Chapter 68

‘Ah, no. The opponent is the Third Prince, after all.’

Mellisa, who was momentarily taken aback, quickly composed herself. After all, the Third Prince had little influence in the capital. Though he was of royal blood, he spent little time there.

‘He didn’t get along well with the Emperor, Empress, or his other siblings, either.’

A truly isolated prince. Thus, any stories or information he heard here would not be relayed through his mouth. Relieved, Mellisa regained her usual composure, smiled, and greeted the Third Prince Orca.

“I am Mellisa of the Vain Marquess family, Your Highness. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Lady Mellisa. It’s been a long time indeed. The last time we met, you weren’t yet a lady, were you?”

Mellisa’s lips trembled at the polite greeting. ‘Lady’ was a title given to the mistress or daughter of a family with a rank of count or higher, so Mellisa was not born a ‘Lady.’ This was a particularly sensitive weakness for her, and without considering that the other party was a prince, she retorted sharply.

“Yes, that was a long time ago. Well, Your Highness rarely stays in the capital, so it’s understandable that you’re not familiar with the new social trends.”

Her words were a clear jab at Orca’s lack of influence and poor treatment in the capital. Though it was a bold statement to make to a prince, Orca was a prince without a strong backing. Mellisa boldly criticized Orca and raised her chin arrogantly, while Orca responded with a calm smile, as if he hadn’t been attacked at all. Altear observed the two with interest. Both had their annoying sides, so it was entertaining to watch, regardless of who ended up embarrassed. Mellisa, like a hot flame, and Orca, like a gentle breeze.

‘While the immediate advantage seems to be on the side of the flame…’

Altear knew that the truly frightening type was someone like Orca. A calm opponent who waits for the right opportunity is more difficult to deal with than one who charges recklessly. No one knows when a gentle breeze might turn into a typhoon.

“I plan to return to the capital for the upcoming Founding Festival. The Emperor sent a letter insisting I attend. After all, the Silver Jubilee is a special occasion.”

The Silver Jubilee. It means the 25th anniversary of the Emperor’s ascension to the throne. The Emperor’s coronation day and the Founding Day are only a week apart, so the festival usually lasted for a week. This year, with its special significance, the celebrations were planned to be even grander.

“It seems the Emperor plans to invite nobles from across the empire.”

As Orca said this, his gaze passed over Mellisa and landed on Altear, implying that he would soon receive an invitation as well. However, Altear was already aware of the situation. Among the news brought by Blan from the capital was the information that the Emperor was preparing a grand Silver Jubilee and Founding Festival. Moreover…

“The Marquess Vain has already given Lady Mellisa a hint through a letter. He asked her to stay at the Vain Marquess family’s residence when she comes to the capital.”

‘Father?!’

Mellisa’s eyes widened; she had only been told to deliver the letter and had no idea of its contents.

“Of course, I will gladly accept the Marquess’s offer. Since it’s also my wife’s family, I wanted to see it properly at least once.”

“Oh, I see.”

Orca nodded with a strange smile. Could he also be aware of the Marquess Vain’s suspicious aspects? Even if he kept his distance from the capital, the Vain Marquess family was a powerful house, and a prince would likely have his ears open about such matters. Altear looked at Orca with a probing gaze, but as always, Orca skillfully blocked all information with his enigmatic smile.

‘Indeed, he’s annoying.’

For Altear, who usually let things slide, feeling such emotions was rare. While the two men exchanged meaningful glances, Mellisa was actively thinking. She instinctively sensed an opportunity to coax Altear while naturally staying by his side.

“I’ll follow you when you go to the capital!”

At Mellisa’s cheerful voice, both Altear and Orca turned to look at her. A cold beauty and a gentle beauty. Though different in nature, both had the same mesmerizing eyes. Mellisa almost lost herself in their gazes but managed to regain her composure.

“The journey here was so difficult… I won’t have to suffer on the way back.”

This meant that she would stay as a guest until Altear’s group left for the capital and then return home with them. This way, she could keep an eye on Altear not only during her stay in Eilsford but also on the journey to the capital and at the Vain Marquess’s residence.

‘What a perfect plan!’

Mellisa was extremely proud of her cleverness. Her satisfaction was so evident that even Altear and Orca could see through her intentions. This young lady firmly believed she was very clever, but in reality, she was quite careless and lacking. She had not noticed this until now because people around her, aware of the prestigious Vain Marquess’s name, had given her a step up. However, Orca and Altear were not the type to be intimidated by such prestige.

