To be honest, I couldn't hide my anxiety about the repeated rejection letters.
She has finally become friends with Lady Wilhelmina.
At this rate, I might be abandoned...!
You still have time to write letters, right?
I did not ask for information about His Highness the Prince, so there is no need to mention it.
I would like to know what type of tea you prefer.
Why, when I asked you what you prefer, did you answer His Highness the Amir’s preferences?
Do you think I need this kind of sympathy?
She has expressed her intention of becoming my pen pal
To not abandon me even after I rejected her invitation three times, the lady was truly an angel..
I finished my work quickly and urgently, then got up after writing a grateful reply.
I should at least get out of the office during lunch time.
It was nearing the end of winter, and a gentle cold breeze tickled my cheek.
After requesting that the response be sent to the Duke's residence, I decided to have lunch in the Sun Palace staff cafeteria where many aides and administrators eat.
Why?
Because today is the day when the chef in charge of His Majesty's meals is supervising the cafeteria lunch for the staff!
It is a precious day that only happens once a year.
Even a regular potato dish now tastes like a three-Michelin-starred dish!
I can't miss this opportunity.
Of course, the Winter Palace's head chef's skills are also excellent, but Cassian is absent due to his work outside today, so I didn't want to disturb him unnecessarily.
Basically, the staff cafeteria is usually used by other employees of the Winter Palace except for me
I decided to take a shortcut so as not to waste valuable lunch time.
Although I had passed through the garden of the Palace of Dawn where the Third Prince resided, I had not met anyone yet.
I certainly won't meet anyone today of all days...
“You there, your face looks familiar?”
Looks like I did...
As the other person said, his voice was familiar to me too.
While Cassian was the main accused in making me write repeated letters of rejection to my only friend, Mrs.
Wilhelmina...
“What is your job at the Dawn Palace?”
This person was only the second culprit.
The third prince's national marriage partner, heiress to the Kingdom of Anden, Alexis Ferrander..
The Anden Kingdom has a custom of staying at each other's home for about two months before marriage to get to know each other.
Our Empire naturally expressed that it would be fine for Her Highness Alexis, the Heiress, to bypass this matter, but the Kingdom refused.
saying that the precious custom of their country could not be passed over by the heir.
Even adding the very non-royal words about how one can live a life of unhappiness by easily deciding on an important life event like marriage.
Since the heiress of the kingdom was here, a large number of escorts came from the kingdom.
Naturally, many counterparts came to discuss various matters between the countries.
In other words, this meant that the work of Cassian and I would inevitably increase.
Even the Empress said it was fortunate that Cassian wasn't the marriage partner and got to do all this hellish work instead.
Fortunately, Prince Charlie I did not have to endure this ordeal.
Anyway, who would have thought that this comet would get in the way of my lunch too…
No, it's my appetite's fault because I want to eat lunch more quickly.
Oh my God, it's all my fault...
I swallowed my bitter feelings, bowed politely and saluted.
“I've just passed by, Your Highness.”
“…You are the Second Prince’s fiancée, right?”
Her Royal Highness Alexis responded to my greeting with a nod of her head, then looked at me with a triumphant face as if asking me if I had guessed the answer correctly.
"This is correct."
“Hmm.”
Now that you got the correct answer, please let me go..
Despite my heartfelt pleas, Her Highness Alexis showed no intention of curbing her curiosity and cast a questioning look at me.
“Passing through here at this hour.”
The troublemaker nodded, smiled wryly, and then suddenly grabbed my chin.
“Should I take this as your kind suggestion to have lunch with me?”
An arrogant curve was drawn on her arrogant face.
This is an exaggerated interpretation.
The biggest reason has swallowed up my urgent desire to say this, which is that if any diplomatic issue arises, the whole matter will fall on my shoulders.
I could only swallow a hollow laugh and nod my head in agreement.
I heard that the Crystal Hall in the Third Prince's Dawn Palace was famous for its beauty.
The octagonal hall located at the western end of the asymmetrical building was too small to be called a hall.
Its size was just right for six to eight people to enjoy tea time, which is why it was not actually used for special occasions despite its beauty.
“But it's really beautiful.”
Since I couldn't hide my admiration while looking inside, Her Highness Alexis burst into a satisfied laugh.
