14. When did you get so close to the Crown Prince?

Cairen Lancia Anoph.

This young man, now twenty-six years old, is the Crown Prince who will one day inherit the imperial throne. Born of the former Empress Dolencia, he was granted the title of Crown Prince the moment he was born—a man of noble birth.

At the Crown Prince’s entrance, Evelyn lowered her head politely in greeting.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

“Lady Evelyn, it has indeed. Have you been well?”

Cairen responded to Evelyn’s greeting with a bright smile.

“I thought I’d see you at the opening party for the Imperial Library, but I was disappointed when you didn’t show.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I couldn’t attend due to business at the company that day.”

“Well, Lady Evelyn is always busy, so I understand.”

As he spoke, Cairen absentmindedly reached up to rub the back of his head. His softened expression, his awkward gestures, and the easy way he interacted with others—Unlike other members of the imperial family, the Crown Prince came off as unpolished and unpretentious.

But that, too, was only a façade.

He was, without a doubt, a man of ability and charisma befitting his noble status.

‘The Black Lion.’

People called Cairen the ‘Black Lion.’

If Duke Rashid Egenhart, known as the Empire’s jewel, was like a dazzling statue of radiant brilliance, then Cairen was a beast exuding valor.

In terms of ability, appearance, status, and lineage—neither man lacked anything, making it impossible to say who was superior. So much so that some even considered Rashid and the Crown Prince rivals…

But ‘His Grace the Duke doesn’t like being compared to others.’

Evelyn muttered internally, recalling Rashid’s face, always twisted in displeasure at the mere mention of the Crown Prince’s name.

“If it was a tea time with Lady Evelyn, why didn’t you invite me too, Your Majesty the Empress?”

Hugging his sulking younger sister to comfort her, Cairen turned to the Empress with a warm tone.

“I’m sorry, Crown Prince. Today, I had something to discuss with Lady Evelyn—just between women.”

“Ah, so the two of you had a lovely time together.”

At Cairen’s affectionate smile, Evelyn sighed inwardly.

‘Ha ha ha. Lovely time, was it?’

That conversation couldn’t be described as lovely in the slightest. If anything, it had been a veiled threat disguised as advice or suggestion.

“Lady Evelyn, thank you for coming today. I have another engagement, so I’ll be taking my leave.”

At the Empress’s insincere words, Evelyn managed to force a smile.

“Thank you for inviting me today.”

“I hope we can have another lovely time again.”

As the Empress rose with the help of her maids, the Crown Prince, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward.

“Then, Your Majesty, I’ll escort Lady Evelyn.”

When Evelyn turned her head, she saw Cairen wearing a slightly sheepish expression.

“Her Majesty seems very concerned about Duke Rashid’s marriage.”

As they walked down the long hallway of the palace, Cairen spoke playfully.

“Duke Rashid is at a good age for marriage now.”

“There’s no better groom candidate in society at the moment.”

‘Well, aside from his personality’, Evelyn thought privately.

“He doesn’t seem thrilled about it, but personally, I’m quite grateful.”

“Pardon?”

When Evelyn sent him a puzzled look, the Crown Prince replied with a mischievous grin.

“Thanks to him, the pressure for me to get married has eased up a lot!”

“…Congratulations, Your Highness.”

To the grinning Crown Prince, Evelyn offered her sincere congratulations. It was the appropriate reaction, after all.

“By the way, it seems Her Majesty has heard the rumors about you and Duke Rashid.”

“The rumors reached the palace?”

Evelyn muttered without thinking.

Whether it was a mistress rumor or a bathhouse one, she couldn’t be sure, but one thing was certain—The Empress had felt it serious enough to summon her and make veiled threats, regardless of decorum.

“Ugh.”

As they climbed the smooth marble stairs, Evelyn suddenly stopped and drew a deep breath. Though she didn’t realize it herself, her complexion had turned very pale.

“Lady Evelyn, are you all right?”

Cairen wiped the smile from his face and asked urgently.

“I’m fine, Your Highness.”

But contrary to her words, Evelyn’s strength gave out, and she grabbed the railing for support. ‘My legs… they hurt so much!’

Wearing unfamiliar high heels today had left her calves and ankles aching terribly. On top of that, the tension from being abruptly summoned by the Empress had left her body drained.

“Lady Evelyn, are you sure? I’ll summon a physician immediately.”

“I’ll be fine, Your Highness. I just need a moment to rest…”

“Then take my hand. I’ll help you to a chair.”

Cairen extended his hand to Evelyn. As a swordsman who always wielded a blade, his large hand bore scattered scars.

Though he had the solid build and masculine features typical of the imperial family, a closer look revealed the beauty he inherited from his mother, the famed former Empress Dolencia.

‘Now that I think about it, he is rather handsome…’

Looking closely at Cairen, Evelyn reluctantly admitted this to herself.

“Lady Evelyn?”

Even knowing it was a safe, reliable hand, Evelyn found herself hesitating to take it. Still, it wasn’t as if she could reject the hand he offered forever.

Just as she reluctantly reached for Cairen’s hand—

“Ugh.”

Someone suddenly shoved Cairen aside and stepped in front of Evelyn.

Blinding platinum blond hair shimmered in the sunlight pouring through the window.

“Are you alright, Lady Evelyn?”

The voice was blunt.

But Evelyn knew the warmth hidden in that gruff tone.

“Rashid.”

As she unconsciously murmured his name, Rashid reached out his hand to her.

A flawless, marble-white hand, as beautiful as it was pale.

That hand was extended to support Evelyn.

