chapter :06

“Um… I was too distracted, so I didn’t catch everything.”

Cecil seemed a bit upset that Eva hadn’t heard their full names. For someone who strictly valued etiquette, coming back with only a vague name—unclear whether it was a first or last name—must have felt like being slighted.

But it couldn’t be helped. It seemed they didn’t want to reveal it, and asking further would’ve been rude.

Besides, Pamela was more focused on the count, and Eva was in no condition to think clearly because of the pain in her foot. After the introductions were over, no one showed any interest in knowing Ruth’s full name.

“My lady.”

Cecil, who had been watching Eva with a blank expression, quietly called out to her.

“Yes, nanny?”

“Don’t resent His Highness the Crown Prince. The broken engagement had nothing to do with him. But you must not get involved with him again.”

“What? Why are you suddenly talking about that?”

Eva’s eyes widened in confusion. The sudden change in topic was strange enough, but bringing up the Crown Prince made even less sense.

After Eva’s engagement had been broken off, Cecil had never once spoken about the imperial family. Even when Eva asked, she would either change the subject or firmly tell her not to get involved. And now she was bringing it up herself? Since Cecil wasn’t someone who spoke unnecessarily, it felt less strange and more unsettling.

“After Count Macesis passed away, even His Majesty the Emperor—who had arranged your engagement—collapsed as well. Cough. It was Her Majesty the Empress, who took power afterward, that proceeded with the annulment. And she is not the Crown Prince’s biological mother.”

Cecil continued, coughing intermittently, sharing things that hadn’t even been asked. She paused for a moment, catching her breath.

“So there’s no reason to blame His Highness… but you must not get involved with him again. The imperial palace is very unstable and dangerous right now.”

“…Why would I have anything to do with him anyway?”

This was all new to Eva. She knew the Emperor had been ill and that the Empress wasn’t the Crown Prince’s real mother, but she didn’t know the deeper inner workings of the palace.

At the time of the broken engagement, she had been too young. After that, Cecil had effectively blocked her from hearing anything about the imperial family. And as someone who wasn’t originally a noble—and was looked down upon even as a baron’s daughter—there was no way she would’ve heard or spread such information.

Even so, what did any of this have to do with her now? Whatever secrets existed in the imperial family, and whatever position the Crown Prince held, why would a former fiancée be involved again?

“The Holland Count’s family is deeply connected to the late Empress Catherine. The Count of Holland is the son of Lady Lotte, who was the Empress’s older sister.”

“So?”

Impatience crept into Eva’s voice. She didn’t understand why Cecil was circling around the point just because the Count was the Crown Prince’s close aide and cousin.

“You said the Count’s friend is Sir Ruth, right?”

“Yes.”

“The name ‘Ruth’ means ‘light.’ That was a nickname His Highness was given as a child by your father, Count Macesis.”

“….”

In that moment, scattered pieces began falling into place, forming a clear picture.

“It may be him—or it may not. But remember this, my lady. If he is the Crown Prince, do not form any ties with him. I beg you.”

Her plea was stronger because it came from such desperation. Shocked, Eva couldn’t bring herself to respond, her eyes trembling.

The news of Count Holland’s visit threw the entire baron’s household into chaos. No one had expected such an important figure to visit the home of a mere minor baron.

With not enough servants, Eva spent the entire afternoon working alongside the maids. By the time she finished replacing curtains and cushions and cleaning the house, she was utterly exhausted.

Thinking she’d rest briefly in her room, she slowly climbed the stairs. But the moment her hands were free, her thoughts began to wander, making her steps feel heavier with confusion.

Edward Kane Butterfield, the Crown Prince.

He was five years older than Eva—the very man whose engagement to her had been broken. She had met him once as a child but didn’t remember him at all. After that, although they were formally engaged, they had never met or even exchanged letters.

But the Crown Prince is at the border…

There was no way it could be him. Officially, the Crown Prince was stationed at the western front. If he had returned, the entire empire would be celebrating.

“I’m not sure either,” Cecil had said, leaving the possibility open.

Still, Eva’s doubts kept growing.

The Count hadn’t revealed Ruth’s full name. Despite his high status, he seemed to defer to Ruth. And there was that natural charisma and dignity he carried.

And then there were the scars covering his body—proof of countless battles, injuries from the battlefield.

Could it really be him?

As Eva sighed and opened her door—

“Oh my! You startled me!”

The baron’s wife, who was standing at her dressing table, turned around in shock.

“Don’t you know how to knock?”

“This is my room. What are you doing here?”

Eva asked sharply, suspicion in her eyes.

“What do you mean? I came looking for you! You’ve been nowhere to be seen all day!”

“I’ve been working in the most visible parts of the house all day, madam.”

Eva replied calmly, holding back her breath. She had been in the drawing room and dining room all day—there was no way she wouldn’t have been seen.

“Anyway, what I wanted to say is—you don’t need to attend dinner.”

“…What?”

“It’s a family gathering with our guests. Don’t linger around and make them uncomfortable. Just greet them and leave. Understood?”

“…Alright. But please inform Pamela yourself.”

It was obvious she wanted all attention from the Count and Sir Ruth focused on Pamela. Eva almost laughed but chose not to argue. She had no intention of joining anyway.

“Then go back to work. And fix that expression of yours—you still look like you think you’re above everyone else…”

The baron’s wife left angrily, unable to finish her sentence.

Left alone, Eva let out a long breath and looked around her room. Everything was exactly as she had left it. She checked her drawers—nothing was missing. Not that she owned anything worth stealing.

As she began changing clothes—

“What are you doing, pretty?”

“Ah! Todd, what are you doing?!”

Startled, Eva pushed him away. Todd, the baron’s son, had returned after being away gambling.

He had grown into a massive man, with greasy skin and thinning hair. He smelled unpleasant, like rotting fish.

“Why so cold? I just got back—won’t you welcome me?”

“Stay away from me, Todd.”

As he stepped closer with a sly smile, Eva backed away. More than the baron couple’s mistreatment or the hard labor, what she couldn’t endure was Todd’s increasingly disturbing behavior and gaze.

He openly ogled her body, whispered indecent things, and even tried to grab her when drunk.

“Don’t act so high and mighty, Eva. Given your situation, I’d make a great husband, don’t you think?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Stay away.”

Eva trembled with disgust. Lately, he had grown worse—losing not only money but his sanity in gambling.

But there was another reason. In just five months, Eva would come of age and be free to leave.

Todd knew this—and was growing desperate.

“You know, the more you act proud, the more tempting you look. You’ve got nowhere to go anyway. You’ll end up mine.”

With a lustful glare, Todd lunged forward and grabbed her wrist.