It seemed she had heard stories about Gined from the other maids who had gone to the Holy Kingdom.

I nodded absentmindedly.

Seren’s eyes began to sparkle like stars.

“How handsome is he? Is he really as good-looking as the Crown Prince?”

“Yes. Just looking at him makes you feel guilty.”

“Oh my, you should have told me if you were going to meet someone like that!”

“I didn’t know I would meet him either. He’s a very busy person.”

I feigned ignorance.

“If I had known, I would have followed you no matter what…”

“Seren, weren’t things going well with Michael?”

“…We broke up a while ago.”

“Why? Michael is tall and decent enough.”

“Sigh… I didn’t realize because he always combed his hair back, but he has a bald spot.”

“What? Baldness is a deal-breaker. I can forgive being poor, but not being bald.”

Seren and I had many things in common, but we got along best when talking about men’s looks.

She, like me, had a severe weakness for handsome faces. Even when I was blinded by love and couldn’t see reason, Seren was the only one who understood me.

— If it’s the Crown Prince, I can’t help but love him even if he exploits me.

Looking back, it was utter nonsense, but at the time, it was the only comfort I had.

“Seren.”

“Yes?”

“I’m really glad you didn’t come to the Holy Kingdom with me.”

Otherwise, who knows what kind of nonsense I would have been persuaded by this time.

It wasn’t Seren’s fault, but neither of us could make rational decisions in front of a handsome man. It’s better that we stay apart when meeting the male leads.

“What do you mean! Were you planning to monopolize the Commander of the Sephiroth Knights?”

“He’s someone no worldly woman can have. Here, take this.”

I handed Seren a box I had placed on the side table.

Inside were various trinkets with Gined’s portrait or signature.

Postcards, bookmarks, handkerchiefs, etc. Most of them were souvenirs secretly shared among female believers, but they were also popular among male believers with unique tastes.

Commercializing a priest’s appearance was absurd, but since it brought in considerable income, the Holy Kingdom turned a blind eye.

Gined had no idea his portrait was being used this way.

Seren’s mouth dropped open.

“Oh my! Thank you so much, my lady! Oh, look at those melancholic eyes…”

Seren forgot all about giving me a massage and stared intently at Gined’s portrait on the postcard.

I chuckled and gestured to Seren.

“Go rest now. I’m going to sleep too.”

“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow, my lady!”

Seren left the room quickly without even glancing back at me. Knowing that this was her true intention from the start, I didn’t feel offended.

***

The next day, I enjoyed a leisurely morning for the first time in a while.

Even though none of my problems were solved, I didn’t want to miss out on small moments of happiness.

I had a simple breakfast with tea and snacks Seren brought, then lay back in bed, feeling like I was in paradise.

“Seren, can you open the window?”

“Yes, my lady.”

As soon as she opened the window, the morning air, sweet with the scent of flowers, rushed in.

“Ah, perfect…”

I murmured as I burrowed into the blanket to avoid the slightly chilly breeze.

Seren looked out the window and tilted her head.

“Someone’s coming. Oh? Isn’t that an imperial carriage?”

“No way. Who would come from the Imperial Palace at this hour.”

“Oh? My lady, the Crown Prince is getting out!”

“…What?”

My relaxed mood vanished instantly.

I jumped up and looked out the window, not even bothering to put on slippers.

Sure enough, there was a blond man stepping out of the carriage.

‘Why is he here?’

Even though we were engaged, the Crown Prince rarely visited the estate.

As if sensing my gaze, the Crown Prince looked in my direction and smirked.

It was only then that I realized I was still in my pajamas.

‘F*ck…!’

I quickly hid behind the curtains.

Seren looked flustered and stomped her feet in confusion.

“What should we do, my lady? You haven’t even washed your face yet…”

I took a deep breath and spoke calmly.

“First, bring me some wash water, and I’ll throw on any dress.”

“But you never appear before His Highness unless you’re perfectly groomed.”

“I had an epiphany in the Holy Kingdom. It’s not the outward appearance that matters, but inner beauty.”

“But my lady, you’re much more beautiful on the outside…”

When I gave Seren a loving glare, she quickly left to get the wash water.

Fortunately, the Crown Prince didn’t come to see me right away and went to talk to my parents first.

