What’s he doing here?
Suppressing a scowl, I watched Alex approach.
His light red hair fluttered in the breeze.
“My love, where’ve you been?”
Who said I’m your love? If you loved me so much, why’d you poison me in my past life?
His exaggerated flattery suggested he was in a good mood today.
Recalling his fickle nature, I forced a smile.
“I told you, I’m making medicine for the First Prince for a while.”
“Oh, right. Did you just see him? Is he recovering?”
“I didn’t see him today, but I heard he’s improving.”
As I nodded, a strange glint flashed in Alex’s eyes.
For a moment, his sleazy gaze swept over my face.
“You’re quite different from what I thought. I didn’t know you had such ambition.”
“Ambition? What do you mean?”
He narrowed his eyes, as if saying, You know what I mean.
“I thought you were content cooped up in your lab. But you’re aiming big.”
“…”
“Trying to catch the First Prince’s eye to become an imperial apothecary? The quiet cat climbs the stove first, huh?”
His words, half-praise, half-insult, soured my mood.
“I didn’t make his medicine for that. I just couldn’t ignore someone in pain.”
“Oh, right, I forgot. What power does a banished prince have? Good looks aside, he’s frail. They say he’s no better than an old man.”
Alex puffed out his chest with unwarranted confidence.
Glancing at his narrow shoulders, I smirked.
Old man? Claude’s in better shape than you, rabbit.
I’d known Alex was the Second Prince’s man from the start.
He was clearly trying to badmouth Claude.
Smiling brightly, I played along.
“By the way, why are you here? Our date’s tomorrow.”
“I sealed a big contract with the guild today. Good news makes me miss you. How about a date tonight?”
I was exhausted from running around all day—a date?
Does this guy even understand what a promise means?
Holding back a frown, I thought, Better get it over with.
“Alright, let’s do it.”
“Great! Shall we, my love?”
Alex offered his arm.
Compared to Claude, whom he called an old man, his arm looked half as thick.
Stifling a laugh, I lightly took his arm.
At the carriage, he extended his hand.
“Here, my princess, after you.”
His oily voice made my stomach churn, despite my light breakfast.
Pretending it didn’t bother me, I glanced back as I took his hand.
Rachel, pretending to stroll in the garden, was watching us.
Catching her eye, I flashed a smug smile and boarded the carriage.
“Try on any dress you want. With your figure, they’ll all look great.”
We’d been picking dresses for an hour.
Was he shopping for his own eye candy? Alex kept pushing revealing dresses on me.
“Your fair skin suits bold colors. Few ladies can pull off such daring designs.”
The clerk’s flattery made Alex’s shoulders rise.
His eyes scanned me, lingering on the plunging neckline.
His lecherous stare made my skin crawl, and I quickly covered my chest.
Clearing his throat, Alex continued, “It’s perfect, but your wrist looks bare. Can we see some bracelets to match?”
The clerk eagerly laid out a display of jewelry.
Alex had asked for one bracelet, but the clerk brought out every expensive piece.
“I think this one suits you. What do you say?”
He held up a bracelet from the end—a diamond one, but the stones were so tiny they were barely visible.
I didn’t want to wear anything he bought, even if it was a rag.
Keeping my mouth shut, I heard whispers.
“Isn’t that Viscount Alex, head of the top guild?”
“Look at the lady with him—must be shopping for wedding gifts.”
“I’m so jealous. A rich man like him must buy something extravagant.”
As the noblewomen gossiped, Alex glanced at them.
Caring deeply about his reputation, he couldn’t resist.
“I’ll take all the jewelry here. For my fiancée, this is nothing.”
“Your taste is impeccable, sir,” the jeweler said, packing the items and naming a price.
Alex’s eyes wavered slightly.
He’d already spent a fortune on me and had come hoping to buy something cost-effective.
Another 50 million francs stung, but he quickly rationalized it.
The marquisate title and the wealth I’d generate with my medicines made it a worthwhile investment.
He’d always resented Pierre for monopolizing me, the golden goose.
Once married, I’d be his forever.
Or rather, the golden eggs you produce will be mine soon enough.
With that thought, Alex escorted me out, pleased with the premium pearl bracelet on my wrist.
It felt like he’d shackled me.
As we headed to the carriage, chaos erupted.
Neigh!
Screams!
“Get out of the way!”
A maddened horse charged through the street, turning it into pandemonium.
The beast barreled toward people, uncontrollable.
One kick from those hooves could shatter a body.
Without hesitation, Alex dove to the side.
The recoil sent me crashing to the ground.
Pain shot through me, but I tried to stand.
Neigh! The horse, which I thought had fled, charged back.
“Lady!”
“Dodge!”
Screams echoed as I gritted my teeth and moved.
But outrunning a horse was impossible.
As it raised its massive hooves, I squeezed my eyes shut.
My vision went dark.
Thud.
A dull sound rang out, and the horse’s massive body collapsed sideways.
Crash.
Hearing it fall, I slowly opened my eyes.
“Lady Rondinella.”
A calm, low voice, like a summer forest, reached me.
He sheathed his sword and extended a hand.
“Are you alright?”
His black hair fluttered in the breeze, backlit by the radiant sunset.
I stared blankly at his hand.
…Prince Claude? How is he here?
I never imagined meeting him in broad daylight on the street.
It felt like seeing a ghost.
“Looks like you’re not badly hurt.”
His low voice came again.
The sunset shattered behind him, like a scene from an old masterpiece.
His austere attire, buttoned to the collar, and his refined movements exuded nobility.
He offered his hand casually.
That I’d nearly been trampled, that Claude saved me—it all felt like a dream.
Dazed, I took his hand and stood.
His red eyes lingered on me briefly before turning away.
