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Dana also feigned ignorance for now. There was no need to panic. She didn’t know why he’s so worked up, but maybe he’s just excited. Raios would be meeting Allice soon. After all Allice was waiting for him. Maybe he was already excited at the thought of spending time with Allice…
“You know you have to attend as my partner, right?”
“Why should I?” The sharp retort slipped out automatically.
“Well, it’s your banquet, isn’t it?”
“That is…” Dana tried to argue but then closed her mouth.
Raios was right. The Night of Sponsorship was the first banquet Dana had prepared as the fiancée of the crown prince.
So annoying. If I’d known it would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have done it.Why are there so many things to do? She’s already swamped with various tasks.
“I get it, so let’s go back. I have nothing more to say.”
“Alright. Allice must be waiting for me anyway.”
After that, there was no more conversation between the two. Only the regular sound of hoofbeats and birdsong echoed through the forest.
Was it because of the earlier incident? Raios rode the horse very slowly. It was agonizingly slow.
Where is His Highness?Upon arriving at the hunting ground, Alice looked around curiously.Where could Raios be?
“Oh, Lady Allice, you’re here.”
“Lady Allice has arrived.” Raios’s friend, Marquis Kreta, welcomed her with a smile.
“You’re as lovely as ever.”
“You seem to become more beautiful each day, Lady Allice.”
“The sun is strong today. Please, come over the shade.”
Blushing at the gentlemen’s enthusiastic greetings, Allice smiled shyly. “It’s been a while, everyone. Isn’t this is the first time since the boat party with His Highness?”
“Ah. That day was truly enjoyable.”
Allice joined the group under the shade of a tree, chatting pleasantly.
Thank goodness. It seems no one knows I went into the monastery after all.She had worried that rumors might have spread, but it seemed Viego had kept everyone quiet about it.
But even after a long wait, Raios didn’t return. Finally, unable to wait any longer, Allice started asking around. “By the way, where is His Highness?”
“Ah, there he is coming now.”
Looking in the direction indicated, indeed, Raios was coming out of the woods on horseback. But…
There was another woman sitting in front of Raios on the horse. It was Dana, sitting so close in front of him…
“Allice!” When Raios spotted Allice, he smiled more brightly than ever before.
“Ah, Your Highness…”
Raios dismounted from the horse and quickly embraced Allice tightly. “Did I keep you waiting?”
“It’s okay. I was chatting with the gentlemen. But…” Allice glanced over Raios’s shoulder.Why did they come together?
Dana seemed to be having trouble getting off the horse by herself, probably because of her dress.Someone should help her down.Don’t gentlemen usually step in to help? But not a single of them paid any attention to Dana. They were completely ignored her.They don’t need to do that anymore.Allice smiled faintly.
There was a time when Raios was obsessed with Dana. He used to get overly jealous of any mean near her.That was Sister Dana’s fault.It happened because Dana had always made him anxious and insecure.But now it’s different.Because Raios had found stability beside Allice now.
Allice asked Count Cedric, who was known for his warmth. “Count, could you escort Sister Dana?”
Count Cedric’s lips stiffened. “Please don’t say such things, Lady Allice.”
Oh my, why so serious? Ah, could it be? Are they ignoring Sister Dana because they dislike her? Not because of His Highness? Well… Sister Dana does have a rather two-faced side.It’s possible that some people just don’t like Dana.
Just then, Dana managed to get down by herself and walked past them, not even glancing in their way.
“Your Highness, Sister Dana is leaving…”
“Don’t mind her.” Raios didn’t even look back.
Hesitantly, Allice buried her face in Raios’s arms. From his embrace, she could smell Dana’s scent. The gentle, soft fragrance unique to Dana. Her chest ached.Why did they ride a horse together…? Why? Why? Why?
“Allice, is something wrong?”
Her insides twisted up. A mix of anger and anxiety clawed at her heart.
No way. That couldn’t be. Just like how she ruined my engagement ceremony, wrecked my business, tore my family apart… Could she be trying to steal His Highness from me too?
After the unpleasant time with Raios, Dana immediately went to the emperor’s palace. She was there to meet the emperor.
Let’s put aside the matter of Justin Lancaster for now.Raios didn’t seem like the murder. If it were the Raios of the past, made with jealousy because of his love for her, maybe he could have done such a thing. But not now. He had just run to Allice with a beaming smile the moment he saw her.Yes, Raios isn’t crazy like that anymore.
Marquis Lancaster family was powerful. Even the current head of Lancaster family was the army’s commander. There was no way Raios would kill someone from such a prominent family on a whim. If he got caught, his position as crown prince would be at risk.
It’s too early to conclude that Raios is the culprit.It might be better to formally hire a detective to investigate. Rather than worrying the case might blow back on her, it’d be smarter to get all the facts and hold the information.
For now, let’s do what I need to do.The most urgent matter. That was to make a deal with the emperor and request the annulment of her engagement with Raios. However,
“His Majesty…” The guard spoke, looking quiet embarrassed. “Told you to leave immediately.”
It was just like last time. Since she’d more or less expected this, Dana wasn’t too discouraged. She didn’t think the emperor’s attitude would change just because she’d pulled off one deal with him.
“Please deliver this to His Majesty.” Just like last time, Dana handed over a note.
[Your Majesty, I have the original copy of the lost scripture]
This time, she didn’t beat around the bush.
“Lady Danae Windsor.” Shortly after, the guard approached with a pale face. “Please go in. Quickly.”
It was a bit intimidating.
Dana took a deep breath and stood before the particularly heavy and massive door. Last time, she’d nearly died from being strangled in there. If she could help it, she’d never go in again.Let’s go.
Creak―The door opened, and the guard shouted. “Your Majesty, Lady Danae Windsor is entering.”
Dana walked in calmly, eyes fixed on the floor. One step, another step, then another.Thud, the sound of the door closing behind her echoed loudly. And then she immediately realized.He’s watching me.Somewhere, she felt the emperor’s gaze, sharp enough to sting. It was cold, she felt like she was freezing from the crown of her head.
“Greetings to Your Majesty.” Dana bowed respectfully.
There was no reply to stand up.
How long should I stay bowed?Just as she wondered that,
“Danae Windsor.”
Dana nearly screamed. It was because the emperor’s voice came from behind her.