RYL Chapter 27

Chapter 27

“But, Your Highness, not everything in life works out so conveniently.”

At my words of advice, the Crown Prince’s gaze fixed on me.

“What if one day, you meet a woman who shakes your entire world? What will happen to Lilianne then?”

I said it while thinking of the novel’s female lead, but Mikael frowned as if my question was absurd.

“There will never be another woman as close to me as Lilianne. We’ve spent too much time together for that.”

Oh, please.

“Feelings don’t depend on how much time you’ve spent together. Sometimes, they strike like lightning—sudden and unexpected.”

Mikael looked at me, clearly not understanding.

“How can feelings just appear so suddenly?”

You’ll see.

I sighed. How was I supposed to explain this any better?

Seeing my silent stare, he spoke again with a bitter expression.

“I know some people fall in love like that. But not me. When you grow up in a palace full of flattering courtiers and scheming nobles, it’s hard to open your heart to anyone.”

Sure, sure.

And yet, when the female lead appears, he’ll fall for her so completely that nothing else will matter.

Realizing there was no point in explaining further, I just nodded halfheartedly.

Then, Mikael spoke again, this time with a calm expression.

“I understand what you’re trying to say, Claire. And since Lhas made her feelings so clear, I won’t ignore her wishes and try to get closer to her.”

Well, of course. Even the usually quiet and reserved Lilianne had exploded in frustration. He must have understood now.

“I just… need some time to accept it.”

As he slumped his shoulders, I felt a tiny bit sorry for him.

But soon, the female lead would appear. When that happened, he’d probably thank me and Lilianne for pushing him away.

Just as I was thinking that, Mikael suddenly smiled at me.

“I’m envious that Lilianne has a friend who cares for her this much.”

Feeling embarrassed, I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

“Doesn’t Your Highness have friends as well?”

I was thinking of my trash ex-fiancé and that sociable young marquis.

But Mikael let out a bitter laugh and muttered, almost to himself,

“I do have some old acquaintances due to family connections. But in the end, their loyalty lies with their own families. I can’t be sure any of them truly care about me the way you care about Lilianne.”

So, even among his so-called friends, he had no one to confide in.

Maybe that’s why Lilianne was so important to him. In a world where everyone wore masks, she was the only safe place where he could be himself.

As I was thinking this, Mikael suddenly smiled again and said,

“In that case, how about being friends with me too?”

“Huh? What?”

I blinked in surprise, and he smiled warmly.

“Friends. Let’s be friends.”

I froze.

“You’re friends with Lilianne, so why not with me too?”

I stared at him, dumbfounded.

Did I even have a choice here?

Who in their right mind would refuse the Crown Prince’s request to be friends?

Well… maybe someone who didn’t care about their future.

“…Uh, sure?”

As I reluctantly agreed, Mikael’s polished smile returned.

“Then from now on, we’re friends.”

“Uh… yeah…”

Unlike my awkward response, Mikael looked genuinely pleased.

I cleared my throat and said firmly,

“But don’t use me as an excuse to meet Lilianne.”

“That’s not my intention. I’m just really curious.”

“About what?”

“You, Claire.”

“…”

If he smiled at me like that with that ridiculously handsome face…

I had to clutch my chest to keep my heart from wavering.

How did things end up like this?

I was trying to push him away from Lilianne, and now he was sticking to me instead?

—

As I entered the building, which was still under renovation, a large figure suddenly bowed deeply in front of me, making me jump in surprise.

“You’ve arrived, My Lady!”

“Agh! Can you stop calling me that?”

It was Hector, the head of the security team.

He glanced at me uncertainly.

“Then…?”

“Just call me ‘boss’.”

The moment I said that, Hector and his men responded in unison,

“Yes, boss!”

…Why did this feel like I had just become the leader of a crime syndicate?

Unlike my awkwardness, Sabrina was completely unfazed.

“Boss, you’re looking beautiful today.”

“Stop flattering me and get back to work.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Hector’s men were surprisingly obedient around Sabrina. She had a background in security work and had assigned them all to the right positions.

Thanks to her, thieves and gangs in the slums didn’t even dare to approach.

Yes, I’d definitely have to put Sabrina in charge of security from now on.

Feeling satisfied, I went upstairs, where the boutique’s renovation was still in progress.

There, checking over the construction work, was Lilianne.

When she saw me, she smiled brightly and walked over.

“Claire! You’re here!”

“How’s the boutique coming along?”

“I’m just giving design advice. The boutique has its own madam in charge.”

Even though she said that, Lilianne looked really excited.

“Thanks for helping out, Lilianne.”

“Oh, no need to thank me! I’ve always loved fashion, so this is so exciting! Just thinking about designing the perfect dresses for the three of us makes me thrilled!”

Lilianne was in charge of giving design advice and managing the boutique, as well as being the face of our social club.
Me? I was just planning to be a shadow owner.
I had no intention of revealing that this salon actually belonged to me.

As I watched Lilianne enthusiastically checking over the boutique, I suddenly remembered when Mikael came to visit.
Even though nothing was going on between Lilianne and Mikael, I still felt a little uneasy.

“Lilianne.”

She turned to me, looking curious.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

***

At a nearby café, I told Lilianne about Mikael’s visit.
Sabrina had followed us, saying it was too dangerous for me to go alone, so she was there too.

After listening to my story, Lilianne clapped her hands together.

“Oh my, this is great! We can use the crown prince to promote the salon!”

“Oh… I didn’t think of that. That’s a great idea—wait, no! Lilianne, aren’t you bothered by this at all?”

“Huh? Bothered by what?”

She looked at me blankly, as if she truly didn’t understand.

“The crown prince, who used to like you, is suddenly asking another girl to be his friend.”

Lilianne tilted her head, looking genuinely confused.

“But it’s just friendship? And Mikael and I were never anything more than that. I always saw him more as a friend.”

Sabrina, who had been listening quietly, chimed in.

“You’re really cool about this, huh?”

I had to agree.

I stared at Lilianne, feeling dumbfounded. She then asked me with a curious expression.

“Claire, do you have feelings for the crown prince?”

“What? No way! Not at all!”

My horrified reaction made Lilianne smile knowingly.

“I see. Well, even if you did like him, I would have supported you. But since you don’t, then it really doesn’t matter. Besides, Mikael is fated to be with the heroine once she appears.”

“That’s true…”

Before I realized it, I was already convinced by Lilianne’s logic and nodded in agreement.

Then, she gave a mysterious, almost chilling smile.
It was the same elegant, queenly smile I had seen her use at social gatherings.

“So, don’t feel guilty. Just use the crown prince however you want. I have to avoid him because of my doomed route, but you don’t have that problem.”

…In some ways, Lilianne was scarier than Sabrina.