Prince Robert appeared in the doorway, confirming that Sophia was alone before stepping into the carriage. He sat opposite her, his face weary. Though they had met at the debutante, Robert couldn’t quite remember what Sophia looked like.

Now, for the first time, he was really looking at her. His gaze settled on her light gray eyes, and he thought to himself:

‘Is she a pawn or a victim? Sophia Ariel.’

Sophia broke the silence.

“You don’t look as bad as I expected.”

Robert looked her over and replied, “The same goes for you. People were saying you were on the verge of death. Did you know from the start?”

“No, I didn’t. I was just told I could attend the debutante for free, so I came. I’m purely a victim.”

“And I’m supposed to believe that?”

Sophia bristled at the accusation. “Do you think someone from a small estate like Ariel would willingly join a scheme against a prince? You can investigate for yourself, but Ariel has never owed anything to Wiscombe. I only realized I was being used after I came to the capital.”

Robert scoffed. “But I heard you’re related to the Duchess of Wiscombe. If they were just going to use someone and discard them, they wouldn’t pick a relative.”

“That’s because we’re more like strangers than family. Even if Ariel is exploited, we wouldn’t dare defy Wiscombe. Just like now.”

Sophia’s self-deprecating tone didn’t seem to convince Robert. He still looked doubtful.

“I suppose it’s true that you’re a victim of Wiscombe. But your actions after that seemed like you knew more than you let on. That’s why I came to check for myself. During the debutante, when Frederick and I appeared, you didn’t seem surprised at all.”

“Was that so? I was so nervous I must have seemed stiff.”

“They say that after I left, you played the tragic heroine.”

“I’m a woman over twenty, barely able to attend a debutante, and my partner didn’t even show up. I was left all alone, without even a first dance. Tell me, Prince Robert, what was I supposed to do to look like a proper victim?”

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never met a woman like that before. Seems like Wiscombe choose their victim well.”

“Let me say it again, Prince Robert. I had no say in getting tangled up in your and Wiscombe’s affairs. And don’t you think the real issue began after your conversation with Philip Wiscombe? It wasn’t just my fault—your actions played a part too.”

“So now it’s my fault again?” Robert replied, irritated.

Calming herself, Sophia responded, “That’s not what I meant. What I’m saying is, we’re both victims here. Wouldn’t it be better to do something to mitigate the damage rather than waste time arguing with me?”

“It doesn’t seem like there’s any way to avoid this, so I thought I’d at least vent my frustration. And confirm some things.”

Sophia met his gaze and said, “Philip Wiscombe told me that he would find a way for me to avoid too much harm from you. Are you really the kind of person he said you were, someone who would take their anger out on someone like me?”

Robert turned his head away, hiding his expression as he responded, “So Philip Wiscombe really said that.”

“I’m willing to cooperate instead.”

“What?”

Sophia’s eyes gleamed, and for a moment, Robert felt entranced by her.

She continued, “The articles are focused on how your rude behavior hurt me, but isn’t the real message that you’re an insecure older brother jealous of your younger sibling?”

Robert gave a small scoff, but Sophia pressed on.

“The message is likely too well-crafted to stop now. But the part about you being a rude man who hurt an insignificant young noblewoman—there’s still a way to manage that, isn’t there?”

“Is that so?” Robert glanced at the stack of cheap magazines piled near Sophia’s feet as she continued.

“Take me everywhere with you. The more eyes on us, the better. Treat me as kindly as you can, shower me with gifts. That should reduce some of the resentment from the younger noblewomen.”

Robert smirked. “Do you think I’m someone like Frederick, who lives off of young noblewomen’s adoration?”

Sophia noticed a hint of agreement in his tone. She leaned in slightly and whispered, “And wouldn’t it be all the more intriguing if a prince who didn’t need popularity suddenly sought it? What might people think your motive was?”

Robert smiled. “For someone from a remote place like Ariel, you seem to understand the capital’s politics well. Do you have more advice?”

Sophia responded, “Isabelle Wiscombe. All of this stems from her, doesn’t it?”

The mention of Isabelle’s name caused Robert’s demeanor to shift instantly. Sophia leaned back and continued.

“If you want Isabelle back, you’ll need to improve your image.”

“Do you think a few favorable magazine articles will bring her back to me?” Robert asked, skeptical.

“I don’t know,” Sophia admitted, “but you might find a way to prevent her from getting too close to Prince Frederick. They’ve only met once, haven’t they?”

Robert nodded, inviting her to continue.

“The Duchess of Wiscombe told me that the Empress wanted to sever ties with you, so she had no choice. But the Empress wouldn’t just side with Wiscombe without weighing other noble houses like the House of Cressida’s, would she? There’s a chance this could strain relations between Wiscombe and the Empress—or even other houses.”

Robert’s smile widened, and Sophia, feeling more confident, said, “So, wouldn’t that give you a new ally? Someone who wants to support you? But to gain such allies, you’ll need to improve your reputation, even just a little.”

