Chapter 40
[From the beginning, you’re not even my fiancée anymore, right?]
From Clarissa’s perspective, Aryan and Adria had become so close that it seemed there was nothing they hadn’t shared with each other.
As a result, Adria now seemed fully aware that the two of them were in a state almost like a postponed engagement. The look in her eyes and her attitude were unmistakable.
A faint, bone-cracking sound echoed inside Clarissa’s head.
Fortunately, her teeth were fine, but her shattered pride was far from recovered.
“This won’t do.”
Clarissa clenched her fists tightly. Perhaps the time had finally come.
With the urgent matter settled, it was time to reclaim her rightful place.
Aryan no longer disliked her.
That certainty alone was enough.
Clarissa muttered through the fierce gleam in her golden eyes:
“So…”
This time, she must not refuse, Aryan.
In front of the royal palace gates, under a maple tree scattering red leaves, Clarissa nervously fiddled with her neatly braided chestnut hair as she waited for Aryan.
Her red dress perfectly complemented her pale skin, and the white lace gloves studded with diamonds gave her the appearance of someone who should be escorted to some noble event immediately. Every detail of Clarissa’s appearance was the result of the tears and sweat of the Lisette Marquis’ maids.
Since arriving at the royal palace, Marie had quietly sighed while letting Clarissa be, sensing that she was lost in deep thought.
“She looks like an angel when she’s quiet.”
Marie hoped this peace would last, watching the final beauty of autumn pass by.
Not long after, even from a distance, a beautiful silver-haired youth approached Clarissa.
“Cla… Clarissa?”
Even though he was only a few steps away, Aryan paused, observing Clarissa, who seemed slightly different than usual.
Aryan’s red lips parted slightly.
He had so much he wanted to say, yet not a single word came out.
Everything was lost the moment Clarissa spoke first, spotting him.
“Ah, welcome. Did you manage to shake off that troublesome Crown Prince?”
“Troublesome…?”
Clarissa hastily covered her mouth, realizing she had blurted out her true feelings, then quickly tried to recover.
“Oh! Your Highness, I misspoke! Haha!”
Aryan, sensing something odd but seeing that it was Clarissa, simply nodded without further thought.
Clarissa’s lips curled into a very satisfied smile.
She cautiously reached out and took Aryan’s fingertips in hers.
Before even thinking about why her heart was pounding so frantically, she spoke rapidly:
“You’re always with the Crown Prince, right? So today, you have to spend time with me.”
A lovely smile appeared on Aryan’s lips.
With every nod, his silver hair swayed gently, and his blue eyes seemed to reflect only her.
“Shall we go?”
Everything about him pleased her.
Taking Aryan directly to Lost Square, Clarissa quickly glanced around and stopped in front of the fountain next to the statue of the First Emperor, slowly preparing to speak.
“Aryan, do you know the legend about this fountain?”
“A legend?”
Aryan tried to recall any legends he knew, but none came to mind regarding this fountain.
“Yes!”
Hearing Clarissa’s confident voice, Aryan prepared to listen carefully and asked again,
“What is it?”
Clarissa’s lips curved mischievously.
She took a deep breath and, without pausing, began inventing the legend of the fountain.
“See the round area inside the fountain? They say if you successfully throw a silver coin in there, your love will come true.”
“I… I had no idea there was a legend.”
Of course, it was because she had just made it up. Clarissa’s eyes sparkled with the pride of her little invention.
Before Aryan could find a flaw in this new legend, she quickly added:
“So, shall we try it together?”
“Right now?”
Clarissa’s eyes gleamed as she pulled out two silver coins from inside her sleeve and placed them in Aryan’s hand.
His gaze fell on the sparkling silver coins, reflecting her.
Clarissa opened and closed her lips several times, finally adopting a serious expression as she approached the real purpose behind creating this legend.
“Yes! Don’t you have someone… someone you like, or even if not, someone you want to always be with? Or someone you want to marry?”
Aryan’s surprised face was fully captured in Clarissa’s eyes.
Seeing him tilt his head in thought, she clenched her fists.
Now! Now’s the time, Clarissa!
“I…”
“Eek!”
Clarissa’s shout and another person’s scream happened almost simultaneously.
“I… I do…”
She hurried to speak before Aryan’s gaze could shift, but his attention had already turned to someone crying nearby.
Sobbing heavily, the woman sat on the ground, drawing curious stares from passersby—but no one helped her.
Clarissa wasn’t uninterested in the woman’s troubles. She was simply extremely self-centered and not the kind to pay much attention to others.
But that was Clarissa. Aryan was different.
“Ah… Aryan?”
“I’m sorry, Clarissa, that…”
Clarissa recalled his keywords from the original story.
Biting her lip, she gave a strange expression neither fully smiling nor frowning and said,
“Yes, let’s go. In this harsh world, we must help each other survive.”
They approached the crying woman and asked what had happened.
In short, within thirty words: she had just been pickpocketed, and it turned out the stolen money was for her ailing grandmother’s medicine.
Aryan scanned the area as if ready to chase the thief, while Clarissa silently placed something heavy into the woman’s hands.
The woman’s eyes widened in shock.
Clarissa whispered low, taking advantage of the moment:
“Use this for the medicine, or not—it’s up to you. Report the thief to the guards.”
“Thank you! Thank you!”
“Yes, it won’t go far.”
Clarissa waved her hand dismissively, having successfully removed the obstacle. Returning to her innocent, cheerful self, she placed her hand on her chest and continued:
“…So, what I wanted to say earlier to Aryan was—”
“S-someone help me!”
But once again, another voice interrupted, shattering her words.
A faint twinge of irritation crossed Clarissa’s eyes.
Fine, I’ll make sure you regret being alive.
Why are there so many people in broad daylight whose lives are in danger?
Clarissa’s misadventures continued.
Each time she tried to speak, someone would appear with some grievance, seeking her help.
Annoyed at constantly being interrupted by unseen forces, she kicked the ground in frustration.
It’s awkward to go back now, and damn it, this is getting complicated.
The day was drawing to a close, and neither had the energy to attempt anything further.
Aryan seemed no different, leaning against a building wall, catching his breath.
“Pfft…”
Soon after, Aryan let out a small laugh.
Clarissa turned her head toward the sound, seeing silver hair glowing pink in the sunset, and his eyes soft and curved in amusement.
