CMOW Chapter 44

The jewelry store was one that Peonia and Lunie had recommended to Seraphie during their chance meeting at the dress store.

 

“I promised before. That I’ll give you a gift as a thank you.”

 

“I’ll buy you a nice gift later.”

 

Orkis widened his eyes, remembering the moment in the wasteland when Seraphie had made that bold promise. He looked down at his hand, held by Seraphie’s. Her small, slender fingers barely wrapped around four of his large ones. Orkis felt a strange twinge of guilt just looking at it.

 

When Orkis didn’t respond, Seraphie grew embarrassed.

 

“I, well, I wanted to buy you something with the money from selling God’s treasure, but that might take too long.”

 

The Vallidus family was still using the advance payment given by the Felicia family. That family was so wealthy that they could hand out such a vast sum as an advance without a second thought. Seraphie wasn’t even sure if the jewelry store would have anything that Orkis would like.

 

But we’re already here! The store had caught her eye, and the advance money was technically hers now. When a woman decides to spend money, shouldn’t she go all out?

 

“Let’s go in.” With a determined breath, Seraphie pulled Orkis into the store. Despite his large frame, Orkis was practically dragged along.

 

“…Should I pick something expensive?”

 

Hearing his joke, Seraphie felt a wave of relief. She had secretly worried that Orkis would find her gift too insignificant.

 

“Vallidus family can afford anything, you know.”

 

“Your financial power is quite alluring.”

 

“I’ve always been alluring.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

Before long, Orkis was walking alongside her, and the two of them shared a glance. The smiles on their faces were a testament to the solid trust they had unknowingly built.

 

“How may I help you?” The store clerk, waiting for the right moment, quickly approached them.

 

“What would Lord like?”

 

“I’ll be happy with whatever Countess buys me.”

 

Seraphie rolled her eyes at his sly remark. As expected from a duke’s son. She then turned to the clerk.

 

“Could you show us a brooch or cufflinks that would suit this gentle—”

 

Just as she was about to finish her sentence—Ding. The cheerful sound of a bell rang as another customer entered the store. Seraphie instinctively turned her head toward the sound. There, she was stunned.

 

The new customers were a man and a woman. The woman had beautiful blonde hair tied back, shining like it was dipped in honey. The man beside her had similarly striking blonde hair, though lighter in color, and an appearance that seemed beyond reach. They were an extraordinarily good-looking couple. But Seraphie felt more fear than admiration. Though she had never seen them before, she recognized them immediately.

 

Lillie!

 

The female lead had appeared.

 

Then the strikingly handsome man beside her must be…! Just as Seraphie realized who he was—

 

“…Crown prince.” Orkis extended his arm, pushing Seraphie behind him as if to shield her.

 

The heavens seemed indifferent to her plight. Seraphie swallowed her resentment. She had vowed never to meet the crown prince, and now here he was, of all places. I thought today would be a lucky day… She thought bitterly, closing her eyes tightly. Then she quickly glanced up at Orkis.

 

…Oh dear.

 

Though his face remained indifferent, Seraphie could tell that Orkis’s demeanor had changed dramatically from earlier. The warmth that had embraced him all day was gone. Now, Orkis showed no emotion, just the cold detachment that Seraphie had sensed when she first met him.

 

* * *

“That, Your Highness.” Lillie, who had unknowingly boarded the carriage with the crown prince, asked cautiously. She was anxious, as the carriage had not yet been told where to go. “Forgive me, but where are we going right now?’

 

“Again,” Crown Prince Trips frowned, making Lillie shrink further into herself. “Again with that title.”

 

“…”

 

“I told you to call me informally, didn’t I?”

 

“B-But Your Highness is the empire’s little sun, how could I possibly…” Lillie fumbled her words, feeling flustered, but her frustration remained.

 

If it were up to Lillie, she would have jumped out of the carriage right then and there. She couldn’t understand why she had to go on this outing with the crown prince.

 

I need to focus on learning white magic as soon as possible… Even with intense training, there wasn’t enough time.

 

“Lillie.”

 

At the sound of her name, Lillie quickly lifted her head. The crown prince was already staring at her with a disappointed expression.

 

“Aren’t we friends?”

 

Those words made Lillie feel small for no reason.

 

“Don’t draw a line between us like that.”

 

“…”

 

“Everyone treats me with such formality, calling me ‘Your Highness.’”

 

The brief flicker of loneliness on his face tugged at Lillie’s conscience.

 

“Can’t you just treat me the way you did before you knew I was the crown prince?”

 

Hearing then, Lillie felt a surge of frustration. Then stop acting like the crown prince for crying out loud. He always used his power and status when it suited him, even dragging her along without asking her opinion.

 

The carriage they rode in was too extravagant to be a disguise, and the clothes he wore were far too expensive for a simple outing. It was clear to Lillie that the crown prince had no intention of hiding his identity. And that made her feel burdened.

 

“…I’ll try.”

 

In the end, Lillie had no choice but to yield. After all, he was the crown prince.

