If We Had Known Each Other a Little Earlier (3)

“Your Highness, I—”

“Shh.”

Callion put his finger to his lips and pointed to the people lined up at the theater entrance. The front of the theater was crowded with barely any room to move on this weekend.

Though most were commoners who wouldn’t recognize the Crown Prince’s face, if his identity were revealed by chance, it would certainly cause a commotion.

Understanding his concern, Adelaide nodded.

‘But… what should I call him then?’

“Call me Callion.”

“Pardon?”

“No one will know if you call me that.”

He gently curved the corners of his eyes.

In this country, only a few members of the imperial family could address the Crown Prince by his name, so even if she called him ‘Callion,’ no one would notice, but still…

“How could I casually use Your Highness’s name…”

“What’s in a name? There must be a thousand people in this empire with the same name as me.”

“Even so…”

“It’s fine, so don’t make a mistake in front of people. Try calling me now.”

“…”

“Go on.”

“C-Callion, sir.”

“It feels good to be called that after so long.”

Callion smiled brightly, seemingly satisfied. Unlike Elkius’s assessment that he was cold and arrogant, his attitude was casual and unpretentious.

“Take my arm.”

Callion extended his arm to her as she got out of the carriage. Adelaide carefully took his arm. Through the thin fabric, she could clearly feel his firm muscles.

Noticing her tense appearance, Callion spoke kindly:

“Do you like plays?”

“Yes, I used to watch them often.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried you might find it boring.”

“Do you like plays, Callion?”

“I intend to start liking them from today.”

The intensity of his gaze as he looked at her steadily was burning. Her face kept turning red, so Adelaide lowered her eyes.

As they entered the opera house through the back door to avoid people, a familiar figure approached.

“Welcome. I’ll guide you.”

Danny McKinnon, disguised as a theater usher, led the two to a box seat on the highest floor. The box seat, with multiple curtains drawn to prevent them from being seen by others, was set with flowers and refreshments.

“Then, enjoy your time.”

Danny McKinnon gave an exaggerated bow and left the box. Callion naturally pulled out a chair for Adelaide to sit, locked the door, and took his seat beside her.

The seats were spacious, but the chairs were too close together, making Adelaide shrink slightly.

“Have a drink.”

Callion handed her a champagne glass, careful not to touch her. Feeling parched, she accepted the glass without refusing.

As people began to enter, the theater became very noisy. The first-floor seats, which had no chairs, quickly filled with spectators.

“According to Danny, this play is a hot topic in the salons.”

“Yes, I’ve heard that too.”

The play “The Death of Grimaldi” was quite popular even among nobles. Perhaps because of this, the second and third-floor seats, reserved for nobles, were also completely full today.

‘Surely no one will recognize us.’

Worried about being discovered by others, Adelaide pulled the curtain a bit more.

“It seems to be starting.”

At Callion’s voice, she turned her attention to the stage as the candles illuminating the audience seats were all extinguished at once. Adelaide watched the play with shining eyes.

“The Death of Grimaldi” was a tragedy about a princess named Grimaldi from a small principality who falls in love with the illegitimate son of King Laction from a neighboring country, only to be betrayed and take her own life.

Though not particularly fresh in plot, perhaps due to the excellent acting, the theater was filled with tears.

Callion, who had been watching the play indifferently, turned his head at the sound of sniffling. Adelaide, who had been focusing on the play without even blinking, was shedding tears like pearls.

‘Just like that day.’

Callion quietly offered his handkerchief. Adelaide, who had been wiping her wet eyes, buried her face in the handkerchief and cried profusely during the scene where Grimaldi dies.

She was crying so sadly that Callion found himself more concerned about her than the play, and he completely turned his body to observe her.

When the play ended and the candles were lit again, her swollen face was revealed in the flickering light.

“Did you enjoy the play?”

“Yes, it was so moving.”

“I could see that.”

Callion pointed to the handkerchief, trying to hold back his laughter.

“I’ll need to prepare several handkerchiefs when I meet you in the future.”

