After watching the play, Sig Turas spent the entire night pondering over it, his spirits soaring.
The prince held a theater performance every year and always extended an invitation to Sig. The number of invitees was small, and it wasn’t a gathering where one needed to impress others with their thoughts in front of everyone, like a review session. That’s why Sig always accepted his invitations.
“How was the play today?”
The challenging part was that after the play ended, the prince always asked this question. Sig had to squeeze his brain as much as possible to provide a detailed account of his impressions.
But fortunately, the prince didn’t ask for specific feedback that day. Sig considered it a stroke of luck. He couldn’t remember anything about the content of the play, so he had nothing to say.
It was only natural. Throughout the screening, he hadn’t looked at the stage once, only gazing at Britia’s profile.
However, Sig found it intriguing that he couldn’t even recall what the play was about, oblivious to the fact that he hadn’t paid attention to it.
“I’m glad you didn’t ask, Lord brother.”
Rather than saying he didn’t ask, it was more accurate to say that even the prince couldn’t focus properly on the second act, making it nearly impossible for him to inquire.
“I apologize to Lord brother. Next time, I’ll make sure to watch the play attentively. You graciously extended an invitation, even insisting on including Britia.”
Sig belatedly felt a sense of responsibility and remorse.
But that remorseful feeling didn’t last long.
“So cute.”
When he recalled Britia’s words, he forgot everything he had been thinking just moments ago.
After reading “Anyone Can Become Darling to the Lady of Their Dreams!” Sig’s goal for that day was to hear Britia say he was cute. The results were highly satisfying.
In addition to being able to hear those words from her, she even embraced him tightly. It wasn’t just once. Due to his jealousy when he saw her with Harty Slanford, he blurted out that he would be happier than anyone else if she were with him.
Britia helped dispel Sig’s anxiety about his pathetic tantrums. She also didn’t find Harty Slanford cute at all.
Sig slowly savored the sense of triumph that he couldn’t fully appreciate at that time when he was in a state of distraction. He didn’t know before that he could experience such a feeling without wielding a sword.
When Evry first suggested that he read “Anyone Can Become Darling to the Lady of Their Dreams!” he wasn’t inclined to do so. It was after hearing Harty Slanford’s provocation, asking if he wanted to lose, that he read the book, the contents of which didn’t readily sink into his head.
“Become her cutie pie!”
“You must surpass Harty Slanford!”
Even with Evry’s advice, Sig initially had doubts about why he had to compete with cuteness.
Thus, while initially skeptical about the competition between Harty and cuteness, Sig now felt grateful to Robert and Evry for bringing him the book.
Delighted to have heard the words “cute,” he bid farewell to her and rushed to the prince in a single stride, even boasting about that matter. The prince seemed surprised but congratulated him.
“Then, is the next step to present her with a dress?”
As Sig was carefully recalling the events of that day, the prince’s words suddenly came to mind, causing his eyes to widen.
“Yes, a dress. She agreed to receive a dress.”
Now it was time to stop reminiscing about that day and contemplate the next step.
The jealousy that he had momentarily forgotten ignited a flame in Sig’s heart. The dress he would give her had to be more beautiful than what she wore that day.
Sig began to ponder with a serious expression. The type of dress and the timing of when to present it were important questions.
‘If my memory serves me right, the annual hunting competition, one of the events, will take place in the near future.’
‘It’s not much fun catching someone who’s completely defenseless. Leave a little bit of resistance. Just a little.’
As it was until now, all I had to do was listen to his uncle’s complaints at the hunting ground during the day and stay by his side.
‘Sig, go and dance with someone. Don’t avoid my gaze.’
At night, he would attend the imperial palace party, trying to escape his aunt’s nagging and hiding in inconspicuous places. If he was caught by her, it would be over.
He spent the same day every year like that. However, this year was slightly different. Sig thought it would be nice if Britia wore the dress he gave her on that night of the party.
‘Well, time is not on my side.’
He hadn’t even decided what to make yet. Moreover, even making a handkerchief to give to her as a gift was a painstaking process that took longer than usual.
On top of that, the only time he had made clothes was when he was 15, trying to make something for his aunt. It was both the first and last time. If he made a mistake, he might not be able to complete it and face the day of the hunting competition empty-handed.
Sig felt a bitter feeling, thinking that he had wasted precious time until now. He should have thought about it earlier.
N”…I guess I have to meet her first.”
Muttering to himself, Sig rose from his seat. He quickly prepared for his outing and headed towards the Lockhart Mansion.
Among the various ideas that came to mind, he couldn’t determine which one would suit her the best. However, he believed that he would be able to make up his mind once he met her in person.
“Britia-nim!”
As he was about to knock on the front door of Lockhart Mansion after getting off the carriage, the door swung open.
