“Episode 3”
The moonlight was faintly dim.
I put Lucas, who was asking me to stay with him because he was drunk, to sleep and left the room. Despite Lucas being intoxicated after three glasses of champagne, I, being a moderate drinker who could empty half a bottle of whiskey and still be fine, always ended up cleaning up after him.
We weren’t exactly at an age where we could sleep together like when we were young, but Lucas often acted like a child.
As a noblewoman and as someone attending tonight’s banquet for “Hero Lucas Delic,” I also participated. Being an heiress from a family rarely seen in the capital was enough to arouse the emperor’s curiosity.
Lucas proudly introduced me to people as his childhood friend.
“This is Alicia, from the Blanchette Viscountcy, with whom I spent a lot of time when I was in Delic’s estates. Since we came to the capital together, I hope you all treat her well.”
Thanks to him, I also received attention from many people. Amidst various emotions mixed in greetings and many glasses of alcohol, there was undeniable malice.
No one had ever boasted about me to advance Lucas’s entrance into the capital. That’s just how the heart of a fan works.
I wished for my favorite to do well; what importance did my own fame hold?
So, even if all my efforts were perceived as Lucas’s achievements, I didn’t mind.
Yet, my heart felt a bit unsettled, and I wanted to cool it down somehow.
Was it because I had crossed a major threshold or because I saw him surrounded by people as Lucas Medelike?
It felt similar to when people started flooding in, claiming to be fans, after my favorite achieved their first place.
It’s human to sometimes wish that only I knew about my favorite.
But I was never the type to reject new fans. As long as they became allies for my favorite’s success.
Well, in this case, they would become allies for resolving Lucas’s grievances and ensuring his smooth appointment as a prince.
I counted the leaves of newly sprouted spring flowers with my eyes and waited for time to pass.
I hoped my heart would settle down, and that I could become more composed from tomorrow onwards.
It was at that moment in the eerily quiet palace garden that I heard footsteps.
I thought it might be a palace guard patrolling.
But the person I expected to pass by approached me and spoke.
“Are you out for a night stroll?”
Was there another noble who attended the banquet and stayed in the palace like me? It didn’t seem so.
As I turned my head in confusion, the moon, which had been so obscured, briefly peeked through the clouds, illuminating only the area around that person.
Even in the darkness, I could feel the shimmer of beautiful golden hair, more delicate and defined features compared to Lucas. Add to that a subtle and graceful smile. He was the epitome of a perfect prince, the kind you might imagine once in a while.
He had that visual center-of-attention vibe, not just within his group, but also among the general public, with a level of recognition that extended beyond his circle.
Unfortunately, I leaned towards slightly manic faces rather than the popular ones, so objectively speaking, he had a face worthy of admiration, but he didn’t stir my heart.
I gave him a brief nod and turned slightly towards the flowers again.
“Yes, the night air is nice.”
I blurted out without intending to prolong the conversation, then abruptly opened my mouth again, considering another possibility.
“…Ah, did I occupy the ambassador’s walking path?”
“So you do recognize me.”
“I’m not so forgetful as to forget someone I met tonight.”
Maybe I’d forget in about two weeks.
I had a tendency to deliberately forget handsome men who weren’t my type, especially if they were popular.
Because why bother? They weren’t my favorite!
I had sworn a long time ago to only focus on my favorite.
Anyway, I knew the information clearly.
Joshua Medelike, Lucas’s half-brother and the fifth prince known as the emperor’s right hand as the son of the royal concubine.
Among the princes remaining in the capital, he was the closest to the position of crown prince.
“So, there must be some ulterior motive behind him approaching me.”
This place was like a battlefield. When I decided to help Lucas, I collected various information to survive in this chaos.
Among them, the most threatening and cautious figure was Prince Joshua.
But for some reason, Prince Joshua said something strange.
“…Tonight?”
“Yes.”
What was strange about that statement?
Maybe he felt bad that I didn’t recognize him since he was present earlier when Lucas first greeted the emperor. Isn’t that a common feeling for such handsome individuals?
They usually believe that once you see them, you can never forget.
As I absentmindedly tapped the end of a petal, Prince Joshua burst into laughter as if finding it amusing.
What’s with this guy, is he crazy?
Then he politely extended his arm and asked,
“If you don’t mind, would you give me the opportunity to accompany you on your night walk? It seems like neither of us can sleep tonight.”
Why is he showing interest in me of all people? I’m just a childhood friend who followed along, a noblewoman from the Blante estate…?
The urge to refuse surged within me. Somehow, thoughts of a popular visual member from my past life, known for his impeccable manners and acting skills, crossed my mind, causing my stomach to churn. But he was a prince, and even though he was being polite now, who knew how he would react if provoked? He was of royal blood, after all. What power did a noblewoman like me have in front of the royal court? So, I suppressed my unwillingness and nodded to Prince Joshua’s proposal. After all, I needed to engage in psychological warfare with him, if only for Lucas’s sake.
In my past life, I often enjoyed watching power struggles like this unfold, even in fictional accounts such as “YeXCheonHa.” But…
“You seem to really like flowers.”
“Yes?”
I was just absentmindedly looking at the flowers, without any particular intention.
Prince Joshua seemed to observe me intently on such days. I had no intention whatsoever of leaking any information to him!
“Well, it seems like someone who appreciates beauty.”
He said as if he knew me well. Did he notice my infatuation after just one day?
As expected, I tensed up at the thought of dealing with such a formidable opponent.
“Would you like to visit the botanical garden on the outskirts of the capital?”
“What?”
“Well, there are many flowers in the palace garden, but the botanical garden in the central district is much more famous. However, I thought you might prefer the one on the outskirts.”
What’s with this nonsense? Is he trying to make fun of me for being a noblewoman from the countryside?
Honestly, I had no intention of accepting Prince Joshua’s words positively. From the moment I arrived in the capital, all the nobles except Lucas treated me as a threat, if not an enemy.
However, despite my continuous and somewhat rude responses, Prince Joshua maintained his elegant smile and persisted in inviting me.
“If you don’t mind, would you spare some time for me? I would love to explore the botanical garden with you, Miss Blante.”
“…With me?”
Why me?
As I looked at him with suspicion, Prince Joshua picked a beautiful flower and nodded with a smile.
“Yes, I wanted to talk to Miss Blante. I thought we might share similar tastes since you enjoy nighttime walks. And…”
He handed me the flower he had picked.
Taking it awkwardly, I still couldn’t grasp Prince Joshua’s intentions and simply stared at the flower.
“I thought you might be tired, coming all the way from the Blante estate to the capital. You must have gone through a lot today. I hope you can take some time to relax.”
His kind words sent a chill down my spine.
Joshua Medelike knew. He knew who I was.
The fact that I was the one who made Lucas Delic into a hero.
The initially affectionate-looking violet eyes now seemed chillingly sinister and cunning in light of that fact.
Ah, yes. You’re the child of that noblewoman who served as the consort in this palace for over twenty years. Of course, you would be different.
“So, if I can’t overcome this mountain, all the plans for Lucas’s bright future will be in vain!”
Feeling challenged, I confidently accepted Joshua Medelike’s proposal.
“How could I refuse the offer from His Highness the Prince?”
I smiled graciously, maintaining proper etiquette.
For some reason, Joshua Prince’s gaze seemed to falter for a moment as he looked at my smile. Feeling like I had successfully asserted my dominance, I felt a bit pleased.
“I’ll eagerly await the day when I can spend time with Your Highness at the botanical garden.”
My battle had already begun.
