“Your Highness?”
Caius lifted his gaze when the attendant called for him.
The attendant dressed him in ceremonial attire and curiously looked at Caius, who remained motionless.
“I have finished with your attire.”
Only when the bowing attendant repeated his words did Caius give a slight nod, granting permission to leave.
The attendant stepped back and exited the dressing room. Once the door closed, Caius swept his long hair back and settled into the velvet chair.
He remained expressionless as he recalled the previous day’s dinner. His demeanour, however, conveyed a subtle sense of contentment.
‘Because you being with that woman bothers me…’
The question that Leah Ainel hesitated to ask for so long pleased him. He found it amusing that a woman was anxious because of him, whether due to jealousy or something else.
Caius sighed deeply, realising the irony in harbouring contradictory emotions while orchestrating everything beneath the surface.
Leah Ainel’s end was steadily approaching.
That woman will disappear from his side the day he becomes the Crown Prince.
Negotiations with Count Bresha were coming to an end. After several exchanges and discussions, the terms of the agreement were finalised, leaving only the engagement ceremony after the annulment.
The matter was simple and straightforward.
Yet, as the conclusion neared, he felt a bit depressed.
Caius thought about his changing emotions. His feelings toward her had gone through various stages. Mostly aversion, but somewhere along the line, satisfaction crept in. He knew the reason.
Caius reflected on the day she was marked by him.
He felt lazy.
He had become accustomed to having that woman by his side. He regretted letting her go, and the thought of her disappearing made him feel dirty.
She had been with him since before he lost his memories.
“Yes… She belongs to me.”
His voice flowed as if he was stating a fact, and the room fell silent. In contrast, his azure eyes lit up.
Caius stood up, his lips curving into a smile.
Even without deviating from his plans thus far, there was a way to keep that woman without casting her aside. It was uncertain if she would comply willingly, but…
No, could that woman possibly refuse?
The smirking Caius left the hall and observed his cold surroundings. He could get rid of that woman whenever he wanted. There was no need to be impatient.
* * *
One week before the coronation ceremony, envoys from various regions arrived at the palace one after the other.
The welcome reception for the envoys, scheduled for the afternoon, was Leah’s first official event. It was a relatively simple gathering preceding the lavish series of events that would follow.
Since the morning, palace maids have been diligently assisting Leah in preparing for the event. After having a fragrant bath, Leah was led by the maids to the dressing room.
With a light touch of makeup to highlight her pale skin, Leah’s face gained a radiant glow. When Leah looked in the mirror, she noticed that the makeup seemed to alleviate the uneasiness that had persisted for the past few days.
“Princess Leah, could you please raise your arms?”
As the maids applied the finishing touches to Leah’s lacy dress, specially crafted by the tailor for the upcoming reception, they made sure the hem of the dress was properly arranged to avoid it from being stepped on.
Meticulously attending to Leah’s hair, the maids added a decorative hairpin that complemented her elegant silver curls. The white ornament with extending branches blended well with Leah’s neatly styled hair.
Despite Leah’s anxiety, her outward appearance, embellished in such a splendid manner, earned praise from the maids.
“Princess Leah, you truly look beautiful.”
Leah awkwardly clasped her hands together. The maids’ compliments felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but more than anything, she wasn’t accustomed to such lavish dress.
Throughout her time in the empire, Leah always strived to avoid drawing attention to herself. However, this reception was different. Leah needed to present herself in a manner befitting the future consort to Crown Prince Caius.
Suppressing her fears, Leah turned to the maids.
“Thank you. You’ve all worked hard.”
The maids bowed in response to her gratitude. With that, Leah rose from her seat and left the dressing room.
Though she thought she was early, Caius was already waiting for her on the other side of the bedroom.
“Caius.”
Leah instinctively whispered his name, and he stared at her briefly before turning away.
His deep blue eyes captured Leah’s dazzling appearance.
Leah bowed, sensing eyes on her for an uncomfortably long time. Caius took a step forward, closing the distance between them.
Leah saw the intensity in his eyes up close and shook.
Caius extended a hand.
“Come.”
Leah hesitated briefly before placing her hand in his. The firm grip on her hand felt surprisingly warm as Caius led her into the corridor.
On this early moonlit evening, guests from various regions elegantly clinked their glasses in celebration.
The reception hall had a lively atmosphere filled with soft music and conversations.
All eyes turned in unison as the main point of the evening made their way into the hall.
“Ah, Crown Prince Caius has finally arrived.”
Caius walked confidently along the reception hall, his presence dominating. Everyone present was drawn to his overwhelming aura.
As Caius took his seat, the attention shifted to the woman beside him, who arrived with the Crown Prince.
