CHAPTER 15
The blond, blue-eyed Crown Prince of Aldensis strode confidently through the wide-open door.
Wearing a uniform adorned with golden epaulettes, he looked impeccably dashing.
His face was more sculpted than a statue’s, with long, white fingers and a demeanor that was perfectly disciplined, as if straight out of a textbook.
All of it made him seem like a “beautiful person.” People were bound to be mesmerized by his dazzling appearance.
“Which makes him all the more dangerous.”
I glanced sideways at Aldensis, deep in thought.
Just like Suspect No. 1, Ruelian, whom I’d met earlier.
Well-toned muscles hidden under the uniform, sinewy hands, light but powerful footsteps—
All the traits others might find attractive only looked to me like ideal qualities for a killer.
“Duke Canel.”
After greeting my father, Aldensis turned to me.
“Lady Aristina.”
I met his gaze.
This was our first meeting since the incident.
If Aldensis was the killer—
Then this would be the first time he’d see, with his own eyes, the person he supposedly murdered, very much alive. Surely even a flicker of reaction would show?
I stared into his eyes, searching for anything at all.
“……”
But his blue eyes revealed nothing. Just a faint sense of polite insincerity, perhaps some annoyance, carefully masked.
“Is that really all there is?”
I lowered my head and offered the proper greeting stored in my memory.
“It is an honor to see Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Then, as instructed by Duke Canel, I clamped my mouth shut and sat down with the two of them.
Aldensis immediately turned his head back to the Duke.
“Duke Canel, I don’t even know how to begin. The imperial family nearly made a grave mistake this time. If the truth had come out after something irreversible had occurred… I still shudder to think of it.”
So he does understand.
With no right to speak, I simply thought it to myself.
“No, no,” the Duke shook his head.
“Even our family had accepted without question that my daughter was guilty. Naturally, it’s no surprise that others would as well. We are only grateful that the imperial family did not issue immediate punishment but instead granted a delay. I heard His Majesty was furious upon hearing the news?”
“I was indeed appalled at first, believing the poisoning accusation to be true. But when I later heard Lady Aristina insisted on her innocence, I calmed myself. I’d also already discussed with Ruelian the lack of decisive evidence proving her guilt.”
“I see.”
Though I was clearly the subject of their discussion, the two men spoke as though I wasn’t even there.
It was a deliberate slight. But that worked in my favor—it gave me time to observe the Crown Prince to my heart’s content.
“Yes, Duke. Still, I never imagined there would be such a story behind all this. To commit a crime using secret goods smuggled through black-market trade…”
Aldensis furrowed his white brow in apparent dismay.
But is that emotion real?
From what I recalled, he was not good with human emotions. His reactions weren’t instinctive—they were calculated responses based on what he had learned.
For example—
Even if a chick he raised day and night died, he would stare down at it without emotion. But if a friend cried, only then would he imitate the tears.
If people knew the Crown Prince’s true nature, they would surely be horrified.
But his transcendental ability to hide it so skillfully meant almost no one ever noticed.
“I plan to strengthen the investigation in this area right away. It’s more work, but given the scope of the case, we can consider it resolved relatively well.”
“Indeed. I have no complaints either. The culprits have all been severely punished, and Lady Hyperion has made a full recovery. She even sent a return invitation to my daughter in appreciation of the tea party.”
“Really? Serene did? That’s good to hear.”
How cozy.
I was the third wheel now, just watching them talk.
Duke Canel glanced at me now and then with a hawk’s eyes, but Aldensis didn’t spare me even a look.
I could feel just how deeply he despised me.
While I sat quietly beside them, the two continued their conversation in peace.
“By the way, I haven’t seen the Second Prince anywhere. I heard he was injured—was it serious?”
“Nothing of the sort. Ruelian came personally and healed him right away. He’s probably busy now. I gave him a discreet task.”
“Ah, I see. Both of you must be busy, what with the upcoming royal ball.”
“Yes, of course…”
Aldensis nodded.
“I assume you’ll be skipping it again, Duke? If you were to attend and grace the event, everyone would be delighted.”
“Haha.”
Duke Canel shrugged, as if seeing through the intent behind the Crown Prince’s words.
