CHAPTER 3

Tick, tock. The minute hand of the clock pointed to 6. It's been 30 minutes. I bit the cookie that had become hard. Crunch. I mercilessly chewed the cookies in my mouth. I drank the lukewarm tea at once to rinse the cookie stuck to the roof of my mouth. It wasn't very lady-like, but I was alone in the sitting room anyway. I wanted to take off the uncomfortable heels and put my feet on the sofa. Sadly I couldn't because of the pannier I was wearing under my dress.

I have an appointment at 1 o'clock. It's not like we're meeting somewhere far away, but I came to his house. I put in an audience request this morning, so there should have been enough time to prepare.

I thought about getting up and going to see him, but I stopped. Sigh. Maybe the Crown Prince has a hobby of wearing dresses and is tightening his corset. That’s possible right?

Tick, tock, tick. Teng. A bell rang on the wall clock to announce that it's already 2 o'clock. And I immediately woke up from my seat. There was a crackling sound from my waist. I can't wait any longer.

This isn't right. If he’s not available to meet me, then he could have turned down my request for an audience. Why did he accept it? As I got up straight from my seat and walked, the clattering sound spread. Before I went out, I looked in the mirror and saw a female warrior burst into flames. Hiik, what should I do? She's very pretty even when she's angry. I want to be criticized by her. No, this isn't the time!

I shook my head, scattered my thoughts, and opened the door. The maids, who were restless in front of the door, saw me and bowed their heads.

"Whizna Young-ae. Is there anything you need?"

“Anything I need? Rather than that. Where is the Crown Prince? If he can't see me today, I think I'll have to come back another time."

I was speaking softly, but there was anger on my face. I couldn't help it. I feel like my back is about to break, so they should be grateful I’m still using honorifics.

The servant showed signs of panic at my words. But as he was about to say something, he suddenly bowed his head towards me.

Greetings in accordance with royal etiquette, with one hand wrapped around the waist and head bowed. Just as I was bewildered by the greeting to the royal family, I heard a voice behind me. A syllable that slurred gently. I naturally turned around and looked back at where the low and beautiful voice came from.

Then, I faced him. Black hair and black eyes. His white skin contrasted with red lips. He exhaled slowly, and his long eyelashes fluttered.

Black eyes. It's the color of the night sky.

If it were that color, it would still be black even under the bright sunlight.

Our eyes met. Then, his eyes folded gently, creating a smile. I looked into the prince's eyes without even blinking. But soon the smile disappeared into thin air. Like a midsummer night's dream. Without leaving a trace.

It was so fleeting, I would have missed that smile if I had blinked even once. No, actually, even now, I'm still confused as to whether I actually did see that smile.

As I kept staring at him, I could feel that the servant was restless next to me. I didn't even notice him and kept looking at the Crown Prince.

"T-that, excuse me, Young-ae. Your Highness, Crown Prince."

"Ah."

Tears flowed from my eyes when I blinked. I could see the crown prince that was standing in front of me flinching. I grabbed my skirt and lowered my head. It took a long time, but the etiquette was perfect.

"Anastasia of the House Whizna meets the blessing of god."

"........I've never met you before, Young-ae. I'm sorry I'm late."

The crown prince nodded and reached out to me and escorted me into the sitting room. I went back to the same seat I was sitting in, and he crossed his legs in front of me. Dark disheveled hair was covering his neck.

Huh? Hang on. Disheveled?

Come to think of it, his appearance looked a little strange. Slightly disheveled hair, wrinkled shirt with a few buttons ripped off.

I saw bloodstains on the white shirt. The marks were red and lip-shaped.

......You son of a bitch.

My face hardened in a moment. Just before were you doing that with a girl?

Was he in such a hurry that he couldn’t even button his shirt?

Then something strange came into my eyes. I turned my head. It's not unbuttoned. It's ripped.

Of course, if it was intense, clothes could be torn. So, does he usually rip it off? Why up there?

The part of the neck where the buttons were torn and the thread was fluttering, was wrinkled. As if it had been caught on something.

I spoke to him with a soft smile on my lips.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince. May I ask, what have you been up to?"

"Ah, Deborah Young-ae suddenly came to visit me, so I'm late because of that."

A blunt tone that doesn't go with his delicate beauty. My mouth almost gaped open to his monotonous remarks.

