Chapter 28

“That’s… What does that mean?”

Lark pondered for a moment, then smiled as if he had no idea and shrugged it off.

“The meal suggestion you made through Brother Victor the day before… I turned it down, didn’t I?”

“Aah, that?”

Lark was taken aback.

“You refused, haha… I thought he couldn’t bring it up.”

“Oh, you didn’t hear about that? Don’t be too upset, though. It must have been because he was sorry to convey the words as it is.”

“Mm, alright. I understand.”

Lark, who smiled as if it was okay, tilted his head and added.

“But…”

“…”

“May I ask why? I am indeed interested in you. It’s not a misunderstanding; it’s well understood.”

“I don’t like to say things in a roundabout way. What do you think? I’m afraid that what I’m going to tell you from now on might sound rude, so I’ll ask first.”

“…”

Lark, who was staring at me, burst into laughter and nodded.

“Right. I don’t like speaking in a roundabout way either, so feel free to say it. It’s okay.”

“Alright, then…”

I continued as I took back the canteen handed by Lark.

“Your Highness is probably not interested in me, but in ‘Princess Diollus’, right? Since you’re well past marriage age, you’re in a hurry to look for a marriage partner, not a lover…”

Upon hearing my words, Lark put a disgruntled expression on his face.

“Mm…”

“…”

“Did I make a mistake? Did something I’ve done make you feel that way?”

“No, not at all. It’s an easy question to answer if you just think a little bit. You, whom I had never seen in person, offered me a meal and also took time apart from your busy schedule to come all the way here.”

“Why don’t you think it’s because I’m really, really interested in you?”

“Ayy, didn’t Your Highness say he doesn’t like to speak in a roundabout way?”

“…”

“I just thought there was no chance a person like Your Highness would choose me as a romantic partner. If I had not been the only daughter of Duke Diollus right now, I don’t think I would have had to sit face to face with you.”

Lark, whom I had met, wasn’t bad, but it was clear that he was a thoroughly calculating person.

His plan to take Diollus’ daughter as empress, which would strengthen the imperial power, seemed obvious.

Of course, there is also Lillia, who is more famous than me in my family, but if you guess the reason why he approaches me, you will find that he is a very meticulous human being.

‘Because Lillia is the child of Molga, who was a mistress.’

Lark wants impeccable blood. My bloodline will be coveted apart from appearance, rumors, and everything else.

‘It’s like thinking of marrying a chaebol with a bald head, just looking at power and money.’

It’s sad, but I think it’s about the same.

“Ummm… That’s right.”

Lark, who had been thinking for a long time with his hands on his chin, smiled and nodded.

“I admit it because it seems pointless acting in front of Princess. Everything is as the princess said.”

“…”

“I had to find a marriage partner urgently, and I concluded that Princess would be the best for me. It’s just my wish, and I have no intention of forcing it on you. I had no intention of asking for marriage right away. It’s just…”

Lark looked back at me, smiled mischievously, and added.

“We don’t know each other very well yet, so if the princess gives me a chance to get to know her, I would be more than happy.”

I was amazed by Lark’s eloquent words.

‘It’s a planned approach, but I’m considerate of you. A conversation method that doesn’t make listeners feel bad! And a face and a smile that makes people feel like they should have a crush on him!’

He was a man who captivated women’s hearts without intention, from his appearance to his tone, voice, and expression. That’s just who Lark was.

‘It’s really unfortunate that he’s the crown prince.’

I licked my lips and smiled sadly.

“I’m really sorry, but as I said before, I have no desire to develop a relationship with Your Highness.”

“…”

Lark brought his lips together as if he felt regret for my firm refusal.

“Did you not like that I intentionally tried to meet you?”

“No, I understand what Your Highness’ intentions were. It is human nature to act for a goal. You haven’t done anything bad.”

“Mm, then? Am I not the type the princess likes?”

“That’s not it either. I can’t represent all women’s tastes, but I’m sure Your Highness is a good enough person to be liked by most women.”

Lark tilted his head at my words. Then he looked curious about what the problem was.

“It’s just that a marriage-based relationship doesn’t suit me. Since you don’t intend only to date me, wouldn’t it be a waste of time for us to meet if I don’t have the idea of getting married?”

Lark was surprised.

“You don’t want to get married?”

“I’ll do it someday, but I don’t think it’ll ever be Your Highness.”

I added in a soft voice because I felt a little sorry after speaking decisively.

“The existence of a spouse who will be with me for the rest of my life is a very important value in my life. Beyond simply loving each other, I want a life partner I can deeply share my feelings with and depend on. Of course, I hope it will only be with each other.”

