“Not the first time?”

“It’s quite saddening that you do not remember… That means our meeting was insignificant to you.”

“……”

Rajaden feigned sadness. It was obvious it was just an act. Their meeting was nothing more than a brief encounter at a large banquet.

“Then, what brings you here?”

“P-Pardon?”

“There must be a reason you wanted to see me.”

“Ah… I just really wanted to meet you. I wondered what kind of person Sister loves…”

It’s because she never tells me anything, she added, looking utterly forlorn.

Seeing this, Roen almost shouted. However, he had to step back because Rajaden intervened.

“Hmm…”

Still problematic, but not quite right to point out. How should he respond?

An order to dismiss Roen was given.

“Roen, you may leave.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Clearly, she wants to be alone with me.”

“Your Highness!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

A certain smile crossed Rajaden’s lips, which Roen recognized and resignedly stepped back.

“This child is still my sister. Surely, no problems will arise.”

“Of course. What do you think of me?”

With Roen’s dismissal, joy spread across Aileen’s face.

At first glance, it was an utterly charming smile.

Unaware of the crown prince’s perception, Aileen probably thought that he was viewing her positively.

This was, of course, her own favorable interpretation.

Watching that smile bloom upon her face, Roen vacated his spot. What followed, Roen only heard from Rajaden. Nothing special was said.

The conversation started with ‘Sister is amazing. That must be why you admire her too?’ and went on to small talk, but Rajaden shared that her rhetoric was all about comparing herself to Violet.

At first listen, the humble words might seem to reflect low self-esteem, but Rajaden mentioned that getting too involved in offering comfort might lead to an endless cycle.

“She asked that I help her reconcile with Lady Violet. She pleaded with me as such. It was quite an amusing spectacle.”

A twisted smile played on Rajaden’s lips as he spoke.

Any slight change in expression or gesture was all intentionally designed to elicit a reaction from the other party.

Rajaden willingly played along.

“…Your Highness.”

“You lack faith in me. You shouldn’t worry. …Or, should you?”

A sardonic expression landing upon his features, Rajaden covered this by wiping a hand over his face.

The crown prince’s uncharacteristic behavior led Roen to question his words.

“What do you think I’m worried about?”

“Your younger sister. More specifically, Ducal Lady Violet.”

“……”

“Listen, Roen. …What was Lady Violet like back in Everett?”

“Why would you like to know?”

“You ask even though you know why. You’re just like your younger sister, hm? …Well, that’s just a thought that occurred to me. When I received reports, or no, up until a few days ago, I hadn’t thought much about it.”

Rajaden, stroking his chin with his hand, spoke in a sinister tone.

“What a truly bothersome emotion.”

It was almost a murmur to himself.

It would be better to sink into a clinging swamp than to be submerged in such feelings.

He revisited stories he had heard long ago.

Violet S. Everett had once been unfairly compared to her younger sister while wearing the undeserved label of a villainess.

Yet.

“Your Highness?”

“…Never mind. Go back. I hope you won’t inform Lady Violet about today’s incident.”

“Of course. I never intended to in the first place.”

Roen’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Rajaden, whose expression remained purely gentle.

Rajaden could tell just from the short conversation he had exchanged with Aileen today.

Words that seem to demean oneself but ultimately deny and hope to belittle the other.

He had read about it only through documents until now, but today, Rajaden felt firsthand what his unrequited love had suffered.

Despite it being an inexperienced realm and apart from understanding it, he was furious.

His insides twisted and he struggled to breathe properly.

Realizing that the expressions from literature were not merely idiomatic, all Rajaden could do was smile and observe Aileen.

The affection he harbored was indeed a bothersome emotion. The joy that surged upon seeing his beloved was as intense as it was brief.

He was confident in obtaining what he wanted, but he despised being unable to control himself.

No matter how furious he was inside, he had to appear calm on the outside.

Meanwhile, Roen, knowing such aspects of Rajaden’s personality, could not trust him.

.

.

.

Amidst this calm before the storm, the guardian of the borders had taken a step into the capital.

t/n: i forgot to schedule the chapters last week, sorry about that >.>