“Why is his hair so wet?”
Elisia paused for a moment, then spoke quickly.
“I helped him shower.”
“Bathing?
You, Her Highness the Second Princess?”
“Yes, sometimes I do that.”
Elysia smiled weakly as she glanced at the bathtub next to the bed.
Fortunately, most of the ice had melted.
For those who don't know, it will look like she just finished a normal bath.
Crichton raised one eyebrow.
After a short moment of contemplation, he pursed his lips slightly forward.
“I was really tactless.
It's rude to barge into a new couple's room.”
“Was it urgent?”
“Not quite...ah, but it's appropriate.
I was meaning to tell you about it anyway, Your Highness.”
Crichton responded smoothly, then smiled broadly.
He leaned slightly towards her and whispered: “I don’t want to disturb Franz’s sleep, so shall we go out for a while?”
Elisia nodded and pointed toward the door.
At her signal, Crichton obediently walked forward.
The moment he turned around, Elysia tucked a dagger under the sofa cushion.
Then she pulled her robe tight and took a deep breath.
Alicia was walking in the garden of the Second Prince's Palace with Crichton.
The front yard fountain was pouring cold water.
Perhaps because it was night, the sound of flowing water seemed louder than usual.
She brushed away her wind-blown hair and looked at the fountain.
Since her arrival at the Second Prince's Palace, this fountain has not stopped flowing even once.
Not even on a cold day like today.
“This fountain is yours, isn’t it?”
Elisia was staring at the fountain when she turned her head.
Crichton, with his usual friendly smile, was giving her a warm look.
She smiled at him in return.
“Yes.
His Highness the Second Prince gave it to me as a gift.”
“This doesn't look like him at all.”
Crichton whistled low.
From his actions, it seemed clear that his relationship with Franz was closer to that of two ordinary brothers than to that of the sons of kings.
“Please treat me well.”
Alicia lowered her gaze as she spoke.
Franz's praise was suffocating her, but Crichton misunderstood her shyness as another kind of shyness.
His face showed pride, and he looked at her warmly.
“It's nice to see Franz changing for the better.
He was such a cold-hearted person before.”
“…So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
Elisia asked cautiously, directing her gaze to him.
Crichton raised an eyebrow at her question.
“Oh, right.
I almost forgot.”
Crichton laughed lightly, as if he had just realized that the conversation had gone astray.
“This always happens to me.
I talk too much.
Glenna always catches my eye for it, but I don’t change.”
He laughed awkwardly, then continued: “My birthday party is next month.
Did you know that?”
"Yes, I know.
I know very well."
Elisia answered politely, bowing with a graceful bow.
“Happy early birthday, Your Highness the First Prince.”
“Oh, I didn't mention it as a congratulations, but thanks anyway.”
His friendly laugh mixed with the sound of water flowing from the fountain.
“Actually… I was thinking of sending an invitation to the Ambrose family.
I hope Caleb can come.”
Crichton adjusted the collar of his robe as he spoke.
"I tried to invite him several times before, but it never worked.
He always refused, claiming that he couldn't leave Ambrose Mansion because of his sister."
As he explained, Elysia's expression changed.
Even after he inherited the title of Baron, Caleb rarely attended palace parties.
He knew that every time he was gone, Patricia would find an excuse to torture Elisia.
Of course, if Elisia had attended the party with Caleb, this could have been avoided.
But it wasn't that simple.
Unlike Caleb, who only needed an elegant outfit, Elisia had to prepare herf completely for every outing.
Dress, shoes, hand fan, decorations, jewelry...
Each party required significant expenses.
It may seem extreme, but it is an essential part of the etiquette expected of any noblewoman.
Violating it may reveal the faltering financial condition of the family to society.
This is what Patricia feared most.
If it became known that the Ambrose family was bankrupt, they would not be able to “l” Elisia into a luxurious marriage.
Since her first appearance in society, Elisia has not attended any party.
Or rather, she wasn't allowed to attend.
But she didn't feel much regret about it.
She did not like to dance or socialize, and her first appearance did not leave her any good memories.
Who would have thought that a girl like me would become royalty — the center of society's attention?
She crossed her arms and thought bitterly.
No one knows what the future holds, but in her case, nothing was going as she expected.
In the spring of her twentieth year, she went to Naru Villa, not imagining that she would become the second princess.
I only went for my first social appearance.
If she was from a great noble family, they would have thrown a lavish party for her, but the Ambrose family was not prepared for that.
They made her a modest offer.
The purpose of the appearance was only to introduce herf to the sophisticated ladies with the graceful wave of the hand fan.
Thus, she accompanied Caleb to Naru.
At that time, she was very nervous.
It was the first time she had left Ambrose Palace, and the first time she had seen nobles so radiant.
There, I realized how small and humble she was.
She could not greet others as gracefully as the other ladies did, nor did she glide around like a butterfly.
She was as rigid as a statue, and all she did was bend over while Caleb introduced her to the people.
Even this exhausted her to the point that she developed a fever and had to stay in a corner room for the entire event.
When she returned to the palace, Patricia took out her anger on her.
She secretly hoped that Elisia would get a rich husband from a party organized by the prestigious Roshanak family.
But Elisia only received a few empty compliments about her beauty.
That was enough to make Patricia angry.
After that, Patricia continued to scold her for a long time.
“That spring hunt brought together all the bachelors of the empire.
Even the Second Prince was there.
I bet you're the only one who came back without a single marriage proposal.
Since you missed this golden opportunity, I will choose your husband myf.”
Words full of insults rained down upon her without interruption.
And Elisia... she had no choice but to remain silent.
Since then, she has hated parties.
The expenses are one thing, but the subsequent psychological shock was more severe.
Therefore, Caleb began to avoid those occasions as well.
This weighed heavily on her heart.
Despite his close friendship with the First Prince, Caleb did not attend palace parties.
That alone made her feel ashamed.
“Actually, I recently got permission from Glenna to invite Caleb.
So I sent an invitation to the Ambrose family.”
Elisia said politely, and smiled.
“I did not expect Your Highness to remember my brother.
I thank you on his behalf.”
“Hahaha, just thanks for inviting a friend to my birthday party?
It seems a little weird.”
Crichton laughed cheerfully, and looked at her with a warm look.
“However, I am grateful to you.
Thank you, Her Highness the Second Princess.”
Elysia exchanged the smile for an even brighter one.
Despite her conflict with Glenna, she needed Crichton.
He is an important ally on her way to bringing down Franz.
Since he's Caleb's childhood friend from his academy days, it's perfect.
Her eyes sparkled.
If she could deepen the relationship through Caleb, it would be so much better.
Elisia looked at the fountain, her face looking refreshed.
Franz's unexpected behavior confused her, but talking about Caleb gave her some comfort.
“Please be nice to Glenna.
She may look tough, but she has a good heart.”
“I will do what I can to do good for her.”
Elysia smiled sweetly, and Crichton nodded approvingly.
The conversation was about to end.
Elysia exchanged glances with Crichton, then turned from the fountain and headed back toward the palace.
But before she reached the entrance, his voice stopped her.
“Oh, by the way.
Miss Roshanak will also be attending my birthday party.
I hope the familiarity between you three will grow.”
Elysia suddenly stopped when she heard the sudden name.
She turned slowly toward Crighton, her limbs frozen.
As if winter had suddenly arrived.