Chapter 81
“… So His Highness the Third Prince refused.”
Kylus’s gaze returned to Alice.
“Yes, he showed a very intense negative reaction. It seems it won’t be easy to change His Highness’s mind.”
Is it because of the original story’s setting?
Kylus had deviated from the original storyline, but the Third Prince hadn’t.
While Kylus could make rational judgments… the Third Prince couldn’t, was that it?
If the Third Prince had judged rationally, he should have taken Kylus’s hand.
It wasn’t just a low-ranking nobleman, but a Duke who had extended his hand.
The Third Prince was in such a precarious position that it wouldn’t be surprising if he died at any moment. So if he wanted to live, he should have taken that hand.
The problem was that the Third Prince didn’t seem to have much will to live right now.
In the original story, Sienna was the one who instilled that will in him.
That’s why Alice had put on a show and arranged for the two of them to be together.
But it had all been in vain.
Alice glanced at Sienna.
It was evident that her evaluation of the Third Prince had changed significantly after hearing his story.
Sienna’s heart seemed to have shifted a little…
Would something change if she brought them together again?
As Alice was pondering ways to connect the two, Kylus’s voice rang out across the table.
“For now, since we’ve found out that His Highness the Third Prince frequently visits Rocfen, the commoners’ district, I plan to increase our encounters with him under the guise of coincidence. To persuade him, you see.”
Alice had also been thinking about staged coincidental meetings with the Third Prince.
“Will you go yourself, brother?”
“No. If I move, it would be too conspicuous, so I’ll have to send someone else.”
Kylus shook his head.
Even if Sienna’s feelings had changed, there was no guarantee that another unfortunate incident wouldn’t occur, so for now, I… should probably go.
“Then I’ll…”
Alice began to speak, but Sienna was a step quicker.
“I’ll try to persuade His Highness the Third Prince.”
“You?”
“Sienna?”
Kylus and Alice’s gazes simultaneously turned to Sienna. Sienna seemed flustered by the attention focused on her and looked around nervously.
“…Yes. I’ll give it a try.”
“Hmm.”
Kylus let out a low hum instead of answering. It seemed he shared Alice’s sentiments.
It’s unsettling to leave it to Sienna.
Sienna’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Surely you don’t distrust me?”
“No, it’s not that exactly…”
Alice let out an awkward “haha” and looked at Kylus.
You handle this.
Kylus stroked his chin as he spoke.
“It’s not that we don’t trust you, but rather because of the unfortunate incident you had with His Highness the Third Prince. We can’t afford to have the same mishap occur again.”
Kylus phrased it smoothly, but his underlying meaning was clear.
We’re worried you might drive the Third Prince away again.
Sienna seemed to understand the implication perfectly, as a hint of embarrassment flashed across her previously confident face.
“…I won’t make the same mistake. And… I’d like to meet His Highness properly to apologize for yesterday’s incident.”
Seeing Sienna’s serious expression, she seemed sincere.
Kylus observed Sienna silently before giving his permission.
“If that’s truly your wish, then you may try to persuade the Third Prince. He frequently visits the bookstore in Rocfen, so you should go there.”
“So that bookstore from yesterday… was where His Highness often goes. I know the exact location, so I’ll start going there every day from today.”
Sienna’s face was resolute.
Seeing her determination burning so brightly, Alice was relieved that she wouldn’t have to arrange a meeting between Sienna and the Third Prince. But for today, at least… she felt uneasy.
It was just yesterday that Sienna had driven the Third Prince away, so even if Sienna’s heart had changed, the Third Prince might still be displeased.
Would it be alright to meet him right away today in such circumstances?
Alice, feeling this wouldn’t do, hurriedly said to Sienna.
“Let’s go together! Sienna.”
“With you, Lady Duchess?”
“Yes. I feel bad that I couldn’t properly thank him yesterday. If we happen to meet His Highness today, I’d like to express my gratitude again.”
Just as Sienna was about to open her mouth with a look of agreement, Kylus’s firm voice was heard.
“That won’t be possible.”
“Pardon?”
Surprised by his blunt refusal, Alice turned her head to see Kylus opening his red lips to speak.
“Alice, you’ll be going out with me today.”
“…Me?”
Did we… have such plans?
As Alice showed a bewildered expression at this unfamiliar plan, a deep smile spread across Kylus’s lips.
“Yes. So today, you’ll be with me, Alice.”
* * *
“Sienna, are you leaving already?”
Alice called out to Sienna, who was about to exit the lobby.
“You’re already prepared to go out. That was quick.”
Sienna turned to look at her with a surprised expression.
“I didn’t have much to do. This is all.”
Thanks to her grooming before breakfast, there wasn’t much else to do.
She had just added a small mini bag to her wrist and changed her hairpin.
Alice held up the mini bag on her wrist, and Sienna let out a small “Ah” of understanding.
Then she immediately furrowed her brow.
