~Chapter 6~
Royal Reception Room – Second Prince’s Palace
A man sat on the sofa with his long legs casually crossed.
His snow-white silver hair shimmered under the light of the reception room, glowing as if it were illuminated from within. Beneath it lay a face so refined it looked like a painting.
His elegant brows were faintly furrowed, as though something displeased him.
Between his fingers, he stared at a small note.
“I had fun. Like a midsummer night’s dream.”
When he woke up this morning, the woman was already gone—without a trace. She had even left behind this absurdly romantic note.
“…Hah.”
It had all started last night at a tavern called Masquerada.
As usual, he had visited the tavern alone, wearing a mask.
It wasn’t really for drinking—it was to eavesdrop on conversations.
Sitting quietly in the center of the tavern and listening allowed him to grasp the latest shifts in high society. And because his identity was hidden, people spoke even more freely than usual.
But yesterday, something strange happened.
The tavern staff suddenly approached him and said things like, “Even behind a mask, you still look handsome!”
Then, without warning, they led him to a woman.
A mysterious woman wearing a crow mask.
Before he knew it, he was heavily intoxicated—completely unlike himself.
When he returned to the imperial palace, his aide and longtime friend Hector had even scolded him for reeking of alcohol.
If only it had ended there.
Why did I end up going to a hotel…
Enrique vividly remembered everything that happened after entering the hotel.
He let out a slow breath.
“Your Highness, the Duchess of Hamilton requests an audience.”
“…Very well. Let her in.”
At the servant’s announcement, Enrique nodded.
The doors opened, and a woman stepped in, glancing around nervously.
Her long wavy silver hair flowed down to her waist. Her pale, elegant features turned toward him—and she lowered her head.
The composed, dignified duchess who stood before him now was nothing like the woman from last night.
“…You came. Crow.”
Cecilia Hamilton.
She walked toward him.
Cecilia’s POV
I was sitting in front of the Second Prince like a criminal awaiting judgment.
“Greetings, Your Highness…”
“Welcome, Crow.”
Excuse me?!
He just openly called me “Crow,” so I glanced around nervously.
The Second Prince stared at me for a moment, then sighed and dismissed the attendants.
“Everyone, leave.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The servants bowed and exited. The door closed.
Then he casually tossed something onto the table.
A note.
The same one I had left at the hotel before running away.
“Did you think you could just leave behind something like ‘a midsummer night’s dream’ and that would be the end of it?”
“…I’m sorry, Your Highness. I just thought you might be uncomfortable when you woke up.”
Honestly, I assumed you wouldn’t even remember me…
But I couldn’t say that.
I was the one who had forced alcohol on him, clung to him, and fled afterward.
“I’ll take responsibility for what I can. If there’s anything you want, tell me.”
What could I even possibly fix…?
But I had to say something.
“If you’re worried about rumors, I won’t say a word. I have no intention of spreading anything.”
“….”
“I can even write a sworn statement. Right now, if you want.”
“…Do it.”
He tossed me a pen and paper.
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Honestly… he’s supposed to have an angelic reputation, but he’s surprisingly unpleasant.
Still, I obediently wrote the statement.
It was simple: I would not reveal anything about last night, and I would accept consequences if I did.
I finished writing and handed it over.
“Here.”
“…Good.”
He skimmed it and seemed satisfied.
An awkward silence settled between us.
We barely knew each other, yet last night… we had—
“Can I ask something?”
“…What.”
“Did we really… last night… I mean…”
I couldn’t finish the sentence.
Maybe it’s better for my mental health not to know.
Instead, I changed the subject.
“Why were you at that tavern, Your Highness? Were you also suffering from heartbreak?”
“I was just there watching people.”
“….”
“Then the staff dragged me over, saying I looked too handsome even behind a mask.”
Ha.
Those staff were very committed to their jobs.
I smiled awkwardly.
Then he spoke again.
“Actually, I have a question too.”
“Yes?”
“Is the Duchess Hamilton having an affair?”
“Pardon?! That’s not—”
I tried to deny it, but then I remembered myself crying on his shoulder last night.
‘My husband is cheating on me… sob… Kaiden that bastard… Tiana that bitch…’
Damn it.
I had already revealed everything.
“…It’s my friend. A friend I’ve known for over ten years.”
Come to think of it, I had never said this out loud before.
Strangely, it felt refreshing—like I had finally shared a burden.
“My husband cheated on me with my only friend after three years of marriage. I just drank because I was upset. I didn’t think it would turn into all this.”
“…”
“Anyway, I apologize for disturbing you.”
I stood up.
“I’ll make sure this doesn’t harm you. I won’t make this mistake again.”
I bowed deeply.
Then I turned to leave.
But—
A sudden jolt struck my head like lightning.
Wait.
I froze.
My mind raced.
A brilliant idea had just formed.
A way to ruin Kaiden and Tiana completely.
I turned back impulsively.
“…Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“Would you consider… a contract relationship with me?”