“For someone who reads cheap gossip magazines, you’ve got some decent insight,” Robert chuckled. “Of course, the Empress would consider Frederick’s marriage carefully. It would be wonderful if Wiscombe were to fall out of her favor.”

He glanced at the stack of gossip magazines again, amused, but Sophia ignored his gaze and pressed on.

“You’ll need to decide quickly. I’m expected to return to Ariel soon. The Duchess has asked me to leave as soon as possible.”

“And you intend to obey?”

“I’m a guest staying under the Duchess’s favor. I must follow her wishes. Do you expect me to defy Wiscombe? You couldn’t even do that.”

Robert gave her a sharp look. “You’re quite bold. Don’t forget, Ariel may be far, but it’s still within Uranos. Just because you go back doesn’t mean this is over.”

With that, Robert stepped out of the carriage. As if on cue, Sophia instructed the coachman to drive on, and the carriage resumed its journey toward the Wiscombe estate.

Sophia exhaled deeply, her heart racing. ‘I hope this works. I can’t have him following me to Ariel.’

As Robert mounted his horse and watched the carriage disappear down the road, he muttered to himself, “Clever for someone who claims to be Wiscombe’s victim.”

Mav, standing beside him, shook his head. “Then perhaps she’s not a victim at all.”

“Oh, so if she’s clever, she’s not a victim? You’re outright calling me a fool, Mav,” Robert teased, laughing.

Mav, flustered, looked at Robert in surprise, but the prince just grinned and rode off toward the palace. Mav grumbled quietly to himself.

‘You can be as smart as you want, but if you have no power, you’ll still be trampled. Maybe that’s true for the prince too… and Lady Ariel.’

***

The next day, a royal attendant in a striking red uniform arrived at the Wiscombe estate.

“I am Acel, servant of Prince Robert. I’ve come to—”

Before he could finish, the butler of the Wiscombe household, recognizing the royal title, puffed out his chest with pride and interrupted.

“I’m terribly sorry, but… the Duchess and Lady Wiscombe are not accepting visitors at this time—”

Acel, maintaining his politeness but cutting him off firmly, replied, “I’m here on behalf of Prince Robert, and the matter is urgent.”

“I have a letter for Lady Sophia Ariel. Please let her know that I wish to meet with her,” said the royal attendant Acel.

The butler frowned slightly as he looked at the attendant. Acel, who was not only Prince Robert’s second secretary but also his attendant, thought to himself, ‘I expected this. After the embarrassment the Prince caused, of course, they’d act haughtily when his people came back to the Wiscombe estate.’

However, he kept his face perfectly composed. The butler stiffly nodded and instructed a maid to inform Lady Sophia.

After taking her time to prepare, Sophia finally met with Acel, accepting the letter with a polite smile. Along with the letter, Acel conveyed Robert’s apology.

“Prince Robert deeply regrets unintentionally causing you any harm, Lady Sophia. He has asked me to convey his sincere apology once again.”

As soon as Acel left, Sophia immediately prepared to depart from the estate. By the time the Duchess of Wiscombe sought her, she had already left in her carriage.

The Duchess, watching the carriage drive away, smiled to herself. ‘It seems even Sophia couldn’t leave so easily. I understand what Robert is trying to do, but simply dealing with Sophia won’t change the larger picture.’

Isabelle, sitting on the sofa, spoke up. “I was worried he had come to see me, but I’m relieved that’s not the case.”

The Duchess let out a dismissive chuckle. “I’ve told you many times, Robert doesn’t want you. What he truly desires is the Wiscombe family’s influence. He’ll never come to you, angry or begging. He’ll seek other methods. It’s not that he’s lost his mind over you. Don’t place too much value on what men say.”

Isabelle’s expression grew rigid at her mother’s words.

“When you meet Prince Frederick, remember this,” the Duchess continued, “Even if he’s smitten with you, his feelings can change with just a word from the Empress or his grandfather.”

“Hmph! It’s not like I’m serious about him either. Why would I expect him to be?”

“That’s not the point,” the Duchess replied, turning serious. “Even if you play your cards carefully, never let the other person see it. It’s fine if both sides know it’s just a game, but you should always seek sincerity from them, even if you don’t mean it yourself. Do you understand?”

“No,” Isabelle responded coldly as she stood up. “Just because you succeeded doesn’t mean I have to follow in your footsteps. According to you, anyone who wants the Wiscombe estate will go out of their way to win my heart. I don’t have to be desperate like you were. I’m not some woman from a minor family, clawing her way to the top out of sheer ambition.”

“Yes, you and I are in different circumstances,” the Duchess agreed calmly. “But don’t underestimate the power of winning someone’s heart. A person will risk everything for someone they care about. Don’t belittle the strength of human emotions.”

“Yes, yes,” Isabelle muttered half-heartedly as she left the drawing room. Despite Isabelle’s lackluster response, the Duchess didn’t scold her. She knew there were some things Isabelle would only understand through experience.

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories