Chapter 61

Ivailo headed to the outdoor garden where Nazlee was waiting. Sitting in her chair, Nazlee stood and offered a polite greeting when she saw him.

 

“I greet the Crown Prince.”

 

“Lady Nazlee. Have you been waiting long?”

 

“I just arrived, so I haven’t been waiting.”

 

“I only heard today that Her Majesty arranged this meeting. I apologize for any inconvenience.”

 

Nazlee shook her head, saying it was fine. Ivailo sat down with his usual expressionless face and signaled to the maid.

 

Scurry—

 

The maid poured tea into Ivailo’s cup and left. Ivailo lifted the steaming cup and took a slow sip.

 

Unlike him, who seemed relaxed, Nazlee fidgeted nervously. Ivailo glanced at her and spoke.

 

“It seems you have something to tell me.”

 

“Yes… There’s something I must tell Your Highness.”

 

Nazlee hesitated, then squeezed her eyes shut and blurted out:

 

“I’m sorry!”

 

“For what?”

 

“Her Majesty the Empress told me that Your Highness holds feelings for me. I’m grateful—truly—but I like someone else, so I won’t be able to return those feelings…”

 

When no reply came, Nazlee peeked her eyes open.

 

“Are you disappointed…?”

 

“No.”

 

Nazlee blinked, confused by his unexpected reaction.

 

“I am not interested in you, Lady Nazlee. I have feelings for someone else. So there’s no reason for me to be disappointed.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Nazlee tilted her head, unable to understand.

 

“It seems Her Majesty told a rather ridiculous lie to bring us together.”

 

“A lie?”

 

“She appears to have taken a liking to you and wished to make you the Crown Princess.”

 

“Ah…”

 

At last, Nazlee understood the Empress’s intention: to seat her with the Crown Prince and naturally arrange a marriage.

 

“Then Your Highness knew Her Majesty’s intentions yet still came instead of refusing?”

 

“I did.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Knowing Her Majesty’s feelings made it even harder to refuse. And I also wished to inform you, so that this doesn’t happen again.”

 

Ivailo took another sip of tea with a faint smile.

 

“I’d like to take my leave soon—would that be alright?”

 

“Yes!”

 

Nazlee felt the heavy weight lift now that she knew the Crown Prince did not like her. While she sipped her tea, a stranger entered the outdoor garden.

 

“Secretary.”

 

“My apologies. I wouldn’t intrude unless it were urgent.”

 

The secretary handed him a document.

 

“Should we send everything listed here to Lady Lilithia Baimery?”

 

Ivailo scanned the document, then pointed to a section.

 

“Hm. Pack extra of this herb and the ointment, and send them to Baron Baimery’s estate.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

The secretary bowed and left.

 

“My apologies for the interruption, Lady Nazlee. It was something that needed immediate approval.”

 

A sudden memory flashed through Nazlee’s mind—the return banquet, where Lady Lilithia had been held in the Crown Prince’s arms.

 

‘No way.’

 

Nazlee discreetly glanced at Ivailo. His normally expressionless face held a trace of happiness. The situation felt too perfectly aligned. She cautiously asked: “The person Your Highness likes… is it Lady Lilithia?”

 

“How did you know?”

 

“It was just a guess, but I was right!”

 

Nazlee clasped her hands excitedly.

 

“I’ve seen Your Highness speaking with Lady Lilithia before!”

 

“That must have been the day I fell for her at first sight.”

 

“Oh my.”

 

Ivailo’s shy smile and sincere tone made Nazlee cover her mouth.

 

“The moment I met her, I felt she was someone I wanted to be with. Even during the Hunting Festival, when she was struggling, I couldn’t help because I was occupied with my duties. That still bothers me. So I want to take care of her now…”

 

His flushed face made it clear he was truly thinking of Lady Lilithia.

 

“Do you think she’ll understand my feelings if I do this?”

 

“Of course! I’m sure she’ll be happy!”

 

“I hope so.”

 

Suddenly, an idea popped into Nazlee’s mind.

 

“Should I ask Lady Lilithia what she thinks of Your Highness?”

 

“You would do that?”

 

“Yes! Lady Lilithia and I are close.”

 

“I’d appreciate that.”

 

Nazlee pictured the two together. They looked perfect as a pair.

