Chapter 131
And immediately after, she felt a soft sensation on her cheek.
Cheek…?
Alice momentarily wondered if she had misunderstood and slightly opened her eyes.
Then, as if confirming she hadn’t mistaken anything, a moist sound left her cheek.
Smooch-
Indeed.
It was truly her cheek, not her lips.
In this heated atmosphere, Kylus had given her a peck on the cheek rather than a passionate kiss.
What’s this? Just a peck on the cheek? Was I the only one feeling excited…?
Having opened her eyes, Alice momentarily failed to manage her expression.
Kylus laughed at the disappointment and disgruntlement plainly visible on her face.
“I kissed your cheek because I thought I wouldn’t be able to stop if I kissed your lips. Should I not have held back?”
“…It’s fine.”
Alice pushed away Kylus’s shoulders as he subtly moved closer again and turned her head.
Though Alice did so out of embarrassment, to Kylus’s eyes, she looked adorably prim like a sulking rabbit, making it impossible for him to suppress his laughter.
“Don’t laugh.”
As Alice shot him a sidelong glance,
“I couldn’t help it because you’re too lovable. I’m sorry if I upset you, Alice.”
He answered with a gentle smile.
“…I’ve always thought this, but Your Grace is really good at saying such embarrassing things so casually.”
“It’s thanks to you, Alice. I don’t say these things to others. My heart responds only to you. So Alice must take responsibility for me.”
“What did I… even do…”
Just as Alice was at a loss in the face of Kylus’s brazenness, the carriage stopped.
“We have arrived, Your Grace, my lady.”
As soon as the coachman opened the door announcing their arrival at the ducal residence, Alice hastily exited the carriage first.
Because if she had stayed with him any longer, she felt like she might blurt out, “Yes! I’ll take responsibility for you!”
Watching Alice’s retreating figure as she quickly slipped into the ducal residence like a rabbit fleeing from a predator, Kylus couldn’t contain his laughter that flowed like a madman’s.
To think that even her bewildered look with those round eyes as she fled from him was lovable—he truly loved her beyond reason.
To the point where he couldn’t live a single day without the real Alice.
And as soon as Alice arrived in her bedroom, she covered her burning face and collapsed onto the bed.
Because with each passing day, she was falling for him beyond all reason.
“What… am I going to do?”
Unable to contain her emotions, Alice buried her face in her pillow and let out a silent scream.
Three days later.
The Pentaum Empire was in an uproar over the Second Prince’s scandal.
The case involving the Second Prince and Viscountess Rosetta had broken two days ago.
The details of how Viscountess Rosetta had become the Second Prince’s mistress under his coercion and was carrying his child were fully exposed through a newspaper.
Naturally, unstoppable rumors were growing that the recent assassination attempt at the hunting competition was also planned by the Second Prince to kill Viscountess Rosetta, who was carrying his illegitimate child.
As if to fan the flames of those rumors, today’s morning newspaper featured a brief interview with Viscountess Rosetta.
It contained her account of how the Second Prince had ordered her to get rid of the child, and how he had cut off contact as soon as she told him about the pregnancy.
A perfect interview with the Viscountess highlighting the Second Prince’s atrocities.
Especially below the interview was an opinion piece arguing that the Second Prince’s misdeeds could no longer be ignored.
Alice was quite pleased with the article’s conclusion stating that if the matters related to Viscountess Rosetta were true, the Second Prince should receive an appropriate punishment.
It was a statement properly encouraging the Second Prince to stand trial.
In truth, even if he had wronged a noblewoman, the Second Prince was a member of the imperial family, and currently the most likely crown prince candidate.
To openly attack such a Second Prince was absolutely not an easy task.
No, it was virtually impossible. After all, this was a world with a strict class system.
Nevertheless, the newspapers were able to publish such articles all thanks to Kylus.
Duke Dearrut, who possessed power and prestige as formidable as the imperial family.
So the newspapers had ultimately bet everything on this side, believing Duke Dearrut would win this power struggle.
The Second Prince’s reputation had already been plummeting for some time.
As if to prove this, one section of the newspaper invariably included an article praising the Dearrut ducal household for rescuing and protecting Viscountess Rosetta.
So far, things are going according to plan.
Just as a smile settled on Alice’s lips, the Third Prince’s voice sounded:
“The meeting should be over by now. I wonder if… the Second Prince’s trial has been approved?”
Alice handed the newspaper she had finished reading to Aileen and looked at the Third Prince seated with her at the tea table.
Opal-colored eyes trembling with slight anxiety. Alice understood the source of the Third Prince’s unease.
He was likely anxious about the Emperor possibly opposing the Second Prince’s trial.
