/
With a slightly quieter voice now, Yves added.
“This isn’t anything new, but the situation within the Imperial Family is quite complicated. If you look at the current power structure, it’s not a strange situation for any of the three princes to be inducted as the next Crown Prince. First Prince Charles is the son of the current Empress and Second Prince Gabriel is the most popular amongst the Empire’s masses. Personally though, I think that the best suited for the post is the Third Prince. His maternal family is also House Pelletier.”
Yves’ lips curled up into a strange smile.
“The Third Prince has the qualities of a ruler, and he even has the family background to match it, but all these years, he’s just been standing in the background without trying to take a step forward. Maybe that’s how he survived so far. It seems like he doesn’t want to be noticed.”
“So it’s like that.”
Radis recalled her first meeting with Olivier.
In her memories, he was truly very warm.
He’s the kind of person who kindly helped a woman up after she fell spectacularly, and she was even wearing a ridiculous dress back then. On top of that, he also encouraged her and spoke to her gently.
Maybe that’s who he truly was.
Wasn’t there a saying that went, you’d see a person’s true nature from the way they would treat the weak?
However, as Yves mentioned before, the prince seemed to be maintaining a cold attitude while keeping a distance from the people surrounding him.
Just so he could survive in the battlefield that was the imperial palace, he concealed his true self and while taking on a lonesome path by himself.
The way Olivier lived reminded Radis of her past self—during the time when she was pretending to be David, hiding herself thoroughly just so she could survive.
“……”
She was lost in thought for a moment, but Radis suddenly realized that Yves was still holding her hand tightly.
And aside from that, Yves himself was staring intently at her hand, which was snug in his.
“Why? Is there something about my hand?”
“Huh? Ah, no, it’s nothing!”
Shocked by his own actions, Yves let go of her hand.
Radis once again looked at him with suspicion.
“Wow, what kind of gaze is that now?”
“You’re really not scheming anything, are you?”
“Wooow! Radis, are you seriously doubting me? I’m telling you the truth and nothing but the truth!”
“…Fine.”
Radis shook his head.
Besides the theater incident, it seemed like Radis’ suspicions were just on high alert now especially after she’d been hit on the back of the head at Monsterwood.
In the meantime, the carriage finally stopped in front of Pelletier Bank, which was located in the heart of the Golden Road’s commercial district.
Built from white marble, the bank’s architecture was magnificent enough that you’d think it was a museum or a temple.
As they passed through the main gate, which was guarded by white stag statues, the broad, bright lobby appeared before them.
The bank’s lobby was so lavish in a way that screamed ‘wealth’.
The ceiling was decorated with an elegant fresco design, and the walls were stylistically covered with paintings and statues.
“Welcome, Your Excellency.”
They were so far away that you couldn’t even see their faces, but the bank employees soon found Radis and Yves as they were in all black clothes. They came running with joy.
“Please let us guide you there.”
There were several tables at the end of the lobby, and people who looked like merchants were sitting there, consulting the bank tellers.
Led by the staff, Yves sauntered past those other people and entered a spacious drawing room.
While preparing cups of tea, one employee spoke.
“The manager will be here soon to meet Your Excellency.”
“No need. I’m here just a few light transactions today.”
Sitting relaxedly on a long chaise lounge inside the drawing room, Yves had his legs wide open to the point that he looked so arrogant.
“Open an account under this Lady’s name.”
“A new account, sir? Of course, we’ll have it ready right away.”
Radis was inwardly awestruck.
The man sitting in this room right now had the enviable status of a marquis, and so it was inevitable that the answer was an immediate, ‘Yes, of course, right away.’
The staff made tea for them very quickly, too.
And before either of them could put their teacups down on their saucers, the door opened once more.
“Ah, Bernard. Today…”
Turning to see who was at the door, Yves’ arrogantly relaxed posture soon collapsed.
“Your Highness?”
Not one, but two people entered the drawing room just now.
A dignified and imposing looking middle-aged man, and then, Third Prince Olivier.
Yves seemed genuinely surprised, but Radis was even more shocked than him.
She was so startled that she almost spilled the tea she’d been given.
“It’s been a while, Marquis Russell.”
Today, Prince Olivier’s long hair was tied up high, revealing his small, slender face.
So, it was more obvious.
Even as he looked like a sculpture made from ice crystals, there was a faint smile that was slowly spreading over his features.
“…And, Your Ladyship.”
Ahhhhh.
Hearing him call her ‘Lady’, Radis realized anew that he must know nothing about her.
Olivier looked over to Yves.
“I was with Mister Bernard here when I heard that you’ve come, Marquis Russell, so I took the liberty of visiting you. Perhaps, am I being a bother?”
“What do you mean, a bother, Your Highness? Could that even be possible? It’s a great honor, sire!”
Radis could so evidently hear from Yves’ voice that he was inwardly jumping up and down in joy, so she was getting some second-hand embarrassment.
‘Marquis, seriously, at least restrain yourself…!’