Chapter 5
“Then you’ll come see His Highness the Crown Prince again next Monday?”+
As soon as the carriage rolled out of the palace, Sally, Olivia’s personal maid, asked. The moment Olivia nodded, Sally’s face lit up.+
Sally, the same age as Essela, had come from an orphanage sponsored by the Madelaine family. She’d reminded Olivia so much of Essela in how devotedly she followed her that, after Olivia looked after her a few times, Sally had grown enough to be entrusted as a personal maid.+
“His Highness the Crown Prince must truly like you, Miss.”+
Olivia smiled slightly at Sally’s innocent, romantic longing for love.+
Then again, she herself became just as naive in the face of love.+
“We’ll have lunch together next Monday. I’ll send a carriage for you at noon.”+
Leopold’s words rang vividly in her ears.+
Father would surely be pleased to hear this—after all, it was the first time Leopold had asked her out himself. Maybe he’d even say a word of praise?+
The image of her father continually ignoring her flashed through her mind, but Olivia consciously tried to push it away.+
The palace’s grand, endless silhouette finally ended, and beyond the window appeared dazzling, elegant shops.+
Luhairn Street—the busiest street in the capital and the trendsetter of fashion.+
.+
.+
.+
On the glamorous boutique street, Sally’s steps slowed. She gazed longingly at the dazzling dress displayed at the boutique entrance.+
“Is it really that pretty?”+
“Hehe. It must be Madame Pluto’s newest design. Doesn’t it sparkle beautifully?”+
Sally, who had been smiling bashfully, brightened again. At her words, Olivia also studied the dress carefully. Its soft pink hue and full lace skirt would suit Essela wonderfully.+
Just imagining Essela in that dress lifted Olivia’s mood.+
“Sally, tell that boutique to come to the mansion sometime next week.”+
“Are you having a dress made, Miss? Goodness!”+
“Not for me. For Essela.”+
Sally, who had been about to jump for joy, pouted slightly.+
She’d heard that serving a noble lady meant daily pilgrimages to boutiques—but that had all been a lie.+
Her mistress was always busy buying things for her family and never took care of herself.+
“A dress in such a bright color would suit you beautifully too, Miss.”+
“Later.”+
Olivia smiled faintly, promising a future that might never come. Sally knew well that this “later” might not arrive even after five years, but she said nothing. Instead, she changed the subject.+
“You’re going to buy your journal again and then check the mailbox, right?”+
“Mm. I wonder if a letter came today?”+
At Olivia’s playful remark, Sally winced inwardly.+
It had already been six months since the last letter arrived—the only joy of her mistress, who had no other hobbies.+
Seeing Sally fidget, Olivia gave a gentle smile.+
“He must be busy. They say the war is reaching its final stage.”+
Though she spoke to Sally, the words were really meant for herself.+
Letters exchanged for nearly a year suddenly stopping for six months was a bad sign—especially when the recipient was a knight fighting in the Heperti war.+
It had been pure chance that she’d started exchanging letters with a knight whose name she barely knew.+
After Jade left for the front, Olivia had sent relief supplies several times. But Jade had returned every package sent under Olivia’s name.+
Hoping against hope, she’d sent supplies under a pseudonym. When those didn’t come back, her heart sank—but she was still glad, simply because Jade was using them.+
Then one day, a letter arrived for her. It was a thank-you note from the front for the relief goods.+
– With gratitude to Miss Rive Green.+
That day, Olivia read the letter over and over. It felt strange—and oddly ticklish—to receive such heartfelt thanks from someone.+
And so their letters continued—until they stopped six months ago.+
He must be doing well. They said the tide of battle had turned; he was probably just busy.+
Olivia thought positively, recalling the neatly stacked letters she’d kept.+
Still, she really hoped a letter had come today.+
With quiet anticipation, Olivia turned into a narrow alley.+
The bookstore where she always bought journals lay on the outskirts of the bustling district. Though they’d only just left the bustling district, the surroundings had already grown much quieter.+
“Toll! Are you deaf, highness, that you don’t understand plain words?!”+
A harsh shout echoed from deep within the alley.+
“Miss, it seems there are still people collecting tolls.”+
“Indeed.”+
As she spoke, Olivia moved forward. The commotion seemed to have come from around here.+
