Chapter 3.7

A carriage rolled quietly down the rainy road. 

It was an elegant yet unmarked carriage. Yet, the man and woman inside were among the most noble individuals in the country.  

The wheels creaked as they rolled over the uneven path. The subtle jolt caused the sleeping woman’s brow to furrow.  

“Mmm…”  

The man holding her gently swept aside her fallen hair. Perhaps the tender touch was comforting, as she soon fell into a deeper slumber.  

Watching her peaceful face, Servante sighed inwardly.  

‘I shouldn’t have pushed her so hard.’  

He admitted it. Just moments ago, he had lost all sense of reason.  

• Ah! Hngh! P-please… Ah, no…!

Unable to endure, she had reached out to him in desperation, only for him to push her even harder. Though it was their first time for both of them, it was clear that she, who had to take him in fully, had struggled far more.  

By the time his rationality returned, she had already half-fainted.  

• Ah… Hic…  

• Hah…  

Though he had been fully aware of her state, her slight trembling at even the smallest touch had almost driven him mad again… but he held back. To give in to his instincts again would have been inhuman—beastly, even.  

He helped Carnier dress herself, though her gown was wrinkled beyond repair and her wig was a disheveled mess. There was no way to restore her disguise to its original state.  

Instead, he draped his own cloak over her. Thankfully, the private suites on the uppermost floor of the theater provided discreet exits. The staff, accustomed to the clandestine affairs of the upper class, neither saw nor heard anything as they escorted them out.  

Just as when they had arrived, Luca took the reins of the carriage while Carnier dozed off as soon as she got inside. Watching her head bob precariously, Servante finally pulled her into his arms, letting her rest more comfortably.  

Even in her drowsy state, she smiled faintly. The sight was so endearing that he nearly kissed her.  

‘Control yourself. You’re the Crown Prince. A man, not a beast.’  

He repeated this mantra for what felt like minutes. At last, the carriage came to a halt.  

“We’ve arrived.”  

Luca’s voice came from the driver’s seat. Servante adjusted his hold on Carnier. He had no intention of waking her.  

A moment later, the door opened from the outside, and he stepped out, still carrying her. He moved carefully, mindful of the narrow doorframe that could have bumped her head.  

‘I need to commission a carriage with wider doors.’  

As such thoughts idly crossed his mind, he raised an eyebrow.  

A woman in a robe, holding a large umbrella, bowed her head in greeting.  

“Your Highness…”  

“No need for formalities in this situation.”  

“Understood.”  

The woman, Aisha, lifted her head and smiled.  

Though it was a simple smile, Servante found himself awkwardly clearing his throat. Holding the deeply slumbering Carnier only made him feel more self-conscious.  

“The night air is cold. Please, come inside quickly.”  

“…Excuse me. Luca, wait here. I won’t be long.”  

“Yes, Your Highness.”  

Aisha, holding a lantern, personally opened the front door. The creak of the old door revealed a dimly lit interior.  

The place seemed far too small to accommodate visitors like the Duchess of Raymore, her daughter, and the Crown Prince. Of course, that was because this was neither the Imperial Palace nor the Ducal residence.

This was the Lindberg Barony, Aisha’s family home.  

• When the Duchess visited, she conveyed Lady Raymore’s message, asking to be brought here instead of the Ducal estate.  

When Servante finally emerged from the theater’s private room, he was greeted with a message from the Duchess. Instead of questioning why he was being blocked from entering, she had left a note with Luca, detailing the address of the Lindberg Barony, and departed.

With Baron Lindberg and his wife away on vacation, the empty estate was free of prying eyes. Thus, Servante was able to lay Carnier safely on the bed in the room Aisha had prepared.  

Even as the soft blankets covered her, Carnier didn’t stir. Watching her serene face for a moment, Servante finally stepped out of the room.  

As the door clicked shut behind him, he let out a low sigh.  

“I owe you one.”  

“Think nothing of it. Carnier is precious family to me as well.”  

Aisha smiled gracefully.  

“If you’re not in a hurry to leave, would you care for some warm tea before heading back?”  

“Thank you, but my companions are waiting, and it wouldn’t do for my absence to be prolonged. I must return to the palace immediately.”  

“Then allow me to see you off.”  

In the silent, dark mansion, Aisha, holding the only lantern, led the way. Following behind her, Servante murmured,  

“…I thought I’d get at least a scolding.”  