Indeed. Today at the Imperial Palace, the Emperor had been forced to convene a meeting with the nobles because of the increasingly noisy case of the Second Prince.
Supposedly to discuss this situation.
But the word “discussion” was merely superficial. The Emperor would probably try to persuade the nobles to quietly cover up this matter.
Naturally, Kylus planned to blindside the Emperor.
Kylus had gone to the Imperial Palace not to cover up the case, but to escalate it further.
He intended to push for the Second Prince’s trial to be held so that all facts could be clearly established.
To think of putting a member of the imperial family on trial. Kylus was saying what everyone else only dared to think but never speak.
He was… someone perfectly capable of doing so.
And Alice had no doubt that Kylus would defeat the Emperor today.
‘All preparations have been completed. This meeting is merely a ceremonial procedure to open the trial.’
That’s what Kylus had said before departing for the Imperial Palace today.
It was an arrogant statement she heard often, but with each hearing, her trust in him grew.
Therefore, Alice naturally believed Kylus would return with the flag of victory, but the Third Prince, while trusting Duke Dearrut, seemed instinctively anxious.
Having witnessed the Emperor shielding the Second Prince more closely than anyone, it was unavoidable.
Since the First Prince had fallen, the Emperor had considered the Second Prince, the legitimate son of the current Empress, as his only child to succeed him.
That’s why he had shielded and protected him despite whatever trouble he caused. To the Emperor, the Third Prince was merely evidence of shame, not a child.
He turned a blind eye to the Second Prince tormenting the Third Prince. As if saying, ‘Just die at the Second Prince’s hands.’
Alice softly called out to the Third Prince, whose expression had hardened as if recalling past memories.
“Your Highness.”
“…Yes.”
“Don’t worry. Everything will turn out well. Even if it’s difficult, the Duke is not someone who would back down like this.”
“That’s right. I’ve never seen my brother fail at anything he’s set his mind to. So please don’t worry too much, Your Highness.”
Sienna, who was also at the tea table, added.
The Third Prince turned his head toward Sienna. Unlike his rather ordinary reaction to Alice’s words, the Third Prince’s anxious expression quickly changed the moment his eyes met Sienna’s.
As if he finally felt relieved. His trembling completely disappeared at Sienna’s faint smile. And he replied:
“Yes, my lady. I will no longer worry needlessly.”
Only to Sienna.
Hmm, am I invisible? Or did he not hear what I said…?
Alice tilted her head at the sight of the Third Prince answering only Sienna as if Alice were invisible.
But soon she realized this wasn’t her imagination.
The Third Prince and Sienna truly looked at only each other, exchanging smiles and glances as if she weren’t there.
A rather affectionate atmosphere.
Though she felt like an awkward third wheel between a couple being completely excluded by the two, Alice wasn’t upset.
After all, she had wanted more than anyone to see the two of them get along like this.
Of course, that didn’t mean it was entirely pleasant. While it was nice to see the two getting along, there wasn’t much for her to do.
She couldn’t just keep staring at them… How awkward.
Alice looked at the Third Prince and Sienna, who were lost in their own world, then beckoned to Aileen, who was standing a few steps behind.
Aileen quickly approached Alice’s side.
“You called, my lady.”
“Aileen, what time is it now?”
This was the garden of the ducal residence where teatime was being held. Since there was no clock here, she had asked Aileen.
Aileen took out the pocket watch she always carried and checked the time.
“It’s just past three o’clock.”
Three o’clock… it should have arrived by now. Alice nodded and said:
“Is that so? Then I should get going.”
Alice rose from her seat.
Only then did the Third Prince and Sienna come to their senses, looking up at Alice with round eyes.
“I’m feeling tired, so I think I need to go in first. Sienna, Your Highness, I’ll be heading in now.”
After addressing Sienna and the Third Prince in turn, Alice immediately turned away with a bright smile, as if telling the two who were about to say something not to stop her.
The two looked at Alice’s retreating figure with some regret, but soon fell back into their own world.
The sound of Sienna’s laughter coming from the garden as Alice left.
To think that the Third Prince and Sienna were laughing and conversing—considering their terrible first meeting, it was truly a remarkable development.
No, perhaps a miracle.
Thinking this, Alice entered the mansion. And she asked the butler she met in the lobby:
“Butler, have you received anything addressed to me from the temple?”
“Ah, yes. I was just about to inform you, my lady. A priestess named Violet from the temple sent a gift for you, which I placed in your room.”
“I see. Well done.”
Alice passed by the bowing butler and headed to her room.
And once alone in her room, she discovered a small box tied with a ribbon on the table.
A gift from Violet. Alice immediately opened the box and took out the small crystal vial inside.
Her golden eyes sparkled at the sight of the red liquid swirling in the crystal vial.
