Chapter 13
She had suspected that her mother might have sent assassins after Rashid. But hearing it confirmed from his own mouth left a sour weight in her chest.
Lady Boren’s eyes twitched slightly.
“It’s so nice to have the whole family gathered again. We must hold a banquet at the estate sometime soon.”
Clearly aware of the whispers beginning to rise around them, Lady Boren raised her voice, feigning composure.
“I would be delighted if you welcomed me that warmly, Madam.”
Rashid’s calm reply only made her complexion turn paler. Too many eyes were watching. Even she wouldn’t want to stir up an incident in public.
“A banquet, you say? May I be invited as well?”
A cheerful voice pierced the tense air.
“……!”
Gasps echoed around the hall like scattered cries.
“His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince!”
Golden-haired and green-eyed—Ludwig Arun Latran, Crown Prince of the Latran Empire, had arrived.
Everyone in the vicinity, save for the Duke, bowed deeply. Rashid and Tericia also gave their respectful greetings.
“It’s been a while, Duke.”
“Yes, Your Highness. A pleasure to see you again.”
The Crown Prince exchanged brief formalities with the Duke before turning to Rashid with an easy smile.
“Rashid.”
“Your Highness.”
“You acted like you’d never attend, and now here you are. If you were coming anyway, you could’ve come with me—we could’ve made the trip more entertaining.”
“I wouldn’t presume to trouble Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince treated Rashid like an old friend. The guests were already overwhelmed by surprise, and the shock just kept building.
The once-overlooked noble son was now standing center stage as the most desirable suitor in the Empire—and everyone could see it happening right in front of them.
At the very least, gossip about today’s events would dominate high society for the next month.
“Oh, come now, we’re beyond such formalities.”
The Crown Prince looked pleased, while Rashid’s expression only grew more rigid.
“Ah.”
Then, the Prince’s gaze shifted to Tericia.
“So, this must be the famous ‘sister’ I’ve heard so much about.”
Rashid’s brows furrowed immediately.
“A pleasure to meet you, my lady. I am Ludwig Latran.”
“I am Tericia Hespelt, Your Highness. An honor to meet you.”
Tericia curtsied gracefully, following imperial protocol.
The Crown Prince’s face flickered with surprise, as if her demeanor was not what he had expected. Then, he shot a glance toward Rashid—his lips curling into a playful smirk.
“Lady Hespelt,” he said, extending a hand, “would you grant me the honor of your first dance?”
Tericia felt Rashid’s arm tense beneath her hand.
The Crown Prince smiled as if nothing was wrong, waiting patiently for her reply, fully aware of Rashid’s stiffening posture.
This is awkward…
A first dance with the Crown Prince at a debutante ball would instantly raise her social standing. It was a tempting offer—almost impossible to refuse. But…
When she looked up, Rashid’s expression was stone-cold. He was clearly trying not to glare at the Crown Prince.
Just like when we were kids…
She remembered how he’d sulked over being rejected as her escort. There was no way she could let someone else be her first dance partner—not after that.
“Your Highness, I am honored,” Tericia said, placing a hand over her chest and curtsying slightly once more.
“But I have yet to share my first dance with my cavalier. Please…”
She gently returned her hand to Rashid’s arm, smiling with elegance and poise.
“…allow me to dance first with my brother, whom I’ve only just reunited with after four long years.”
Her expression, graceful and poised like a painting, met the Crown Prince’s gaze.
Well, look at her.
There was a boldness to her. Who had said this lady didn’t match House Hespelt? She seemed innocent at first glance, yet said exactly what needed to be said. The Crown Prince laughed heartily.
“Well, that was a foolish request on my part.”
He accepted the refusal without hesitation.
“My apologies, Lady Hespelt. That was thoughtless of me.”
“Not at all, Your Highness. I appreciate the gesture.”
“I’ll be hoping for a dance next time, then.”
The Crown Prince bowed and lightly kissed the back of her hand.
“Besides… if I danced with you now, I think Rashid might actually kill me.”
He whispered the words softly to Tericia, then stepped back with a grin. Rashid’s glare could’ve pierced steel.
“Sister.”
As the music changed, Rashid placed his hand on hers and gently wrapped his arm around her waist.
Only once they reached the center of the ballroom, face to face, did Rashid exhale slowly.
“…Haah. Seriously…”
“If only it weren’t the Crown Prince,”
The unspoken words seemed to echo in the air, deepening the curve of Tericia’s smile.
“You seem quite close with His Highness.”
“It just turned out that way.”
“If you’re on friendly terms with the Crown Prince, that’ll be a great advantage to you.”
“……”
Rashid said nothing and simply continued leading her in the dance.
“You’re good at this.”
“It’s part of the Academy’s curriculum.”
“Graduating in just four years… That’s amazing.”
“I worked hard.”
