With Benâs icy tone, the Murchen bowed his head and spoke. He wanted to tell him later, but it couldnât be done like that.
âItâs⌠Your Highness the Crown Prince has come.â
Cersinia and Ben both frowned at the news. Itâs still morning, but why is he coming into someone elseâs house in the morning?
âHuuâŚâ
Ben swept his hair roughly over the rising annoyance. It was not only because of the Crown Prince but also Murchen who had no choice but to deliver the news.
âSee you later.â
Cersinia lifted herself out from the chair. Fortunately, the hot breakfast time has ended, thanks to the Crown Prince. No wonder Ben felt stuffy and annoyed by it.
âJust tell him to wait,â Ben said without a single hesitation.
Cersinia looked up at him with an amazed look. No matter how powerful Ben is, he canât make the Crown Prince wait. Itâs not like Ben is busy with his work, but⌠heâs busy with her.
âNo, you canât keep the Crown Prince waiting.â
âItâs okay because heâs the one who suddenly came without an appointment.â
âWhat kind of logic is that?â
Cersinia tried to say something, but Murchen intervened first.
âYour Highness wants to meet Lady Cersinia.â
ââŚHuh?â
A question mark was drawn on Cersiniaâs face with unexpected words.
âWhy?â
Benâs face was crumpled more than before.
âI didnât know about that either⌠He must be waiting in the parlor room. He also told me to bring Cersinia alone.â
âGet out.â
âThen, goodbye.â
Murchen hurriedly left the dining room before Benâs anger broke out.
Cersinia felt a little embarrassed.
Of course, she thought Limapheus came for Ben, but she didnât know he came for her.
What is his reason for doing that?
âIs it the matter of Verne?â
No matter how much the chapter was supposed to happen in the original story, Limapheus wouldnât even try to reprimand her for having Verne, who was neither invited nor noble, attend the banquet. That action was no different than insulting the Imperial palace.
Cersinia didnât like seeing Limapheus anyway, but she had to go.
âIâll be back.â
âI will go with you.â
Ben held Cersiniaâs hand. He didnât want her to meet Limapheus alone. So he couldnât let her go as he was anxious thinking about it. Even though he knew they would just be talking to each other, he hated it even more because he knew Limapheusâs behavior.
âNo. I think he has something to tell me, so I will go by myself.â
Cersinai saw a little anxiety in Benâs eyes. He was anxious about her being alone with Limapheus. However, she knew that the possibility of what Ben was worried about was zero. It was obvious to who Limapheusâs heart belonged.
âDonât worry.â
Cersinia smiled and lightly kissed his cheek. He seemed to be worried so much that she had to hint where her heart belonged.
Ben opened his eyes wide, perhaps surprised because it was Cersiniaâs first time kissing him first. But then, with a soft smile that could melt snow, he clasped their hands together. Cersinia was trapped in his arms.
âDid that mean not to send you to go?â
A peculiar voice pierced her ears.
âNo, it means I will be back.â
Cersinia giggled and leaned her face against his arms. As if she didnât want to let her go, he hugged her waist a little tighter and breathed out a hot breath.
âIâll be waiting for you in my room.â
It was a word with numerous meanings, dizzying enough to make her barely stand up.
ââŚâ
Cersinia thought it was over, but she bit her mouth because of the words that came from him. She was ashamed to say yes, and her heart couldnât say no to it. One thing is for sure, she likes spending time alone with him.
Ben smiled kindly, perhaps expecting Cersiniaâs reaction.
âWhen would you like to have an engagement ceremony?â
His lips lightly touched and fell on her forehead.
Cersinia raised her head. His gaze was as warm as the morning sun.
âEven if itâs tomorrow, itâs fine.â
It didnât matter to her. It was also good to hold an engagement ceremony today with just the two of them.
âHowever, letâs hold the wedding when winter passes and spring comes.â
When the original novel was all finished, she wanted to make a promise to him for the rest of her life with a light heart. There is not much time left until spring. At least a month later, the snow will melt, and plants will sprout.
âI want to do it on a warm day.â
Unable to talk about the original story, Cersinia just added that reason. It was better to do it on a warm day than on a cold day.
Looking down at his lovely soon to become his bride, Ben briefly kissed her on her forehead, sparkling eyes and nose.
âAs you wish.â
Then finally, he put his own lips on her red lips.
* * *
âI greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.â
Entering the parlor room, Cersinia greeted him while looking at the back of Limapheus standing at the window.
âYouâre a little late.â
Limapheus turned around and smiled brightly. There seemed to be a thorn in that smile, so Cersinia shivered inside, but she didnât show it.
