Ian’s brows furrowed.
“Are you referring to Duke Hayden Roger?”
“Yes.”
Elisia massaged her temples with her fingers as if fatigued, faint wrinkles forming on her otherwise smooth forehead.
“The loyalist nobles are easy enough to monitor and appease, so there’s little concern about them. But Hayden? It’s impossible to figure out what he’s truly thinking.”
“……”
“He’s always been unusually sensitive when it comes to my affairs.”
Ian narrowed his eyes slightly.
“…It’s not entirely unexpected.”
Since his youth, Hayden Roger had been overly fixated on Elisia’s matters, ever since he served as her page. His behavior went beyond what could simply be attributed to the influence of his father, the previous Duke Roger. From believing without doubt that he would one day become Elisia’s consort, his actions had always been peculiar.
Even though Elisia, then the crown princess, had never treated him as more than a subject, Hayden acted as if she were the axis upon which his world turned.
“I had thought he’d developed a more formal attitude over the years.”
“He did, for the past few years.”
After Elisia’s engagement with Hayden Roger fell through and Riley had secured her position as empress, Hayden had maintained a respectful distance—or at least it appeared so outwardly.
“He’s still wary of you, though.”
Ironically, if one were to name the person Hayden Roger viewed as the greatest threat, it wasn’t Empress Riley or Princess Louisa but Ian.
Despite his perpetually pleasant demeanor, Hayden would subtly bare his claws whenever Ian was involved. The emperor and Ian were both fully aware of this dynamic.
“Whether it’s because he caught wind of the discussions about the throne or if he has other suspicions…”
“I’ll keep a close eye on him as well.”
“Please do. If Hayden makes a move, there’s no telling how those stubborn old nobles who back him might react.”
Elisia pressed her fingertips to her brow, letting out a faint sigh.
“Now that I think about it… Lately, it seems like he’s been using you as an excuse to spend time with the Grand Duchess. You haven’t noticed anything unusual?”
“…Not yet, at least.” Ian replied calmly after a brief pause.
“I see… is that so.”
Though it was impossible to discern Hayden Roger’s true intentions, Elisia and Ian both strongly suspected that his recent amicable behavior toward Eloise was connected to Ian.
Elisia, who had been wearing a troubled expression, straightened her posture and shifted the mood.
“In any case, once you officially renounce your claim to the throne, things will likely be tumultuous for a while. You should prepare yourself.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Elisia glanced at the clock in the corner of the reception room and nodded.
“The Grand Duchess is probably waiting. You may go now.”
Ian bowed politely and stood, but just as he was about to leave, Elisia, lounging lazily, gave him a mischievous grin.
“Oh, Ian?”
“Yes?”
“The next time you accept an invitation, make sure to change that title first.”
“……”
“If I’ve conceded one thing, shouldn’t you do the same?”
Her tone was playful, brimming with mischief, a stark contrast to her earlier seriousness. Ian, briefly parting his lips as if to speak, finally replied reluctantly.
“…I will try.”
Elisia’s face lit up with a bright smile.
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
❖ ❖ ❖
Leaving the Sun Palace and stepping into the third garden, I couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Wow, this isn’t just a small lake—it’s massive.”
The lake, so vast it seemed as though an entire castle could be submerged in it, sparkled in a vibrant blue hue.
“The capital truly is incredible…”
I marveled openly at the sight when a voice caught me off guard.
“His Majesty the Emperor and the Grand Duke were quite fond of this lake in their youth.”
Startled by the sudden voice, I turned to see Duke Roger standing beside me, gazing at the lake.
‘…Meeting him here too?’
Not knowing where he had come from and having not sensed his presence at all, I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes in suspicion before relaxing them.
“Duke Roger?”
He briefly glanced at me before returning his gaze to the lake.
“When I was young, I went boating on this lake with Their Majesties. The Grand Duke, fascinated by the unfamiliar sight of the lake, leaned too far forward and fell into the water.”
Despite my cautious gaze, he seemed unaware—or uninterested—and continued recounting the story with a faint, silent laugh.
“At that moment, Her Majesty the Emperor, then the crown princess, jumped into the water without hesitation, saying she had to save him.”
“……”
“…Even though there were dozens of knights standing by.”
His deep green eyes narrowed for a moment before returning to their usual state.
‘Why does his tone feel…?’
Before I could fully process the strange sensation, he turned to face me. His gentle eyes curved into smooth arcs, forming a perfect smile.
“…The two of them have always had a special bond. Seeing the lake reminded me of those times.”
I tilted my head slightly.
“Well, that was a rather unexpected story.”
“Oh my, I thought you might enjoy hearing about your husband.”
“Unfortunate, then. I’m not particularly interested in stories of the past.”
Roger’s eyes widened at my indifferent reply, and he let out a deflated chuckle.
“…My apologies. I didn’t realize.”
Yet, at this moment, even his radiant smile didn’t stir much within me. My attention was focused elsewhere.
‘I don’t understand why I always run into him like this when I’m alone.’
At this point, even someone as oblivious as me couldn’t help but find it suspicious. The series of coincidences was far too unlikely.
‘And what Ian told me last time….’
I took a cautious half-step back, my expression wary. Roger’s puzzled gaze dropped to my feet, then returned to meet my face.
“Grand Duchess?”
“I’m sorry, but I think it’s better if we keep some distance. You know how often rumors spread when I’m seen with you.”
This was the palace gardens, where no one was likely to see us, but still…
Roger blinked, seemingly surprised by my words. Then, with his usual calm and sincere expression, he offered me an awkward smile.
“It seems I’ve been causing quite the inconvenience for you, Your Highness.”
‘Not exactly an inconvenience, but….’
Still, it was true that I felt uneasy.
But I didn’t have the chance to respond. Before I could say anything, Roger added another comment.
“…Even so.”
“……”
“You granted me the privilege of being your ‘friend,’ and now you’re being rather cold.”
He gazed at me intently. Beneath his lowered lashes, his dark green eyes shimmered as the light played across them.
‘What…?’
The realization that his gaze was unusually persistent made my shoulders tremble slightly. It reminded me of a voice that had briefly crossed my mind.
‘You’d be wise to beware of your ‘friend.’’
The word friend from the letter overlapped with Roger’s face in my mind.
‘…It couldn’t be.’
An eerie feeling, as though something were tightening around my ankles, prompted me to bite down hard on the inside of my cheek.
Now that I thought about it, hadn’t Hayden Roger emphasized the word friend with me from the very beginning?
‘Am I overthinking this?’
“Roger, are you….”
I parted my lips to speak but quickly shook my head and pressed them shut.
‘No, I can’t be sure yet.’
There was no need to recklessly reveal my suspicions to him now.
“Your Highness?”
Roger tilted his head questioningly, his wavy brown hair swaying in delicate ripples.
“Are you all right?”
“…No, I should get going. The Grand Duke will be here soon.”
“Then allow me to escort you.”
When Roger naturally reached out to take my hand, I instinctively slapped his hand away with a sharp smack.
He froze, looking taken aback, his hand hovering in the air.
“Your Highness?”
“…Ah, my apologies. I didn’t mean to.”
Flustered, I quickly stepped back again.
“I’m sorry, but I really must leave now. I’ll take your escort some other time.”
I hurriedly offered a parting nod and turned to leave the garden.
Just then, Roger gave me a peculiar smile.
“Very well, then….”
He took a step back and bowed politely.
“Whenever you need me, do let me know.”
“……”
“I’ll be waiting.”
• • •
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