But worked hard didn’t begin to describe it. Some called him ruthless.
“Why go that far when you’re the one inheriting the family anyway?”
The heir to the ducal house? A nice-sounding title, nothing more. Who would fear a powerless beast that couldn’t even become a predator?
If you don’t fight, you can’t have it. If you let your guard down, you’ll lose it. It was a lesson Rashid had learned—painfully, repeatedly.
There was only one thing he absolutely had to have.
And to keep his greed from showing, Rashid softened his eyes, masking the truth.
“Sister.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“You’re the most beautiful person here tonight.”
“…What?”
Tericia’s cheeks flushed slightly, unsure if he was teasing her.
“You really say whatever you want.”
Her light scolding was warm, affectionate. Rashid’s lips curved in a faint smile.
She didn’t seem to believe he was serious. That stung a little—but the blush on her face made it all worth it.
The debutante dress suited her perfectly. Her golden-brown hair glowed softly, and her violet-red eyes sparkled with intelligence.
And when those eyes looked only at him, he felt satisfied.
Rashid stared at her quietly, and Tericia began to feel oddly self-conscious.
Even if it was just a dance, this was the closest they had ever been physically. She averted her gaze, changing the subject.
“Did you read the documents?”
“…Yes, I did.”
Rashid’s answer came a beat late.
The documents Tericia had sent through Adler detailed the lands and mines Lady Boren had acquired—along with the financial movements during Rashid’s absence, especially those tied to Lady Boren and Count Clu.
“You compiled all that yourself?”
“Harris helped.”
“Where did you learn how to do that?”
“Natural talent?”
“……”
“…Just kidding.”
Tericia turned red with embarrassment.
“That’s all the information I have. But after today, Sheffer…”
“Sheffer?”
“That man from earlier.”
“Ah.”
Recognition flickered in Rashid’s eyes.
“You knew each other?”
“He came right before you left. Said he was a relative from Mother’s side.”
“I’d forgotten.”
“I still wonder if he’s actually a relative.”
“……”
“He’s been doing everything my mother couldn’t do publicly—land acquisitions, auction bids, that sort of thing.”
“I see.”
“In any case, if today’s events prevent him from moving freely—”
At her words, Rashid’s brows furrowed.
“Did you provoke him on purpose?”
“Of course not… well…”
If today’s incident were brought to light, the man could be expelled from the estate. Maybe this was an opportunity.
“That was too reckless.”
Rashid spoke sternly, as if reading her mind.
“I didn’t plan it.”
“Rumors might start about you.”
“What else could they say about me that’s worse?”
“Sister…”
She let out a faint laugh, but Rashid called her name in a firm tone. The look in his eyes was full of concern, and her violet eyes lost some of their shine.
“Alright. I’ll be more careful.”
“I didn’t think I’d be worrying about you the moment I got back.”
“I’m sorry.”
Tericia’s voice softened slightly.
“Next time you plan to do something… at least give me a heads-up. So I can brace myself.”
“I’ll try.”
Her whispered reply didn’t inspire full confidence, but for now, Rashid let it slide. His gaze toward her softened.
“So, what exactly are you planning?”
Tericia’s eyes widened slightly.
“You wouldn’t have sent those documents and brought it up without reason.”
Rashid had already figured it out, though she hadn’t said a word yet. Tericia found it oddly impressive.
“I’m thinking of buying Mother’s land.”
“Which estate are you referring to?”
Instead of answering, Tericia just smiled slyly. That mischievous curve of her lips made Rashid’s head ache.
He sighed.
“I suppose I’ll need a more detailed explanation later.”
The music was nearing its end.
“Rashid.”
“Yes, Sister?”
“I’m glad you’re back.”
“……”
He paused for a moment, then continued dancing.
“I’m glad too, Sister.”
Tericia silently wished this peaceful moment would last.
＊＊＊
The matter of Sheffer Boren was resolved almost too cleanly. By the day after the debutante ball, he had vanished from the ducal estate without a whisper of gossip. The silence from her mother was even more suspicious. Why hadn’t she said anything?
Could it have been Rashid? …No way.
The estate was abuzz with energy in celebration of Rashid’s return. And within that excitement, the man’s disappearance went unnoticed.
Now that Rashid’s returned, I’ll need to step back from estate affairs. He needs space to establish himself.
Though her reduced role would certainly anger Lady Boren, Tericia felt more at ease this way.
“I really liked having an office to work in…”
Tericia murmured while reviewing documents on her desk. She regretted losing the quiet, private space where she could work alone.
“You can’t, madam!”
“Ma’am, this area is—!”
The shouting from outside suddenly broke into her office.
“Tericia!”
A sigh of resignation left her lips just as the office door burst open with a bang.
Before she could say a word, Lady Boren stormed in—her face full of rage—and raised her hand toward Tericia.
