Chapter 47
She slowly brushed my hand that she was holding. It wasn’t as smooth as silk, but unlike cold silk, her rough touch was full of warmth.
“Did you know that the letters His Highness has been sending me lately are filled with stories about you?”
Her sudden change of topic made me frown slightly. Isabella gave me a gentle smile at my reaction.
“That’s why I wanted to see you even more—because you’ve entered the heart of that lonely child.”
Isabella’s gaze toward me was full of kindness. I barely managed to suppress a sigh that threatened to escape my lips.
I couldn’t entirely fault her feelings. Isabella seemed unaware that she had called the crown prince “child.” It meant she unconsciously considered the crown prince as her own.
From her perspective, it wasn’t wrong for me, someone the crown prince liked and who could become his partner, to have her favor. If I loved the crown prince, her goodwill would actually be welcome. The only problem was that I wasn’t ready to accept her kindness.
“Are you so engrossed in a fun story that you didn’t notice the carriage has arrived?”
The carriage door opened, revealing the crown prince. Sunlight poured into the carriage, making it hard to see his expression clearly, but his silver hair gleamed brilliantly under the light.
“It’s rude to intrude on a private conversation between ladies.”
“I apologize, sister. The carriage has been here for some time, and seeing that neither lady appeared yet made me impatient.”
He reached out his hand toward Isabella, who smiled and clasped his hand.
“I don’t recall raising such a rogue.”
“Men in love can’t be careful.”
The crown prince helped Isabella down from the carriage with a playful smile, naturally guiding her behind him.
“Varan!”
A sturdy man appeared behind the crown prince. Isabella’s face lit up, and she ran into his arms with the light grace of a butterfly.
“Bii.”
The crown prince turned to me and held out his hand. I placed mine on top of his palm.
“Ah!”
Contrary to my expectation that it would be a simple escort like with Isabella, his fingers immediately threaded between mine the moment they touched, and he pulled me into his arms at once. The cool, sweet scent of spearmint tickled my nose before I could scream.
“What are you doing!”
“We can’t lose, can we?”
I was baffled by his sudden action and unexpected words. He chuckled, pointing behind him with a glance. There, Isabella and Count Saint shared a deep kiss.
“Please, I don’t want to lose.”
I replied with a sigh, and he chuckled again. His arms wrapped around my waist as he lifted me. Our eyes were level now.
“Weren’t you looking with envy?”
My flushed face reflected in his golden eyes.
“No!”
“It seemed like envy in your gaze toward sister and the count.”
A mischievous smile spread across his face, and I couldn’t help but sigh at his playful expression.
“You’re mistaken.”
“Really? That’s a shame.”
With a voice full of mock disappointment, he loosened the strength in his arms holding me. My feet touched the ground again, but his arms still wrapped around my waist.
“You’re beautiful today as well, my Bii.”
In the brief moment akin to a dragonfly’s flutter, a soft, gentle feeling touched my forehead and then slipped away.
“I’d love to kiss those sweet-looking lips, but there are too many eyes around today.”
His gaze softened as he looked at me. Pulling me closer, he brought his lips near my ear.
“Good thing you’re wearing hiking shoes.”
“What!”
He whispered and gently nibbled my earlobe. I shrieked and pushed against his chest. Laughing, he let go of his hold on my waist.
“What’s happening?”
My scream drew the attention of Isabella and Count Saint. My face burned red with embarrassment. The crown prince watched me with a look of amusement. In this situation, glaring at him was all I could do, which made me furious.
“Bii seems envious of sister and the count’s affection.”
“No!”
I shouted reflexively at his teasing comment. Isabella widened her eyes in surprise, her face practically aflame.
“Oh my!”
Isabella, momentarily stunned, suddenly seemed to realize something and uttered an exclamation. Her lips curved into a smile.
“I suppose I was meddling for no reason.”
“What do you mean?”
Count Saint asked, and she smiled at him brightly.
“You shouldn’t meddle in romantic relationships, but seeing them so close made me realize I overstepped.”
Count Saint nodded and embraced her shoulder, and she naturally leaned into him.
“If you want, I’m already ready.”
The crown prince chuckled and tapped his shoulder. His face still held mischief. I slowly exhaled, letting the heat in my face subside.
I placed my hand on his shoulder. His eyes flickered slightly at my sudden touch. Though Isabella’s exclamations rang from beside us, I focused only on his gaze.
I slowly traced my fingers along his shoulder. His expression barely changed, but I could feel his body tense under my touch. I curled the corners of my lips into a smile. My radiant grin reflected in his startled golden eyes.
I raised my other hand, tracing from shoulder to neck, and from neck to cheek. His playful expression faltered under my touch.
I smiled brightly and drew closer between his legs. A faint blush appeared on his cheek. I finally grabbed his ear and slowly pulled it downward. He obediently let me guide him, unsure of what I might do. I whispered softly in his ear:
“What would happen if I lifted my knee like this?”
My knee, hidden under my skirt, was slightly raised, brushing against his thigh. His face instantly paled.
“You may not realize it, but when I’m angry, I fear nothing, Your Highness.”
I gently scratched his earlobe with my nail. He flinched, his eyes squinting slightly, as if feeling the same spot he had bitten before.
“This is your only warning.”
I lightly tapped his cheek. While a warning to him, to Isabella and Count Saint it might have looked like an act of affection.
“Haa.”
As I pulled away, he exhaled deeply, looking flustered. His eyes showed a mix of surprise, anxiety, and resentment.
“You… damn it!”
He muttered under his breath and ran his hands through his silver hair, which fluttered wildly under his touch.
“Your Highness?”
Isabella called out at his sudden action and tried to approach us. Count Saint held her back, and she looked at him in confusion. He shook his head at her, and she quietly complied.
Count Saint’s gaze then turned to me, with a strange expression.
“Bii, I leave you in your care.”
“Oh my!”
With that single phrase, the crown prince vanished. Both Isabella and I were shocked by his sudden disappearance.
I had never experienced it firsthand, but I knew the spot I had threatened was a man’s fatal weakness. Yet, I only threatened him; there was no direct contact. I hadn’t expected the crown prince to be so shaken. I stared blankly at where he had disappeared.
“He’s pitiful, isn’t he?”
“Varan?”
Count Saint’s words reminded me that he was a knight. Knights were physically superior to ordinary people, including their senses. Count Saint was an exceptional knight; he likely overheard everything between the crown prince and me. My face instantly burned red.
“What exactly happened?”
“It’s uncomfortable for the young lady to discuss it here.”
Count Saint shook his head at Isabella’s question. She alternated her gaze between us, and though I kept a neutral expression, my flushed face could not be hidden.
“I understand.”
She nodded at Count Saint, implying she wouldn’t ask further. I quietly exhaled in relief.
No matter how shameless I might be, I couldn’t tell a royal like her that I tried to end the royal line—especially knowing the target was her brother. Her reaction was predictable.
“The situation turned a bit awkward, but introductions are in order, right? This is my husband, Varan Lloyd Saint.”
She approached me with Count Saint. I bowed.
“Nice to meet you. Bionne Rossa Elient.”
“Pleasure, Lady Elient.”
He bowed slightly in return.
“You resemble the Marquess of Elient quite a bit.”
I widened my eyes at his sudden comment. The slightly smiling, square-jawed man had a masculine charm.
“Repaying in kind—or even double—is the Marquess of Elient’s specialty.”
My face flamed again. It was now certain he had overheard everything between the crown prince and me.
“There’s no one else around, it seems.”
