“Lord Wiche was away from the capital to study painting abroad.”

Cecilia voluntarily began to boast about her friend, even mentioning the story from back then.

“He often sent me paintings, and if you saw them, Your Highness, you’d be amazed. Not only is his skill extraordinary, but there’s something in Valentine’s paintings that touches the heart.”

The attempt was good, but the target was wrong. Valentine, unable to tell her this, sighed and stared blankly at the ceiling at Cecilia’s words. He regretted not being able to tell Cecilia not to talk about his past.

“I would be delighted if I ever had the opportunity to appreciate those wonderful paintings, Valentine.”

Now he’s even calling me by name, pretending to be close…!

“Yes…”

He responded halfheartedly, overwhelmed by sudden fatigue. It seemed he needed to wrap up his first social activity quickly.

Valentine subtly turned his back on Clifton, who seemed to want the conversation to continue. Then, as he had done in childhood, he briefly kissed Cecilia’s cheek to show affection for his friend and spoke.

“Congratulations again on the successful concert.”

“Thank you, Valentine.”

“I’ve already spoken with the Countess about the donation. Today’s charity concert will be successful until the end.”

For a concert aimed at donations, what mattered was how much was donated and how it was used for charitable activities. The details of this noble act of sharing would soon be published in weekly magazines, praising the Osborne Count’s family and encouraging more noblesse oblige.

Charity activities, which had recently become trendy in social circles, were most useful for creating a positive image in the media and public. The 3rd Prince Clifton, purposely acting oblivious beside them, knew this well, which is why he was making appearances at various charity events. Not only simple donations, but the presence of royalty alone elevated the status of an event.

In this way, he was making good use of his nobility for his reputation and future. People who read the weekly magazines would love Clifton even more, just as he intended.

These days, there was an abundance of noble families doing charity work simply to create a good image. But Valentine didn’t think this was bad. Even if the purpose wasn’t pure, it resulted in helping people in need. So it was separate from his dislike of Clifton. He didn’t want to criticize Clifton’s charitable activities.

‘Whatever the intention for gathering, money is just money.’

Today, Valentine had brought a generous donation check through Dalton. It was both a show of support for his only friend and a duty as a nobleman, as well as an expression of Valentine’s love for all life.

“I’ll make sure it becomes a meaningful donation. We plan to use the collected funds for children in poor areas.”

“That makes me even more proud. ‘So that the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow who are in your town may come and eat and be satisfied.’ (Valentine, as a devout Anglican, quoted from the Bible) I hope this will help the children go a little less hungry. I’ll be heading back now.”

“Thank you for coming today, Valentine.”

Valentine bowed formally to Cecilia to take his leave.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

In contrast to his affectionate and sincere farewell to Cecilia, Valentine merely gave a slight nod, just enough not to be rude, to Clifton standing beside them before turning away. He couldn’t bring himself to say, even out of courtesy, that he hoped to see him again.

Finally spotting the Countess Osborne buried among the ladies, he said a separate goodbye to her before leaving the reception room.

‘I’m tired…’

Despite the short outing, his body felt unusually drained. He wanted to get home quickly and lie down.

Eager to return home, he received his hat and cane from a servant in the lobby and hurried his steps.

“Valentine Wiche.”

An unwelcome voice called out, stopping Valentine.

Where did he suddenly appear from? I thought no one was here.

Although his pace had slowed a bit due to the late spring roses in full bloom in the garden, it wasn’t enough to be caught like this.

The man who appeared with the voice walked up to Valentine and spoke to him ‘again’. How many times is this now?

“Look at me for a moment.”

And so he was caught again. This was already the third time he had approached. At this point, it seemed he really must have something to say. Of course, Valentine wasn’t curious about what it was at all.

“…What brings Your Highness…”

Valentine turned towards the owner of the voice who had called his name, with a sullen tone.

This man, persistent as a sticky flytrap all day long…

Clifton was walking alone, holding his hat and cane just like Valentine. The aides who had been trailing a step or two behind him earlier were nowhere to be seen.

‘No wonder I had an uneasy feeling…’

He had wanted to hurry back home safely, feeling vaguely uncomfortable and dirty, but as if betraying those thoughts, here he was approaching. Today must be his unlucky day.

“It’s about time for me to head back as well.”

What a brazen response.

It seemed unbelievable that this was the same person who had always avoided and despised him in the past. Valentine never thought that such a busy person would approach or follow him so persistently.

“Are you heading back?”

“Yes, I’m on my way home.”