As he said, she was a little late. The source of her late arrival was that she liked being in Benâs arms.
âIâm sorry.â
Limapheus took Cersiniaâs apology and sat down on the sofa.
âLetâs sit down.â
At Limapheusâs invitation, Cersinia sat down on the sofa opposite him. Limapheus, whom she had met in the morning, was neatly dressed. He looked brighter than ever, whether there were any other important appointments.
âYou look better than before.â
Limapheus put down his teacup and drew a meaningful smile. Cersinia noticed what he was talking about when he told her the secret of the Grand Duke on Fabian Street. So, in the end, he wanted to say, âLooking at your face, didnât you and Ben do well because of me?â
âItâs all thanks to Your Highness.â
She didnât want to do that, but she thanked him.
Anyway, because Limapheus told her about the basement, she could know Benâs past and understand him fully. Even though Limapheus knew the whole truth, Cersinia was grateful that he didnât let Ben down and made Ben as his close friend.
âI heard an interesting story.â
âWhat is it?â Cersinia said, holding back her desire to answer that she was not curious.
Limapheus, who interrupted her time with him in the morning, had to look kindly at it.
âI heard rumors that the Grand Duke, who was expressionless like a stone, walked through his mansion holding a lady for days.â
Empress Dowager also knew about these rumors.
âHow far did the rumors spreadâŚ?â
Cersinia sighed inside.
No matter how many eyes and ears were there, she felt uncomfortable because it felt like her private life kept being leaked out.
âSeeing that you came to the banquet together yesterday, the rumors were true. I guess you found what I told you then.â
âItâs all thanks to your help. Thank you, Your Highness.â
âDo you trust me now?â
âAh, Iâm sorry for being rude at that timeâŚâ
âHahaha, Iâm just kidding.â
Cersiniaâs eyebrows wriggled. It wasnât because of Limapheusâs nonsensical jokes. He probably didnât call her to play with words, but for some reason, it felt like he was spinning around without bringing up the main topic.
âItâs good to have Lady Cersinia by Alexâs side.â
At the sudden talk, Cersinia squinted her eyes at him.
âSince he is a strong person like a stone, there are times when that integrity is harmful. He needs some flexibility for himself. Lady Cersinia is the only one who can soften his temper.â
Cersinia didnât think it was only a small talk. It was because Limapheus cared for Ben and thought of him as his true friend. However, Cersinia couldnât let go of her doubt. Somehow his smile hid something that kept bothering her. She couldnât help but talk to him, who seemed to have no intention of telling him first.
âYour Highness, do you have anything to say?â
Limapheus smiled as if her question was correct.
âAs expected, youâre quick to catch on.â
He looked satisfied with this situation.
âI like someone who knows how to repay a favor.â
At the added words, Cersinia realized. Limapheus was hoping for something in return for telling her the story of the basement at that time. She didnât want to leave a bad feeling, so she agreed.
âIf you ever need my help, please let me know.â
Limapheus nodded with a satisfied face and said, âItâs about Verne.â
âAbout Verne?â
Cersinia opened her eyes roundly, pretending not to know the familiar name that followed. She canât believe Verneâs name came out of his mouth.
It seemed that dancing at the banquet yesterday was effective. As expected, it was the main chapter where they realized each otherâs feelings.
Cersinia was a little relieved that things were going according to the original, as she had planned. If they confirmed their love for each other and saw the result, everything would be over. The novel will finally reach the end.
âVerne. I need her.â
âCould you tell more in detail?â
âI felt it. Sheâs my destiny.â
Limapheus blushed slightly and expressed his sincerity. He, who always had a relaxed smile, looked slightly anxious. It was quite unfamiliar to see him looking shy rather than smiling like a fox. It even made Cersinia feel goosebumps on her arms.
âI see.â
Cersinia nodded silently. If she comes to think of it, she has witnessed with her own eyes the scene where the male protagonist admits that he likes the female protagonist.
3 years ago, she wouldnât expect to witness this⌠She just knew that she would quietly live without being involved with the original characters. But everything changed after meeting Ben.
Itâs said that humans will not know even one second ahead in the future. The old saying was right.
âSo, Lady Cersinia must help me.â
âPardon?â
She was surprised by the sudden request for help.
âIn the original novel, they confirmed each otherâs feelings without anyoneâs help, so why didâŚâ
Her crimson eyes shook briefly.
âVerne trusts and relies on you a lot. So, Lady Cersinia must step forward for me.â
It was she who said she would help him with anything, so there was no way she could refuse.
Cersinia, stuck between Verne and Limapheus, lifted her devastated face. Somehow, the more she struggled not to get involved with their matters, the more she fell deep into their matters.