“It’s not gentlemanly to keep a lady waiting. Brother should hurry up.”
“It’s fine. I just prepared early.”
As Sienna was about to send a servant to Kylus, Alice hurriedly waved her hand.
When they left the dining room, Kylus had told her to meet in the lobby in 30 minutes.
Alice’s preparations had just taken less than 10 minutes.
So Kylus wasn’t being impolite.
“Still… it’s your first outing together…”
“Hm?”
Outing? The way she said it made it sound like they were going on a date.
Surely we’re not at that stage for such an outing…?
Alice smiled awkwardly as she left the lobby with Sienna.
A carriage for Sienna to ride was waiting at the entrance of the mansion.
“I should get going now.”
“…Alright.”
Please don’t fight with the Third Prince again.
Alice swallowed the words that were about to rise to her throat. But Sienna seemed to sense her thoughts and said,
“Don’t worry, if I get to see His Highness the Third Prince today, I’ll really do my best.”
Alice smiled as she looked into Sienna’s green eyes, which seemed full of determination.
Somehow, it felt like Sienna and the Third Prince’s roles had reversed from the original story.
After their first meeting, it was the Third Prince who had eagerly sought out Sienna, not the other way around.
Now, it was Sienna who was burning with determination to win the Third Prince’s heart.
Well, as long as they’re trying to maintain their connection, I suppose it’s fine either way.
It seemed to have deviated quite a bit, but they had already come too far to argue about deviations, so Alice tried not to think about it too seriously.
“Take care.”
“I hope you have a good time with the Duke today, my lady.”
Sienna said with a wink.
A good time?
Sienna really seemed to think that she and Kylus were going on a date today.
That couldn’t be the case.
But before Alice could correct her, Sienna had already boarded the carriage.
Soon, the carriage left the Duke’s castle.
Alice watched the carriage leave through the castle gates and took a deep breath.
Everything will be fine.
“Alice.”
Just then, Kylus’s voice was heard from behind her.
“Duke… Your Grace.”
As she turned around, Alice’s golden eyes trembled slightly at the sight of Kylus.
It was because his appearance in a dark brown suit was too perfect.
Unlike usual, Kylus had his hair neatly swept back.
With his forehead exposed, his perfect features seemed even more distinct.
He’s like a sculpture. A living sculpture.
Alice lowered her gaze to his pristine white cravat, feeling her face might turn red.
Her gaze stopped at the end of his coat.
Unlike the formal attire that fell to his calves, the light everyday coat only covered half of his thighs.
For a moment, his toned thighs exposed beneath the coat caught her attention.
Alice hurriedly turned her gaze to the side, feeling her eyes were being drawn unconsciously.
To the smooth silver cane he was holding.
In the end, she had practically surveyed his entire outfit.
Alice didn’t know where to look, faced with Kylus’s appearance that seemed to have walked out of a masterpiece painting.
If I look properly, it might be too much for my heart.
“You came out early.”
Kylus, unaware of Alice’s pounding heart, approached with a calm stride.
“Yes, I didn’t have much to prepare.”
“It’s pretty.”
“Pardon?”
At his sudden remark, Alice, who had been looking at Kylus’s cravat, raised her gaze.
Kylus’s gaze was directed at her hair.
“The hairpin, I mean.”
“Ah, how did you…”
Kylus had immediately noticed the one thing that had changed in her appearance, apart from her bag.
As Alice widened her eyes in surprise, Kylus smiled lightly.
“I pay a lot of attention to Alice, after all.”
At that moment, Kylus’s gaze deepened.
As always, his eyes were truly like black holes.
It felt like if she let her guard down even a little, she would be sucked right in.
Alice avoided Kylus’s eyes obliquely as she answered.
“Haha, I see…”
“But are you very worried?”
“Pardon? About what?”
“You couldn’t take your eyes off the carriage Sienna boarded.”
“Ah, no. I believe Sienna will do well.”
“I believe so too. Sienna is a smart girl, after all.”
Kylus seemed to genuinely trust Sienna.
Looking at his unwavering eyes, strangely, Alice’s worries seemed to disappear as well.
You’re falling for him again, aren’t you?
Just when she had somewhat adapted to his appearance, a simple change in hairstyle had crumbled her familiarity.
Is handsomeness always this refreshing?
Alice cleared her throat, as if trying to hold onto her wavering heart, and asked him.
“Ahem, more importantly, where are we going?”
“We’re going to Madame Rosewell’s salon.”
Alice tilted her head at the unfamiliar name.
“Madame… Rosewell?”
At Alice’s question, Kylus looked at her strangely.
“You don’t know? It’s the most famous dress salon in the capital.”
Dress salon, somehow the name did sound like that. Kylus was looking at her with a strange gaze.
A gaze that said, how could you not know that?
Since he said it was the most famous dress shop in the capital… all the noble ladies and young ladies would probably know about it.
But it was too late to pretend to know now.
Alice honestly admitted it.
