The eyes fixed on Leah’s face descended, passing over her pale nape, collarbone and the neatly placed hands on her knees.
For a long time, Caius belittled him and didn’t even bother to confront him. This was why Victor’s report had an impact on him.
Whether the rumour was true or false was still being determined.
But if this scandal spreads, it would disrupt his plans.
A woman who is also the first prince’s fiancee was also having an affair with the second prince. It would be assumed that she had the two royal heirs in the palm of her hand.
If such a label was attached to that woman, maintaining this flimsy engagement would result in difficulty buying time.
Caius’s eyes darkened as he sorted his thoughts.
A wave of anger directed at no one in particular, simmered faintly within him.
The award ceremony took place around noon in the Imperial Palace’s courtyard.
“His Majesty, the Great Emperor graciously honors you, the empire’s knights.”
The Emperor’s secretary called out the names of the knights who had received titles. The Emperor then attached the golden insignias to their coats.
It was the Imperial Seal, a symbol of the empire’s authority.
“……”
Leah watched the knights without interest, but her gaze stopped at Caius standing among them.
Even among the robust knights, his tall stature and well-built body could be seen through his white armour.
The Emperor approached Caius last and rested his hand on Caius’s shoulder.
Praises for the prince who excellently commanded the knights filled the air.
“First Prince, Caius Enoch Hercesia, has made significant contributions to the prosperity of the Empire as the Imperial Army’s commander. There is no reason to deny his rightful position as the heir.”
It was a firm declaration that solidified Caius’ position as the Crown Prince.
Caius respectfully bowed to the Emperor. Leah watched him, entranced.
“Your Highness, the First Prince, how can you be so perfect? Your good looks resemble that of a flawlessly sculpted statue.”
The audience murmured as they marvelled at his stature.
“Is that all there is to it? As the future ruler of the empire, Your Highness is readily equipped for the role.”
A mixture of admiration and praise continued for a while.
As the people continued to murmur, Leah lowered her head as if to avoid being noticed. But despite that, the people praising Caius still saw her.
The praises suddenly turned into sighs directed at Leah.
” You are so perfect… Why would you proceed with the engagement with that princess?”
The people were not pleased, but they continued to voice their opinions.
“It’s truly a pity. The only flaw of Your Highness, the Prince, is that he is engaged to her, of all people.”
“Indeed. It would be better if he married a girl from a more prestigious family. After all, they are all subjects of the Empire.”
Leah held her breath. She tried to maintain a composed expression and pretended she couldn’t hear anything, but she couldn’t stop her ears from turning red.
Leah could feel her heart beating. Diego’s nonsense had left an impression on her.
Diego, noticing this, whispered under his breath.
“Well, it was a strange relationship from the beginning. My brother, who had a perfect life, suddenly went crazy over someone like you.”
“……”
” He hasn’t taken you seriously even after a few times of getting drunk or anything like that……”
Diego chuckled as he tilted his head.
“To make someone like you into a crown princess.. well, that must have been a momentary lapse of judgment.”
With a mischievous grin, Diego raised his head to look at Leah. She clenched her fists and glared at him before finally lowering her head.
The humiliation was nothing new. It was the familiar insults that the people of the empire hurled at her when they saw her.
For some reason, her fingertips started trembling.
“It wouldn’t be surprising if my brother suddenly abandoned you.”
Diego placed his empty glass on the table and turned to Leah.
At that moment, Caius was returning from a conversation.
Diego smirked mischievously.
“If that day comes, you can come to me anytime. My arms will always be open, especially for you.”
With a blatant smile, he moved forward, closing the distance between them.
“Only for you.”
As Diego got closer, Leah stepped back.
Diego grabbed Leah’s hand, lowering his head towards it.
His lips pressed against the back of her hand, covered by a white glove.
Leah quickly pulled her hand away.
“Well, then, I’ll leave you now.”
The man who thoroughly disrupted Leah’s emotions left nonchalantly.
After Diego disappeared, Leah regained her composure after being quiet for a long time. She suddenly felt someone’s presence behind her.
“Ah…”
Suddenly, Caius returned to her side. She was so tense that she didn’t even notice when he came back.
Leah looked at him as if nothing happened, her expression unchanging.
“Caius.”
But when she saw the look on his face, she froze.
Caius, who was smiling confidently in front of the audience a while ago, now had a cold and almost sinister expression on his face.
“……”
He stared at the empty glass on the table for a long time.
It was the same glass that Diego left behind.
The eyes fixed on Leah’s face descended, passing over her pale nape, collarbone and the neatly placed hands on her knees.