“I thought it would suit you, so I ordered the meal to be prepared here.
Looks like I made the right decision.”
"Yes?"
Is it possible that she has already discovered that I like beautiful things?
As expected, the kingdom's heiress is different, perhaps they will investigate everyone even slightly connected to the imperial family-
“Your face, right?”
Or not?
As I stared blankly at the unexpected question, Alexis walked me to my seat with a happy expression, as if her words were the answer.
“We will become one family once the royal marriage is agreed upon, right?
So I investigated you and the others beforehand.”
She pushed the chair with perfect timing and gave me a wonderful look.
I couldn't help but admire her excellent manners, as if it were the normal thing to do.
It must be because of the atmosphere Alexis created.
Dressed in a perfectly fitting white outfit, her long, dark blonde hair tied into a ponytail so as not to get in her way.
Perhaps because she was famous for her frequent outdoor activities, her skin tone was slightly darker compared to others, and her wine-red brown eyes were mixed with confidence and ambition.
“If it was your face that charmed him, wouldn’t it?”
"Sorry?"
My head turned to watch Alexis as she sat in her seat, spouting such nonsense.
“The First Prince’s fiancée is the daughter of a Marquis, and Marquis Hannela has some power.
But you, the Second Prince’s fiancée, are the daughter of a baron from a poor family who has barely avoided ruin, right?”
It was a direct way of speaking, but surprisingly, it wasn't offensive at all.
It seems that this was because I felt an intention to confirm the facts rather than criticize them.
"So I thought it must be your face.
Even though it's tied back as if you were trying to hide it, your gorgeous chestnut hair, your smooth, radiant white skin, and your beautiful green eyes like radiant emeralds."
She rested her chin on her hand with a slow look.
"Moreover, this combination is very likable, which is very understandable.
Is this what they call a beauty capable of bringing down a country?"
“No, it's not!”
I couldn't help but deny it in the face of her confident expression.
I should have softened my words more.
After constantly and confidently giving wrong answers, I inadvertently...
“Hmm then?”
But Alexis Ferrander was not upset, but was looking at me with a face full of curiosity.
She even made an understanding gesture suggesting we eat while we talked, and she may have noticed my mouth twitching at the sight of the onion soup and the wonderful caramel – which had just been served.
I gratefully took a tablespoon of onion soup and put it in my mouth.
The sweet and savory flavor blended perfectly, making my mouth happy.
Then a series of delicious dishes were served one after another.
When the dessert arrived, Alexis asked me quietly:
“If it wasn't your face that charmed him, then what charmed him?
To me, that seems the most likely reason.”
After observing me intently throughout the meal, she displayed an attitude as if there could be no other answer.
“Well, this...”
But I found her certainty somewhat puzzling.
Cassian would be aesthetically satisfied just by looking in the mirror, so why would he choose someone based on appearance?
“Of course, it's my ability to work.”
You have given the correct answer with confidence.
If you investigate, shouldn't you also look at how hard you've worked alongside Cassian, Your Highness?
Obviously that's my proudest thing, right?
“Pfft.”
As I stared at her, making a silent affirmation, Alexis let out a short laugh.
“Ability to work, you say.”
Alexis, who seemed familiar with swords, tapped the teacup several times with her long, knuckle-tipped fingers, then stood up.
“So you're saying it's not just reporting...”
“Excuse me?”
Then she extended her arm to me as if she wanted to accompany me.
Naturally, as a sensitive office worker, I didn't have the courage to turn down the offer of such a high-ranking person.
Somehow, the path Alexis was guiding me along felt familiar...
She boldly opened the door of the Winter Palace office and announced to Cassian who had just returned after completing his outside duties.
“I want to borrow it, Prince Cassian.”
It was indeed an understandable display of the motive that earned it the title of “The Great Disaster” in the Kingdom.
Cassian's purple eyes, suddenly faced with an unexpected disaster, looked at me briefly...
I suddenly felt cold.
It was a chill that somehow made me feel like he was about to give me another trial.
“...I have
“I wondered what you were saying, when you suddenly barged in.”
Cassian sighed when he saw me under guard, then extended his hand.
“I think my beautiful Rose has charmed someone other than me.”
He gently pulled me into his arms, ignoring Alexis' presence, and whispered...
“What must I do to monopolize you?”