Peering into the alley, she saw a group of burly men surrounding a single figure. Though cloaked deeply in a robe, his height stood out even among them.+
It was an all-too-familiar scene.+
Sensing someone’s presence, one of the thugs turned around.+
“Huh? What’s this? Where’d these fearless fools come from?”+
“And there are two of them, no less.”+
With mocking laughter, two men started toward Olivia. The robed figure hesitated briefly, but the pair showed no sign of stopping.+
Olivia spoke calmly.+
“You must be slow on rumors. I thought everyone already knew what happens to those who recklessly demand tolls on this street.”+
“What?”+
“What’s that girl saying? Hey, noble lady—didn’t your family teach you not to walk alone in alleys like this?”+
Olivia smiled faintly.+
“Hey, you don’t listen—agh!!”+
The man never finished his sentence before being slammed against the wall. He was right, after all.+
Nobles never walked alone anywhere—and Olivia, a duchess and the Crown Prince’s fiancée, least of all.+
Olivia spoke lightly.+
“Take them to the constabulary.”+
“Yes, Your Grace.”+
Sir Raine, her guard knight, strode into the alley with long steps. The remaining men panicked, shouting as they pulled out jackknives, pointing them threateningly at the robed figure.+
“D-don’t come any closer!”+
Oh dear. Olivia clicked her tongue. Real knights like Sir Raine were sensitive about blades.+
“D-don’t come near us—yaaah!”+
“Aaah! We said don’t—agh!”+
As Sir Raine approached, the frightened men wildly swung their knives at him—but to no avail. In an instant, they were subdued, and the knights dragged them away one by one.+
“Thank you for your efforts.”+
“It was nothing.”+
Sir Raine and his partner, Sir Derobon, bowed as if it were only natural. Then, glancing at Olivia, Sir Raine gave a subtle nod toward the back of the alley.+
Understanding his unspoken question—what about that person?—Olivia looked toward the alley’s depths. The robed figure still stood exactly where he’d been.+
Olivia walked forward. Sally, behind her, gasped softly.+
“Miss! Are you going yourself? He could be dangerous!”+
“Then would you like to go instead?”+
Teasing her, Olivia matched Sally’s rhythm. Sally, as if her life depended on it, declared resolutely,+
“Yes! I’ll—I’ll go right away!”+
Olivia smiled faintly and stepped forward. As expected, Sir Raine and Sir Derobon followed closely behind.+
Even flustered Sally quickly trailed after her.+
So he was a “distinguished person,” huh? Even without her interference, those thugs wouldn’t have gotten much toll from him. Up close, the robe’s elaborate embroidery was visible—but it wasn’t the work of a high-end artisan.+
“Are you all right?”+
“…I’ve caused you trouble. Thanks to you—”+
The man’s low voice cut off abruptly. Though his face was hidden by the robe, he seemed to be staring intently at her.+
What is it? Puzzled by the strange silence, Olivia tilted her head—just as the man slowly began walking toward her. Step by step. They were nearly close enough to touch.+
Suddenly, he swayed violently and leaned toward Olivia. Startled, she instinctively caught him.+
In the blink of an eye, Sir Raine and Sir Derobon rushed over—but the man immediately pulled away from Olivia, as if regaining his senses.+
“Miss!”+
As Sally leapt in front of Olivia, Sir Derobon removed the man’s robe. Sally, who had been about to scold him, instantly fell silent.+
And no wonder.+
The man was truly beautiful.+
Hair black as raven’s feathers, pale skin, thick eyebrows, and deep-set eyes with a subtle curve—within them, ruby-red irises sparkled.+
Beneath an aristocratic nose lay perfectly shaped lips. His elegant, stunning face seemed divinely crafted, flawless in its beauty.+
Yet what stole everyone’s breath wasn’t just his beauty.+
Despite his previously calm voice even under knife-point, the man now trembled violently. His crimson eyes, quivering with fear, met Olivia’s.+
Like a newborn fawn meeting its savior for the first time, a cascade of emotions crossed his pale face—fear, then relief, then unmistakable gratitude. Only then did he smile.+
His eyes narrowed slightly, and a single tear, gathered beneath them, fell with a soft *plink*.+
As everyone stood speechless at the poignant tear, the man continued in a slightly trembling voice.+
“…My legs gave out. I was so dizzy, I didn’t know what to do. Thank you. I don’t even know how to repay this debt.”+
His eyes slowly reddened.+
So captivated were they by his picture-perfect beauty that Olivia and the others forgot two things:+
First, that the tear he’d shed so poignantly was no more than a tiny, squeezed-out drop—about the size of an ant’s urine.+