All eyes were on Leah, who arrived as Caius’s escort.
“Crown Prince, congratulations on your ascension. It is truly an honour to share this momentous occasion with you.”
People approached Caius’ table, offering their congratulations and engaging in polite conversation.
“It’s been a while, Duke Claire.”
Caius, unlike the man who used to give orders with a stern expression, now exchanged pleasantries with people, his demeanour graceful and polite.
Leah found herself momentarily captivated by Caius’s presence, but she quickly regained her composure.
As others approached Leah and greeted her, she realised she needed to answer appropriately.
“Your Highness, it is the first time I have the pleasure of meeting your betrothed. I am Dante Albert.”
A man bowed gracefully, placing his hand on his chest. Leah extended her hand according to protocol.
“Pleasure to meet you, Lord Albert.”
As Lord Albert kissed Leah’s hand, he added, “I had no idea the princess was such a beauty. I look forward to seeing you often in the future, Your Highness.”
“Thank you. I hope for the same,” Leah responded with a smile.
Formal conversations continued, and Leah, listening attentively, made a conscious effort to adhere to the etiquette she had diligently learned.
After a round of discussions, there was a brief silence. Leah sighed as she raised a glass of transparent champagne.
Right then, she noticed the table where Ainel’s diplomatic delegation was seated.
Derek, engaged in conversation with someone, was visible from a distance. Leah involuntarily tensed her shoulders reflexively.
Derek, who would usually have brought her to the terrace by now to shower her with all sorts of verbal abuse, seemed uninterested, possibly due to Caius’s presence.
Feeling relieved, Leah’s attention shifted to another person across the room—Jade Richter.
Jade, who was blonde-haired, observed her since the beginning. Unlike her, he showed no signs of surprise.
They locked eyes for a prolonged moment, and Leah met his eyes with a new expression.
Jade Richter had changed significantly since their last meeting. He had grown taller, and his once soft facial features had become more defined. However, his calm, hazel eyes remained the same.
Despite being cousins, Leah and Jade hadn’t spoken much before. Nevertheless, at least for Leah, Jade left no unpleasant memories.
Momentarily forgetting that he was part of the diplomatic delegation, Leah gazed at Jade with a fresh impression.
As their eyes met, someone approached Leah for a conversation. She finally averted her eyes, but Jade’s eyes remained on her for a while.
“Your Highness?”
Caius lifted his gaze when the attendant called for him.
The attendant dressed him in ceremonial attire and curiously looked at Caius, who remained motionless.
“I have finished with your attire.”
Only when the bowing attendant repeated his words did Caius give a slight nod, granting permission to leave.
The attendant stepped back and exited the dressing room. Once the door closed, Caius swept his long hair back and settled into the velvet chair.
He remained expressionless as he recalled the previous day’s dinner. His demeanour, however, conveyed a subtle sense of contentment.
‘Because you being with that woman bothers me…’
The question that Leah Ainel hesitated to ask for so long pleased him. He found it amusing that a woman was anxious because of him, whether due to jealousy or something else.
Caius sighed deeply, realising the irony in harbouring contradictory emotions while orchestrating everything beneath the surface.
Leah Ainel’s end was steadily approaching.
That woman will disappear from his side the day he becomes the Crown Prince.
Negotiations with Count Bresha were coming to an end. After several exchanges and discussions, the terms of the agreement were finalised, leaving only the engagement ceremony after the annulment.
The matter was simple and straightforward.
Yet, as the conclusion neared, he felt a bit depressed.
Caius thought about his changing emotions. His feelings toward her had gone through various stages. Mostly aversion, but somewhere along the line, satisfaction crept in. He knew the reason.
Caius reflected on the day she was marked by him.
He felt lazy.
He had become accustomed to having that woman by his side. He regretted letting her go, and the thought of her disappearing made him feel dirty.
She had been with him since before he lost his memories.
“Yes… She belongs to me.”
His voice flowed as if he was stating a fact, and the room fell silent. In contrast, his azure eyes lit up.
Caius stood up, his lips curving into a smile.
Even without deviating from his plans thus far, there was a way to keep that woman without casting her aside. It was uncertain if she would comply willingly, but…
No, could that woman possibly refuse?
The smirking Caius left the hall and observed his cold surroundings. He could get rid of that woman whenever he wanted. There was no need to be impatient.
* * *
One week before the coronation ceremony, envoys from various regions arrived at the palace one after the other.
The welcome reception for the envoys, scheduled for the afternoon, was Leah’s first official event. It was a relatively simple gathering preceding the lavish series of events that would follow.
Since the morning, palace maids have been diligently assisting Leah in preparing for the event. After having a fragrant bath, Leah was led by the maids to the dressing room.
