“Honestly, Prince Raytan has piqued my interest a lot.”

“Piqued… your interest?”

“Yes. The truth is that was the reason why I regularly attended Princess Lillian’s tea time. When I went to the Imperial Palace, I wondered if I might run into Prince Raytan.”

Sezh recalled the words she had heard from Luna the other day. A lady from a noble family asked her handmaiden about Raytan. Sezh guessed that the lady in mention was Carolyn.

Nevertheless, it was unarguably unexpected. Carolyn Regent was truly a person who had nothing to feel sorry over. Even so, she was already at the marriageable age, so the men who looked at her would line up. Sezh also could point out so many things about Carolyn that men liked.

In other words, it means that there is absolutely no reason for her to be interested in someone like a ‘Cursed Prince’.

“You look quite surprised to hear that I am interested in the Prince.”

It seemed that her face revealed her thoughts too much. Sezh then made a ‘haha’ laugh that sounded very unnatural.

“At first, of course, it was because of my unbearable curiosity.”

“Curiosity?”

“Yes. You also know that legend, don’t you?”

“…”

“Honestly, I was surprised too. I know it’s a bit rude to say this, but because of that legend, the Prince suffered a lot, didn’t he? Being close to such a prince would not be very helpful to the Princess’s life in the Imperial Palace, right?

It wasn’t wrong. Yerena, who doesn’t even care about her daughter, always says, ‘Don’t get too close to that damned bastard.’

Of course, at first, Sezh only approached Raytan to survive. After all, she had nothing to lose with whether she could be on friendly terms with Raytan.

But now…

“My brother… That… He’s not a bad person like what the legend says.”

Sezh still remembered it clearly. The blood-soaked Raytan. The cold blade that touched and cut her neck.

She knew it well that the event might repeat itself. But…. She wanted to believe. The Raytan she knew won’t be that kind of person.

“He can’t express himself well, but he is a very kind person. He has a warm heart, and… people don’t know about that.”

“Isn’t he like that only to you, Princess?”

“…What?”

There was no answer in return. Carolyn sipped her tea again with a calm face. The kind expression remained unchanged on her face, but somehow Sezh felt the eyes staring at her were sharp.

***

After that, Carolyn didn’t talk about anything more. After finishing her tea, she only said, ‘It seems that the gift giver has good taste.’

Suddenly, the sun was setting in the sky. Sezh then saw Carolyn off until the furthest vicinity of her palace. *Carolyn looked uncomfortable, but anyway, she was the one who came to her palace on her own. Sezh was feeling a little grateful because of that.

“Princess seems to have a simple taste.”

While walking, Carolyn said something strange.

“I think it’s different from any other princes and princesses. Right now, just looking at Princess Lillian, she likes to decorate not only her palace but also the walkway.”

Frankly, it wasn’t because her tastes are simple, but it’s because she didn’t have anything. Sezh wasn’t sure whether Carolyn already knew that and was being sarcastic, or she was only expressing her thoughts with a genuine heart. Since she didn’t know what to say, she just replied with, “Is that so?”

“Does Princess continue to communicate with Confucius Mathias?”

Sezh paused.

“It seemed that Confucius paid a lot of attention to you at the debutante ball. Just like I was interested in Prince Raytan.”

“…Confucius just took care of me. It was my first time to be alone in such a position, so I felt awkward, and he helped me.”

“But the tea you offered earlier tasted exactly like what Confucius Mathias would choose.”

“…”

“I’ve known Confucius since I was a child, so I’m familiar with his preferences.”

Did Carolyn already know that she and Mathias communicate with each other? If Carolyn finds out about that, it may also reach Lillian’s ears. Sezh made a troubled expression.

“My lips are sealed, so please don’t worry too much. If the Princess has any questions about Confucius, please feel free to ask me anytime. As I said earlier, I have a very close relationship with Confucius.”

The moment Sezh was about to reply, Carolyn’s eyes narrowed. Seeing that, Sezh also followed her gaze.

Then she noticed that a person was walking in front of them. It was Raytan.