Benjamin looked at me and said.
“It’s a world where people are graded by their abilities.”
“…….”
Was it strange that those words, spoken in a calm tone, sounded sad?
Certainly, there was an abnormality to this reality that I didn’t recognize in the original novel of <Youngae is Sweet>.
For example, the reactions of people when the congratulatory remarks appear to be incompetent.
In a normal aristocratic society, even the most favored princess of the emperor would not be able to challenge others just because she is favored by the emperor.
‘But here, it’s the congratulatory words and abilities that take precedence over titles.’
Look at the emperor and empress.
The Emperor Ditroia was certainly a cruel man, but he was also incredibly powerful.
‘That’s why no one can ignore him and his power.’
His power was solidified despite the efforts of Empress Dejaia, who was increasing her power as the mother of the next emperor.
The same was true for the princess Raphia.
If she didn’t have the Emperor’s patronage, she wouldn’t be walking around like she had the world at her feet.
I quietly agreed.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“As expected, right?”
A world of words.
There was a sadness in his whispered voice as he pointed to the ballroom .
Then the crown prince spoke up.
“But, Youngae.”
His voice was shy and trembling.
“All the people around me, who were like birds in cages, reacted the same way, but you were different.”
I looked at Benjamin with a suspicious expression and blinked my eyes.
‘What is he talking about?’
“I can’t seem to grasp what you mean.”
The only thing I did was pick him up when he fell and gave him a handkerchief.
“The handkerchief that Youngae gave me.”
“……Yes?”
“It was very precious to me. It touched my heart. I wasn’t even a crown prince then, just a member of count Han’s family, but you were so kind. It was…”
“Your Highness?”
“It was the demeanor of someone who didn’t care about blessings and powers.”
He’s really doing this for a handkerchief?
I blinked rapidly.
If such a favor could win the crown prince’s favor, it was a bit much.
It may have been rude, but I was more afraid of what would follow, so I hurriedly cut him off.
‘That’s enough, Your Highness Benjamin.’
I have no desire to be subjected to the scrutiny of your formidable mother!
“It was only a handkerchief, Your highness, and anyone in my place …….”
“No.”
Benjamin shook his head quickly.
It was a dismissive gesture.
“No. No one I know would have walked up to a penniless member of the Han family and tried to help him up when he was falling pathetically, not even my own mother.”
“That’s because…….”
What to do with this heavy mood.
“I’ve heard your congratulatory words.”
Objectively, the prince seemed good-natured.
He was smiling, but my expression was still hard.
Even so, the prince did not take offense or get angry at my cold expression throughout the conversation.
“You didn’t care one bit about everyone’s reactions. To me, it was all so bright and glittery…….”
No! I said quickly.
“It’s not like that, I think you’re looking at me too favorably.”
“I didn’t see it favorably, I saw it for what it was. If you don’t mind, I’d like to become close to you, For example, inviting you personally to a hunting contest. Will that be okay ?”
Benjamin smiled shyly.
A human fondness, perhaps, for someone who treated him well regardless of his status
“Like what I felt for Chris.
There was a part of me that wanted to talk to him, because I understood where he was coming from.
‘It’s so burdensome.’
“Your Highness, I…”
“Yes, Hildea.”
Gabriel, who seems to be coming this way.
The interest of princess Raphia who was watching us as if it’s funny.
The piercing gazes of the nobles from the Emperor and Empress factions were also a burden..
‘Ha, what’s wrong with my day.’
I locked eyes with my father in the distance and eagerly sent a telepathic message.
‘Dad, I know you’re not comfortable with me, but can you please come over here and save me!’
Being the Duke of Hillington, the prince would probably wrap up the conversation and I can go home.
But by some coincidence, I found myself looking directly at my dad.
There was distance, but I was sure he saw me.
I let out a cheer.
‘Dad, please.’
But the telepathy shattered.
Dad, who seemed to flinch, was looking at the crown prince, not me.
Okay. What did I expect? We’re an awkward father-daughter duo, and there’s no way he’s going to understand me with just a glance.
‘Then why does Dad have such a stern look on his face?’
Anyway, I looked at Rosé without any regrets this time.
‘Rosé might be different.’
My chubby little sister had a habit of miraculously appearing whenever I was in trouble .
I looked forward to it this time, but all I saw was her backside. From the looks of it, she was happily eating the damn chocolate she’d been looking forward to earlier.