With a light touch of makeup to highlight her pale skin, Leah’s face gained a radiant glow. When Leah looked in the mirror, she noticed that the makeup seemed to alleviate the uneasiness that had persisted for the past few days.
“Princess Leah, could you please raise your arms?”
As the maids applied the finishing touches to Leah’s lacy dress, specially crafted by the tailor for the upcoming reception, they made sure the hem of the dress was properly arranged to avoid it from being stepped on.
Meticulously attending to Leah’s hair, the maids added a decorative hairpin that complemented her elegant silver curls. The white ornament with extending branches blended well with Leah’s neatly styled hair.
Despite Leah’s anxiety, her outward appearance, embellished in such a splendid manner, earned praise from the maids.
“Princess Leah, you truly look beautiful.”
Leah awkwardly clasped her hands together. The maids’ compliments felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but more than anything, she wasn’t accustomed to such lavish dress.
Throughout her time in the empire, Leah always strived to avoid drawing attention to herself. However, this reception was different. Leah needed to present herself in a manner befitting the future consort to Crown Prince Caius.
Suppressing her fears, Leah turned to the maids.
“Thank you. You’ve all worked hard.”
The maids bowed in response to her gratitude. With that, Leah rose from her seat and left the dressing room.
Though she thought she was early, Caius was already waiting for her on the other side of the bedroom.
“Caius.”
Leah instinctively whispered his name, and he stared at her briefly before turning away.
His deep blue eyes captured Leah’s dazzling appearance.
Leah bowed, sensing eyes on her for an uncomfortably long time. Caius took a step forward, closing the distance between them.
Leah saw the intensity in his eyes up close and shook.
Caius extended a hand.
“Come.”
Leah hesitated briefly before placing her hand in his. The firm grip on her hand felt surprisingly warm as Caius led her into the corridor.
On this early moonlit evening, guests from various regions elegantly clinked their glasses in celebration.
The reception hall had a lively atmosphere filled with soft music and conversations.
All eyes turned in unison as the main point of the evening made their way into the hall.
“Ah, Crown Prince Caius has finally arrived.”
Caius walked confidently along the reception hall, his presence dominating. Everyone present was drawn to his overwhelming aura.
As Caius took his seat, the attention shifted to the woman beside him, who arrived with the Crown Prince.
All eyes were on Leah, who arrived as Caius’s escort.
“Crown Prince, congratulations on your ascension. It is truly an honour to share this momentous occasion with you.”
People approached Caius’ table, offering their congratulations and engaging in polite conversation.
“It’s been a while, Duke Claire.”
Caius, unlike the man who used to give orders with a stern expression, now exchanged pleasantries with people, his demeanour graceful and polite.
Leah found herself momentarily captivated by Caius’s presence, but she quickly regained her composure.
As others approached Leah and greeted her, she realised she needed to answer appropriately.
“Your Highness, it is the first time I have the pleasure of meeting your betrothed. I am Dante Albert.”
A man bowed gracefully, placing his hand on his chest. Leah extended her hand according to protocol.
“Pleasure to meet you, Lord Albert.”
As Lord Albert kissed Leah’s hand, he added, “I had no idea the princess was such a beauty. I look forward to seeing you often in the future, Your Highness.”
“Thank you. I hope for the same,” Leah responded with a smile.
Formal conversations continued, and Leah, listening attentively, made a conscious effort to adhere to the etiquette she had diligently learned.
After a round of discussions, there was a brief silence. Leah sighed as she raised a glass of transparent champagne.
Right then, she noticed the table where Ainel’s diplomatic delegation was seated.
Derek, engaged in conversation with someone, was visible from a distance. Leah involuntarily tensed her shoulders reflexively.
Derek, who would usually have brought her to the terrace by now to shower her with all sorts of verbal abuse, seemed uninterested, possibly due to Caius’s presence.
Feeling relieved, Leah’s attention shifted to another person across the room—Jade Richter.
Jade, who was blonde-haired, observed her since the beginning. Unlike her, he showed no signs of surprise.
They locked eyes for a prolonged moment, and Leah met his eyes with a new expression.
Jade Richter had changed significantly since their last meeting. He had grown taller, and his once soft facial features had become more defined. However, his calm, hazel eyes remained the same.
Despite being cousins, Leah and Jade hadn’t spoken much before. Nevertheless, at least for Leah, Jade left no unpleasant memories.
Momentarily forgetting that he was part of the diplomatic delegation, Leah gazed at Jade with a fresh impression.
As their eyes met, someone approached Leah for a conversation. She finally averted her eyes, but Jade’s eyes remained on her for a while.
