Chapter 2.1 – A Disciplined Relationship

It was a bright afternoon, marking the transition from spring to summer.  

In the Crown Prince’s palace, where only the sound of papers rustling had echoed in the barren atmosphere, a single vibrant flower bloomed.  

With every movement of the quill, elegant handwriting appeared on the page. The slender fingers holding the quill, and even the wrist delicately wrapped in lace gloves, moved gracefully.  

The wide-brimmed hat that covered half her face, the translucent veil draped elegantly, and even the long eyelashes fluttering beyond it…  

“Ahem, ahem.”  

Aleph’s deliberate clearing of his throat startled the aides and knights, who had been momentarily entranced. They quickly glanced at the icy expression of the Crown Prince and hurriedly averted their gazes.  

Some pretended to shuffle papers, while others scratched the back of their necks unnecessarily. Watching their flustered behavior, Aleph sighed internally.  

‘How did it come to this?’  

The root of it all was none other than Lady Carnier Ruble Raymore, who was currently lighting up one corner of the office like a blooming flower garden.  

To think that the person who had caused such a commotion yesterday morning would visit again today. At least this time, there had been prior notice—though it seemed to have been sent just as she departed.  

In any case, she arrived around lunchtime, and she wasn’t alone.  

• Good afternoon, Your Highness.  

• …What brings you here today? 

• What do you mean? Surely, you already know. 

• … 

In over ten years of serving as an aide, Aleph had never seen His Highness look so bewildered. Yet, the fiancée, unbothered, elegantly issued her orders.  

The maid accompanying her, carrying a heavy bag and effortlessly holding a white table and chairs in both hands, placed the items exactly where Lady Carnier pointed—a sunlit spot with a clear view of the Crown Prince’s desk.  

• Wow… That maid is incredibly strong.

• Sir Luca. 

Now was not the time to be impressed… 

Aleph sighed involuntarily.  

Even Servante, the Crown Prince, was at a loss for words, so no one else in the office dared to intervene.  

Once the maid had set everything down, Carnier gracefully sat in the chair and smiled brightly.  

• Please, don’t mind me. Continue with your work as usual.

How could they not mind her? Servante belatedly tried to intervene.  

• Lady Raymore. Let’s step outside to talk. This sudden behavior is…  

• Sudden? Your Highness, we agreed yesterday that, as long as it doesn’t interfere…

Before she could finish, Servante swiftly closed the distance between them and covered her small lips with his hand. His jaw clenched as he cut her off.  

• Doesn’t interfere, you say…?

Was she seriously planning to talk about “relationships” in front of everyone? 

With an exasperated expression, he questioned her.  

Carnier, who had initially looked surprised by his abrupt action, soon smiled with her eyes.  

• …Of course, Your Highness.

Instead of showing fear, she gently took his hand and slowly pulled it away. Her lips, previously hidden beneath his hand, curved into a perfect smile.  

• All I want is this small corner. A place where I can stay within your sight and be stopped whenever you wish.-

• …

• Would you truly feel at ease if I left now?

Servante didn’t respond. However, it was clear from his turbulent thoughts that her words had unsettled him.  

Watching this exchange, both Luca and Aleph couldn’t hide their astonishment.  

‘Lady Raymore…’  

‘Is she… threatening him?’  

Her blatant implication that something might happen if she were sent away left them questioning their ears. 

Was this truly the same refined and dignified Lady Raymore?  

While it seemed unlikely that she would deliberately cause trouble for His Highness, her recent actions were utterly unpredictable.  

Even Servante found it difficult to dismiss her words outright.  

• …Are you saying this behavior is what you consider proper?

• You can confirm it yourself.  

Despite Servante’s sharp tone and pointed gaze, Carnier remained unflinching.  

• Besides, didn’t you agree and accept yesterday, Your Highness? That we would… until the royal wedding… 

Before she could finish, his hand once again silenced her. Even as her lips were covered, Carnier didn’t lose her composure.  

She was fully aware that her actions were a gamble disguised as romance.  

Whether she would be smiling at the end of this race remained uncertain, but for now, just being able to reach him like this was a victory in itself.  

Beneath his hand, her lips moved slightly.  

• You’ll allow it, won’t you? My dear. 

The warmth of her breath and the subtle movement of her lips against his palm were unmistakable. Servante frowned deeply and immediately withdrew his hand.  

