Episode 80

As I searched for the right words to respond, Ludwig stepped even closer.

“Well… that is…”

With both of us now standing together, I could feel the furtive glances shifting from Jenna back to us, as though everyone was secretly watching. Ludwig clearly hadn’t yet heard the rumors.

Lowering my voice, I explained, “Our time together in the south was misconstrued and turned into a strange rumor… one suggesting we’re romantically involved.”

“Romantically involved?”

The innocent way he repeated the phrase, with an almost unguarded expression, made my cheeks flush.

“Yes, absurd, isn’t it? I plan to formally protest with the newspaper. You only helped me out of kindness, and I hate that it’s dragged you into this mess. I’m sorry.”

“…”

Was he upset? I would be too if I were him. Unwanted romance rumors could be an uncomfortable burden.

“That’s also why I declined your invitation,” I continued, stumbling over my words. “I didn’t want to add fuel to the fire.”

Ludwig studied me for a moment, then let out a low chuckle.

“So that was your reason.”

To my surprise, he didn’t seem the least bit bothered. In fact, he looked almost amused, as if he found the whole thing endearing rather than troubling.

“I couldn’t care less about such rumors. But if idle gossip has upset you, I’ll see to it that it’s dealt with.”

“Dealt with?”

“A formal complaint, I meant.”

If the Karsian household intervened, that would certainly quell the rumor. But dating rumors could harm marriage prospects for those at the prime of their eligibility—especially given that this involved both the Karsian Grand Duchy and the Drenihan Ducal House.

Ludwig’s reputation was at an all-time high, and he was considered one of the most desirable bachelors. I worried I’d thrown cold water on that.

Of course, he already had a match practically arranged, but still…

“Well… I didn’t realize that rumor was circulating,” Ludwig said with a nod. “That might explain why the proposal from the Kingdom of Devar suddenly ceased.”

“What?”

The marriage proposal with the Devar princess had ended?

The Kingdom of Devar was famed as the greatest source of natural resources, its lands so rich that there were tales of gold found with every turn of the soil. The only child of its royal family was poised to inherit the throne, and I’d heard she was recently searching for a suitable partner.

And that partner was supposed to be Ludwig?

‘I had no idea.’

Of course, among the nobility, marriage arrangements were often handled quietly, especially when involving high-status families. Ever since Ludwig had unveiled his true face to the world earlier than in the original storyline, subtle changes had begun to emerge.

In the original story, the Devar princess was depicted as a vain woman, obsessed with beauty. Drawn to the Crown Prince’s looks, she had developed an antagonism toward Jenna, whom he favored.

Given her character, it made sense that she wouldn’t have overlooked Ludwig, widely hailed as the most handsome man of the century.

But for the marriage proposal to be ruined by a rumor…?

“I’m so sorry!” I said earnestly.

If Ludwig had seen that proposal as a promising opportunity, I would truly feel guilty.

“In that case… will you take responsibility for me?”

His gaze was so serious that I stammered, dumbfounded.

“Res… responsibility?”

What kind of responsibility was he implying?

Seeing my flustered expression, Ludwig chuckled and added, “It’s a joke.”

“A joke… right.”

“The Devars had been persistently pushing for the proposal, despite my polite refusals. It was a relief when they finally backed down.”

Just as he said that, a distinct voice with an unfamiliar accent cut through our conversation.

“I see that my persistent proposals became a bother. How regretful.”

The speaker was a beautiful woman with high-piled, fiery red hair. Beneath her green eyes was a captivating beauty mark, and her dress, a flowing style currently popular in the northern region, made her stand out.

‘Could she be… the Devar princess?’

It wasn’t just speculation; I was certain. She wore a pendant bearing the Devar royal insignia, an item reserved solely for royal heirs.

It was unclear how much of our conversation she had overheard, but if it was Ludwig, he would have sensed her presence immediately. Which meant he’d let his last comment reach her ears.

“Please don’t misunderstand my intentions,” Ludwig said smoothly, smiling at her.

With a huff, the princess turned her head away.

“Fine. I do have my pride, after all, and I don’t chase after someone who’s rejected me. I only came to see if you looked as good in person as in your portraits, and you certainly live up to your reputation.”

With a disappointed glance, she unfurled her fan and turned to face me.

“I was also curious to meet the woman behind these rumors. So, you must be…”

She trailed off, her eyes widening as she looked at me.

The princess quickly approached, and Ludwig’s brow furrowed.

“Are you the young lady of House Drenihan?” she asked, her gaze fixed on me with an intensity that was slightly overwhelming.

“Yes, I am.”

“You’re…”

You’re…?

“You’re absolutely beautiful!”

“Huh?”

The princess’s eyes sparkled as she reached out, almost touching my face, before catching herself and waving her hand awkwardly in the air.

“Your eyes are as beautiful as pink diamonds. They’re my favorite gemstone.”

She looked at me with the enthusiasm of a child who’d just found a new doll, a true enthusiast for beauty, just as the rumors had suggested.

“Would you like to be friends?”

Still holding my hand, she looked at me expectantly, and I found myself nodding, slightly taken aback.

As I’d heard, she was utterly unpredictable. I’d expected her to be a fleeting antagonist from the original story, but this was something entirely unexpected.

“What’s your name?”

“Sierra Drenihan, Your Highness.”

“Can I call you Sierra?”

“Of course.”

“And you can call me Jamie. Or would you prefer calling me sister?”

As Ludwig watched this scene with a baffled expression, a piercing scream suddenly erupted from the center of the hall.

“Kyaaah!”

The gentle music came to an abrupt stop as everyone turned toward the source of the scream.

A man lay collapsed on the floor.

“His Highness, the Crown Prince!”

It was none other than Lucion, clutching his chest, writhing as if in unbearable pain.

“Fetch the healers at once! And the mages and priests, too!”

As chaos erupted, I caught snippets of hushed conversations around us.

“Could that rumor be true?”

“What rumor?”

“You know, the one about the Crown Prince suffering from a grave illness!”

Rumors had indeed been circulating around this time, and now Lucion had collapsed publicly, wracked with convulsions.

“They try to keep it quiet, but doesn’t the imperial family carry some hereditary disease? I mean, the late Emperor also…”

“Shh, be quiet! Someone might hear you!”

Maybe I just had exceptionally good hearing, because I caught every word.

However, they were entirely mistaken.

Lucion wasn’t suffering from a hereditary disease. His collapse was due to his power running amok, surging through his body without control—an internal rampage.

“What on earth is happening?” Jamie muttered as she glanced around in confusion.

Then, a clear, calm voice rang out, silencing the crowd.

“Everyone, please remain calm.”

It was Jenna.

Despite her recent partner lying collapsed on the floor, she hadn’t lost her composure.

Or rather, she was struggling to stay composed.

But she hid it well, stepping forward with steady resolve.

“I believe I may be able to help His Highness.”