 

‘I hope Lady Lilithia likes the Crown Prince too.’

 

She had felt guilty toward Lilithia, but now she felt grateful to be able to help her in some way. Nazlee smiled brightly.

 

“Leave it to me!”

 

 

***

 

 

As on any other day, Freyer had left the Foreign Affairs office and was heading toward Silvertone’s base. The Imperial Household staff greeted him politely as he passed.

 

It must have been a major cleaning day—servants were scrubbing every hall. On the stairs, a servant was wiping the railing. As Freyer passed by him—

 

“His Majesty the Emperor urgently desires a private audience with Your Highness the Second Prince.”

 

For a tiny moment. A small whisper brushed past Freyer’s ear. He froze mid-step.

 

“And why should I believe that?”

 

The Imperial Household was currently under the Crown Prince’s control. His people were everywhere, unseen.

 

The Emperor, on the other hand, had never made secret contact. Freyer couldn’t take such a claim at face value.

 

“You’ll understand once you meet His Majesty. There is a path leading directly to His Majesty’s chamber. I’ll guide you.”

 

“……”

 

Step—

 

“One moment. Someone is coming.”

 

Footsteps approached. The servant turned toward the sound and called out loudly:

 

“Diplomat Layan! Good morning!”

 

“Ah. Hor, how have you been?”

 

“Of course I’ve been well!”

 

Hor grinned.

 

“I heard you caused trouble again.”

 

“Huh? What trouble this time?”

 

“You spilled ink on an important document while cleaning a few days ago.”

 

“H-Huh?? How did you hear that? That happened in the administrative wing…”

 

“Is there anyone who hasn’t heard? Hor, rumors travel faster than light here.”

 

“Good grief… Why does the palace gossip so fast…”

 

Hor wiped his sweaty forehead with the hand that held a dirty rag. Realizing too late, his eyes widened.

 

“Wait—”

 

“Why are you wiping your forehead with a rag, Hor? You’re either naïve or foolish. Constant mistakes.”

 

“Haha…”

 

“How you even became a palace servant is a mystery.”

 

Layan clicked his tongue at Hor’s soiled forehead. But then he noticed Freyer and blanched.

 

“I-I greet the Second Prince!”

 

“Second Prince? What are you talking about?”

 

Hor spun around, saw Freyer, and his eyes popped wide. He flung his arms up and bent at a perfect right angle. In doing so, he knocked into the mop bucket.

 

Crash! Splash—!

 

Water poured down the stairs like a waterfall. Drops splattered both Layan and Freyer.

 

“Hor!”

 

Layan shook water off his clothes and yelled.

 

“S-sorry! I’m so sorry!”

 

Hor bowed repeatedly, then spotted Freyer’s dampened clothes and went pale.

 

“Your Highness’s clothes! I—I’ll clean them!”

 

He hurried down the steps with his rag still in hand—then froze as he realized.

 

“T-That’s a rag!”

 

Dirty streaks spread across Freyer’s clothes where he wiped. Hor dropped the rag, grabbed Freyer’s clothes with both hands.

 

“I’m so sorry, Your Highness! P-Please forgive me!”

 

At that moment, a hand slipped in and out of Freyer’s upper pocket. Hor lowered his voice to a whisper.

 

“Please move immediately.”

 

Layan yelled: “Let go of His Highness’s clothes!”

 

“Eek!”

 

“I apologize deeply, Your Highness. This servant Hor makes many mistakes.”

 

Layan forced Hor into another bow.

 

“Apologize properly!”

 

“I’m sorry, Your Highness! If you want reimbursement for the clothing, I—”

 

“With what money? Your pitiful wages?”

 

“That’s… true…”

 

Hor peeked up nervously.

 

“A-Are you going to throw me in prison…?”

 

“Prison? Apologize properly!”

 

“Y-Yes!”

 

“Your Highness, please forgive the mistake. I’m truly sorry.”

 

If Freyer hadn’t known better, he would’ve believed the act.

 

“Anyone can make a mistake. It’s fine.”

 

Freyer brushed off his clothes and continued down the stairs. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the item Hor had slipped inside.

 

A small note.

 

1st-floor servants’ restroom. Turn the lion sculpture placed next to the mirror.