No, wait a second. Isn’t she dancing while moving her butt.
Oh, Rosé. I told you to do that only at home!
I decided to give up hope that anyone would come to my aid.
Dejected, I turned to the crown prince and tried to speak calmly.
Your Highness, I’m afraid I’m in a very difficult position right now, thinking about how to say this but in a different way.
It was then.
“!”
A long arm stepped between the crown prince and me.
I lifted my gaze to follow the arm and saw Gabriel’s cold face.
‘When did he get here?’
Gabriel stared at me with his eyes slightly raised as he looked embarrassed. And somehow, he said with a much softer look than usual.
“I came as promised, my dear.”
“…Yes, Gabriel.”
It wasn’t even a promise.
‘Anyway, it’s good that the flow of the conversation has changed. I think I can just say no and leave.’
I glanced over to where Gabriel had been, and saw the stern glares of the youngsters who hadn’t had enough of talking to the war hero shooting in my direction.
“By the way, Hildea.”
“Yes?”
“Were you acquainted with His Highness?”
There was a chilling silence.
Should I say I knew, or should I say I didn’t?
But what had he thought of my silence, Gabriel’s face turned firm as if he had become soft.
And he turned his eyes away from me and looked straight at the crown prince.
Hey, Gabriel?
“I beg your pardon, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
It’s so weird.
The graceful and smooth way of speaking made me think is he asking angrily.
“Do you have any business with my partner, Your Highness?”
It was too sharp.
What is this unusual atmosphere?
Gabriel was nervous.
No matter how he saw it, it was absolutely not good for Hildea to be liked by Crown Prince Benjamin.
Wasn’t the empress already gnashing her teeth at Hildea?
‘No. That’s not all.’
With shaky eyes, he saw Hildea calmly conversing with the crown prince.
It was a very different look from when she was facing me.
She didn’t laugh, but she also didn’t show any signs of discomfort, which shocked Gabriel.
‘Am I the only one she doesn’t like?’
Gabriel, biting his lips had to admit it. This petty feeling, his own naive jealousy. He wants to get rid of the prince in front of Hildea right away.
‘Why?’
In fact, it wasn’t just Benjamin that bothered him.
The high priest who disappeared after standing in the middle of the empress and emperor until just now was also annoying.
It was the first time Gabriel had ever seen Hildea look so tenderly at anyone other than Roseriel.
Why? How? When on earth?
‘I’m sure they only met when he told them about the congratulatory words.’
My jealousy reached a fever pitch as I pushed my way through the leeches of nobles to get to Hildea’s side.
The gaze of the prince who was shyly smiling at Hildea was annoying like a thorn.
I was shocked by Hildea, who was having a friendly conversation without being wary of him.
‘When did they meet?’
What is this handkerchief they are talking about?
Gabriel stepped right in between them. And he tried to cover Hildea from the prince’s gaze with his body.
The crown prince’s gaze, meek and suddenly sharp as a knife, fell upon him.
Gabriel held back his mouth, which was about to twist violently.
“Do you have any business with my partner, Your Highness?”
Benjamin the Crown Prince.
The public opinion about him is not bad.
He grew up in an environment where he was not born with any congratulatory remark and ability, so he had no choice but to develop an inferiority complex, but he was also a vey calm person who listened to his mother well.
Other than that, however, he has never shown any outstanding abilities, making him an unfortunate crown prince who is said to have even less influence than princess Raphia.
But those eyes are different.
‘What is it?’
The eyes looking at Hildea touched Gabriel’s nerves.
If the rumors were true, he should have flinched at the sight of me, but his expression didn’t change at all that gave me goosebumps.
Instead he asked casually with drooping eyes as if innocent and submissive.
“Weird. Duke Belfius, shouldn’t you say something to me first before asking such a question?”
He pointed to the lack of greeting.
A murderous glance was exchanged between them.
Gabriel gritted his teeth inwardly, but spoke softly.
“In the heat of the moment, I made a mistake, and I would appreciate it if you could forgive me.”
However, at his words, Benjamin’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“That sounds strange. The young lady was only having a conversation with me, so what was the need of your urgency ?”
“I thought it was impolite to leave your partner’s side, since the palace is large, and there are many people at tonight’s banquet, so you never know what might happen.”
So get lost.
Gabriel warned, his eyes narrowing coldly at Benjamin.
