***

Adley was inside his room, with his attendant, Ishid.

​​

"What did the report say?" he asked.

"It was reported that the Duke was making moves after the incident in the forest... It was also said that they're searching for witnesses." Ishid answered.

"Heh... I wonder how the duke will find the culprit that he didn't catch five years ago?" he asked his attendant as he writes from his desk.

"Are the preparations ready? We need to do something before the senate picks among the candidates who will become Crown Princess! Let that pink hair girl... what's her name? The one who always follows brother?" Adley asked, continuing writing letters to the white sheet of paper.

"Her name is Lady Elise, your highness...!' his attendant answered.

"Yes... that Elise, tell the senate to pick the girl. It will be advantageous for them to have that girl as a puppet and as a spy." Adley said. He finished writing the letters and sealed them inside the envelope without a name.

"Here..." he gives it to his attendant.

"We need to put this into action... The plan will be placed during the hunting season... In the meantime, I'll try to get close to the Duke's daughter." He continued as he tied his black necktie.

"Yes, your highness..." Ishid answered.

"And by the way, I need to have a conversation with Lady Evelyn so make sure that no one will interrupt us...!" he said before he stepped to the door and went outside his room.

Ishid was left alone in the luxurious room for the second Prince before he smirked when he turned his head to the window and saw the gloomy sky.

"What a wonderful day...!" He said. And he also left the room with the letter inside his vest pocket.

***

Adley saw Evelyn alone in the grand library of the St. Prisch Academy. He saw this opportunity to greet her and have some conversation, and put his plan into action.

"What a coincidence... How are you, Lady Evelyn?" he said.

Evelyn heard his voice and looked up to where she was sitting near the corner of the library where only a small window gives light to the small coffee table.

"Oh my... Greetings, your highness...!" she responded as she stood up and held her skirt into a fan.

"You seem like you're engrossed in what you're reading... if you don't mind may I sit here?" he asked as he pointed to the chair across from Evelyn.

"Yes, your highness... Please feel free to join me!" she answered, smiling.

Adley looked at the cover of the book that Evelyn was busy reading.

"The history of the 5 Kingdoms?" he said.

"I didn't know that Lady Evelyn was interested in history... oh I'm sorry, I forgot that we agreed to not be formal with each other." He continued and saw her giggle while she hides her smile.

'How naïve... a little attention and she will laugh like a young girl' he thought.

She replied to Adley that made him stop thinking unnecessary thoughts.

"It's alright, your highness... I-I mean, Sir Adley... Is this okay?" she said.

"Yes... this is better!" he answered but his palm that was hiding underneath the table was folded into a ball of a fist.

Then he switched to changing the topic.

"So, Evelyn... is this interesting?" he asked as he pointed his finger to the book that she was holding.

"Yes... It's interesting... I find it fascinating how all the Princes in other kingdoms killed each other for the throne..." When those words left her mouth, she gasped, then she covered her mouth while she looked at Adley who was smiling.

"I'm sorry, Sir Adley. I shouldn't have said that in front of you...!" she said while she was covering her face.

'sorry not sorry...' she thought as she mocked him inwardly.

Adley who was smiling was actually gritting his teeth. It was known that he and his brother the Crown Prince are at each other's throat as the Princes of the Kingdom of Levingstone.

"It's alright... It was indeed common for the Royalty to have a power struggle when it comes to the throne..." he said, his tone was neutral that it makes it seem like he didn't care even a bit.

"Is that so...? Still, I'm sorry for bringing such a tragic topic. I shouldn't have said that." She said as she faced down, looking like she regretted what she said.

"It's really fine, Evelyn. It was a record of history and it's true. Don't worry too much." He said while smiling.

"Thank you for your generosity, Sir Adley. Even though I committed a great sin." She said, her head still facing the ground.

After the two had finished their talk and saying sorry and forgiving each other, they were quiet. Adley was the first to start the conversation when he thought that it was the opportunity to get Evelyn at his side.

"Evelyn, I heard that you don't want my brother to be your betrothed. Is that true?" he questioned, looking at her sunset eyes.

She was quiet for a while before she answered.

"... It may be presumptuous of me, but I thought that having the title of Crown Princess will not suit me, as I was spoiled back then and made a lot of blunder." She explained while making excuses.

"That's fine, Evelyn. We are young and can make mistakes but what's important is that we learned, right?" He answered then he leaned closer.

"But why aren't you accepting my brother's proposal? Aren't you the one who sticks to him like a sore thumb?!" He continued his eyes glowing dangerously.

He's trying to figure her out. Her intention was different from what it was before. He needs to know if he can manipulate her, or just take her out of the equation before she got married to his brother and solidifies his position.

'Should I just kill her?' He thought as he watched Evelyn's pale face flushed like cherry tomatoes.

"So...?" He asked again. He's getting impatient seeing the girl in front of him, squirming like a maiden in love.

"I'm not worthy of his highness love..." She said.

He thought that what he heard would make himself puke.

"Love? You thought my brother would love someone?" He laughed at the silly thought of this woman.

'How naive! She's really stupid!' He thought as he stopped his voice that echoed through the spacious space of the library.

"I must say, Evelyn, that you're too pure, unlike the rumors that surround you." He cited as he looked at her.

"...but you're right! You're not fit for my brother." He continued.

'Now, poisoning her mind will start.' He thought as he planned on how he will make his brother suffer when he gets abandoned by the Duke's power.

***

Evelyn was listening to the rumbling talk of nonsense thoughts of Adley.

She finally realized how much he must have hated his brother to the point that he will come here to seek her and do some reverse psychology to her.

'You want me to do some bad deed... that's what you want hah?!"

The method was unexpected but she thought that it was expected if the senate was in a hurry and would make a move when the other nobles that belongs to the faction of Crown Prince pressured the King to announce the winner, then he would do anything to guarantee that she would not be the Crown Princess.

Because the biggest support that Edickart can have is the name of the Duke of Emsworth.

Having the Military General as your father-in-law isn't bad.

The army under him will automatically also be under his rule.

It's not really bad, right?

Anyway, they might use this opportunity to attack the Crown Prince at the upcoming event.

Though it's not written in the novel, there's a slight chance that it will change, no it will definetely change. Because what Adley is doing right now, was also not in the novel.

She laughed inwardly at the thought of Prince Adley using him to control the political powers under her back and used her to gain support from her father.

'It's useless though.... Such childish acts... He thought that he could wrap me under his palm? But let's see... I'll play along~' she thought as Prince Adley asked her a question.

"Do you not really want to be the Crown Princess, anymore? I can help you win and become the Crown Princess." He promised.

She looked at him, with her eyes glistening for expectation.

"You can, believe me, Evelyn... All I want is for my brother to be happy." He continued.

"I... I also want his highness, the Crowns Prince to be happy... But, I'm not fit for the position." She said as she hung her head low.

He smirked at the sight of it.

"You really don't want to... be the Crown Princess?" He asked again.

'How many times should I decline for you to understand?! Huh?! Bastard! Jerk!' she complained inside her head.

"Then, do you want me to help you get out of the political election that will happen?" He said as he extended his long neat hands.

"You'll help me?" She said.

'interesting... I wonder what kind of help he'll give~'

"Sure~ I would be thankful if Sir Adley can help me with my predicament." She said.

She saw his extended arms and his smiling face and thought 'What's this for? Handshake?' she stared at the hand before looking up at his face.

But contrary to her expectation, when she happened to place her hand, he pulled it to his lips and kissed the back of her hand.

"I'm looking forward to this cooperation, my Lady"