NMBTD 55

Chapter 55

Alesia set down her teacup with a sharp clink and parted her lips.

“You are…”

Niris met the Crown Princess’s gaze and offered a triumphant smile.

She glanced around the room with a relaxed expression, as though she owned the space. Then, flashing a charming smile, she looked directly at Alesia.

“I am Niris Roshanak, Your Highness the Second Crown Princess. May the radiance of the sun remain upon you.”

Niris greeted her with flawless courtesy. Alesia gripped the armrest of her chair as she received the bow.

“How did you end up accompanying Caleb and Baron Ambrose, Lady Roshanak?”

Alesia asked calmly.

Niris sat primly beside Caleb, wearing a composed expression. Caleb, gauging Alesia’s expression, responded with his usual easygoing tone.

“I happened to be in Narot when the invitation arrived. I had received one from House Roshanak.”

“So you came together to Kalebs?”

“Yes. Also, Lady Roshanak wished to properly greet Your Highness and His Highness the Second Prince.”

“She could have done that at the ball.”

Alesia’s gaze turned cold as she replied.

She needed to know whether Caleb had done this out of ignorance or if he had a hidden motive.

If he did have an ulterior motive, it would be to push Niris toward Franz.

In her previous life, it was the First Prince who introduced her to Franz.

But this time, Franz was firmly rejecting her.

The First Prince and the Corneille family were probably desperate to use Niris as Alesia’s replacement for Franz.

‘Was Caleb being used, or did he join hands with them?’

Neither possibility pleased her.

Caleb was her older brother. The one she knew wasn’t overly ambitious or power-hungry.

But was that really all there was to him?

She remembered Franz’s warning when they discussed driving out Creighton.

“Trust no one. Not your family, not even me. Trust only yourself.”

Alesia bit the inside of her cheek as she looked at Caleb.

Franz’s advice couldn’t be ignored.

People had many sides. Blind trust was foolish.

Hadn’t she just learned that lesson?

Creighton, who had always seemed like a kind person, had been the one who murdered her.

Caleb might also be hiding secret desires.

Alesia lowered her gaze and wore a gentle smile, masking her face.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Roshanak.”

“Yes, Your Highness. It’s an honor.”

Niris replied coolly and reached for her teacup. Her haughty demeanor made Alesia lift the corners of her mouth.

“Was there a special reason you insisted on greeting me in person? I don’t quite see how this differs from a greeting at the ball.”

The words were warm, but barbed.

Alesia looked coldly at Niris as she sipped her tea.

Niris set down her teacup slowly and replied calmly.

“My apologies if I made you uncomfortable. I’m quite shy, you see. And I’m still not fully recovered since my treatment ended recently.”

“Oh dear. Is that so?”

Alesia expressed sincere concern.

“If your health is so poor, you should’ve stayed longer in Narot where the air is better. The First Prince’s birthday ball happens every year, you know.”

“Ah, Your Highness, that’s—”

“Caleb, I’m speaking with the lady now.”

Alesia gently cut him off.

If Caleb had merely accompanied Niris out of kindness, she would let it go. But if there was another scheme involved, she would act more firmly.

“Your Highness, it turns out Lady Roshanak already knows Prince Franz. She came ahead of time to offer her congratulations on the marriage.”

Alesia’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Unfortunately, it seemed Caleb had betrayed her.

What could she even say?

Her mind went blank.

Misinterpreting her silence, Caleb laughed heartily and continued.

“Hahaha! Surprised, aren’t you? I was, too. What a strange twist of fate, right?”

“…A twist of fate.”

“Where is His Highness Prince Franz? I’d like to greet him while I’m here.”

Hearing Niris openly ask about Franz, Alesia twisted her lips.

“Are you seriously asking me to summon the Second Prince right now?”

She banished the confusion clouding her head and spoke sternly.

“I’m disappointed.”

“Excuse me?”

“Even among common nobles, visiting without an appointment is considered extremely rude—especially on a first meeting. I’m disappointed that a count’s daughter would ignore such basic etiquette.”

Niris’s smile faded as Alesia’s words struck home. Alesia stared at her intently.

“And even if you’ve met my husband before, it’s our first meeting. Yet you barge in and ask for him? How should I take that?”

“I-I only came to congratulate Your Highness on your marriage…”

“Really?”

Alesia raised an eyebrow at Niris’s forced excuse.

“In that case, I’ll graciously accept your gift.”

She extended her hand elegantly, clearly expecting a present. Niris’s face filled with unease.

“Your Highness, the truth is…”

“Yes?”

Alesia fixed her with a pointed gaze, her expression twisting in disgust.

“Don’t tell me you came empty-handed to offer wedding congratulations? Do you even realize who you’re speaking to?”

“T-that’s…”

Niris looked desperately at Caleb. Alesia raised her chin and declared:

“I am the Second Crown Princess of the Lauritz Empire. And yet you came to offer words alone to a royal? House Roshanak’s sincerity is noted.”

Alesia finished speaking and stood. As she turned to leave, Caleb rushed to stop her.

“Resa!”

Alesia slowly turned back. Her cold gaze made Caleb flinch as he bowed deeply.

“Y-Your Highness the Second Crown Princess. Please forgive our rudeness for my sake. It was my fault. I carelessly invited Lady Roshanak to accompany me…”

“I see.”

Alesia smiled as if nothing had happened. She brushed off the sleeve he’d grasped and spoke evenly.

“I’ll let it go this once—for Baron Ambrose’s sake. But if something like this happens again, I may end up disappointed in the Baron as well.”

“Your Highness…”

Caleb’s face turned pale at her sharp tone. Alesia gave a sweet smile as she glanced at the flustered pair.

“Well then, I’ll see you at the ball.”

With a short goodbye, she turned and walked confidently toward the door.

Once it closed with a heavy thud, the two were left staring at each other in stunned silence.

* * *

“What on earth just happened? I thought the Second Crown Princess was a gullible fool!”

Niris snapped at Caleb, who stood stunned, holding his forehead.

Since being practically thrown out of the palace and on their way to House Roshanak’s townhouse, he had worn a dazed expression.

He muttered vacantly, as if unsure of where he even was.

“Indeed… Something’s wrong. Really wrong…”

“Is that all you can say?!”

Niris stomped the floor in frustration, unable to hide her anger.

Screaming and causing a fuss didn’t suit the pampered noble daughter of House Roshanak—but she didn’t care.

Caleb, however, wasn’t fazed by her tantrum.

After spending the past few days at the Roshanak estate, he already knew Niris was self-centered.

What had truly shocked him was not Niris, but Alesia’s behavior.

‘Baron Ambrose? Did she just call me Baron Ambrose?’

Caleb’s mouth opened slightly, still unable to believe what he’d witnessed.

Alesia never addressed him that way.

Only when Patricia was around would she reluctantly use the title—otherwise, she always called him “Caleb” and acted affectionately.

So what went wrong?

Even when he first arrived at the palace and greeted her, she still called him “Caleb.” She even gave him gloves to win his favor.

Up until that moment, she had been the sweet little sister he knew.

Until Niris showed up.

“Because of her, we didn’t even get to see the Second Prince and were thrown out! What now?”

“Calm yourself, my lady.”

Caleb pressed his temples and tried to soothe Niris.

Normally, he would have shut her mouth with one command. But now wasn’t the time or place for that.

Much to his regret.

‘If it were Resa, she would’ve gone quiet with just one word from me…’

Caleb glared at Niris with burning eyes.