

When I looked up at him, our eyes met at close range.

Cassian’s hand that had been fixing my hair paused briefly before moving again.

“How could that be? The maids did your hair today.”

What’s this strange feeling of displeasure?

Since I didn’t do it myself, it couldn’t be messy?

While my sulky mood showed on my face, Cassian withdrew his hand.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face, as if pleased with how he had fixed my slightly disheveled work hair.

“And Rose, since you don’t seem to know.”

“Yes……”

“I find those disheveled parts of you very lovable.”

I stared at him stupidly with my mouth slightly open at those words.

Was that a compliment or an insult……?

“It’s a compliment, Rose.”

My superior read my mind and answered while extending his arm.

It was time to go start the exhibition.

*

Since this was an Anden Kingdom exhibition held to commemorate the royal marriage, not only Cassian and I as the organizers, but also His Majesty the Emperor and other imperial family members attended.

“You seem to have paid very careful attention to the details, Cassian.”

“I simply did my best with what the Anden Kingdom and Your Majesty entrusted to me.”

Cassian responded politely to the Emperor’s praise for the first time in a while.

The Emperor’s face softened slightly at his son’s rare response that suited his taste.

“I hear the Imperial Consort helped in many ways as well.”

No, she did nothing except send Duke Zamoti to interfere.

I felt a bit wronged thinking of the past week’s overtime work, but,

“What great thing did I do? As an imperial elder, I merely filled in some gaps for Prince Cassian.”

The Imperial Consort gracefully claimed credit while showing an elegant smile.

“Prince Cassian handled all the exhibit storage, my brother and I only looked around briefly and offered some advice.”

Of course, she didn’t miss laying groundwork for what would happen today either.

“Did Cassian follow your guidance well without causing trouble?”

“Of course, Prince Cassian is always so mature that I hardly had anything to worry about. Your Majesty really……”

At the same time, she expertly flattered the Emperor while appearing completely composed despite surely boiling with anger inside.

It wasn’t for nothing that she had held the position of Chief Consort in this imperial family for over 20 years.

‘Though the fact that she still can’t become the Empress shows His Majesty must be quite the snake himself.’

After exchanging such pleasantries once, positive reactions burst forth from the nobles in attendance.

“My, Her Highness the Imperial Consort seems to have become more benevolent since sending the Third Prince away.”

“Despite how upset she must be, to embrace the Second Prince like this.”

“It’s so wonderful to see, I feel at ease with the imperial family being so harmonious.”

Though it was a bit obvious.

The groundwork the Imperial Consort had laid.

When I suddenly looked at Cassian, he wore a strange smile like he’s thinking the same thing and whispered,

“It seems she wants to make me look like an ungrateful bastard?”

“Seems so.”

“Then we must exceed her expectations all the more.”

He answered calmly before asking the Emperor and Imperial Consort to join in starting the exhibition.

The Emperor, Imperial Consort, Cassian and Charlie stood in a row before the gathered reporters and conducted the prepared ribbon cutting ceremony.

Then they began viewing the exhibition according to the planned schedule.

Cassian and I took turns explaining the exhibits, acting as guides.

About halfway through, when Cassian was introducing the last work left by a famous sculptor from the Anden Kingdom some 50 years ago, rather than a very ancient treasure,

“Hmm, somehow this gives me a strange feeling.”

The Imperial Consort suddenly spoke, commenting on the sculpture.

“Is that so?”

“I don’t think it’s just because it’s their final work.”

The Imperial Consort narrowed her eyes while carefully examining the sculpture, then asked Cassian again.