Chapter 3

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Second floor of the castle.

Two opera glasses lenses, reflecting the sunlight, gleamed at the window of the room assigned to Olivia. One belonged to Olivia, the other to Silas. The two of them stood side by side, staring intently at the pavilion in the garden.

The pavilion, designed for enjoying tea, had a conical roof. There were no walls, only five white pillars with vine patterns carved into them, one at each corner of the roof. Around the pavilion, various animal-shaped shrubs were neatly arranged.

Inside the pavilion, a man and a woman were seated.

One was Silas's older brother, the First Prince Alan. The other was Florenzia, the Third Princess of Levanor, who had just arrived in the country yesterday. Florenzia, a petite princess of sixteen, had hair that was a golden hue, as if tinged with a light pink. Her small face was framed by large, violet-blue eyes. However, her demeanor was somewhat timid, like a wild rabbit trembling before a wolf.

"Is my brother making her nervous?"

"No way."

In response to Silas's words, Olivia shook her head. Alan was generally kind to women and wouldn't intimidate a princess from another country whom he had just met.

"Rather, Prince Alan seems to be the one looking troubled."

"Let's see."

Silas's opera glasses moved slightly to the right. Through the magnified view, Alan's face showed a forced smile, but his eyebrows were slightly downturned. Indeed, he did look troubled.

"I wonder what they're talking about."

"I don't have the skill to read lips, unfortunately."

A guard of Silas's watched the two of them from a distance, a wry smile on his face. Princess Florenzia of Levanor had arrived in the country yesterday, planning to stay for a month. The purpose of her visit was, surprisingly, to meet with Alan.

"How would you rate today's meeting?"

"From the lack of movement in their lips, it doesn't seem to be going well, does it?"

"I don't remember my brother being particularly talkative."

"Perhaps the age gap is causing a lack of common topics."

"Indeed, a six-year age difference is significant. It must be tough for a sixteen-year-old princess to converse with a man six years her senior."

"Calling him an 'uncle'..."

Olivia chuckled while holding her opera glasses. At twenty-two, Alan was hardly an "uncle." He would likely be angry if he heard that.

"The tea and pastries aren't being served either."

"Does this mean it's a failure today?"

"Alright, I'll report to Father that it's 'not going well.'"

Silas put away his opera glasses. Olivia followed suit, placing hers in a drawer. Seeing the two move to the sofa, Olivia's maid, Taylor, began preparing tea. They sat side by side, sipping the freshly brewed tea as if it were a routine.

As they enjoyed their leisurely afternoon tea, the area beyond the door became noisy. Footsteps echoed.

Olivia, puzzled by the commotion, watched as the door to the room burst open with a loud bang.

"You two! What do you think you're doing, spying on us?!"

Breathless, Alan, who had been entertaining the princess in the garden, burst into the room.