“I would love to, truly, but there’s too much to take care of after everything that happened. I’m also taking this chance to tidy up a few political connections.”
“Understandable.”
“Still, worry not, Your Highness. My daughter has deeply reflected on her actions. I will be sure to impress upon her the importance of restraint, so she won’t cause a scene at the ball like last time.”
As expected, they were already fretting about what kind of disaster I might cause at the royal ball.
But I had something to say about that too… not that I had a chance to speak.
“A scene, Duke? Isn’t it natural to have a bit of excitement at a ball?”
The Crown Prince smiled gently, saying something he clearly didn’t mean.
“Who in the Empire doesn’t know how lively Lady Aristina is? However, this particular royal ball is of great importance and must proceed without a hitch…”
“I understand, Your Highness. I’ll make sure to emphasize that to my daughter. After all the trouble she’s caused and now hearing such words from Your Highness—surely, she’ll take it to heart.”
The Crown Prince nodded lightly at Duke Canel’s words. Then, for the first time since the conversation began, he looked in my direction.
“Then, Lady Aristina. Let us meet at the royal ball. I very much look forward to seeing the changed you on that day.”
He smiled brightly.
“Answer him.”
Duke Canel gave me a sharp look. Finally, I had permission to speak.
“A changed me? I’m quite curious myself.”
I spoke with both hands clasped before my chest, as though genuinely moved.
“But, oh dear, Your Highness. I’m afraid I won’t be able to show you that side of me. I’m far too busy that day. I have to be somewhere else instead of the royal ball.”
Aldensis asked, puzzled, “Where will you be?”
“The Imperial Merchant Conference.”
“…?”
The unexpected answer stunned them both into silence.
See? You should’ve asked me first if I planned to attend.
Since it’s the Crown Prince’s royal ball, you all just assumed I’d rush over in a dress? You were getting ahead of yourselves.
“Why? Did I get something wrong?”
I asked, widening my eyes innocently.
“I read in an economic journal that the quarterly Merchant Conference is happening soon. The Empire’s top merchants will gather, exchange information, network, sign new contracts, attract investments—it’s an unmissable event.”
The Crown Prince’s eyes fixed on my face.
“You… read the economic journal?”
“Yes. Because my asset report was an utter disaster.”
“You… read your asset report too?”
“Oh, absolutely. I am a noblewoman, after all. Isn’t that expected?”
I answered nonchalantly.
Come on now. Even if a chimpanzee came forward and solved a calculus problem on the blackboard, you wouldn’t look that shocked.
“What kind of game is this wild noblewoman playing?”
I could almost see that question behind Aldensis’s elegant smile.
His piercing blue eyes didn’t leave my face.
Eyes that said if this was a scheme, he’d see right through it.
But I wasn’t fazed at all—because every word I just said was 100% sincere.
“This incident taught me something. To avoid being falsely accused, one must have power. And where does power come from? There are many ways, but the most fundamental is this: solid financial footing. That’s my biggest issue right now.”
The only daughter of a wealthy duke, saying something like that? Believe me, I find it absurd too.
But seriously, I was in a dire situation.
—
Every entry was crossed out.
A gilded shell, and nothing inside. That was me.
“Sure, I live in luxury as a noble lady, but I have no real control. I used to have property, a foundation, all sorts of things in my name… but every time I displeased my father, he took one away. Saying I lacked the ability to manage them, so he’d handle them for me.”
By “handle,” he meant seize them.
Everything had been stripped away one by one. And the little that remained after the recent poisoning scandal? Vanished like sand through fingers.
To protect the ducal estate, the remaining assets had been quickly transferred to a branch family.
That branch family—that’s the problem.
Because I, the direct heir, was failing miserably, the collateral relatives were eyeing the title.
Duke Canel prioritizes the family’s survival above all. He could easily name a relative’s child as heir instead of his own.
Then I’d be penniless—kicked out, just like that.
I knew things were bad, but not this close to the edge.
“To sum up my situation: it’s like a grand, gorgeous ship with a hole in the hull, slowly sinking beneath the waves. And in that state, a royal ball? Even if it’s hosted by the palace, that’s just not it.”
I smiled sweetly at the Crown Prince.
“So please forgive my absence, Your Highness.”
