~Chapter 26~
Of course, I had never seen a play like this before.
I hadn’t even been to a movie theater… The only time was a school field trip in middle school.
I shook off those memories. It used to make me sad, but not anymore.
Now it just felt like something from long ago, or maybe a dream.
“This way, please.”
My seat was a little apart from the other audience members.
Unlike the plain wooden chairs elsewhere, my seat was a long velvet bench. Three or four people could sit on it, but I was the only important guest.
Still, it wasn’t far, so I could even see the actors’ faces.
Power really is nice!
I sat down and looked around. Just like Penny said, the theater was packed. There were nobles and regular people too.
Everyone whispered, but the sound hit the high ceiling and made a strange buzzing noise.
“This place is kind of creepy. They say ghosts show up in places like this.”
Just then, I heard someone next to me.
“Eek!”
I’d been thinking about ghosts, so I jumped and turned my head.
If I hadn’t been sitting apart, it would have been really embarrassing.
I stared at the man who sat down right next to me as if it was nothing. It was someone I didn’t expect.
“Veseth? Why are you here?”
His short silver hair was neatly combed to the side. He wore a silk shirt with a fluffy cravat, looking just like a prince from a fairy tale.
…At a glance, it even looked like he was carrying a white Maltese dog on his chest.
I’d heard it took days to get here from the capital by carriage. So why was Veseth here?
“Because of some business I had, I was passing by. But then I heard you were going to see a play.”
Who could have told him I was seeing a play? And how could he have shown up right on time?
“Oh, can you give me your hand?”
Veseth placed something heavy on my palm. It was a beautiful green gemstone.
“I’m trying to import these from Bastitas lately.”
“It’s pretty.”
If he was carrying it in his pocket, maybe he really was here for business.
“That’s good. If I sell these well, our empire will become rich.”
When Veseth smiled, dimples appeared on his smooth cheeks.
Just then, the theater lights went out. Veseth pointed forward with his eyes.
I turned my head to the stage too.
The play was fun. The props were simple and the costumes were worn out, but the acting was great.
Still, I couldn’t focus.
How could I concentrate with Veseth sitting right next to me…?
There were already a lot of things about him that I found suspicious.
But today was even stranger.
I remembered the time he tried to kiss me and the letter he left. The way things were going was nothing like the novel!
It felt weird.
I was staring absentmindedly at a broken part of the stage when the applause began. The play was over, and the actors came out to bow. I clapped along.
Veseth turned to look at me. I pretended not to notice at first, but then I couldn’t help but give him a small smile.
“It was fun.”
“Let’s have dinner together.”
He said it just like that.
“Uh, at our mansion?”
“No, just the two of us. Aren’t you tired of eating at home every day?”
“But it’s good every day… And I told Etienne I’d come home after the play.”
“It’s fine. Etienne’s not that petty. I’ll explain to him later.”
Even though he said that, I felt uneasy. I didn’t know what else to say, so I just nodded.
The restaurant recommended by the theater director wasn’t far, so we walked instead of taking a carriage.
I told Penny to stick close, but she kept her distance, probably because of Veseth.
The sky was getting dark, and my shoes made soft noises on the ground.
There weren’t many people on the street since it was dinnertime. Delicious smells came from each house.
“I’m sorry about that day. I guess I startled you.”
“That day?”
I kind of knew what he meant, but pretended not to.
I couldn’t just say, “You mean when you tried to kiss me?”
“You seemed pretty surprised.”
“Um… No. It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”
I answered in the most polite and safest way I could.
Veseth stopped walking. I stopped too.
What now? What is it?
I felt a wave of anxiety inside me.
“I really am sorry… but my feelings haven’t changed.”
“W-what feelings?”
As soon as I asked, I regretted it. I was scared to hear the answer.
“Why do you think I tried to kiss you?”
“Um, I don’t know? Because I’m like a little sister to you?”
Veseth laughed softly, covering his mouth with his long fingers. His straight hair fell over his hand.
What the… He looks so refreshing.
“Of course it’s because I like you.”
I stepped back. Veseth took a bigger step forward.
He smelled strongly of roses.
“It’s bad for Etienne, but actually, he’s the one who got between us.”
This time, he laughed without even covering his mouth. I could see his straight, white teeth.
I really shouldn’t be hearing this.
How can he be so shameless?
Is this normal here?
Maybe it is. I’d heard nobles often dated even after getting married. But…
Not me! I’m a good girl!
Whether he knew my thoughts or not, Veseth kept talking.
“Don’t you want to be crown princess? Or later, the empress? It’s better than just being a prince’s wife.”
I felt all the blood drain from my body. It was like my heart dropped from way up high.
“I guess you never really cared about power. So how about just being my wife?”
Veseth was confessing to me. He was asking me to choose him instead of Etienne.
How could this happen?
Last time was weird, but this was too much.
There was no way to misunderstand this.
Why is he doing this to me? What is he planning?
I almost blurted something out.
But Veseth didn’t ask me anything. He just held out his hand.
If I hadn’t read “The Possessive Crown Prince,” I might have fallen for him right then. With his good looks and honest, sweet words.
Anyone would feel weak—my heart was pounding like crazy.
But now I knew the truth. His real love was Sophienne, and he didn’t really like me.
Then why was he saying this?
“Right now, I…”
At that moment, the sound of galloping hooves came closer. A black shadow moved between Veseth and me.
I looked up at the shiny black horse. Etienne was sitting on it, looking down at me. His sharp jaw was set, hard as a rock.
He looked like he was about to get angry.
Veseth was hidden behind the big horse. I didn’t say anything, but I took Etienne’s hand. As he pulled my arm, I pulled back, and in an instant, I was up on the horse.
Etienne put my hand around his waist.
This time, I was sitting behind him, holding tightly to his coat with both hands. His body felt cold.
“Etienne?”
I heard Veseth’s voice, but I just stared at Etienne’s back. Etienne looked over at Veseth.
“What are you doing here?”
“Just passing by.”
Veseth sounded calm and relaxed.
“You came to my land without notice?”
“Yeah, it was private business. Didn’t want to bother you.”
“Private business.”
Etienne’s voice was normal, but I could feel his body stiffen.
“Yeah.”
“Fine, then. Finish your business and go home.”
“I’m done now. I was just about to leave.”
I could feel Veseth looking at me from the side.
Please, just stop looking at me.
While I was wishing that, Etienne pulled my hand even closer. Now I was pressed against his back.
Like a cicada clinging to a tree.
“Good. We’re busy, so we’ll go.”
“Sure, it was nice seeing you. See you at the party.”
Before Veseth could even finish, Etienne pulled the reins.
The black horse took off at full speed. I was scared I’d fall off, so I hugged Etienne’s waist tightly.
The wind roared in my ears. I secretly buried my face in Etienne’s back. His clean, deep scent filled me up.
He must be angry, right? I’d be mad too if I let someone go out and they spent time with another man.
He’ll probably be mad at me when we get off the horse. What if he says I can never have a day off again? No, what if he asks for a divorce…?
After a while, the horse slowed down. I saw the house. It was starting to feel like home.
Etienne took my hands off his waist. I let go and moved away from him.
“Um…”
I started to speak as he got off the horse first. It’s better to get in trouble right away!
But he didn’t answer. He just held out his hand.
What is it? Please say something.
When I reached for his neck, he wrapped his arm around my waist and helped me down.
My feet touched the ground lightly.
Now maybe he’ll say something? He’s definitely going to be mad.
I bowed my head, showing him I was ready to listen.
