Chapter 25
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In need of the Saintess’s power, the Crown Prince takes her along. Even in a dangerous situation where prey might attack at any moment, he violates her. Watching this scene from the sidelines, the young duke bestows even greater humiliation upon her—that was their first meeting event. It was also the moment that revealed how he and the Crown Prince could remain long-time friends.
With her pen, Edith crossed out the flags that had already occurred. She thought that until summer came, she could live peacefully.
But she failed to notice one thing she was overlooking.
She was unaware that a seed, planted within her without her knowledge some time ago, had already begun to sprout.
* * *
Marie, who had fallen for Kaidros, no longer ignored Edith, but perhaps because Edith was often by his side, Marie would often glare at her with eyes sharp enough to spark.
Even today, while delivering a letter to her, Marie’s gaze remained the same. The red seal on the golden envelope clearly indicated a letter from the Imperial Palace.
Edith felt as if the Crown Prince’s warning—to not get close to the Saintess—was now aimed at her neck. A chill ran down her spine.
‘We just had tea together not long ago… He must think I’m blatantly ignoring his warning…’
Worried about her future, she carefully opened the envelope with a letter knife. She had been so tense even before reading the letter that her palms were sweaty. Wiping her hands on her dress, she unfolded the letter.
[I invite you to a dinner. I hope you will attend.]
The content seemed brief, without any apparent ulterior motive. But after all she had been through, Edith couldn’t let her guard down.
This was Crown Prince Ellucian.
Knowing full well this wasn’t a simple dinner invitation, Edith sighed. Still, she thought it was fortunate that this time, at least, she wasn’t being dragged away without any warning.
* * *
After preparing to go to the palace, Edith asked Kaidros to at least accompany her to the palace gates, but he refused, saying he had to be away for a few days.
Inside the restless carriage, she imagined every possible scenario and prepared all sorts of excuses for any questions he might ask about the Saintess.
Despite having excuses ready, an uneasy feeling persisted. She even prayed for an accident to prevent the carriage from arriving, but her destination was, inevitably and despairingly, the Imperial Palace.
Guided by attendants, Edith arrived in a hall with marble floors, a white ceiling, and gleaming decorations covered in gold.
A long dining table was laden with every delicacy imaginable, and at its end, the Crown Prince, who had arrived earlier, smiled warmly and greeted her.
“I greet the Empire’s Little Sun, Your Highness.”
After her greeting, the Crown Prince urged her to sit and eat. But in her tense state, Edith felt that even if she ate, she wouldn’t taste anything. She merely fiddled with her water glass.
“Please, eat, young lady.”
She couldn’t fathom why he, with whatever ulterior motives he harbored, would invite a mere Viscount’s daughter to dinner.
She stared at the plate in front of her, where food had been served but remained untouched, while the Crown Prince, with his chin resting on his interlaced fingers, watched her and let out a deep sigh.
“Young lady…”
“Yes?”
“If an animal that used to follow you suddenly stopped obeying, what would you do?”
Watching the Crown Prince suddenly share a worry-filled concern about a pet left her flustered, surprised he had such a human side.
“Then… perhaps give it more treats to re-establish yourself as its owner…?”
“Ah! I was worried because lately, it hasn’t been eating the food I give or listening to me. Thanks to you, I think I can resolve it.”
His face, previously filled with concern for his pet, visibly brightened at Edith’s words, making him seem like an ordinary person. As the tension eased at this sight, he finally urged her to eat.
As Edith savored a piece of the duck steak before her, the Crown Prince spoke.
“So, about that… I’d like your help.”
“Pardon? With what…”
As she tried to answer, her vision suddenly began to spin. A dizziness so intense, as if she were inside a rolling ball, made it hard to keep her balance.
She felt on the verge of passing out. In her fading consciousness, she heard the Crown Prince’s voice,
“…Thank you, young lady…”
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