“What happened? Did you…”
The woman who emerged from the door swallowed her breath when she saw Sig.
Sig furrowed his brow slightly, trying to recall her face, which seemed familiar.
“I apologize, Duke-nim. I must have been mistaken.”
The woman, who had stiffened up, apologized.
She didn’t seem like a maid.
Sig diligently searched his memory to figure out where he had seen her face before. He was certain he had seen her somewhere.
In his troubled mind, a scene from the night of the play suddenly flashed by.
“Harty Slanford’s cousin.”
‘Yes, she had come as that man’s cousin.’
“…You remember me. It’s an honor.”
“Was your name Kyra?”
Sig wasn’t completely sure if he remembered correctly. He glanced at her, trying to read her expression, and asked. Kyra’s expression was enigmatic.
It seemed like she was trying to smile, yet also seemed displeased.
“Isn’t it?”
When Sig asked again, unsure if he had mispronounced her name, her face grew increasingly pale.
Encountering women in the capital who reacted like this was a familiar sight. But it felt like it had been quite a while for Sig.
When Sig asked her again, wondering if she had called her name wrong, her face became increasingly pale.
But if her name wasn’t Kyra, then what was it? He was certain she had been called that.
Sig pondered with a thoughtful sound. The only information that came to mind was that she was Harty Slanford’s cousin, the one who drew a picture as a gift for Britia.
“My name is Kyra.”
As the woman, who had stiffened and turned paler, spoke, Sig raised an eyebrow.
“Then why did you act as if it wasn’t?”
He asked out of curiosity. He didn’t intend to interrogate her, trying to confuse her by pretending not to recognize her.
“I apologize. I was momentarily lost in thought.”
Kyra’s voice trembled, misunderstanding Sig’s intentions.
“Did you come to meet Britia?”
Kyra blinked her eyes hazily and forced a smile.
“Britia received an invitation from His Highness the Crown Prince and went to the palace for a while.”
“To my brother?”
In a state of considerable confusion due to the unexpected situation, Sig’s voice came out loudly. At that moment, Kyra’s shoulders twitched.
“This complicates things. If I hesitate, I might not be able to meet her in time, or… if I chase after her now…”
Muttering to himself, Sig turned his back to Kyra and descended the stairs, heading towards the carriage he had come in. He hoped that she would be there when he arrived.
‘But why was Lord Slanford’s cousin at Lockhart mansion?’
Sig grew anxious, almost arriving at the palace, before the thought suddenly occurred to him.
‘But if it’s Britia, she must have already returned home.’
He hoped they wouldn’t misunderstand each other again, but things didn’t resolve as he wished.
“Are you only worried about Britia’s absence and not happy to see your brother?”
Seeing Sig’s disappointed expression, the Crown Prince laughed as if he found it amusing.
“…Brother, you seem to be in a good mood. I’m feeling quite sad right now.”
“Oh my. Shall I show something nice to the sad puppy?”
In an attempt to comfort Sig, he tried to hand over the portrait he had been examining with great interest just moments ago.
“A painting? I apologize, but it seems difficult for me to provide the desired appreciation.”
Sig spoke without even looking at the painting.
“It’s a painting i bought from Britia.”
The Crown Prince urged Sig to take a look as he extended the painting.
“But let me ask you one thing. Does Britia like alcohol?”
“I’m not sure if she likes it. But she doesn’t handle it well…”
Taking a deep breath, Sig received the portrait and froze, checking what was depicted in it, unable to say a word.
“Well? What do you think?”
Though Sig’s expression was hidden behind the canvas, the Crown Prince could tell by the tension in Sig’s raised shoulders how surprised he must be.
“Why did you… Brother, her… portrait…”
Sig struggled to form coherent words, his voice faltering.
“It’s a fine painting… Sig, why are you looking at me with those eyes?”
The Crown Prince felt flustered as Sig suddenly sparkled his eyes and stared at him.
“Brother, this painting…”
“I bought this painting for 100,000 gold less than an hour ago.”
It was his thought to both console Sig with his new acquisition and boast about it. Not to give it away.
“You’re not even interested in paintings. But just because it’s Britia’s portrait, did you suddenly become interested in art?”
With a firm voice, Sig pressed his lips together and sent a pleading gaze.
“No, you can’t have it.”
The Crown Prince sighed and shook his head, wearing a serious expression.
The silent battle of wills between the two continued. After a while, it was the Crown Prince who raised his hand first.
“I really can’t win against you.”
He couldn’t continue engaging in an intense staring contest with Sig, his eyes so tender and moist.
“Instead, it won’t be for free. I’ll give you a task.”
The Crown Prince, within an hour of purchasing the painting, ended up having it taken away from him.