“Aha. Perhaps…”

“Yes. As far as I know, you would have to have five wives to ascend to the throne legally…”

Lark held his forehead as if he understood and shed a small smile.

“Okay. So, the point is, it’s not the problem with the man himself; it’s a matter of me being the crown prince.”

“It’s kind of like that.”

“I understand.”

“I’m sorry. You said you didn’t like to talk about it roundaboutly, but I was afraid you might be upset, so I talked for a long time.”

“No, I wanted to speak longer because you have a pretty voice.”

Whoa, what kind of flirting is this? This is dangerous with a face like that.

I was embarrassed and avoided eye contact, but I could feel Lark rising. I looked up at him when he got up.

“Certainly, that part is not something I can do about. The strict imperial marriage law cannot be exempted for me alone.”

Lark gave up plainly.

“I unintentionally took your time and annoyed you. I apologize.”

“It’s fine.”

“Can I see you home since it’s late at night? It’s not because I have any other meaning. It’s not polite to send a lady alone at this hour.”

“That’s fine, too. I also came by horse-drawn carriage. There are escorts and a coachman over there.”

On the iron wall of stubbornness to the end, Lark burst into a big smile and nodded.

“Alright. It’s a pity, but let’s meet again with a smile if we have another chance.”

Neat. I admired Lark, who tried to walk around without hesitation.

He could have half threatened or placated a young lady talking about a sleazy love affair…

How could he be compared to the wretched men passing through my memory right now?

He’s aware of his exact position as the master of the empire and is prioritizing it.

The values he pursues are different from mine, but he’s a wonderful person.

A person who has a clear goal in life and does not hesitate to achieve it. However, the neatness of knowing when to give up and the harmony of keeping the line moderately.

‘I can’t be the first lady, but I still want you to be president.’

I ended my hesitation and grabbed Lark.

“Your Highness, wait a minute.”

“Mm?”

I grabbed Lark and pulled out a notebook and pen from the back pocket of my tracksuit pants. It was something I carried around to sketch in case I suddenly thought of a clothing design.

“Even if it’s not necessarily a couple, I’m sure you and I will have a good relationship to help each other.”

“Hmm?”

To Lark, who was puzzled, I tore up a page of the notebook with only a few words and folded it twice, and handed it over to him.

“You can’t see it now. Go back to the palace and check it out.”

“What is this?”

“You will see. Maybe we will see each other again soon?”

“…”

Lark looked at the note in his hand and then smiled.

“Alright. Get home safe, Princess.”

***

Crown Prince Lark’s office.

Lark kept thinking of Rubette.

“Your Highness is probably not interested in me, but in ‘Princess Diollus’, right?

“Wouldn’t it be a waste of time for us to meet if I don’t have the idea of getting married?”

Although he didn’t have the desired income, he was satisfied enough. Lark dismissed the meeting with her.

He was told that she was a timid, quiet child…

‘As expected, rumors are not to be trusted.’

The fifteen-year-old girl was quick-witted and fierce, and above all else.

‘She’s so much like me.’

She was.

She had drawn the line neatly so as not to waste time, and Lark couldn’t be more grateful for that.

Perhaps because he was comparing her to the stuffy people around him, and even though he was a person who should no longer have any regrets, he kept feeling regretful.

Lark chuckled and said to himself.

“If you’re going to cut it off like a knife, don’t be greedy.”

“What? Who are you talking about?”

Then, a familiar face interrupted Lark’s vision.

“Aah, Ren.”

“Where have you been? What’s wrong with you?”

A blond man with red eyes folded and a playful smile.

His name was Ren.

At the age of eight, he had been saved by Lark from a foreign slave dealer and had been with him as his aide and escort and his only irreplaceable close friend.

He had not hesitated to do anything for Lark until now.

But, sadly…

“Hey, Your Highness. What are you thinking? Why aren’t you talking?”

Not anymore.

“No, nothing.”

Because Ren had become someone’s spy.

He had joined hands with the group of people who wanted to eliminate Lark, which was unspecified but present.

And Lark already knew that.

“Why do you look so bland? Where have you been?”

“You don’t need to know.”

To hide the fact that he had already seen through Ren, Lark laughed skillfully.

Then, he suddenly remembered the last note Rubette had handed him.

‘What did you write?’

Lark opened the note and read it, guessing the degree of greeting that she was sorry for refusing.

“…!”

And then, he was surprised.

After reading the note, Lark’s eyes lit up in bewilderment like never before.

[Never doubt your closest person, the blonde-haired aide. That person is not a spy.]

His gaze, which had lost its way and was shaking, turned to Ren sitting in front of him.

[The moment you cut his head, there’s no turning back. I hope you make a wise choice.]