Chapter 153
As the midday sun warmly illuminated the gardens of the Dearrut Duchy, Alice was in the midst of preparing herself.
To go to the Imperial Palace.
Alice, who had fought a battle that wasn’t quite a battle with Kylus and fallen asleep in his bedroom, had slept so soundly that she felt embarrassed about having kissed him.
So much so that she had woken up with a start unusually early in the morning.
Of course, no matter how early Alice woke up, Kylus had already showered and changed his clothes.
But since it was before breakfast, Alice shared the morning meal with him after a long time.
And during the meal, they discussed the matter of the First Prince.
How to enter the palace, when would be a good time, and whether to tell the Third Prince about this matter.
‘From what I know, Count Latrang is visiting the Administrative Palace today regarding taxes from his territory,’ Kylus said, maintaining gentle eye contact.
‘So I’ll naturally meet with Count Latrang today and set a date to enter the First Prince’s Palace.’
‘Yes.’
‘Also, regarding the Third Prince…’
‘Ah! I’ll do that! Please leave it to me!’
Alice, who had been agreeing with Kylus’s opinions all along, suddenly exclaimed.
She wanted to be the one to inform the Third Prince about this matter.
There wasn’t really any significant reason why she had to do it.
She simply wanted to tell him directly because she was the one who had brought the Third Prince to the Duchy, and consequently had grown quite close to him.
To ensure he wouldn’t misunderstand or be hurt by her saving the First Prince.
Alice knew that the Third Prince was very fond of her.
Not in a romantic way, but more like… familial affection?
And she too thought of the Third Prince almost like a younger brother.
Anyway, Alice asked Kylus to leave the matter of the Third Prince to her, and Kylus nodded.
That’s why she was now preparing herself.
As Alice was selecting hairpins to match her elegantly styled hair, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
The person who opened the door and entered was the butler.
“My lady, the Third Prince has sent a reply.”
It was the response to Alice’s letter requesting a meeting with the Third Prince today.
Honestly, even if she had suddenly visited, the Third Prince wouldn’t have turned her away.
Nevertheless, since the Third Prince was now a proper member of the imperial family, she had followed the appropriate procedure.
To prevent unnecessary gossip.
Aileen took the letter from the butler and handed it to Alice, who was sitting at her vanity.
Alice used a letter opener to cut through the sealing wax that firmly sealed the envelope.
A short message was written on the letter she took from the envelope.
[The Duchess is welcome anytime.]
The Third Prince’s neat handwriting was slightly shaky, as if written in haste. He seemed excited by her message about visiting.
A smile settled on Alice’s lips at the joy that was palpable from the letter.
Alice gave the letter back to Aileen and finished selecting pins for her updo.
“I’ll go with this one.”
It was a pin with diamonds at the center, surrounded by pearls like flower petals, creating a beautiful and elegant look.
And it matched perfectly with her concept for today—a dignified noblewoman.
The maid carefully inserted the pin on the side of her updo, and Aileen put pearl earrings on Alice.
Finally, she wore a pearl necklace that matched the earrings.
It was a sophisticated design with a large pearl surrounded by small diamonds.
“All done, my lady.”
Aileen stepped back with a satisfied expression.
Alice stood up from her chair and stood in front of the full-length mirror.
Before her eyes was an elegant noblewoman wearing a deep green dress with elaborate golden embroidery on the bodice.
It was herself.
“Perfect.”
It might seem a bit narcissistic, but she didn’t care. Alice was truly pleased with today’s preparation, more than ever before.
Since her features were generally round, she had worried she might look like a child playing dress-up in her mother’s clothes.
Contrary to her concerns, she exuded appropriate dignity and elegance.
Not just cute or approachable as usual.
Yes, this was fitting for the lady of the empire’s most influential family.
“I like it. Thank you all for your hard work.”
Alice praised the maids with a gentle smile. Then she turned to the butler.
“Butler, is everything ready for our departure to the Imperial Palace?”
“Yes. The carriage is prepared.”
“Good. I’ll come down right away.”
The butler bowed and left first, and Aileen draped a soft, translucent light green cape over Alice’s shoulders.
Having completed all preparations, Alice took her small handbag and left the room.
As she was heading straight for the courtyard where the carriage was waiting, she paused when she saw someone standing in the lobby.
“Sienna?”
Indeed. The person standing in the lobby, seemingly waiting for her, was none other than Sienna.
