The Crown Prince’s Courtesan - Chapter 42

It was beautiful. The view from the special box overlooking the orchestra stage was almost overwhelming. It felt like too much and too grand, but the sheer spectacle left her speechless.

Marie was overcome. I’m really here. I actually made it to this place.

She took her seat first, casting a glance at the Crown Prince, who gave her a curt nod as if to say, Well? Sit already. She was grateful, but didn’t know how to say so.

‘He said he didn’t bring me here with any special meaning.’

Right. His reasoning had made sense. Looking around at the nobles nearby, she spotted several familiar faces from yesterday’s ball. Perhaps she should count it a small mercy that Arwena, the most explosive of the lot, wasn’t among them.

With her suspicion and wariness gently melting away, Marie finally allowed herself to drink in the stunning theater around her. She felt giddy, almost childishly excited. It made her talk more than usual, a little out of place perhaps, but she couldn’t help it.

“Your Highness probably wouldn’t know, would you? That some people would do anything just to get an invitation here.”

Marie’s eyes sparkled as she gestured to the area around their box —one the prince had likely visited more times than he could count.

“It really is enchanted, isn’t it? I heard that if you draw those curtains during the performance, a spell activates so you can focus entirely on the music. Is that true?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Pardon?”

“Never used it.”

Marie’s eyes widened. How could you not know? You’ve probably been here dozens of times.

But after ordering the accompanying knights to stay back, Russell answered with his usual blank expression:

“I’m not interested in music. It’s just noise to me.”

“Then… you mean—”

“This is my first time here.”

It wasn’t exactly what one would call a refined remark.

‘Then why this place, of all places…?’

There were plenty of other places to go. It didn’t make sense.

‘Surely it wasn’t because of me? No, how would he possibly know I loved this place? It’s just wishful thinking. Foolish wishful thinking.’

She told herself not to read into it. Don’t get the wrong idea. Don’t be that foolish.

But that resolve shattered instantly. Emotions burst like fireworks — loud, bright, unstoppable. Marie could no longer control the pounding of her heart. It was like her knees buckled under the weight of something inevitable, something she hadn’t braced for.

Why? Why does it have to be you?

She wanted to ask, just as he had once asked her while drunk.

‘Why you, of all people?’

Marie had always longed for someone.

Someone she didn’t know. Someone who might not even exist in this world.

And yet, this man — so beautiful, so overwhelming, so untouchably noble — who wasn’t anything like that imagined person…

‘Why does it have to be you?’

The one who made her cry when she needed to cry.

The one who held her not as the Crown Prince, but as a mere Alpha wanting warmth and release.

The one who saw the loneliness in her and dared to ask about it.

The one who gave her this moment, this place she had dreamed of her entire life.

All of that — why did it have to come from you, the man who said he despised me?

As Marie stood there, lost for words, Russell spoke:

“It’s your birthday, isn’t it?”

“…You knew?”

“I heard you liked this place.”

“But… who would’ve told you that?”

“You think I wouldn’t be able to figure out at least that much?”

Ah, she lost. She had completely, utterly lost.

At that indifferent remark, Marie’s face flushed hot. It was at least a small mercy that the dim lighting of the audience seats helped conceal the change. Clenching her gloved hands tightly, she listened to the cruelly tender voice of the man beside her.

“You have quite a refined taste. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to try listening to music for once at the behest of my courtesan.”

My courtesan.

That word, which had only ever hurt before, now felt strangely sweet just this once.

Soon, the darkness deepened further, and lights lit up the orchestra pit. Elegant performers stepped into view to the sound of applause, and grand yet gentle music began to fill the hall.

The piece told the story of the first human who dared gaze upon a god and had their heart consumed by flames, —but was then reborn to become the god of fortune. It was none other than Albert Ladeen’s Hymn of Love.

* * *

“Did you enjoy it that much?”

“Yes, Your Highness. It was truly wonderful. So very…”

The first act of the opera had ended, and they were waiting for the second to begin. During the brief intermission, her answer came with a childlike smile, so overjoyed she couldn’t help it. She’d even shed a tear without realizing. She wouldn’t have noticed at all had someone not gently wiped it away with the tip of a finger.

“…!”

Startled, she turned to look and somehow, Russell seemed to be smiling just a little.

“To the point of tears?”