“It looks like you finally found something you want to protect.”
Franz, who had been staring at Elysia, turned around when he heard the voice next to him.
Linden, whose eyes met his own, raised one eyebrow.
Franz was about to show his displeasure.
“Is there anyone threatening Her Highness the Second Princess?”
Until he heard Linden's added remark.
Franz swallowed silently.
Then he turned slowly towards Linden.
The middle-aged man, with black hair and red eyes, was watching Franz closely, as if testing him.
“And if there is?”
“This is unfortunate, and also extremely dangerous.”
Linden said in a complacent tone, shrugging his shoulders.
When he saw his reaction, a slight sarcastic smile appeared on Franz’s face as he looked away from Elisia, saying: “You don’t look so angry.”
“I am sincere in my feelings, Your Highness.”
Linden put his hand on his chest and smiled.
Franz did not lift his suspicious look from him until he straightened his stance.
“If you're trying to make fun of me, stop.
I'm not in the mood for that.”
“How could I dare to mock Your Highness?”
“Even your tone sounds almost cheerful.”
“Actually, it's a little fun.”
"What?"
Franz glared at him at his careless response.
As the Sun-Blessed Man's anger rose, Linden involuntarily took a step back.
Franz gave him an unforgiving look, as if he would not forgive him unless he retracted his words.
“Is the fact that the Second Princess is under threat a laughing matter for the Schuyler family?”
The coldness in his voice was like the edge of a sword.
Linden put his hand to his throat nervously.
'Good grief.
I've gone too far.'
He read the Second Prince's feelings very clearly, so he crossed the line.
Franz could have had the head of the Schuyler family removed from the House of Lords as a result of this misstep.
It is true that the Second Prince hated using his power in this way, but that does not mean that he does not have it.
Linden sighed in annoyance and bowed apologetically.
“Your Highness seems to have misunderstood me.
I did not mean that at all.”
Franz did not answer.
Linden quickly added more before receiving a severe reprimand.
“Just… it surprised me to see you actually interested in someone.”
“…Was it that obvious?”
Franz muttered, and Linden's eyes widened in surprise.
To act like this and then be surprised by his exposure?
This is what was even more shocking.
“I think it's promising,” Linden said cautiously.
“Your Highness never had anything to be proud of, right?”
“The second princess does not belong to me.”
“But there is no doubt that you want to have the power to protect her.”
Franz fell silent at Linden's sharp words.
He sighed deeply and looked away from Elysia's red hair.
“Not everything you want you can have.”
Linden narrowed his eyes.
What does the Second Prince want so passionately?
Is she the second princess?
Or the strength to protect it?
He almost asked, but refrained.
Because if he talked about the prince's desire to possess the princess, the response might be a sword to his neck.
Franz watched him silently.
Despite his stern, cold appearance, Linden was one of the few people the Second Prince could get along with.
They weren't always close.
Rather, families like the Korney or Roshanak were closer to the Second Prince than the Schuylers.
But everything changed three years ago, when Linden decided to marry a woman much younger than him.
‘Why would Lord Linden marry Miss Belissa?
Because of her young age?
Or because the Schuyler heiress needs a mother?'
This was what Franz frankly said to Linden during one of the palace parties.
At that time, rumors were making Linden and Belissa's love story a scandal.
“Neither,” Linden answered calmly.
‘But if Your Highness sees it that way, it means that my love has become a trap for Belissa.’
His answer was sincere, completely turning the picture around.
The scandal story turned into a love legend.
Afterwards, people criticized the Second Prince's cruelty—how could he embarrass Linden so publicly?
But Linden didn't see it that way.
He knew that the prince was trying to help him.
Franz always helps in this way—by sacrificing himself to lift others up.
It's not a strategic method, but it's his nature.
'My reputation doesn't matter.
The honor of the royal family does not disappear.'
This is what Franz said when Linden gave him advice after a similar situation.
Then, Linden realized something.
Franz is a man without greed.
Perhaps this was the luxury of those who were born with everything in their hands, or perhaps the despair of those who realized early on the absurdity of life.
Considering his condition, that makes sense.
He is the “second” prince.
Even if the Empress is fair, the legacy is sealed.
Her biological son, First Prince Crichton, will succeed the throne.
So what about Second Prince Franz?
He will remain in the shadows.
If he dared to aspire, he would be accused of treason.
To live as if he did not exist.
Such is the fate of a prince who will never become emperor.
Franz accepted his fate.
He never thought about the struggle for the throne.
Rather, he seemed like a man who did not know the meaning of “desire.”
But now… the Second Prince had a desire.
Whatever it is, it is extremely important.
Because it is a shift from a life philosophy that he has adhered to throughout his life.
“So, it seems you have become greedy.”
Schuyler said with a secret smile.
When the Second Prince looked at him in wonder, he straightened his jacket and continued in a casual tone: “Whatever it is, wanting something is a good thing.
Especially power—there's no harm in having more.”
“Do you know what kind of power I want?”
"Why?
Is it the throne?"
“Linden.”
Franz's eyes lit up at Linden's provocative words.
The sun in his eyes was flashing like fire.
But Linden met her calmly, and said in a low voice: “Even if you want the throne… it’s okay, isn’t it?
Your Highness can have whatever he wants.”
“You must learn to hold your tongue.
The fate of your family depends on it.”
“I was just saying that there is nothing Your Highness cannot achieve.”
“Let's end this conversation here.
Whatever you have in mind, it's not.”
“And what do you think I'm thinking?”
Franz stared at him coldly.
After looking at his red eyes for a moment, he suddenly turned around.
"I don't care."
“I thought the conversation was starting to get interesting.
Even though you are younger than me, you don’t have a single spark.”
At his age, he should be brimming with fire.
Linden clicked his tongue in frustration.
Franz sighed as if he had become accustomed to his provocations.
Linden shrugged his shoulders and pretended to be sad: “Don’t be so cold.
I owe you, right?
If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have married Belissa in peace.”
“I never meant to make you indebted to me, so there's no need to return the favor.”
Always like this.
Linden sighed deeply.
Every time he tries to show his loyalty to the prince, Franz builds a wall.
Even when he extends his hand, the prince does not reciprocate it with any gesture.
Whenever he talked about the throne, he got lectured about the importance of family instead.
He doesn't need anything.
He doesn't want anything.
Unable to contain his annoyance, he said, "If you keep repulsing me like this, it's a little disappointing.
I've been waiting for an opportunity to return the favor, but if you say you don't want anything, how can I not feel suffocated?"
“Then you will still feel suffocated.”
Franz replied coldly, then opened his mouth slightly.
He looked astonished.
When his features froze, Linden followed his gaze.
The second princess, who had been talking to Belissa, had disappeared.
She must have left without them noticing.
Franz began looking for her in the hall anxiously, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Linden saw the prince's clenched fist and said, shaking his head: “I will pay a visit to the Second Princess soon.”
“Why?”
Franz, who was about to cross the hall, stopped when he heard this.
His sharp gaze fell on Linden.
The latter answered with a spontaneous smile: "Why not?
She invited me and my wife.
I think she would give me good advice if I shared my concern.
She is very wise, you know."
"Do you want to go this far just to find out what I want?
Listen to me carefully, Linden.
I have no desire for the throne..."
“Oh, that's not what I want to know.”
Linden spoke with a smile as he saw Franz's brow furrow.
For the Second Prince to lose his composure… was a curious thing.
The man who always seemed like a lifeless doll...was finally human.
“Princess...”