In the meantime, I managed to get ready.

I put on a moderately formal dress with minimal makeup and hurriedly brushed my hair, pinning it with a jeweled pin.

Looking in the mirror, I thought it wasn’t bad for a rush job.

Considering I had met Gined with a bare face and a plain dress, this was more than enough. Especially since the person in question was the Crown Prince.

“My lady, the Duke is calling for you.”

I heard the butler’s voice from outside the door.

I sighed deeply and headed to the drawing room.

As soon as I entered, I saw the Crown Prince seated in the most prominent spot.

“Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“It’s been a while, Lou.”

“I was planning to visit you soon, but what brings you all the way here?”

“I stopped by on my way and thought I’d see your face.”

The Crown Prince spoke nonchalantly.

“I’m hurt, Lou. You should have informed me as soon as you returned.”

“I can’t report every trivial matter to someone as busy as you.”

“Report? You’re my fiancée, not my subordinate. And nothing related to you is trivial.”

He strung together his slick words with a gentle smile. It wasn’t the usual sneer he gave when we were alone, but a normal, kind smile.

I frowned, wondering if this man had eaten something wrong, then realized my parents were watching us closely.

I forced a smile, suppressing my queasy stomach.

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”

“I’d like to have a private chat with Lou, Duke Dronay.”

I desperately sent a look to my parents, pleading with them not to leave. But they weren’t looking at me.

Like the seasoned noble he was, my father spoke with a dignified demeanor, showing no sign of intimidation.

“May I say a word before that, Your Highness?”

“Go ahead, Duke.”

“Lou is the only daughter of the Dronay family. If Your Highness truly cherishes Lou, Dronay will follow you with unwavering loyalty.”

The implication was clear: if not, there would be no mercy.

Despite my father’s blatant warning, the Crown Prince responded smoothly, without a hint of displeasure.

“There has never been a Crown Prince as fortunate as I in the history of the Kebrenia Empire. I have gained both a beautiful fiancée and the loyalty of Dronay.”

‘How can he lie so shamelessly?’

The Crown Prince turned his brazen face towards me.

“I heard you recently expanded the gardens at the mansion. Would you show me around? The weather is nice, so it would be better than staying indoors.”

“…Yes.”

I disliked being with the Crown Prince, whether indoors or outdoors, but he was a noble guest, so I couldn’t neglect my duty.

Reluctantly, I got up, and the Crown Prince lightly linked arms with me.

My parents watched us with satisfaction. My father, in particular, looked very proud and even winked at me secretly.

‘That’s not it, Dad…’

While my father’s bold warning to the Crown Prince was impressive and refreshing, it wasn’t the direction I wanted.

In any case, I didn’t want to continue this absurd charade in front of my parents, so I led the Crown Prince to the garden.

In the garden, flowers of various colors flaunted their scents and appearances, with birds and butterflies freely flying among them.

Even though it was a familiar scene, I couldn’t deny its beauty. Even the Crown Prince couldn’t hide his admiration.

“It’s beautiful.”

“It doesn’t compare to the palace garden. Oh, the roses are already blooming.”

Pretending to admire the flowers, I subtly unlinked our arms.

I wasn’t particularly interested in flowers, but the sweet and fresh scent of the roses naturally lifted my spirits. I thought about asking the gardener to bring a few to my room.

Besides the roses, tulips, ranunculus, and anemones were in full bloom.

The Crown Prince’s choice of going to the garden was quite good.

At least while looking at the flowers, I didn’t have to face him.

Before I knew it, I was engrossed in the flowers, forgetting about the Crown Prince.

“I didn’t know you liked flowers.”

I hadn’t noticed while bending down to observe the tulips, but the Crown Prince was standing right next to me, looking down at me.

I straightened up and smiled awkwardly.

“Is there anyone who doesn’t like flowers?”

“You’ve never paid attention to them before.”

“That’s because…”

‘Back then, looking at your face was more fun than looking at flowers…’

As much as I hated to admit it, the Crown Prince was beautiful.

His platinum blonde hair shone brilliantly in the sunlight, and his perfectly proportioned features made even the roses bow in shame.

There was even a joke among the nobles that the Crown Prince was the flower of the social scene of this era.