• …Just for today.

• If it doesn’t interfere, I trust you’ll allow it tomorrow as well.

• …  

As if she had anticipated his response, Carnier smiled knowingly.  

And so, they arrived at the present moment.  

“It’s Viscount Hudson’s turn.”

“Hudson… His daughter must be nearing the age for her social debut.”  

“I’ll check… Yes, as you said, she turns fourteen this year.”  

“Let’s prepare three invitations, including one for the daughter. Viscount Hudson is one of the investors in the Tefnu Trading Company. It’s a trading company with notable growth, so it’s worth keeping an eye on.”  

“Understood.”  

Carnier’s personal maid, Beth, promptly prepared three sheets of stationery without hesitation.  

Carnier began filling the first lines with her elegant cursive handwriting. Meanwhile, Beth lightly fanned the ink on the previously completed stationery to ensure it dried properly.  

“What’s next?”  

“Madame August. Shall we prepare two invitations, including one for her son?”  

“No, just one. Just because the mother is well-known doesn’t mean we need to tolerate her unruly son. I won’t have a scoundrel who harasses young ladies at my first hosted banquet.”  

“Will that be alright? Madame August is famously attached to her only son.”  

“We’ll divert her attention to another prominent figure. Hmm… Is Madame Grace’s name on the list?”  

“…It’s not on the list. Shall I add it?”  

“Do so. She’s the owner of a salon that’s recently gained popularity among young ladies. According to the Young Lady of Marquis Lusein’s household, she has exceptional taste. I’ll have to confirm it myself. It’ll only be for one event, but it’ll also serve as a countermeasure against Madame August.”  

“Understood.”  

The quill moved steadily across the stationery, yet Carnier’s words flowed without pause.  

Beth, seemingly accustomed to this routine, quietly dried the ink, folded the stationery, and inserted it neatly into envelopes.  

The stack of letters on the side of the table had already grown to a hand’s breadth, all written by Carnier herself.  

“…She’s working.”  

“She’s… working, isn’t she?”  

Her focused demeanor naturally drew attention, and they whispered among themselves in low voices. Other aides, who had been organizing approved documents, also murmured softly.  

“It’s customary for the host of a banquet to write the invitations personally, but isn’t it usually done by a secretary? My wife does that…”  

“My daughter, too. She says writing so many would ruin her hands and complains she wouldn’t even be able to hold a fan on the day of the event, so she has the maids do it.”  

The aides, who had initially been nervous about what might happen when Carnier arrived, now looked at her with half admiration and half exasperation.  

The Crown Prince’s fiancée, who had entered the office with such confidence, was now… confidently working.  

It almost felt like they had gained another colleague in the office.  

“Doesn’t the way she speaks resemble His Highness?”  

“I thought the same. The way she insists on handling things herself instead of delegating…”  

“Viscount Rudolf.”  

“Yes, yes!”  

One of the murmuring aides stood up abruptly.  

Servante, who had just received a document folder from Aleph, gave his orders without even looking up.  

“Is the review of the tax reform bill complete?”  

“Ah, yes. I’ve addressed all the points that needed improvement…”  

“All of them? So, if it’s presented to the council, not a single objection will be raised?”  

“…Excuse me?”  

“If I review it right now, there won’t be a single flaw. Are you confident in that?”  

“…I apologize. I’ll review it again.”  

Viscount Rudolf, his face pale, bowed his head.  

“Baron Fahel, assist Viscount Rudolf once you’ve finished your current task.”  

“Ah, understood.”  

The aide, who had been whispering alongside Rudolf earlier, quickly bowed his head as well.  

Though their workload was already piling up, none of them dared to complain. Every task they handled originated from the Crown Prince and ended with his signature of approval.  

Their role as aides was to reduce the number of times his hand had to touch the same task. Yet, for most issues, the Crown Prince’s revisions and instructions for improvement came three or four times. Every time he uncovered an overlooked or unforeseen flaw, the aides felt a chill.  

Servante had never raised his voice to reprimand them, but sometimes, his silence felt more terrifying than any scolding.  

The aides worked diligently under the Crown Prince, without a single word of complaint.  

‘I thought you said the revision of the tax code was to be finalized after your honeymoon…’  

Aide Aleph glanced briefly at Servante. The expression on his master’s face was as composed as ever.  

At least it appeared that way.