Ryan spotted a familiar figure as he returned to the main palace after parting with Rachel.

A man with light brown hair and blue eyes—Tervan Sanchez.

Ryan stopped and watched him approach.

Tervan also halted and stood before him.

“Good day, Your Highness.”

Tervan greeted him first. He intended to simply exchange pleasantries and continue on his way if Ryan didn’t say anything.

However, his plan was quickly derailed.

“Lord Sanchez.”

Ryan called him in a calm voice. Then he stepped closer and spoke.

“Do you have a moment?”

Tervan stared at Ryan, wondering if he had misheard.

Ryan discreetly looked him up and down before letting out a light breath.

“If you’re free, let’s have some tea together.”

“…Yes, of course.”

Tervan couldn’t refuse the Crown Prince’s invitation without a valid reason, so he agreed.

Upon hearing his response, Ryan immediately walked past him toward the main palace.

Tervan followed Ryan’s retreating figure with his eyes before hurrying after him.

They arrived at Ryan’s office.

Ryan walked confidently to the sofa and gestured for Tervan to sit.

Tervan waited for Ryan to sit first before taking the offered seat.

Soon, a maid prepared refreshments. The sweet aroma of tea quickly filled the office.

For a while, neither of them moved or spoke first, and a strange atmosphere settled between them.

The tension was sharp, like a finely honed blade.

After maintaining silence for some time, Ryan reached for a cup and broke the silence.

“I believe this is the first time we’ve arranged a meeting to talk.”

“Yes, that seems right according to my memory as well.”

Tervan agreed readily.

All the while, Ryan continued to gaze steadily at him.

“You probably suspect why I asked for your time.”

“Is it about Rachel?”

When Ryan spoke with deliberate slowness, Tervan answered immediately.

Ryan nodded once to confirm.

“Yes, that’s right. You understand well.”

“May I ask what specifically about her?”

Tervan decided it was better to ask first than to wait, so he questioned right away.

Instead of answering, Ryan took his time.

The longer Ryan remained silent, the more anxious Tervan became.

He already felt uncomfortable watching Rachel and Ryan grow increasingly close.

Whenever he saw them passing by the training grounds, laughing together, Tervan felt jealousy surge within him despite trying to hide it.

Although Ryan had also confessed to Rachel and been rejected just the same.

However, seeing their relationship rapidly growing closer made him anxious.

It was natural.

Despite promising to restore his relationship with Rachel and return to how things were before, the more he met with her, the more cruelly he had to face reality.

The reality that Rachel had changed.

But he couldn’t blame anyone now.

He knew it was his own fault for realizing his feelings too late.

“As you know, I confessed to Rachel but was clearly rejected.”

“…Yes.”

When Ryan mentioned this already known fact, Tervan responded after a slight delay.

“Although I proposed friendship and am now on friendly terms with her, sadly, I still haven’t given up on her.”

At Ryan’s unexpected confession, Tervan clenched his fist tightly where Ryan couldn’t see.

He envied Ryan for expressing his feelings so purely.

“So, Lord Sanchez, I’d like you to help me. You said you’ve been friends with Rachel for a long time, so you must know everything about her. Isn’t that right?”

Ryan deliberately emphasized the fact that Tervan and Rachel were friends.

However, Tervan failed to notice this and simply gritted his teeth.

“Lord Sanchez?”

When Tervan remained silent without answering, Ryan called out to him.

Only then did Tervan swallow dryly and look up.

“Rachel and I are indeed friends. We’ve been friends since we entered the academy until now, so it’s true we’ve been friends for a long time. However, Your Highness, I regret to say that I cannot help you with what you’re asking.”

After a long silence, Tervan’s response was a refusal.

Ryan looked at Tervan with a sharp gaze.

“Why not?”

“That’s because…”

Tervan hesitated momentarily.

He was skeptical about whether he had the right to say such things, having ignored Rachel’s feelings for so long.

“Because I have feelings for Rachel.”

But he couldn’t lie to himself and help Ryan.

When Tervan heavily revealed his true feelings, Ryan crossed his arms and stared intently into his eyes.

Tervan, who had been about to look away, decided there was nothing to hide and stared back equally.

Their gazes clashed in the empty space between them.

For a while, the two men just looked at each other without speaking.

A subtle tension settled between them.

Tervan was the first to break the silence.

“I’m sorry I can’t help you.”

“No, I’m glad to know your true feelings.”

Despite how uncomfortable Tervan’s words might have been, Ryan nodded readily.

“Yes. Even when you followed Rachel before without recognizing her, I didn’t think you were simply her friend.”

“…”

Tervan didn’t respond. It weighed on his mind to think that his feelings had been visible on the surface even when he himself hadn’t been aware of them.

“But Rachel seems to view you simply as a friend. Are you aware of that?”

“…I am.”

Tervan answered with self-deprecation.

Ryan quietly took in his appearance. Then he turned his head and shifted his gaze out the window. In the distance, Rose Castle was visible.

Ryan sighed softly and only after a long while did he look back at Tervan.

“Very well, I understand what you’re saying. As someone who likes the same person, you naturally can’t help me.”

“I apologize.”

“No need. I should thank you for your honesty. I almost sought help from a rival.”

Ryan paused briefly and smiled faintly.

“Thank you for answering honestly.”

Tervan bowed his head once more toward Ryan.

“By the way, I envy you.”

“In what way?”

“You’ve been friends with Rachel for a long time. That means you must know her best. It’s a disadvantage for me who got to know Rachel too late.”

“…”

Tervan remained silent at Ryan’s words, who knew nothing of the truth.

“Well, since you can’t help me, I shouldn’t keep you any longer.”

Recognizing Ryan’s meaning, Tervan bowed his head and spoke.

“If I may be so bold, could I take my leave now?”

“You may.”

When Ryan gave permission, Tervan rose from his seat.

He bowed respectfully to Ryan and promptly left the office.

Once in the corridor, he heard the door close behind him.

Tervan stood in the hallway for a moment, taking a deep breath in and letting out a long sigh.

‘Envious?’

Outside, Tervan mulled over Ryan’s words with a bitter expression.

From his perspective, Ryan was the one to be envied. If he had to be specific, Edward would be included too.

He had already fallen out of Rachel’s favor.

Once in the most advantageous position, he now found himself in the most disadvantageous one.

Tervan ran his hand over his face once before starting to walk.

His destination was Rachel’s study, where he had originally intended to go.

He felt he needed to make more effort to catch up for falling behind.

After leaving the main palace, Tervan headed straight for Rose Castle where Rachel would be.

Yet all the while, he hesitated about turning back due to his guilt toward her. But he couldn’t turn back now.

While repeatedly wavering internally, he arrived at Rachel’s study.

“Shall I announce you?” 

Catrin asked Tervan.

After briefly looking at her, Tervan nodded in affirmation.

“My lady, Lord Sanchez has arrived.”

Catrin announced to Rachel inside the study.

Tervan quickly checked his appearance while waiting for a response from inside.

Before long, a familiar voice came from beyond the door.

“Tell him to come in.”

With Rachel’s permission, Catrin carefully opened the door.

Through the open door, Tervan could see Rachel looking up from her book, her gaze fixed on him.