This time, Evelyn didn’t hesitate to take Rashid’s hand.

“You’ve always been weak around this time of year.”

Rashid supported her, murmuring something only a long-time friend would know.

“Pfft.”

After Evelyn stood up, Cairen, who had been watching the whole time, let out a small laugh.

Immediately, a sharp glint appeared in Rashid’s blue eyes.

“That’s quite an irreverent attitude, Lord Rashid.”

Cairen whispered softly to his stepbrother.

His tone remained playful, but there was a subtle thorn beneath the words.

“If it seemed irreverent, then I apologize.”

Rashid responded without delay.

Now, Duke Rashid Egenhart and Crown Prince Cairen faced each other.

Cairen’s long black hair flowed gently.

In contrast, Rashid’s brilliant platinum-blond hair shimmered dazzlingly.

One was the Duke hailed as the Jewel of the Empire, the other the Crown Prince known as the Black Lion.

Black and white.

The striking contrast between the two drew everyone’s attention.

“Did you come running, worried something might have happened to Lady Evelyn?”

“I am Lady Evelyn Berge’s employer. Naturally, I must fulfill my duty.”

“There was no need to worry. I safely rescued Lady Evelyn from Her Majesty the Empress’s parlor.”

“As her employer, I thank Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Neither man yielded an inch in their tense exchange.

Evelyn noticed that Cairen’s smiling face was gradually stiffening.

‘Are they really going to get into a fistfight?’

If that happened, the aftermath would undoubtedly fall on her shoulders.

Evelyn watched them anxiously, trying not to show it.

“…Honestly, you’re prickly.”

At last, a helpless voice slipped from Cairen’s lips.

His stiff face was once again wearing his usual cheeky expression.

‘Thank goodness…’

Coming to her senses, Evelyn subtly tried to slip her hand from Rashid’s.

“I’m fine now, Your Grace. I can stand on my own.”

“Stay like this.”

But Rashid didn’t let go so easily.

His grip was firm—too firm for Evelyn to break free.

As the two stood locked together, Cairen gazed at them with amused eyes and spoke teasingly.

“Lady Evelyn, now that your employer has arrived right on time, I no longer need to escort you.”

“Thank you for everything today, Your Highness.”

Cairen smiled again at her gratitude.

“If you truly feel that way, let’s share a cup of tea sometime.”

“Ah, that…”

“Well then, I have urgent matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

Before Evelyn could decline, Cairen walked off down the corridor.

There was a meaningful smile lingering on his turned face.

“When did you get so close to the Crown Prince?”

All that remained was her employer, who somehow seemed quite moody.

Evelyn let out a soft sigh as Rashid’s blue eyes fixed directly on her.

“I’ve always been popular with people in high places.”

Except for one—Empress Jillian.

“Hmph. So, you’re really going to have tea with the Crown Prince?”

As her employer questioned her directly, Evelyn shook her head in exasperation.

‘Who cares who I have tea with!’

Evelyn snorted and was about to walk off—

“Duke Egenhart! Please wait!”

A servant in uniform came running and shouted breathlessly.

“Her Majesty the Empress is requesting your presence.”

As soon as those words were spoken, Rashid visibly frowned.

His expression clearly showed how much he didn’t want to go.

Evelyn shrugged in response.

“Looks like it’s your turn now, Lord Rashid. I’ll be heading back first, so enjoy your private time together.”

She was all ready to make her escape, but—

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Ah, I have a backlog of work…”

“Don’t even think about running. Stay right here until I return.”

“There’s really no need for that!”

“This isn’t a neighborhood playground, Lady Evelyn. Eyes are watching you from all around.”

Startled by the pointed remark, Evelyn flinched slightly. Rashid lightly tapped her shoulder as if to reassure her not to be nervous.

“I’ll be back soon.”

With those words, Rashid followed the servant toward the building.

Evelyn had no choice but to drop onto a garden bench with a sigh.

***

Just as expected.

“Lord Rashid, you should marry a young lady worthy of your noble bloodline and start a family. You’re of the age for it now.”

As soon as he was dragged into the luxurious parlor, the nagging began. Rashid narrowed his eyes.

“There is no need for Your Majesty to worry. I am managing myself quite well.”

“Is that so? I’ve heard rumors that socialites are displeased over your recent entanglement with a certain count’s daughter.”

The Empress had long since caught on to every move Rashid had made to protect Evelyn.

Any attempts to stall or mislead her had no effect.

Even though the person in question remained completely unaware.

“If you think I don’t know who you’re trying to protect with your actions, you’re mistaken. I am the one who gave birth to you.”

“……”

“Lady Evelyn Berge is not acceptable.”

A sharp blade was hidden beneath her graceful smile.

And now, the Empress made no effort to hide it.

“You deserve a lady of higher status. Consider this advice from a mother.”

“I appreciate the loving counsel.”

“Rashid, stop avoiding it. Accept the fate you were born to bear. The future of House Egenhart lies in your hands.”

The fate of the ducal house.

Rashid had never truly grasped what that meant.

The dragon’s supernatural power he was born with had isolated him from the world and made him… different.

His overwhelming talent, compared to ordinary humans, had been far too much for a young boy to handle.

His inability to perceive others as fully real was a lingering shadow of that childhood.

“I still don’t really understand what my fate is, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t say such weak things, Lord Rashid. Your fate is to possess everything. That is the destiny of the heir to House Egenhart.”

“In that case…”

Rashid leaned to one side and cast a defiant look at his mother.

“Like my ancestors before me, shall I take to the skies above the capital and burn everything to ash?”