Chapter 46

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 46

Chapter Title: The Crown Prince's Tea Time

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Knights and servants could finally enjoy true rest only after their masters had fallen asleep.

I figured the man in front of me had sought out this remote spot for the same reason—to find some quiet place to unwind.

"It's not like anyone's coming around right now, and there are a bunch of plants I want to observe a bit longer."

"...Plants? I'm curious what kind you're hoping to observe."

Perfect. Right here was a great excuse.

In response to his questioning tone, I lifted my foot slightly off the ground.

Positioning it so he could clearly see the tiny flower blooming from the crack in the rock overgrown with green moss.

"It's called moonflower. If you pluck it at full bloom and chew it raw, it neutralizes simple poisons right away. It doesn't grow in clusters and only blooms at night, so it's pretty hard to find."

Finally, I got some kind of reaction from him.

"You seem well-versed in herbs."

I just nodded without a word.

Remeia Salt was obsessed with moonflower roots for their skin-beautifying effects.

Of course, procuring and buying them all fell to me.

Most of the herb transactions handled by the Salt Kingdom palace even passed through my hands for approval, so it would've been weirder if I didn't know.

"I won't be staying long, so could you just let this one slide?"

I couldn't give up this cozy haven—not when I had to keep racking my brain nonstop.

Maybe my plea worked, because he let out a soft chuckle.

"...Fine."

"Ah, thank you!"

"The Duke's brought something amusing."

"...Pardon?"

But he didn't respond, so with my bewildered question hanging in the air, the surroundings fell deathly silent.

...Meaning the atmosphere had turned incredibly awkward.

"Ahem."

I glanced back.

I'd been staring blankly at the moon, but now I cleared my throat, hyper-aware of him behind me.

I wanted to ignore it and keep lost in my thoughts, but his intense presence kept pulling at me from behind.

Even just standing there, he exuded this overwhelming self-assured vibe.

'Introvert traits checklist: two. Can't handle awkward silences.'

In the end, I was the one who waved the white flag first.

'...Guess I'll just chat a bit and head in.'

I straightened my skirt hems and stood up.

After breathing in the night air for so long, I felt like I'd actually sleep well once I got back inside.

"I'm heading in soon, so you should too—before long."

"Why?"

"It looks like rain."

"What makes you think that?"

His question sounded genuinely puzzled, so I pointed up at the sky.

"See? There's a halo around the moon."

A pale, hazy ring encircling the white, round moon.

Apparently, that bit of common knowledge hadn't reached this world yet.

I started to turn and leave, whether he got it or not, when a slightly flushed voice called from behind.

"Fine, whatever. But do you know what this rain means?"

"What..."

Who knew I'd get a question like this here.

I nodded as I thought that.

"It's signaling the start of a typhoon."

"Why do you think so?"

"Well..."

Before slipping out of the garden, I tossed back a curt reply.

"Just consider the timing, and it's obvious."

Pouring...

Like the torrential downpour that started ghosting in that very night, a storm slammed into my life without warning.

The day after my untimely nighttime stroll, I dragged my exhausted, all-nighter body outside, only to find the Duke waiting at the door, same as always.

"The Crown Prince proposed tea time to commend you on the empress matter."

"Do I really have to—"

"You do."

"Yes, sir..."

After choking down a breakfast I couldn't tell if it went in my nose or mouth, I was hauled off to the gathering...

"It's really coming down out there."

And there sat the man I'd seen last night.

No—exactly Raiden of the Kletan Empire.

'This has to be a lie.'

How many times had I denied reality now?

Truth be told, it had been so dark last night I hadn't gotten a proper look at his face. But...

The silhouette in the moonlight, the voice, the massive presence I'd felt with my whole body in that silent garden. And above all, my gut instinct.

Putting all the clues together, the Crown Prince before me was definitely that same guy from yesterday.

Which meant...

'I had a private chat with the Crown Prince of the Kletan Empire in the garden yesterday...'

I couldn't help screaming internally.

And that wasn't the only thing nagging at me.

"Fine, whatever. But do you know what this rain means?"

"It's signaling the start of a typhoon."

"Why do you think so?"

"Well..."

"Just consider the timing, and it's obvious."

Thinking back, that barrage of questions felt awfully suspicious now.

Were they interview questions in disguise?

I'd given far too plausible answers, and that realization plunged me straight into a flood of anxious what-ifs.

'One wrong move, and I'll end up locked away and exploited again!'

And if he's the Crown Prince, why didn't he reveal his status right away? Why hide it?

A silent storm raged inside me, leaving my gut churning, but outwardly, I fought to stay as calm as possible.

Why?

'Admit it, and I'm done for.'

Best to play dumb and deny everything.

All these thoughts raced through my head in under a minute.

I stood behind the Duke so I wouldn't lag, offered a proper greeting, then quietly slipped to a spot out of his line of sight.

Small mercy: I wasn't alone—other artists were here too.

The Crown Prince nodded after we each greeted him in turn, and one by one, we took our seats, led by the Duke.

"I've heard about it from Mother."

All eyes snapped to him the moment he spoke.

Even with his legs crossed in an arrogant pose, there was no sense of incongruity about him.

The reason why...

'He really is gorgeous.'

Golden hair gleaming like molten pure gold, and eyes of liquid sunlight.

His skin was flawless as white jade, and even a fleeting smile across his face was dazzling enough to burn into memory.

This... was the male lead buff in action?

I'd heard the rumors praising his looks plenty of times, but seeing him up close? On another level.

But having devoured the original novel, I knew better than to trust that flashy beauty.

Just look at the nicknames readers had slapped on him—they said it all about his personality.

'Psycho.'

After letting the attention build, the Crown Prince tugged his lips into a smile.

"I had no idea the Duke was up to something so entertaining."

Was "entertaining" code for the comics?

I pondered his loaded words for a second before he spread his arms dramatically.

"Since they're guests the Duke brought, it's only right I make time for them."

"I appreciate the courtesy."

The Duke's reply was impeccably polite—yet utterly devoid of warmth.

'Not as close as I thought, huh?'

The moment I glanced at his profile with that in mind, a queasy feeling hit me again. His green eyes had gone icy cold.

They were usually pretty detached, but now they felt utterly soulless.

'No wonder he's not thrilled.'

I knew from the novel.

Crown Prince Raiden and Duke Brail were bitter rivals vying for the throne. Blood ties or not, they weren't on good terms.

Plus, the original never specified if the Duke had inherited his title willingly or not.

So I had no clue what emotions were churning in him right now.

But one thing was clear: he didn't look pleased at all.

Whatever. The Crown Prince chuckled lowly and smoothly shifted topics.

"Ah, we just got some new tea shipped in from across the continent. It's quite good."

At his command, the waiting maids began serving.

I watched pale green liquid fill the pristine white porcelain cups, excited to let the Duke handle any serious talk while I savored the fragrant brew.

But then...

"Lady, what's your name?"

Just before the cup touched my lips, his call—aimed squarely at me—landed.