~Chapter 8~
Knock, knock—
“Excuse me, madam. I’ve brought you a warm cup of tea.”
“Yes. Thank you. Just leave it there and go.”
Slurp—
After taking a sip of the tea the maid had brought, the soreness in her throat softened as warmth slowly returned.
“Two days left, huh…”
Kaiden, who had disappeared somewhere with Tiana, still hadn’t returned.
In two days, the birthday banquet would take place.
He would surely show up then. If her guess was right, perhaps even with Tiana.
This should be enough preparation. It’s still missing about 2%… but…
It was frustrating.
Everything she had prepared was related to business matters in case of divorce.
But she still hadn’t found a truly satisfying way to humiliate Kaiden and Tiana at the birthday banquet.
She wanted to disgrace them thoroughly in front of everyone.
Or at least ensure that neither of them could steal the spotlight…
Ah, that contract relationship I mentioned back then would’ve been perfect…
She recalled the moment the Second Prince had rejected her proposal with a disgusted expression.
It had been a brilliant idea to her—but apparently not to him.
As she clicked her tongue in disappointment—
Knock, knock.
“Madam…!”
The door opened abruptly, and the head maid rushed in, breathless, eyes wide.
“I wanted to rest alone for a bit, Camilla. What is it?”
“A guest has arrived at the estate. However…”
Camilla paused, catching her breath after rushing up the stairs.
“The Second Prince has come personally requesting to see you!”
The Reception Room
Murmur, murmur.
As she approached the reception room, Cecilia saw the servants lined up outside, whispering among themselves.
The maids had abandoned their work entirely, peeking through the door crack with excited, girlish expressions.
The Second Prince—renowned as the most beautiful man in the Empire—had appeared at the Hamilton estate.
Even she could understand their curiosity.
The Hamilton Duchy and the Second Prince had almost no public interaction.
In fact, the Hamilton family itself had been dismissed as a declining noble house in social circles until her marriage.
Now, with the Second Prince suddenly visiting, confusion rippled through the household.
“Why? Why is His Highness the Second Prince here?”
“Maybe it’s about the cosmetics business? There’d be no reason for him to come personally otherwise…”
“But this is my first time seeing him in person. He’s really, really handsome…”
“Move aside.”
“Ah! Madam! We’re sorry!”
Startled, the maids quickly stepped aside as Cecilia appeared.
Entering the reception room, she saw him.
Seated casually on the sofa with his legs crossed, completely unfazed by all the attention.
Enrique Greenwood.
The Second Prince of the Empire.
What on earth…
Just his presence disrupted the entire order of the estate.
She hesitated for a moment—should she be angry or not?
Wasn’t this the same man who recently made her sign a sworn statement to avoid scandals?
And now he was causing chaos in her home?
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
As she approached and bowed formally, he lifted his head.
Silver hair that shimmered like moonlight. Emerald eyes that gleamed sharply as they met hers.
“You should’ve sent word in advance. What brings you here so suddenly?”
“About that proposal you made.”
“…Pardon?”
He stood up and walked toward her, long strides closing the distance effortlessly.
Instinctively, she stepped back.
“The contract relationship.”
“….”
His voice dropped low near her ear, barely audible to anyone else.
“Is that offer still valid?”
“…What?”
Her eyes widened.
Cecilia’s POV
I sent all the servants out of the reception room.
Reluctantly, they left, guided by the head maid and butler, their whispers fading down the halls.
Silence settled.
Now alone, Enrique seemed slightly more relaxed. He loosened a button at his collar and pulled something from his pocket.
“Do you mind if I smoke?”
“…Yes.”
So his image really is different…
From his pocket, he pulled out a cigar.
I heard the Second Prince never drinks or smokes.
The more I observed him, the less he matched his rumored image.
Not that the reckless version suited him either. With that face, the “proper noble” image felt even more out of place…
“…I don’t usually do this.”
As if reading my thoughts, he added quickly.
“Only when I feel… irritated. Same with that day’s drinking.”
“I didn’t say anything, Your Highness.”
It was technically forbidden to smoke in the reception room, but his expression looked unusually complicated, so I let it slide.
He exhaled slowly, silence stretching between us as he smoked.
“…So, about what you said earlier.”
I finally spoke.
“Why are you suddenly considering the contract relationship seriously?”
He had clearly looked disgusted when I first suggested it.
I never expected him to revisit it—let alone come here in person.
After finishing his cigar, he extinguished it and spoke.
“Do you know Princess Sara of the Kingdom of Ines?”
“Yes, I do…”
Princess Sara Ines.
A famously well-known woman.
She had been rumored since childhood to be the Second Prince’s unofficial fiancée.
Even though he had never officially announced any engagement.
“I’m being told to marry her.”
“….”
“But I don’t want to get married.”
Enrique gave a bitter, self-mocking smile.
Enrique’s Memory
After Cecilia left with the signed statement, he had immediately been summoned to the Crown Prince’s palace.
The Crown Prince’s office was as extravagant as ever—gold detailing covering every corner.
Inside, a black-haired man looked up from his documents and stood.
“Oh. You came, my little brother.”
“…Brother.”
Vincent Greenwood.
The Crown Prince—and Enrique’s only sibling.
Vincent walked over and hugged him briefly, a friendly gesture that still carried a strange tension beneath it.
“I called you because I have something to discuss.”
“Go ahead.”
They sat.
Vincent poured tea himself and spoke casually.
“It’s about Princess Ines. I think it’s time we arranged your marriage.”
“…Brother.”
“Marry her, Enrique.”
“….”
“The King of Ines wants you as his son-in-law. And the princess agrees as well.”
Even as Enrique’s expression hardened, Vincent only smiled faintly.