The shirt that was ripped off. Lip marks.

…….Was he knocked over?

No, that's not it. It's a crime!

"Your Highness, are you all right?"

"What do you mean?"

Instead of answering, I quietly pointed around his neck. The crown prince's face turned red after noticing my gesture. No, that's not something to be ashamed of.

"Your Highness. With all due respect, that kind of contact between lovers is a crime. It's not limited to men and women."

He frowned at my serious voice. His face remained red. I looked at him with pity that I felt naturally.

How did the kingdom's only prince end up like this? Deborah Young-ae, I didn't see her like that, but she was a criminal. It is regrettable that there is no 112 here or a national crime reporting line.

Just as I was about to tell him that the knights were near the Tehina Palace, the Crown Prince shook his head with a flushed face.

"That's... I know what Young-ae is thinking, but you’re mistaken."

"There is no need to defend the assailant, Your Highness. No matter how powerful Deborah and the Dukedom are, your Highness is the Crown Prince."

"No, you’re really mistaken."

He denied once again, even throwing a dignified tone. I tilt my head slightly with a complex face. The crown prince, who bit his lips, said in a low-pitched voice.

".....But if it's a perpetrator, it's on my side."

"Pardon?"

I asked again without realizing it. The pity that had gently descended had just disappeared without a trace with his words. I threw my teacup at him and trembled at the thought that I should run away.

Mother, there's an attempted rape here.

The face of the Crown Prince who interpreted my face became urgent.

"No, no. Hang on. Young-ae. That's not true."

"……Everything's fine, but please stay a meter away from me."

It doesn't matter whether it's a conversation or not. Please secure a safe distance.

The crown prince shook his hand urgently to my trembling figure.

"It's not like that. Nothing happened between the two of us!"

Is he telling the truth? Can I trust him...?

While I was hesitating, I heard a knock at the door and the servant dragged in a trolley. On top of the trolley were new refreshments. Instead of Earl Grey, which had cooled down, An English breakfast was served, Sacher torte and croquembouche were served instead of cookies and scones. I was impressed with the food, which was much better than before, but when I realized that I was in front of the Crown Prince, I opened my mouth again.

"...There is no way the Crown Prince would have done such a thing. I’ll believe you."

Only then did the prince's face relax, he let out a sigh and smiled, as if he had a guilty conscience. I pretended not to know and took a sip of my tea.

There was a moment of silence. The prince's voice, which had subsided a little, was heard.

“By the way, did Young-ae have something to tell me?"

Oh, right. There was a purpose for all this. I almost forgot because I was faced with this kind of situation. I bit my slightly burned tongue with my teeth and nodded. The Crown Prince fixed his eyes on me. He had cat-like eyes, but his eyes were as clear as a puppy. I slowly averted my gaze and took a deep breath.

"Your Highness. I'm here today to ask you a favor."

He nodded. I felt a bit of a gap. Why do I feel like I'm sitting in front of a dog when I'm talking to a person. I feel like I'm training him with snacks in my hand.

"I must warn you, Your Highness may be at a disadvantage."

He nodded. On the nodding head, I cast my flag.

It's going to be a disadvantage. Don't nod your head!

"Your Highness. You have to ask what the disadvantage is and what kind of compensation you would get."

If it were a modern day, he would be a person who would check the terms and conditions box without reading it properly. He's a man who can't even tell the difference.

The Crown Prince, who was watching me, asked carefully.

"What kind of disadvantage is it, and what kind of compensation...?"

"Uh, first of all, the disadvantage is that you may be accused of being a pedophile."

I thought it was too straightforward, but I thought I should let him know for sure. He might get entangled with a Lolicon rumor. It’s possible that his preferred age for a Lady may be slightly lower. Should I do this?

I added quickly and said.

"In return, I'll give you the support of Marquis Whizna."

I am currently in the position of the successor as a direct descendant of the Marquis. Generational change usually occurs at the same time, so by the time he ascends to the throne, I will be on the throne as a Marquess. There could be nothing better than this for Yohan, whose seat is at stake due to the scandals and the lack of red blood. The support of the next Whizna head house. I bet the biggest one I have.

"How do you like my proposition?"

".....Um, Young-ae. First, can you tell me what you want to ask of me?"

Oh, right.