Chapter 39
“Grizelle, over here!”
Panting for breath, Elenia ran through the guest palace garden with Grizelle. She really shouldn’t be running, considering her heart condition. But she’d been so excited, she couldn’t help but dash about.
The imperial palace was filled with rare flowers that could hardly be found in Gideon. Surrounded by such a wondrous world, flower-loving Elenia was so thrilled she couldn’t sit still.
Having heard Grizelle mention the rose garden, she’d run over and now looked around, her brown hair shimmering in the breeze each time she turned her head.
“There are so many roses here!”
Suddenly, a tiny blossom caught Elenia’s eye. She blinked at the cluster of small purple buds, each smaller than a fingernail, looking so fragile it seemed they’d crumble at the lightest touch.
“Wow, I’ve never seen a flower like this before. What’s it called?”
“Sea lavender.”
“Kyaah—!”
At the sudden shadow and unfamiliar voice, Elenia squeaked in fright. A handsome red-haired man was looking at her with a gentle smile.
“This flower is called sea lavender. What’s your name?”
“Who are you?”
Elenia, wary of the stranger, stepped back. At that moment, Grizelle, who had arrived a step behind, greeted the man brightly.
“Your Highness the Second Prince!”
At the identity spoken from Grizelle’s lips, Elenia’s face stiffened.
The Second Prince.
He was the one her sister Sylaria had warned her about. The rival of the First Prince, who would be her brother-in-law.
Elenia bit her lip. This was the consequence of ignoring her sister’s warning and spending time with Grizelle as she pleased.
She’d only wanted to play with Grizelle for a while. Yet Grizelle, who had put Elenia in danger, was so happy to see the Second Prince that she could barely contain herself.
“Your Highness, what brings you here? Did you come to see me by any chance?”
“This garden is connected to the Second Prince’s Palace, you know. Is this your friend, my lady?”
With an affable smile, the Second Prince asked Grizelle. Flustered, Elenia grabbed her friend’s sleeve.
‘I’m scared.’
She wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible.
The Second Prince was nothing like the First. If the First Prince was like a gentle, warm spring, the Second was like a capricious winter.
Even his smile was different. The First Prince had smiled warmly at Elenia, but the Second Prince’s smile was chilling. Only his lips were smiling—his eyes weren’t smiling at all.
“Let’s just go, Grizelle.”
Frightened, Elenia whispered to Grizelle. But Grizelle ignored her plea and spoke up.
“Your Highness, this is Sylaria’s younger sister, Elenia Rainier.”
“Aha. That makes sense.”
Introduced by Grizelle, the Second Prince smiled slightly. He looked Elenia up and down slowly, as if she were an item on display.
“I bet you hear all the time that you look just like your sister, don’t you?”
“…Yes.”
Elenia tried to hide behind Grizelle as she answered quietly. The Second Prince stared at her persistently.
“Nice to meet you. I’m the Second Prince, Arendtert Balthazar. You can call me Aren. I’ll give you special permission.”
“…Yes.”
“Are you like your sister only in appearance, or in constitution as well?”
“Pardon?”
Mumbling in hopes the conversation would end quickly, Elenia’s eyes widened. The way he’d been talking at her, not with her, felt strange.
“Your constitution. Are you a Purifier too?”
“I don’t know…”
“I’m a Purifier, Your Highness! I haven’t been checked at the temple, but I’m probably a Purifier!”
Grizelle, standing in front of Elenia, exclaimed urgently. But Arendtert didn’t spare her a glance. He looked only at Elenia.
“You don’t know? Then you must still be untainted, hm?”
Arendtert muttered to himself, smiling with satisfaction.
He’d heard that Sylaria’s younger sister suffered from heart disease. That was why, when he’d gotten engaged, he’d promised to arrange her treatment.
Heart disease meant she wouldn’t live long, even if they married.
A bride with a short lifespan. She was perfect to make his own.
Arendtert’s wife didn’t need to live long, just until he secured the position of Imperial Crown Prince.
If she were sick, so much the better. Playing the devoted husband caring for an ailing wife would earn him points with the public.
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