Second, that despite his eyes appearing ready to overflow with tears, his gaze remained fixed solely on Olivia.+
Just these two things.+
.+
.+
.+
“…Thank you again for helping me.”+
Since the man didn’t seem dangerous, Sir Raine and Sir Derobon stepped back once more.+
Now somewhat calmer, the man dabbed his eyes with the edge of his robe. Though he smiled sheepishly, as if embarrassed, his voice was refined and his gaze clear.+
Each time he smiled, a noble grace flickered across his beautiful face. Olivia watched him for a moment.+
Who could he be?+
If he were an imperial noble…+
…he wouldn’t be smiling at me like this.+
Olivia, who at twelve had memorized the entire Imperial Nobility Registry perfectly, had never seen this man before.+
Any noble missing from the registry would have either been executed—+
or… belong to the Bicander Grand Ducal House.+
Black hair and ruby-red eyes with a crimson glint—his features stirred a memory, but Olivia shook her head.+
Good heavens. The Bicander Grand Duke?+
The war hero who’d turned the tide of the stagnant, three-year-long Heperti war into victory?+
The man said to terrify all with blood-red eyes and hair as dark as night—could he possibly be the same person as this harmless, smiling man?+
Besides, it was absurd to imagine the Grand Duke, who should be on the battlefield, being cornered by street ruffians in a Luhairn back alley demanding tolls.+
The man, unaware of her thoughts, smiled gently. Olivia straightened her back and met his gaze with composure.+
She didn’t know who he was, but she was Duchess Madelaine and the Crown Prince’s fiancée. In this empire, only a handful of people could make her look away first.+
“I’m glad I could help.”+
Wanting to end the encounter politely, Olivia spoke—but the man’s eyes widened, and he waved his hands.+
“It wasn’t just help—you saved me. I truly don’t know how to repay this kindness.”+
He smiled faintly, almost regretfully.+
“If only I knew where my knight took the carriage, I’d reward you properly right away.”+
Wandering alone in this Luhairn—where one could have their nose cut off without noticing—was quite something.+
Since he’d come with a proper knight, not a mercenary, he was likely a newly wealthy noble. That explained why she didn’t recognize his face.+
“I told you, it’s really fine. But where did you part with your knight?”+
“At the place with a fountain and many carriages.”+
Luhairn had many fountains, but only one spot with both a fountain and many carriages: the Garden of Four Seasons. Fortunately, it was just ahead.+
The sun was mellowing. As they turned onto the path leading to the Garden of Four Seasons, the sound of water and bright laughter reached them.+
“…You can go on alone from here. You’re almost there—you won’t get lost.”+
“Won’t you come with me? I’m not lying—if I find my knight, I can give you precious gifts.”+
“I’ll accept your goodwill.”+
“What about promising to meet again?”+
“That might be difficult too.”+
Though her reply was firm, the man didn’t look disappointed.+
“I see. Then I’ll have to hope for another stroke of luck.”+
What an interesting man. Meeting me was “luck”? She’d never heard such words from anyone—it made her cheeks itch, and she nearly wanted to lower her head.+
Yet after saying something so blush-worthy, the man smiled warmly. His earlier tearful vulnerability had vanished completely. Oh my—Sally behind her fussed excitedly.+
If she didn’t have a fiancé, would she have fluttered like that too? Suddenly, Leopold from that afternoon came to mind—her fiancé, with Maria Etel.+
Her mouth turned bitter. Olivia forced a faint smile.+
But the man’s expression was serious.+
“…If we meet again—”+
Just a hypothetical.+
He quickly added,+
“Then, please allow me to repay my debt to you.”+
Olivia caught her breath. It felt so strange—someone asking her for permission like this.+
She pressed a hand firmly against her chest. Something surged up inside her, making her dizzy. What was it about this stranger’s single sentence?+
The man didn’t press her for a reply or say more. He simply stood quietly, as if waiting. Watching him, Olivia deliberately lifted her chin and spoke haughtily.+
“…Just so you know, I’m very particular. If it doesn’t please me, I won’t accept it.”+
“That’s fortunate.”+
His eyes crinkled pleasantly. A sweet smile played at the corners of his red lips.+
“You see, I’m always someone who desires things. Naturally, I’m filled with treasures that can only be obtained by winning my heart completely, aren’t I?”+
There was something oddly suggestive in how he pronounced “treasures.” Olivia blinked once. Within his narrow eyes, his red irises sparkled provocatively at her.