Alice looked curiously at the picnic basket in Sienna’s hand before approaching her.
“My lady, are you leaving for the Imperial Palace now?”
“Yes. But… I’m afraid I won’t be able to take you with me today, as I have an important matter to discuss with His Highness…”
Alice trailed off with a slightly troubled expression.
After all, Sienna was wearing an outdoor dress and holding a picnic basket, looking as if she was planning to go to the palace with her.
But unfortunately, she couldn’t accompany her today.
She needed to discuss matters related to the First Prince.
Although Sienna would eventually find out about it… it was better to discuss it alone with the Third Prince first.
However, Alice’s assumptions seemed to be incorrect, as Sienna smiled and shook her head.
“Don’t worry, my lady. I wasn’t waiting to go to the palace with you. I have other matters to attend to today.”
“Then why? Did you want to tell me something?”
As Alice tilted her head and asked, Sienna slightly lowered her gaze.
Uncharacteristically, Sienna answered slowly:
“I wasn’t waiting with any particular message to deliver… I was hoping you could give this to His Highness on your way to meet him.”
Sienna held up the picnic basket.
“What is it?”
To Alice’s question, Sienna’s cheeks turned slightly pink as she replied:
“Chocolate tarts that His Highness likes.”
If it’s chocolate tarts that the Third Prince likes…
“Chocolate tarts from Mont Blanc Bakery? Did you hear that I was going to see the Prince and specifically go out this morning to buy them?”
When Alice asked with rounded eyes, Sienna nodded.
“Yes.”
Wow.
Alice barely managed to swallow the exclamation she almost blurted out.
For Sienna to think of the Third Prince and go to the bakery herself in the morning to buy chocolate tarts.
This was definitely not something one would do with a casual heart.
Of course, she had known for some time that Sienna was attracted to the Third Prince.
But had it now gone beyond mere attraction?
“Because it’s something His Highness likes. He must be tired with all his recent duties, so I thought he could have a brief respite enjoying his favorite dessert.”
Sienna’s continued words revealed a special affection for the Third Prince.
She was smiling while talking about him.
That smile rarely appeared unless she was talking about dismembering someone.
So Sienna was being extremely sincere right now.
In her feelings for the Third Prince.
Alice hadn’t expected Sienna’s heart to deepen so quickly.
Honestly, although their relationship had improved significantly, they hadn’t been seeing each other often lately since the Third Prince had returned to the palace.
She had thought it would take more time for her fondness to transform into love.
But looking at Sienna’s face now, it seemed love had already begun.
Perhaps they were truly destined for each other.
Alice smiled lightly and said to Sienna:
“Alright. I’ll deliver it to His Highness.”
As Ruyd took the picnic basket, Alice playfully added to Sienna,
wanting to see her flustered and not knowing what to do:
“Next time, deliver it yourself. His Highness would probably rather see you than the chocolate tarts.”
But contrary to Alice’s expectations, Sienna showed a smooth smile.
“Yes. I will.”
Oh my, she doesn’t even get embarrassed anymore.
Rather than Sienna, it was Alice’s face that colored with surprise at Sienna’s composed response.
“Have a good trip, my lady.”
Sienna bade farewell to Alice, who was blinking slowly.
It seems like Sienna is making the expression that I should be making.
Alice slightly rolled her eyes at Sienna, who was looking at her with an expression that said ‘how cute,’ but then smiled and replied:
“I’ll be back.”
The Astel Palace, close to the Sun Palace, which was the Emperor’s palace after the Empress’s Palace.
Throughout the empire’s long history, the Astel Palace had been a historic palace used by the Emperor’s most favored children or Crown Princes.
But with the current Emperor’s ascension, the Astel Palace had been vacant for quite some time.
Until the Third Prince moved in recently.
The Third Prince, once the imperial family’s ugly duckling, becoming the master of the Astel Palace.
It was something no one in the imperial family could have imagined.
But the Third Prince stood majestically in front of the Astel Palace, ignoring their astonishment.
In a manner that suited the palace’s reputation perfectly.
After stepping out of the carriage, Alice formally greeted the Third Prince, who had come out to welcome her.
“I greet the third star of the empire, His Highness the Third Prince.”
“Please rise, Duchess.”
The Third Prince’s low voice resonated above her head.
As she slowly raised herself, she properly faced the Third Prince.
And her eyes widened slightly at his appearance, which had changed since his time at the Duchy.