“Oh…”

Adelaide’s face turned as red as a radish. Holding the damp handkerchief tightly, she said in a shrinking voice:

“I’m sorry for showing such an unsightly appearance.”

“It’s alright.”

Callion stood up with a smiling face.

“I’m sorry, but let’s leave now. If we delay any longer, we might run into people.”

“Yes.”

Adelaide, looking at the stage where curtain calls were in full swing with regretful eyes, rose from her seat to follow him. As they crossed the empty lobby to the theater entrance, a carriage was waiting just like before.

Adelaide, who got into the carriage first, covered her face. Her cheeks were hot, perhaps from crying too much. Callion, who boarded the carriage after her, looked at her carefully and asked:

“Your eyes are very red. Are you not feeling well?”

“No, I’m fine—”

Gurgle. Before she could finish speaking, a loud sound came from her stomach. It was because she had skipped breakfast to prepare herself since early morning.

Callion laughed brightly at Adelaide, who didn’t know what to do.

“You must be hungry after crying so much. Let’s go have a meal.”

—

The carriage, which she thought would go to a restaurant, arrived in front of an unfamiliar mansion. It was even more magnificent than Duke Roxus’s mansion, one of the largest in the empire.

“Where is this…?”

“It’s my grandmother’s villa.”

“Your grandmother?”

“Victoria Isulandt, the owner of the handkerchief.”

“Ah.”

‘So that handkerchief belonged to his grandmother. No wonder I couldn’t find the owner no matter how hard I tried.’

“Let’s go in.”

Callion led her into the mansion. An elderly butler greeted them respectfully.

“It is an honor to meet you. I will guide you to the dining room.”

Following the butler named Jensen to the dining room, a delicious aroma wafted through the air. The table was already set with plenty of food.

Jensen was the only one serving the meal, which was Callion’s consideration to prevent her from encountering other servants.

“Please eat.”

Callion personally unfolded a napkin for her and offered the food. Adelaide carefully picked up her fork and began eating. The food was impeccably excellent.

After consuming quite a large amount of food, she put down her utensils. Callion, looking at the food left on her plate, asked:

“Does the food not suit your taste?”

“No, it’s delicious.”

“Then why did you eat so little?”

“I ate a lot. I feel like my dress might burst.”

Adelaide laughed and changed the subject.

“By the way, I’ll wash and return the handkerchief you lent me.”

“You can keep it.”

“No, I already troubled you last time. I can’t do that again.”

Adelaide waved her hands, insisting she would return it. Staring at her intently, finding her shy yet stubborn attitude interesting, Callion playfully opened his mouth:

“Then we’ll have to meet again.”

‘…Ah, is that how it works?’

That wasn’t her intention. But she couldn’t take back her own words.

Callion asked with a mischievous expression:

“Since we’re on the subject, let’s decide now. When would be good for you?”

—

“Haah.”

Adelaide looked at the scenery passing by the window and sighed. The day felt like it had passed in a blur.

She had intended to just see his face and return, but caught up in Callion’s pace, she had somehow ended up making another appointment, which she couldn’t believe.

‘Thank you for coming today. See you next time.’

The spot where his lips had touched felt hot, and Adelaide gently caressed the back of her hand.

‘Still… it was enjoyable for once.’

She had been tense because he was the Crown Prince, but contrary to appearances, he was a warm and pleasant person.

He never casually dismissed even a single word or action without meaning, and he anticipated what she wanted before she said it.

His consideration and kindness, along with his gentle gaze and tone, were unlike someone who had lived his entire life as a Crown Prince. If all of this was an act, he would be a far better actor than the performers she had seen earlier that day.

‘Could Lord Elkius have misunderstood something?’

Thinking she should subtly ask the next time she met Callion, she had the carriage stop a short distance from the mansion.

“I’ll walk from here.”

“Please enter safely.”

After confirming the carriage had left, Adelaide headed toward the mansion.

‘What if Father has already returned? He’ll scold me, asking where I’ve been.’

With an urgent heart, she hurriedly entered the mansion, only to freeze in place.

“Where have you been?”

“E-Elkius, sir…”