Diego Hercesia. He was Cauis’ stepbrother and someone he considered insignificant until now. To Caius, Diego was not worth his attention as he was nothing more than a pathetic parasite.
For a long time, Caius belittled him and didn’t even bother to confront him. This was why Victor’s report had an impact on him.
Whether the rumour was true or false was still being determined.
But if this scandal spreads, it would disrupt his plans.
A woman who is also the first prince’s fiancee was also having an affair with the second prince. It would be assumed that she had the two royal heirs in the palm of her hand.
If such a label was attached to that woman, maintaining this flimsy engagement would result in difficulty buying time.
Caius’s eyes darkened as he sorted his thoughts.
A wave of anger directed at no one in particular, simmered faintly within him.
The award ceremony took place around noon in the Imperial Palace’s courtyard.
“His Majesty, the Great Emperor graciously honors you, the empire’s knights.”
The Emperor’s secretary called out the names of the knights who had received titles. The Emperor then attached the golden insignias to their coats.
It was the Imperial Seal, a symbol of the empire’s authority.
“……”
Leah watched the knights without interest, but her gaze stopped at Caius standing among them.
Even among the robust knights, his tall stature and well-built body could be seen through his white armour.
The Emperor approached Caius last and rested his hand on Caius’s shoulder.
Praises for the prince who excellently commanded the knights filled the air.
“First Prince, Caius Enoch Hercesia, has made significant contributions to the prosperity of the Empire as the Imperial Army’s commander. There is no reason to deny his rightful position as the heir.”
It was a firm declaration that solidified Caius’ position as the Crown Prince.
Caius respectfully bowed to the Emperor. Leah watched him, entranced.
“Your Highness, the First Prince, how can you be so perfect? Your good looks resemble that of a flawlessly sculpted statue.”
The audience murmured as they marvelled at his stature.
“Is that all there is to it? As the future ruler of the empire, Your Highness is readily equipped for the role.”
A mixture of admiration and praise continued for a while.
As the people continued to murmur, Leah lowered her head as if to avoid being noticed. But despite that, the people praising Caius still saw her.
The praises suddenly turned into sighs directed at Leah.
” You are so perfect… Why would you proceed with the engagement with that princess?”
The people were not pleased, but they continued to voice their opinions.
“It’s truly a pity. The only flaw of Your Highness, the Prince, is that he is engaged to her, of all people.”
“Indeed. It would be better if he married a girl from a more prestigious family. After all, they are all subjects of the Empire.”
Leah held her breath. She tried to maintain a composed expression and pretended she couldn’t hear anything, but she couldn’t stop her ears from turning red.
Leah could feel her heart beating. Diego’s nonsense had left an impression on her.
Diego, noticing this, whispered under his breath.
“Well, it was a strange relationship from the beginning. My brother, who had a perfect life, suddenly went crazy over someone like you.”
“……”
” He hasn’t taken you seriously even after a few times of getting drunk or anything like that……”
Diego chuckled as he tilted his head.
“To make someone like you into a crown princess.. well, that must have been a momentary lapse of judgment.”
With a mischievous grin, Diego raised his head to look at Leah. She clenched her fists and glared at him before finally lowering her head.
The humiliation was nothing new. It was the familiar insults that the people of the empire hurled at her when they saw her.
For some reason, her fingertips started trembling.
“It wouldn’t be surprising if my brother suddenly abandoned you.”
Diego placed his empty glass on the table and turned to Leah.
At that moment, Caius was returning from a conversation.
Diego smirked mischievously.
“If that day comes, you can come to me anytime. My arms will always be open, especially for you.”
With a blatant smile, he moved forward, closing the distance between them.
“Only for you.”
As Diego got closer, Leah stepped back.
Diego grabbed Leah’s hand, lowering his head towards it.
His lips pressed against the back of her hand, covered by a white glove.
Leah quickly pulled her hand away.
“Well, then, I’ll leave you now.”
The man who thoroughly disrupted Leah’s emotions left nonchalantly.
After Diego disappeared, Leah regained her composure after being quiet for a long time. She suddenly felt someone’s presence behind her.
“Ah…”
Suddenly, Caius returned to her side. She was so tense that she didn’t even notice when he came back.
Leah looked at him as if nothing happened, her expression unchanging.
“Caius.”
But when she saw the look on his face, she froze.
Caius, who was smiling confidently in front of the audience a while ago, now had a cold and almost sinister expression on his face.
“……”
He stared at the empty glass on the table for a long time.
It was the same glass that Diego left behind.
