RYL Chapter 26

Chapter 26

“I’ll give you a chance to earn money using your strength, just like now.”

“H-How do you mean?”

The man, looking confused, asked again. I slowly stood up.

“I need some guards.”

“…For people like us?”

“I need people who know their way around this world. Are you the strongest group around here?”

At that, the man straightened his shoulders with a proud expression.

“O-Of course! We run this area, so no other gang can mess around here.”

“Perfect.”

I smiled at the man, who still looked confused.

“You’re the leader of my security team now.”

The man blinked and looked around, stunned.

“M-Me? Are you serious?”

Sabrina grabbed his shoulder firmly and answered.

“Yes. You.”

***

After dropping off Lilianne and Sabrina, I returned to the Count’s estate, only to be greeted by an unexpected guest.

“The Crown Prince is waiting for you in the drawing room.”

My stepmother, looking displeased, muttered under her breath.

“You’re even trying to seduce the Crown Prince now?”

“What did you just say?”

My sharp tone made Ophelia stiffen. She quickly forced a smile.

“I-I meant, if you need anything, just call for me.”

“If I need something, I’ll call a maid. You may leave.”

At my cold response, Ophelia flinched and awkwardly walked away.

She was no longer a threat to me, now that I had secured my position as the heir.

After what happened in the study, even she had started to behave carefully around me.

Watching her retreat, I indifferently turned toward the drawing room.

‘The male lead came to see me? Why? Could it be because he knows I’m close to Lilianne and wants to ask for help?’

With a thousand thoughts running through my head, I stepped inside.

Mikael, sitting on the sofa, stood up and greeted me.

“Lady Claire, it’s been a while.”

“Oh, yes… Your Highness. What brings you here?”

As I cautiously asked, Mikael pulled something out of his coat.

It was the hair ornament I lost at the Belfour Duke’s banquet.

“Huh? Why do you have this…?”

“You must have left it on the terrace that night.”

I took it from him with an awkward smile.

“Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you…”

I had only said it out of politeness, but Mikael paused for a moment before speaking.

“If you really want to repay me, how about having tea with me?”

“…What?”

I glanced at the tea set on the table.

Isn’t that already tea?

Mikael smiled charmingly.

“There’s something I’d like to talk about.”

His words were suspicious.

Still, I called for a maid to bring fresh tea and sat down, fidgeting with my teacup while sneaking glances at the Crown Prince.

Honestly, I didn’t expect him to personally return my hair ornament.

Normally, he would have sent a servant to do it.

While I was watching him warily, Mikael casually took a sip of his tea and spoke.

“I heard you’re quite close to Lilianne.”

I knew it.

I kept my face neutral and answered firmly.

“We haven’t known each other for long.”

Even though I was obviously distancing myself, Mikael wasn’t easily deterred.

“For that, she seems to like you a lot.”

Did he see us at the banquet? At least he didn’t try to talk to her then.

I stared at him, waiting for him to get to the point. Mikael gave a sheepish smile before continuing.

“Lilianne has been avoiding me lately.”

Ah, so he wants to use me to get close to her?

Not a chance!

You’re supposed to end up with the female lead anyway!

If you interfere now, Lilianne will just suffer more.

And besides, she’s seriously ill—she could die at any time.

I still don’t know what exactly her illness is, but that doesn’t matter.

The point is, there’s no need for Mikael to follow the original story and go down his first love route.

I looked at him coldly and said,

“Maybe Lilianne has a reason for keeping her distance?”

I tried to be as polite as possible, but Mikael sighed softly.

“You may not know this since you haven’t known her long, but Lilianne and I have spent a lot of time together.”

Then, as if talking to himself, he added,

“There’s no way she has a reason I don’t know about.”

Oh, really? Then why did you let her suffer alone and go off to have a romance with the female lead?

Feeling annoyed, I spoke in an even colder tone.

“She wouldn’t have distanced herself without saying anything. Did she tell you anything?”

Mikael hesitated before finally answering.

“She said she doesn’t see me as a man and doesn’t want to be involved with me like this anymore.”

“Then you already have your answer. Romantic feelings have to be mutual. If one side has rejected you, then the answer is clear, isn’t it?”

“…”

“Do you like Lilianne enough to ignore her wishes?”

As expected, Mikael couldn’t answer me right away.

“I just… wanted to stay by Lilianne’s side like before.”

What a selfish thing to say.

“Stay together like before?”

As the Crown Prince, Mikael had a duty to the empire. His choices couldn’t be based on personal feelings—he had to prioritize the royal family.

“Isn’t that too unrealistic for someone in your position?”

At my question, Mikael hesitated before answering.

“That’s why I even considered marrying Lilianne. Since she’s from a Marquis family, the royal family wouldn’t object.”

He thought about marrying her just for that reason?

But soon, Mikael would meet the woman who would completely change his life—this novel’s female lead.

For her, he would defy the royal family’s opposition without hesitation.

Unlike now, where he was so uncertain about Lilianne.

What was I supposed to say to him?

Actually, you have a destined lover. Once she appears, you won’t even look at Lilianne.

No, wait—because of your stupid sense of responsibility, you’ll be stuck between the two women, making them both miserable.

If I said that out loud, he’d think I was crazy.

Frustrated, I gulped down my tea before finally speaking up.

“From what I’ve heard so far, Your Highness doesn’t seem to love Lilianne at all.”

Mikael looked at me, confused.

I met his gaze and spoke firmly.

“May I be completely honest, even if it’s rude?”

Mikael, still puzzled, nodded.

Taking a deep breath, I didn’t hesitate to say,

“Your Highness, you don’t love Lilianne—you just want to keep her by your side because she’s familiar.”

Mikael’s expression stiffened as if I had hit the mark.

I didn’t stop there.

“You and Lilianne are both at an age where marriage is expected. And if that’s the case, you probably thought it would be easier to marry someone familiar like her.”

“…”

“You’re trying to hold onto her just because she feels safe and comfortable. But you don’t even understand your own feelings.”

Mikael’s face darkened.

Seeing his reaction, I let out a deep sigh before continuing in a softer voice.