[Roserikta] "I thought you were going to sleep?" Kalart blinded her with his appearance. His silver hair shone with moisture, and his face held a faint flush. He wore formal, elegant attire she had never seen before. A pin sparkled at the end of his thick cravat, featuring a jewel-encrusted eagle—the symbol of the Crown Prince. He looked ready to walk straight into his own coronation. [Kalart] "I wanted to look good for you." Roserikta, dressed for bed, looked the complete op

[Aldwin] "You know it, so why do you act like—! No, never mind. Just remember this. The Crown Prince of the Kriye Empire is a magnificent man who deserves your deepest respect. His beauty is brilliant, and he is the most eligible bachelor in the entire Empire." [Roserikta] "Yes……" How strange. She's telling me things I already know. [Aldwin] "Once you are ready, we will go to the third-floor dining room. His Highness will eat his breakfast there today. I have prepared a meal

[Kalart] "I understand. I didn’t think of that. From now on, please take good care of her if she needs anything." [Aldwin] "I obey your command, Your Highness." [Kalart] "I will escort her from here." Kalart reached out and tucked Roserikta’s arm into his. The Head Maid, who had been holding her other arm, naturally let go. [Kalart] "Do you like the garden? I heard the first Osters flowers bloomed today." Kalart and Roserikta began walking side by side. The weather was brilli

[Elona] "Oh, you look absolutely stunning today." Roserikta smiled shyly at her reflection. She knew Elona praised the new clothes Kalart sent, not her own face. [Roserikta] "I should tell him to stop sending these soon." [Elona] "What are you talking about? I told you this is nothing. His Highness is only sending clothes to compromise because he worries you might feel overwhelmed." People called him the wealthiest bachelor in the Empire. Still, I won't have a reason to wear

[Arad] "Yes, no, Your Highness, how did this happen……" Fortunately, Arad had a very quick-witted and intelligent partner. Elona, with years of experience as a palace maid, understood the depths of human emotion. While her innocent lover remained oblivious to the Prince’s mood, she recognized it immediately. This was jealousy. The Prince undoubtedly felt a desperate need to monopolize everything related to Roserikta. Touching that nerve would surely lead to disaster. [Elona] "

[Klein] "I reorganized the imperial security as you instructed, Your Highness. I changed the patrol system from pairs to groups of three. No one may change their team members without a specific reason. This will make it easier to identify confusion if the Black Witch infiltrates. Furthermore……" Thunderous tension filled Kalart’s study, which he used as his office. Mountains of documents rose precariously in every corner. Klein, the Imperial Secretary, had moved his entire des

Kalart ignored her sideways glance. The realization struck her a moment later. Ah, the Head Maid only glares at me. Kalart clearly didn't understand why he should care about the Head Maid's presence at all. [Roserikta] "I have much work to do, Your Highness. I should get up now." [Kalart] "If you must." He gently pinched the tip of her nose before letting go. The Head Maid's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets as she watched. When Roserikta opened her mouth in surprise, Kal

[Roserikta] "It is not that tasteless. And even if the flavor lacks, I have no choice." She huffed with indignation. [Kalart] "I mean, don't worry so far ahead. Clobell shows no signs of illness. She looks adorable." Mid-sentence, he tilted his head and kissed the tip of her nose. [Roserikta] "That is your opinion. And I believe your behavior is inappropriate. Why do you suddenly kiss me during an argument?" [Kalart] "Because you looked angry." [Roserikta] "Yes. I am trying t

Instead of saying those words, Roserikta gently tugged one of his fingers. Kalart understood and nodded once. [Roserikta] "Eaton's illness is……." It happened then. [Mung] "Kiiiing." Something wriggled through the hair of Eaton, who lay still with a face pale as a corpse. [Clobell] "Oh! It is Mung!" [Elona] "Oh my! That is Mung?" Elona reacted to Clobellina's words. The Imperial Physician rolled his eyes in confusion. [Physician] "What is Mung?" Roserikta cut off his curiosity

Kalart sent more than just the clothes for today. [Elona] "Oh my." A complete renovation transformed the Crown Princess's bedroom, where Roserikta stayed. From the bedsheets and pillowcases to the curtains, wainscoting, and decorative wall sconces, everything changed. [Elona] "Wow, this looks like embroidered silk from Ailen! To make cushion covers out of this! I only heard about it. It is so beautiful." Roserikta knew nothing about Ailen embroidered silk. She had no idea why

[Elona] "Lady Roserikta" [Roserikta] "......" A voice called her name through the fog of sleep. [Elona] "My Lady, will you sleep longer? Shouldn't you wake up now?" [Roserikta] "Mmm.....I'm sorry, but I'm so sleepy. I'm exhausted......" [Elona] "Oh, come on. Wake up. Please? Yes?" Roserikta had gone to bed very late. She had visited the forest, picked a mountain of mushrooms and her arms ached from gripping the broom so tightly. On the way back, she nearly lost the invisibili

[Roserikta] "Ugh......" Whish! The wind sliced past her ears like a blade. She groaned and gripped her broom tightly. Only after filling her pockets did she regret picking mushrooms under the moonlight like a crazed witch, but it was too late. Too much time had passed. The morning star would soon rise. She braced herself for muscle aches and accelerated the broom as much as possible. She had warned Kalart beforehand, but he appeared excited instead. At this rate, he might ask

[Roserikta] "Just hold the bag. I'll pick the mushrooms. Be careful not to touch them. Like I said, they make your hands itch." Near three massive Lumarr trees, stumps and thickets cluttered the ground. Tiny, translucent mushrooms twinkled like glass pebbles, hiding in the shadows. [Kalart] "If you teach me how, I can help." [Roserikta] "Oh, it doesn't work if a human picks them." [Kalart] "What a shame." [Roserikta] "Many things that grow under the moonlight are like that. I

It wasn't bad. The outfit prepared by the Head Maid was appropriate. Despite Roserikta's initial nervousness at the mention of a banquet hall, the table was perfectly sized for two. The silver cutlery and the dishes were luxurious, but they didn't feel much more overwhelming than what she had experienced at Kiriyen. Most of the food was delicious and easy to eat. As far as the meal went, it was quite enjoyable. Kalart, however, was a different story. What is wrong with him to

[Kalart] "......I didn't realize it was this close." He stopped in front of the door and let go of her arm, murmuring softly to himself. Roserikta, still unsure of what to say, held her skirt and bowed. [Roserikta] "Thank you for walking me back, Your Highness." [Kalart] "Don't mention it. It was for my own benefit." He took her hand and kissed the back of it, just as parting lovers would, before turning to leave. Step, step. The guards followed him like shadows, obscuring hi