Valentine answered briefly, pointing to the Wiche family carriage waiting for him at the entrance of the mansion. In doing so, he put up a wall by saying he was going home, to prevent any possibility of Clifton saying he was also going somewhere if Valentine had mentioned going somewhere else. Of course, he was actually intending to go home. He wanted to get back quickly and rest his tired and fatigued body.

“That’s perfect. Ride with me.”

“Pardon?”

“I’d like you to take me to the palace.”

“Are you in your right mind?”

Is this because he’s always admired like the sun during the day or the stars at night? Is it because he’s been with followers who are desperate to serve him? Has he reached the point where he sees all people in the world as his servants? Valentine opened his mouth, filled with bewilderment, at Clifton who was demanding a ride as if it were the most natural thing.

“Where on earth did all the aides who were with you until just now go? Didn’t they escort Your Highness here?”

“They had urgent matters and returned to the palace first.”

“Then why didn’t Your Highness go with them…?”

No matter how urgent, how could they just leave their superior behind and rush off by themselves? Something smelled fishy.

“As you know, I wanted to show my sincerity to the Osborne Count’s charity concert until the end.”

“If you wanted to show such courtesy, you should have stayed longer…! Not leave early like me!”

“Since you set off first, this much should suffice for sincerity. Let’s go now.”

“Ah… no…!”

Clifton opened the door, leading Valentine as if it were his own carriage. The Wiche family’s coachman sat on the driver’s seat, looking at them with a puzzled expression.

Valentine found himself riding in the carriage with Clifton before he knew it. He had been caught up in the moment again. Moreover, although he hadn’t expected any escort for an omega from him, seeing Clifton naturally sit in the forward-facing seat, the place of honor in a moving carriage, Valentine’s fighting spirit flared up even more. It was the first time he felt like such an unwelcome guest in his own carriage.

‘No matter that he’s royalty, that deep-rooted arrogance…’

The man who had despised his younger self for being arrogant and frivolous was now naturally behaving even more arrogantly. The memory of the insults and contempt he had endured as a boy was vividly resurfacing.

Moreover, the fact that those born with such arrogance were direct royalty left him speechless and more infuriated. Valentine pounded his chest in frustration, unable to say what he wanted to say.

Clifton, who had been enjoying the street view through the carriage window, glanced at Valentine and spoke.

“You’ve certainly become more interesting.”

“I’m glad you find it amusing. I’m about to burst with anger.”

Seeing Valentine respond grumpily without even being careful in front of the prince anymore, Clifton burst into laughter.

“I requested your company because I wanted to talk more accurately, so stop beating your innocent chest. You’ll bruise your delicate body.”

As soon as he heard those words describing his body as delicate, Valentine’s mouth fell open in disbelief.

Of course, compared to the omegas he usually hung around with, he might be considered delicate, but…

‘Delicate body? Isn’t this subtle sexual harassment…?’

The flirting had been excessive from the start. It was exasperating. Even if they had once discussed engagement, talking about the body of someone who had now become a complete stranger was too much.

If he thought he was adding familiarity or complimenting charm to improve the atmosphere, he was mistaken. Intimate praise from someone you dislike was only unpleasant.

Whether aware of Valentine’s loss for words due to incredulity or not, Clifton continued speaking.

“There’s no one here to listen, so let’s have a proper conversation.”

“Please speak.”

Valentine had been expecting that there must be a clear reason for Clifton’s approach, pretending to be close all day. Now that they were riding together, it was best to finish the conversation quickly and part ways.

“I thought Mother would never let go of a ‘superior omega,’ but it seems there’s no other candidate either…”

How curious. Clifton added, rhythmically tapping his interlaced fingers.

‘He knows the exact details too.’

It seems that after the engagement talks began, Valentine was the only one who didn’t know the exact reason he had been chosen for the past five years.

In this closed space with just the two of them, and with the engagement now void, Clifton seemed to think there was nothing left to hide and blatantly brought various circumstances to the surface.

“I’m curious about what made Mother change her mind.”

“Didn’t I tell you earlier?”

“What?”

“I sincerely confessed the fact that I couldn’t be Your Highness’s fiancé.”

At those words, Clifton burst into laughter again. It was a deflating laugh, as if looking at a child who was both cute and pathetic.

“I knew your head was somewhat of a flower garden before, but this is beyond what I expected.”

“Excuse me?”

His rudeness had crossed the line. Clifton continued speaking as if his blatant remarks didn’t matter much.