Chapter 27
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And now, all her resentment was directed at the Crown Prince, who sat in his chair watching them with dry, impassive eyes.
This was no situation for affection. Feeling like a monkey in a zoo, paralyzed by fear and unable to become aroused, she had grown numb from the friction, despite Carlton’s careful efforts.
Glaring at the Crown Prince, Edith only wished for this hellish time to pass quickly, holding the pitiful Carlton even tighter in her embrace.
“Enough.”
Not long after, the Crown Prince, seemingly bored, stopped them.
“Well, I suppose I’ve verified your loyalty enough. You may stop.”
The faint smile had vanished from the Crown Prince’s face, leaving only that dry, impassive gaze. He clapped twice toward Edith and Carlton, as if to say ‘well done,’ and spoke with feigned sincerity.
“My, the young lady’s state is unpresentable. You shall rest at the palace tonight. I’ll have a dress prepared for you. Carlton, escort the young lady home properly tomorrow.”
After the Crown Prince’s absurd departure, relief that it was over washed over Edith, followed by a belated surge of shame.
Just then, a voice—perhaps that of an aide—was heard from somewhere.
“Miss Moulton, Sir Carlton, please follow me this way.”
The aide respectfully handed Edith something to cover herself with, then led them up a steep staircase to a room reserved for palace guests. Palace maids carefully washed her hair and body before dressing her in a robe.
Late that night, the palace tailor, urgently summoned by the Crown Prince’s order, came to take her measurements.
“I will have the dress altered and brought to you tomorrow. Until then.”
Finally, after everyone had left, as Edith was about to lie down on the bed, a knock came at the door, followed by Carlton’s voice from outside.
Tap tap.
“My lady, have you retired for the night?”
“No, please come in, Sir Carlton.”
Adjusting her robe, Edith got up from the bed and opened the door. Carlton, who had been standing stiffly outside, entered with an awkward expression.
“Forgive me, my lady. For today, and for before. I wished to apologize, so I dared to disturb you despite your fatigue.”
“…It’s alright. Today was unavoidable. And what happened before… I’ve forgiven you.”
“That day… it felt as if something had possessed me. My mind wasn’t my own. It may sound like an excuse to you, my lady… but it’s the truth.”
“It’s truly fine. Actually, thinking back, you’ve helped me many times—from our first meeting, and even after that…”
It was true.
If Carlton hadn’t taken her in during that uncontrollable panic state at their first meeting, something worse might have happened.
He escorted her home afterward. And if he had refused the Crown Prince’s order today, they might already be crow food somewhere else.
Thinking it over, she realized he had helped her more than she’d acknowledged. The walls she had built up around her heart began to soften.
“Thank you, my lady. I’ve always thought it, but you truly are a kind and good person. I’m sorry for disturbing you at this hour. Please rest well.”
After saying his farewells, Carlton left the room. His words warmed her heart, and with all tension finally gone, Edith threw herself onto the bed.
She was furious at the psychopathic and cruel nature of the Crown Prince she had witnessed firsthand today, and at the same time, she resolved to take revenge.
If I’m already marked by the Crown Prince, then I might as well ignore his warning.
She decided to save the pitiful Serenity, who was by his side and being violated, and to somehow ruin his plans. She would leave the details to the dragon who owed her a debt.
“Right, a dragon who rivals an Archmage is far stronger than a sword-wielding Crown Prince! Just wait and see…”
Mumbling into the bed, Edith succumbed to exhaustion and fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
The next morning, the tailor, with dark circles so deep even glasses couldn’t hide them and a frail face, brought Edith her dress.
“I altered it into a dress I believe will suit you, my lady…”
The deep purple dress was embroidered with silver thread, looking expensive at a glance.
‘It’s probably nothing to that damn Crown Prince, but I’ll take anything I can get from him…’
Edith gritted her teeth inwardly.
The tailor, who looked as if pulling an all-nighter, helped her put it on before staggering out.
Watching the weary, yet strangely familiar, retreating figure, Edith decided to stroll through the palace garden until Carlton arrived.
Guided by a maid, she arrived at the garden. When she first met Carlton, red camellias had been in full bloom here, but now it was filled with roses. Contemplating stomping on the grass just to spite something, Edith abruptly felt pathetic.
Then, remembering the Crown Prince who made her feel this way, anger flared again.
Unable to handle her seesawing emotions, as if she had a mood disorder, Edith began kicking a nearby tree.
It almost felt like the tree was pleading to care for nature, but her rage came first.
“Wow, you’re kicking it with such gusto!”
Someone was staring at her with wide eyes, sounding impressed.
‘Why does Edith’s naturally low-profile aura never come in handy at times like this?!’
Perhaps she had become hardened, but no matter when, where, or who appeared, she no longer got startled.
Yet, the thought of having shown such disgrace in front of someone else flooded her with embarrassment.
“But please be kind to nature. The tree might be in pain.”
His face and heart seemed so angelic she wondered how a person could say such a thing. The man gave a kind smile, greeted her, and left.
Watching his retreating figure, a sense of familiarity made her search her memory. Despite having organized her thoughts not long ago, she felt foolish for having to struggle to recall trivial details.
But she concluded that if she couldn’t remember, the person probably wasn’t that important. Dismissing the thought, she decided to continue her stroll.
“My lady! You were here. I shall escort you by carriage.”
From a distance, Carlton came running toward Edith.
Proving his title as Knight Commander, he covered the distance in an instant without even a hint of breathlessness—truly impressive.
Escorted by Carlton, Edith boarded the carriage. Watching the scenery pass by, she felt a sense of déjà vu.
Then, a sudden realization made her fluster.
“Huh? That can’t be…?”
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