“Pfft.”

Finally, Orca couldn’t hold back his laughter and patted Altear’s shoulder lightly, then leaned in close and whispered in a low voice.

“It seems we’re caught in a troublesome situation, Viscount.”

“…”

Thinking he was being teased, Altear frowned and looked at Orca, who raised his hands in a gesture of no intent to fight.

“I mean, I’ll take care of this annoying burden for you.”

“Why?”

“Hmm. Because this annoying burden will also be a burden to ‘my fan’? Unlike my famous brothers, I don’t have many fans. I need to cherish them.”

“Fan?”

“Oh, didn’t you know? The Viscount’s wife confessed to being a passionate fan of mine. Didn’t she tell you?”

It was a completely new story to Altear, who could only frown in response. This was the most definite answer, and Orca laughed again.

“Anyway, watch closely. I’ll take care of it for you.”

Since Orca was offering to take care of the annoying burden, Altear saw no need to object. What method would he use? Altear’s eyes, filled with curiosity and doubt, followed Orca as he stepped forward to Mellisa. Mellisa, who had been looking at Altear, turned her head in surprise at the nearby movement. Orca smiled brightly and extended his hand to her.

“A lady’s request cannot be refused by a gentleman. I’ll take Lady Mellisa with me on my way back.”

“Yes, yes? What do you mean…?”

Mellisa, flustered, rolled her eyes. Upon reflecting on her words, she quickly realized she hadn’t clearly specified to whom she was making the request. Her sentence lacked a subject!

“Your Highness, when I said I would go with you, I didn’t mean it that way…”

Mellisa waved her hands frantically to clear up the misunderstanding, but Orca was quicker, gently taking her hand.

“Thanks to Lady Mellisa, the journey back won’t be boring. Isn’t that right?”

Mellisa’s rationality flew out the window at his enchanting smile.

“Yes… It will definitely be fun…”

Mellisa nodded absentmindedly, her mouth agape. Orca shrugged at Altear, as if to say, “See?” and Altear let out a hollow laugh, amazed at the imperial prince’s bold use of charm.

“I use everything I can. I thought the Viscount would be the same. Am I wrong?”

Altear was enveloped in a strange feeling, as he often felt when looking at Orca. Despite their completely different appearances and auras, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were of the same kind.

“People who are similar are naturally drawn to each other.”

On the contrary, there’s also a phenomenon of hating one’s own kind. Orca didn’t bring up that topic and naturally escorted Mellisa.

“Let’s discuss the journey together. My subordinate will provide the details.”

“Yes… the journey… Yes?”

Mellisa, finally regaining her senses, looked at Altear in surprise, but the situation was already over. Orca smoothly handed Mellisa over to his subordinate and wiped his hand on his clothes, as if cleaning off something dirty. As this natural action flowed, so did Orca’s thoughts.

‘This woman is the cousin of the Viscount’s wife. She might have some interesting information. By taking care of this annoying burden, I’ll also be doing the Viscount a favor.’

Orca smiled contentedly and moved forward. *** Altear sat on the bed, lost in thought. His mind was clearly on the recent encounter with Prince Orca. The prince had continuously made meaningful remarks, provoking Altear’s nerves. The one that most irritated him was…

“Didn’t you know? The Viscount’s wife confessed to being a passionate fan of mine.”

Confessed to being a passionate fan… Confessed to being a passionate fan… Confessed to being a passionate fan! Orca’s face, with a strangely shy blush, only added to his irritation. Nadia, a fan of Prince Orca? It was a completely new and shocking revelation! The Nadia Altear knew was someone who didn’t express her feelings well. She rarely clearly stated what she liked or disliked, probably out of consideration for others. But she had directly told Orca that she was his fan! What does it mean to be a fan? It means to admire and like someone, right?

‘Nadia… liking that gentle breeze-like prince…?’

Being a fan is clearly different from the ‘liking’ he thought of. But… but…

‘I’ve never heard Nadia say she likes me in any sense.’

The moment he realized this, his head felt like it was ringing. He couldn’t understand why it was so significant or why it was so shocking. He felt very strange, as if dozens of large snakes were entangled in his stomach, writhing and making his chest feel heavy. Clenching his fists, the snakes writhed even more, making his chest ache.

‘Do I… want to hear Nadia say she likes me?’

It seems that’s the case. If so, why does he want to hear such words from Nadia?

‘It’s probably because…’