Chapter 05
Roselina whispered in a gentle voice, soft like a spring breeze.
“I’m okay, Sir Mortega. I know this wasn’t what the Crown Prince wanted.”
Mortega spoke, a little moved. He was happy that Roselina hadn’t abandoned the Crown Prince.
Even now, Roselina was the best card for Serden. The sunlight behind her looked like a halo just for her.
Mortega felt she was like a saint, sent to save Serden.
All of Mortega’s praise and affection for Roselina came from Serden.
“Exactly. That’s why the Crown Prince called Lady Roselina!”
“Is the Crown Prince in his office now?”
“Yes. I’ll take you there.”
Mortega walked with Roselina down the hallway.
She was the kind of woman who drew attention just by being near. Her posture was perfect, her manners flawless. Even the way she tucked her hair behind her ear was delicate and beautiful.
No woman but Roselina, gentle, smart, and perfect, could match Serden.
“Thank you, Sir Mortega. Thanks to you, I wasn’t bored on the way.”
“Not at all. Please enjoy the conversation.”
Roselina said goodbye to Mortega and entered the office. Serden looked at her with a calm smile.
It was still a smile that hid his true thoughts. His extremely handsome face seemed to slowly release the anger that had built up inside.
Roselina approached Serden and greeted him warmly.
“Crown Prince. It’s been a long time. I’m glad to see you safe. I heard you even canceled the victory banquet.”
Her eyes became dreamy as she faced Serden.
He was like a perfect sculpture of her ideal. Only he could be hers.
“I’ll get what I can, and lose what I must. I just thought it’s right to mourn the dead first. You’ve done well too, Roselina.”
She smiled shyly.
“Thanks to your concern, Your Highness.”
“Hm. Looks like many things changed in the palace while I was gone.”
“Ah…”
“So I have a request for you, Lady Roselina.”
There was no mention of their broken engagement, but Roselina smiled as if she knew nothing. If Serden learned her true thoughts, she might be kicked out immediately.
She planned to stay close and wait for the right moment.
‘Could it be? Are they really going to make that fool Empress?’
The succession issue was also at stake.
“Request?”
“I want you to take care of my maid. She has no proper friends or attendants. I heard Duke Spellman sent two maids, but you must be someone I trust most.”
Hearing “someone I trust,” Roselina blushed. Should she be angry or laugh?
The person he trusted most? He’s asking a future Crown Princess to serve as a maid? But maybe it’s an opportunity too.
Roselina nodded.
“If it’s what Your Highness wants, I’ll do it. I can do anything.”
“Thank you, Roselina.”
His smile curved gently, full of warmth. Her eyes became even more dreamy.
‘She’s mine. I’ll have her, no matter what.’
Serden was really an irresistible man.
The maids, who had been struggling with me for the last two days, always frowned when they saw me.
It was the same now. I wouldn’t let them leave my side for a moment.
‘I-I need to go to the bathroom!’
‘The bathroom is right here. Why not go here? I don’t want to be alone with Evelyn.’
‘I-I can’t take Evelyn to the bathroom…’
‘Why?’
‘Huh?’
‘Why?’
Rosy and Cherina stayed by my side until quitting time. Today was the same. When Rosy tried to step away for a moment, I grabbed her skirt and shook it.
“You don’t like me anymore? Then I’ll stay alone. Go home! Go to your father!”
“Th-That’s not it, Lady Evelyn.”
“Calling me Lady Evelyn makes it formal! Of course! I like you both! Evelyn likes you!”
So fake.
“Then you’ll stay with me, right? Read books, play, eat together?”
“Yes, of course.”
Watching their awkward, nervous faces was fun. I didn’t know I enjoyed teasing people this much.
It felt like another part of me had awakened. Hehe.
I had a new plan to tease them… but before I could, a guest arrived.
It was Roselina, Serden’s fiancée.
I had seen Roselina in the novel. She was Serden’s old friend, and I thought she was just a villain helping the mastermind.
She was experienced in society and had helped Serden after early widowhood.
The heroine sometimes sought her help to adjust in high society.
Why is that great woman here now? She had no connection with Evelyn.
Nervously blinking and clutching her doll, Roselina entered the reception room.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Evelyn. I am Roselina of the Count Karma family. By the Crown Prince’s order, I am here to serve you.”
She smiled, but her eyes were sharp.
Serden, this guy.
Sending a spy after candy? Fine, I’ll fool them perfectly.
I smiled brightly at Roselina.
“Hi! So now Roselina is my friend too?”
“Huh?”
“We were about to play hide-and-seek! Let’s all play together!”
I didn’t know her intentions, but here, she had to follow my rules. Even a great woman like Roselina was no exception.
“Eh? No, Lady Evelyn. We are….”
Clutching her doll, she jumped to her feet. Roselina looked shocked at me.
“From now, I’ll count 30… uh, 20! The first one found gets ten flicks! Let’s start!”
“Argh!”
“Kya!”
The two maids, tormented by me for two days, ran away like crazy. I had flicked fingers before, but I didn’t know I could show that skill here.
Only Roselina was left, stunned.
Good. Now you’ll taste my hand skills too.
“One, two, three!”
Roselina sat down smiling politely, as if she were too noble to play. She would soon change her mind.
Ten minutes later…
“W-What are you doing, Lady Crown Princess?!”
“Games have rules. Don’t you know, Roselina?”
“Yes, Lady Evelyn!”
I puffed my cheeks and motioned to Cherina and Rosy. The enraged maids approached with mean faces.
Resisting, Roselina’s arms were held by the maids and delivered to me as a “sacrifice.”
“Kya, kyaaaak!”
Birds in the garden flew away, startled by her screams.
Roselina, pale, blinked in disbelief.
“You, you just hit me…?”
“I’ll count 20 again! Hide-and-seek starts!”
She covered her red-marked forehead with her hand and ran out first.
Watching the three run like rabbits in the spring breeze, I smiled cruelly.
It was a bright, peaceful day.
Cherina and Rosy were still held like prisoners in my garden, and now Roselina joined them.
The plan is to make them so busy they can’t think.
I slowly counted and watched them. Serden was probably watching all this too. Every eye here represented someone else.
Serden, Duke Spellman, the Emperor…
“I’m coming to find you now! Hide well, or I’ll see your hair!”
Try it if you dare. I will never lose.