 

“But when will I have time for training?” Lillie felt the weight of the expectations on her shoulders.

 

“You’re the pride of our family.”

 

“Finally, the name of Albeolus will be known!”

 

“Go and do well!”

 

When she came up from her territory to the capital, she saved the money her family had gathered for her and rented an inn. To save even more, she took on work.

 

While the honor of the family was important, Lillie was eager to learn magic as soon as possible. However, ever since she started living in the imperial palace, her magic training had been stagnant. With her mind unsettled, it was impossible to achieve any proper results.

 

If only I could learn magic from her…

 

Lillie thought of Peonia, whom she had met recently. She still blushed, remembering how impressive Peonia had been. Although Peonia was a dark magician, she would be the perfect mentor to fill the gaps in Lillie’s knowledge and experience.

 

And, of course, Peonia is the crown prince’s fiancée. That thought made Lillie feel guilty. She still remembered the look on Peonia’s face when they met. She must have been bothered by Lillie’s presence on his fiancé’s side.

 

I need to leave the imperial palace soon… The problem was that the Crown Prince had no intention of letting her leave. While she was grateful that he had helped her with her lodging, the palace was overwhelming.

 

I really don’t want to get on Lady Peonia’s bad side.

 

Just as her thoughts reached their conclusion, the carriage arrived at a jewelry store. Lillie’s eyes widened.

 

“W-Why are we here…?”

 

“To buy what you need.”

 

“For me?” Lillie quickly waved her hands in denial. “What could I possibly need from here!”

 

“You didn’t like any of the gifts I gave you before.”

 

“That’s because those things were way too extravagant for someone like me!”

 

If she owed him any more, it would make it harder to leave the imperial palace.

 

“Don’t say that.” The crown prince brushed aside her protests with a smile as if her modesty amused him. “It’s only proper to treat my guest with care.”

 

What the hell are you saying, you madman. Lillie thought, frowning. But there was no point in arguing, so she reluctantly followed him into the store. Just find the cheapest possible… She was determined to pick something that wouldn’t add to her burden, but then—

 

“…Orkis?” The crown prince recognized a familiar figure among the customers already in the store.

 

Wow, a man looks just like Lady Felicia! Without realizing it, Lillia’s face blushed.

 

The man with the black hair and cold demeanor was the spitting image of Peonia. But as soon as she met Orkis’s sharp gaze, she flinched and quickly looked away. Then, she saw the woman standing behind him.

 

What a beautiful shade of blue… While Lillie admired the woman’s appearance, Orkis respectfully greeted the crown prince.

 

“Orkis Felicia greets Your Highness.”

 

Felicia! Lillie’s entire body seemed to tingle with excitement.

 

“To think I’d meet you in a place like this.”

 

“I am equally surprised, Your Highness. And the lady beside you is…?”

 

“She’s my guest,” the Crown Prince said, avoiding a proper introduction.

 

“Hello!” But Lillie didn’t miss her chance to introduce herself energetically. “My name is Lillie Albeolus! I’m an aspiring white magician who looks up to Lady Peonia and hopes to work at the Magic Tower! It’s an honor to meet you!” She bowed deeply, her enthusiasm catching Orkis off guard.

 

“…I’m Orkis Felicia, Peonia’s older brother.” Overwhelmed by her energy, Orkis introduced himself, even using his sister’s name.

 

“It’s truly an honor! Lady Peonia, I mean, Lady Felicia is my idol!”

 

“Ah, yes…”

 

“When I lived in the Albeolus estate, I always read about her feats and accomplishments.”

 

Meeting the family of someone she admired made Lillie feel like she was on cloud nine. But the crown prince didn’t seem pleased with the situation at all.

 

“By the way,” the crown prince asked, gesturing toward Seraphie behind Orkis, “Who is…” Before he could finish his question—

 

“Cough! Cough! Cough! Uugh, uaargh, cough!” Seraphie erupted into violent coughing, nearly collapsing.

 

“Countess!”

 

Orkis rushed to support Seraphie, who was collapsing forward like a falling tree. Startled, Lillie also hurried over.

 

“Cough, cough…!’ Seraphie struggled to catch her breath, but she managed to bow to the crown prince. “G-Greetings to Your Highness…”

 

The crown prince stared at Seraphie with a look that clearly said he wanted nothing to do with her.

 

“M-My name is Seraphie Vallidus. Please forgive my rudeness. I’m not feeling well…!’

 

Cough! Cough! Her breathing labored, and her greeting ended in a wheeze.

 

“…So, you’re the famous Countess Vallidus,” the crown prince remarked.

 

The victor of the forced succession trial and the new owner of the Land Abandoned by God. The crown prince looked at her with a meaningful gaze.

 

Meanwhile, Lillie gathered mana in her hands. “Are you alright? Do you feel unwell anywhere?”

 

“It’s a coughing fit caused by mental distress.”

 

“Just wait a moment. I’ll make you feel a bit better…”

 

Swish. Seraphie gently grabbed Lillie’s wrist.

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