Chapter 19  

“Risse.”

Even dressed like this, he was still the same Rihart Alina knew.

When their eyes met, his face turned shy and pink.
The pale cheeks of the boy flushed like soft rose petals.

Lillith guided him inside the sitting room and said excitedly,

“Tada! Well? I played dress-up with him.”

“Risse! Risse!”

Tiel flew in from somewhere, chirping noisily and adding to the chaos.

But Alina couldn’t say anything.

‘Rihart really is a prince…’

Seeing Rihart standing in this luxurious reception room, dressed in clothes perfect for royalty—it suddenly felt like a huge distance had opened between them.

“That’s Rihart? That Prince Rihart? The one from the rumors?”

Kaden whispered, shocked.

Alina answered stiffly,

“Yes. His Imperial Highness, Maximilian Rihart von Holtzriger.”

Her own voice sounded strange to her.

Saying his full name aloud made their positions painfully clear—
an imperial prince and a fallen princess.

Alina believed that the Rihart of this life would never harm her.
She genuinely wished for him to live well.

So why?

Why did she suddenly want to run away?

‘What am I afraid of?’

Confused, she forced herself to continue,

“…This person, Rihart, is the Second Prince of Malehark.”

As she looked at him, her expression stiffened and her lips pressed into a line.
Her attitude surprised Lillith.

“What’s wrong, Risse? You don’t like the doll I dressed up? Too bad. No refunds.”

Lillith stood up and sat Rihart next to Alina.

Tiel perched on a teacup and dipped its beak into the cold tea.

Seeing that, Rihart turned his head and looked up at Alina.

“Risse? Do I look weird?”

Alina glanced at him.

Clean silver hair silky from being washed, a pure white face under it—

She answered reluctantly,

“…No. You look handsome.”

“That’s not what you mean.”

His lips trembled, and he bit them, looking like he might cry at any moment.
Lillith panicked.

“Huh? Wait—why is the atmosphere like this? This is not what I expected!”

“Lady Lillith, you’re here!”

Just then, Klaus appeared from the hallway.

Lillith groaned.

“Ugh, it’s Klaus.”

He marched toward her like he was about to drag her away.

“I told you training goes until FOUR today! Why are you slacking off here?!”

“Hey, Captain, I told you I felt like working only until three today.”

“Yes. And I told you ‘your feelings’ do not affect the schedule.”

At his firm scolding, Lillith scratched the back of her head awkwardly.

“Yeah, yeah. Sorry.”

“If you’re sorry, come with me. How can the person who organizes today’s route be here lounging? And YOU—Kaden Schlemmer!”

Kaden, who had been openly admiring Rihart, jumped up in shock.

“Yes, Captain!”

“I told you to find Lillith, not play around with her!”

“S-sorry! It’s just… she asked me…”

“Of course she did. Clearly, I chose the wrong person.”

Klaus massaged his temples.

“You may fall for her tricks, but I don’t. Let’s go.”

“Fine…”

Lillith turned to Alina apologetically.

“I’m sorry for leaving my own guest. The Captain’s stressed because of the state visit. Please don’t mind it. Enjoy your time.”

“And whose fault is that?” Klaus muttered.

Then he froze when he finally noticed Alina and Rihart.

“Oh—Miss Risse. And the Second Prince. It’s been a while.”

“…”

Rihart dipped his head awkwardly, like someone who didn’t know how to speak.

Caught between them, Alina gave a polite greeting.

“Hello, Captain Klaus.”

“Good to see you. And please understand—this is all because Lillith is lazy and irresponsible, not because I’m hysterical.”

Alina actually felt some tension melt away at his complaining.
She smiled gently.

“I understand.”

“And I heard you’re participating in the banquet menu contest?”

“Captain, look at you pretending to be close with Risse. You know everything.”

Kaden muttered under his breath. Klaus shot him a glare.

“As I was saying, may I tell you about Ambassador Kestol?”

He smiled faintly.

“This information will help you, Miss Risse.”

Alina’s eyes brightened.

“What kind of information?”

“This time, the visiting Ambassador Kestol is Albero Noriega. Have you heard of him?”

“No.”

As Alina shook her head, Lillith joined in.

“You don’t know? Grass-eating Albero.”

Klaus clicked his tongue.

“She means he’s vegetarian.”

“Vegetarian? I thought he was a potato-arian. Last time he came, he only ate fried potatoes. I thought he was on a potato diet.”

Klaus pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I have repeatedly told you—respect people’s beliefs.”

“You’re absolutely right, Captain.”

Alina nodded earnestly.

She had already been curious about the ambassador’s diet, and now she had extremely valuable info.
A vegetarian. Perfect for planning dishes.

Feeling grateful, she gently pushed Lillith toward Klaus.

“Thank you. And well… as thanks, please take Lillith quickly.”

“What? Risse? Why is the story going like this?!”

Lillith, pushed off guard, stared in disbelief.

Alina smiled sweetly.

“It’s the only thing I can offer you right now.”

“My poor Risse… you’ve already become a proper Malehark citizen…”

Lillith gave a betrayed look.

But neither Alina nor Klaus felt particularly sorry for her.
Kaden, already grabbed by the collar, looked pitiful.

In the end, Lillith was dragged away too.

“Risse! See you next time!”

Her fading voice echoed as the large room fell silent, leaving only Alina and Rihart.

***

Alina & Rihart Alone

Rihart sat beside her and stared intensely.

She thought being alone with him would feel more comfortable—
but now, the silence felt suffocating.

Feeling awkward with Rihart was, ironically, the most awkward thing.

He fidgeted, then finally said,

“Um… Risse. I heard outside. Thank you for asking Lillith to send me to the Academy.”

Alina’s mouth felt dry.
That unfamiliar distance she felt earlier scratched the inside of her throat.

She answered formally,

“Yes. I hope things go well for you.”

“…Huh?”

Rihart froze.

Alina calmly added,

“Your Imperial Highness Maximilian.”

“…What?”

It was a title meant to create distance.

His face lost all color.

Alina looked at him and continued emotionlessly,

“This is as far as I can help, Your Highness.”

“What do you mean?”

His golden eyes trembled.

Alina looked forward and spoke steadily,

“I’m only a kitchen assistant. It was presumptuous of me to think I could take your side.”

Her tone was flat—no emotion at all.

Rihart went silent.

Then suddenly, he shot to his feet.

He grabbed the cravat at his neck and yanked it off.

Before Alina could stop him, he ripped off the formal jacket.

Alina stared in shock.

“What are you doing?”

“I don’t need this.”

Now in just a shirt, he held onto her hand like he was clinging to her.

His hands, usually cool, were burning hot.

With a desperate expression, he said,

“If Risse is going to push me away, then I don’t need these clothes or being treated like a prince.”

“But you must—”

“Don’t use formal speech. Please?”

Alina sighed and answered,

“You can’t do that. You need to go to the Academy and learn. And eventually inherit the throne.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Don’t be childish.”

“I only changed clothes and you’re already acting like this. If I become emperor, you’ll completely ignore me.”

“If you knew who I really was… It’s you who would want to ignore me.”

Alina couldn’t hide her bitterness.

Rihart flinched as if struck.

“You think I’d ignore you? You? Alina?”

He practically shouted,

“I would NEVER!”

He trembled and gently pulled her hand to his cheek.

His golden eyes trembled with tears.

“I want to go to the Academy because of you, Alina.”

His voice shook.

“I couldn’t save you from Rishian. I couldn’t heal you with my own strength. I want to be strong enough to protect you… my Alina.”

“Your Highness Maximilian…”

When Alina tried to pull her hand back, he grabbed tighter—panic in his eyes.