“There’s no need for that.”  

As they walked, Aisha responded lightly.  

“What’s wrong with two people, whose hearts align and who are soon to be wed, spending time together?”

“…”  

“It was my husband, who cherishes his younger sister, who asked that you bring her here. It wasn’t for any other reason.”

Even though the two were soon to be married, Aisha couldn’t predict how her husband might react to seeing his sister carried in by her fiancé, the Crown Prince, after what had clearly been an intense night.  

Though they often bickered and exchanged sharp words, the siblings deeply cared for one another.  

‘Some things are better left unknown.’  

Better for her husband to spend a lonely night missing his wife than to witness his sister in such a state. Aisha resolved to keep tonight’s events a secret forever.  

As she walked, she suddenly paused.  

“Oh… But, Your Highness, if there was any moment tonight—or in the past few days—when Carnier’s actions upset you, please know that much of it was due to my influence. If you were angry, the blame lies with me.”  

At this, Servante chuckled softly.  

Of course, he hadn’t thought Carnier’s impulsive actions were entirely her own doing. Even when he had believed their relationship to be nothing more than a contract, he had suspected she had allies—perhaps a maid, a close friend, or even a family member under the same roof.  

“I was never angry. And I have no reason to blame you.”  

Regardless of whose advice she had taken, the decisions had ultimately been Carnier’s. And the Carnier he knew wasn’t someone who could be swayed easily by others’ words.  

Even if she had received counsel, she wouldn’t have acted unless she had truly wanted to. That was why Servante could remain calm.  

“All I ask is that you continue to look after Carnier. And, if possible, keep tonight’s events between us.”

“Hehe.”  

“…What’s so amusing?”

Her laughter felt different from before, carrying a hint of mischief. When Servante furrowed his brow, Aisha waved her hand lightly.  

“Oh, it’s nothing significant. It’s just that hearing you call her name sounded so natural.”  

“Ah.”  

“My husband once told me that the two of you were very close in the past. Still, as you are also my superior, I found it hard to imagine. But now…”

Watching the Crown Prince’s rare expression of discomfort, Aisha smiled in fascination.  

“The two of you look wonderful together.”  

“…I am not a spectacle for others to observe.”  

“Oh, come now. How could I dare to observe someone so noble? I just found it heartwarming… My apologies if I made you uncomfortable.”  

“…It’s fine.”  

It was obvious to anyone that she had been observing him. Yet her candid words and unreserved smile were disarmingly natural.  

Servante chose not to say more and resumed his steps. Aisha, the Duchess of Raymore and the Director of the Imperial Library, was unlike other noblewomen in both her thoughts and actions, likely due to her years of studying abroad. Having personally appointed her, Servante was well aware of this, so it didn’t surprise him.  

When the front door opened, the wind and rain rushed in. Luca, waiting just outside, immediately stepped forward with an umbrella.  

As Servante was about to leave, he turned back briefly.  

“Tell Carnier not to come to the palace tomorrow… or rather, today. I worry she might push herself too hard, feeling uneasy about the work she’s been assisting me with in my office.”  

“Understood, Your Highness.”  

“Then I’ll take my leave.”  

With a slight nod, Servante walked toward the carriage. Behind him, the sound of the front door closing reached his ears, bringing a faint smile to his lips.  

Even Luca looked puzzled as he glanced back.  

“Usually… they wait until you have left before going back inside, Your Highness, don’t they?”  

“Has anyone in that household ever been ‘usual’?”  

“That’s true.”  

The Duke, head of the household, was the nation’s greatest knight and also its most devoted husband.  

The Duchess, Aisha, was a bookworm who had spent years abroad, caring little for marriage prospects and dedicating herself entirely to her studies.

And the young lady of the household, Carnier, had grown into a charming young woman who, once she set her mind to it, would boldly confess her love, start a relationship, and even arrange dates with the Crown Prince without hesitation.  

“…”  

“…Your Highness?”  

“…Let’s depart.”  

As if he hadn’t paused at all, Servante climbed into the carriage. The door shut firmly behind him, and the sound of rain became a faint murmur beyond the thin walls.  

Inside the gently moving carriage, he closed his eyes.  

‘She used to be so timid and tearful

Memories of the time when he first met her—no, that little girl—suddenly came flooding back.