* * *
Allice could not hide her joy. Mom prepared it so quickly for me.
The very next afternoon, her mother’s servant, Yoris, came to her with a bottle filled with a red liquid.
“Mix this with your hair and feed it to His Highness.”
“A-And what will happen then?”
“You’ll be able to spend the night together more easily.”
“Really? What is this?”
“It’s called a love potion.”
Wow. Allice was amazed. A love potion, something she’d only heard of in stories!
It’s so romantic. Even the bottle holding the potion was heart-shaped, much to Allice’s delight. And pretty too! She felt like the protagonist of a fairy tale. Allice giggled, but her smile soon faded.
But isn’t a love potion something villains use? Witches who couldn’t win the prince’s love. Men rejected by princesses.
I’m not a bad person like that. Her lips pouted out. She had lived her life honorably, adhering to the etiquette outlined in ‘100 Etiquettes for Ladies!’
Mom, seriously, what kind of cowardly act is this? Disappointment in her mother washed over her. She was supposed to help, yet she brought something so underhanded?
I’ve never done anything bad in my life. But is it okay to use this? After much deliberation, Allice decided to see Raios in his office and make a decision based on his reaction.
“Your Highnessssss, kyaaa!”
Slap! As soon as she opened the door and entered, she saw someone slapping Raios’s cheek.
“Raios, you b*stard has really lost it!”
It was the former emperor. Former Emperor Wilhelm had slapped Raios! Shocked, Allice collapsed right there, drawing the attention of both men.
“…This disgusting and repulsive b*stard.” After uttering those harsh words to Raios, the former emperor passed by Allice. His fierce presence made her shrink back in fear.
He called His Highness disgusting and repulsive? How could he say something so cruel?
“Your Highness… are you okay?”
Raios swept his disheveled black hair back and smiled. “I’m fine.”
“D-did you have a fight with the former emperor?”
“It’s not like that. Don’t worry about it, Allice.”
Allice was deeply upset. How could I not worry? He had just been slapped by his own father—and insulted terribly!
How could the former emperor treat him like that? It wasn’t like Raios was just any son. He was the crown prince of the empire!
I’ve heard rumors that the former emperor despises His Highness… Maybe they were true? There had once been a rumor that the former emperor hated Raios.
Allice glanced unconsciously at Raios’s hair. Maybe because his hair is black…
For the imperial family of Geranze, golden hair was a symbol. Black hair was an anomaly, something that subtly marked him as an outsider. And that wasn’t all. There were also whispers that Raios lacked the special powers all imperials were said to have.
The current emperor, Yustio, could make things explode with a touch. And the Former Emperor Wilhelm… she couldn’t remember exactly, but he had something, too. All imperials supposedly had such abilities. But Raios had none—at least, none known.
There was even gossip that he wasn’t really of imperial blood. That the previous empress had birthed him with another man. That rumor had faded after Raios was officially named crown prince.
But seeing how the former emperor treats him… Could it be true? Allice wanted to ask, but the dark resolve in Raios’s black eyes made it impossible.
“I just came because I wanted to see Your Highness.”
“You did well.” His large hand gently patted her head, sending a flutter through her heart.
“That, Your Highness. Are you busy tonight?”
“Why?”
“Could you come by a little early? I just wanted to share a glass of wine with you. It’s been a while…”
“Alright. I’ll come.”
His boyish smile made Allice’s heart race.
I really do like His Highness. She wanted to believe in the power of love.
Allice made a decision. One last time. She would make one final attempt tonight. I mean, I haven’t really tried to seduce him before, have I? She had always been too shy, secretly hoping he’d make the first move.
After her meeting with Raios, Allice quickly found her maid.
“Miona, that… Could you buy me some pretty lingerie?”
Miona looked puzzled. “Why? Don’t you already have plenty of pretty ones?”
Look at her. She’s missing the point. Flushed with embarrassment, Allice whispered, “I mean… the kind you wear when you’re spending the night with your lover.”
Miona seemed to finally understand. She gave Allice a tired look—then grinned. “Then, can you get me a strand of Lord Karl’s hair?”
Allice almost winced. She’s still going on about that? Miona had already hoarded a pile of her father’s clothes and personal items, and now she wanted hair too? It was disgusting and disturbing, but there was no one else Allice could make such a request to.
“…Fine. Dad is on a business trip right now, but I’ll make sure to get it for you when he returns.”
After all, plucking a single hair wouldn’t be hard. When her father returned, Allice would secretly pluck one or two and bring them to Miona.
A few hours later, Miona returned with a very provocative one.
“Kyaaa!”
It was sheer, see-through lingerie that left little to the imagination.
This is perfect! Once she wore this, Raios would definitely lose control. It was just that provocative.
Yes, with this, I won’t need the potion. Still… Just in case, Allice decided to keep it ready.
Allice poured the potion into a teapot. If her seduction worked, they’d just drink wine. If it didn’t, she’d serve the tea.
I really don’t want to use such a thing. But then again, her mother had gone to all this trouble for her. She didn’t want to ignore her mother’s love. Right. Only a bad daughter would ignore her mother’s sincerity. So she decided she would use it—out of respect for her mother’s devotion.
Please, let the night come quickly.
* * *
But all that anticipation shattered the moment night fell.
“I feel tired tonight.”
That night, Allice had prepared everything. She wore the lingerie Miona had brought and even applied fragrant oils to her body.
“You should go to bed early.”
But his reaction…
“Let’s at least have a drink.”
Why is his reaction like this? Allice was stunned. She was practically naked in sheer lingerie… and he was acting like he couldn’t see a thing?
Raios remained unfazed—almost indifferent. It was like he hadn’t even noticed what she was wearing. So—it was a failure. She had failed. Her pride crumbled like shattered glass.
“…Did Your Highness have a difficult day?” Allice’s voice trembled. She felt like bursting into tears.
“Yes. I’m tired.”
No. I have to pull myself together. She held back her tears. No one knew when the holy trial would convene. She had to consummate the marriage before then. If it came to this—she would use the potion.
“Then… would you like some tea?”
“Tea?”
“Yes. It helps with restful sleep.” Taking a deep breath, Allice stood up. Her hands trembled as she retrieved the prepared teacups. “Your Highness knows how I suffer from insomnia, right? I couldn’t sleep as a child, and whenever I was in pain, my mother would brew me this tea…”
The love potion was already in the teapot. As she poured the tea, Allice spoke absentmindedly. “What was your mother like, Your Highness?”
“…My mother?”
Ah. That was a mistake. In her nervous babbling, she’d brought up the previous empress. It wasn’t a good choice.
“Well. As you know, Allice…”
Raios probably didn’t have any memories of his mother.
“My mother spent a long time recuperating in the Sanctuary, so I never met her.”
“I-I’m sorry…”
“No. You don’t need to apologize.”
“But still…” Allice placed the teacup before him, eyes downcast.
Raios picked it up without suspicion. After a sip, he commented, “It’s cold.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Let me reheat—”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll drink it as is.”
Gulp. Gulp. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank.
Allice watched intently with glowing eyes.
Raios drank it. All of it. To the point not even a drop left behind.
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