Chapter 51
“You’re Baroness Marie Alphrose, right?”
“Wh-Who are you?”
“Ah! I’m Ryan von Alice. Don’t get the wrong idea — I was already here when you arrived.”
Winking as he spoke cheerfully, the man gestured toward an empty wine bottle and a picnic basket sprawled beside the fountain. He grinned, and for a second, Marie forgot her situation in sheer disbelief.
‘What is this man doing in the palace?’
This was the garden of the Crown Prince’s palace. To be having a picnic in such a place — if anyone saw, they’d surely be appalled and throw him out.
Could he be a high-ranking noble? Marie replayed the name she’d brushed past earlier, lips slightly parted.
Alice? Of the Alice duchy?
“That’s right. House Alice. I’m the third son — no responsibilities, no ambition, and no talent. So there’s really no need to be wary.”
He smiled lightly as he tucked the handkerchief back into his coat. Then, swirling the wine glass in his other hand, he held it out to Marie.
“Care for a drink, my lady?”
* * *
It felt like she’d been under a spell.
Somehow, Marie had ended up splitting a sandwich with the man who called himself Ryan, sharing a glass of wine, and even telling him things she hadn’t meant to say.
He was clearly an Alpha, but strangely comfortable to be around. The Alpha pheromones that naturally drifted from him, carried by the breeze, had the crisp scent of pine in the wind.
And then, it hit her. Marie realized why she felt so at ease.
At every other banquet, Alpha pheromones had clung to her, sickeningly persistent, always trying to stir an Omega into heat. But this man didn’t reek of that intent at all.
In other words, he didn’t seem to harbor any lust toward her.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmm, well, I am pretty handsome, aren’t I?”
“You say that, but compared to His Highness the Crown Prince, you’re not that handsome…”
“Wow.”
Ryan, with his platinum-blond hair and puppy-like expression, looked genuinely aggrieved.
“Marie, how could you say that? I thought we were friends now! Fine, love conquers all, huh? But for your information, I’ve got a whole line of Omegas chasing after me!”
“No, Ryan. Wait. I think you’re using the word love a little loosely.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“I’m a courtesan.”
At her bitter admission, Ryan’s eyes widened. Then he burst out:
“Be proud, Marie! Since when does liking someone require qualifications? You’re a wonderful Omega. Really, you’re absolutely beautiful.”
This sweet, earnest Alpha was clearly tipsy. And yet, Marie didn’t entirely mind. She found herself smiling faintly before she even realized it.
“P-please don’t overdo the compliments.”
“Aha, so you’re not good at taking praise, huh?”
He had all the charm of a youngest child who knew how to be just the right amount of adorable. Marie could easily guess how he’d been raised in his household.
After downing the rest of the wine in one gulp, Ryan suddenly turned his head. His forest-green eyes gleamed as he looked at her, urging:
“Now, finish your story. You never told me why you were crying.”
“That’s…”
She hesitated, and as she did, Ryan let out a soft laugh, almost like a sigh.
“His Highness made you cry, didn’t he? Marie, how about this then?”
When Marie blinked at him in confusion, he leaned in conspiratorially, as if about to share a secret.
“I’m kind of the slacker of the royal guard, you see. I come here a lot to drink. So, whenever things feel too suffocating, like today, just come find me.”
“Why… why are you doing this for me?”
“Huh?”
Ryan burst out laughing.
“Well, because I think I fell for you at first sight.”
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