Chapter 25
The Crown Prince let out a sigh, as if drained of energy.
Iris wondered what this man knew to say such things, but she decided not to dwell on it too much.
‘Maybe he’s deliberately holding back from getting attached.’
Iris made that assertion about her own state of mind.
She considered herself someone with a lot of affection, even by her own standards.
Picking up an unknown pickpocket was one example, as was giving advice to a princess she met for the first time today.
‘Well, whatever I do, it’s my choice.’
But when it came to matters involving men, she was starting to feel a bit uneasy.
If it weren’t for the alimony, she wouldn’t have gotten entangled with the Crown Prince in the first place.
‘The Crown Prince is wittier, kinder, and easier to get along with than I expected.’
At the very least, he wasn’t someone who acted lofty just because he was royalty. That’s why she was now able to deal with him quite comfortably, wasn’t she?
‘It might be because we share the same secret.’
Iris gripped the necklace he had placed in her hand, then released it and turned to face the Crown Prince.
“Did you overhear my conversation with the princess, by any chance?”
“I didn’t eavesdrop.”
“So you had someone do it for you. I like the honesty.”
“Why, did it upset you?”
“No, not really. Isn’t it just how royals are? They feel at ease when everything is under their control.”
“Oh, that’s a stereotype. Though I’ll admit, I’m somewhat like that.”
“That was kind of funny just now.”
Iris placed the necklace on a nearby shelf, crossed her arms, and approached the Crown Prince.
“It’s only natural for beautiful men and women to be drawn to each other. Me, you—we’re both like that. Even though we’re entering a contract engagement, I’ve thought that we get along pretty well in the short time we’ve spent together.”
“I agree with that to some extent.”
“But if we go beyond that, wouldn’t it make things complicated for you? You’re using me as a stand-in to avoid the Empress’s influence, not because you actually want me as your Crown Princess.”
“You’re right.”
Iris nodded at the Crown Prince’s immediate agreement, without a hint of hesitation.
“So let’s keep some distance while we’re at it.”
“Then you won’t dry my hair anymore?”
The Crown Prince said with a sly smile. Iris was momentarily at a loss for words and couldn’t even laugh.
“That’d be a bit disappointing.”
“You’re not ignoring what I said, are you?”
“No, I heard you clearly.”
“But…”
“Just because it starts as a contract doesn’t mean it has to end that way.”
“…Seriously. Is that how you usually flirt with women?”
“I’ve never flirted with a woman in my life.”
“Liar.”
“It’s true. Women have always come to me I’ve never had to chase them.”
“Oh, you’re just insufferable.”
Iris let out a hollow laugh, looking at the Crown Prince’s bright, innocent face.
How beautifully he must have grown up. Sure, there might be some underhanded scheming among royals, but for Iris, who had grown up at the bottom, it didn’t resonate much.
“You’ll marry a much better woman.”
“A better woman? Who?”
“I don’t know. Just someone better than me.”
I can’t exactly tell him that I’m a transmigrator and that he’s supposed to marry a far more lovable heroine, so I have to be vague like this.
“You’re the Crown Prince. Of course you will.”
“…”
The Crown Prince looked down at Iris silently. It was the first time she’d seen his face so expressionless, and she held his gaze for a moment.
An atmosphere formed between them, a push-and-pull as they tried to read each other’s emotions, but there was no winner.
“…Lady Iris.”
“Why are you calling me?”
“I haven’t met that many women, you know.”
“Yes.”
“But you, you’re quite a remarkable woman.”
“…Thank you.”
“Really.”
“No one’s saying otherwise.”
At that moment, the Crown Prince took her hand.
“More than anyone I’ve met so far.”
“…”
Iris knew. She could tell that the words the Crown Prince was saying were sincere.
Though they had known each other for only a short time, they had revealed quite a bit of their inner selves to each other.
It wasn’t love, but they knew enough to recognize each other as good people.
Iris gave a weak smile.
“I wish my ex-husbands had realized that.”
“Exactly, those fools were idiots. But it’s also fortunate.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s why I’m able to play the part of your lover, even if it’s just pretend.”
The Crown Prince leaned down, bringing his face close to Iris’s. She held her breath for a moment, frowning as she tried to peer into his intentions.
‘As expected of royalty, he’s hard to read.’
Iris quickly turned her head and headed to her room. The Crown Prince didn’t try to stop her.
Once the door closed and the Crown Prince was out of sight, Iris leaned against the door and slid down to the floor.
“Why is that madman acting like that……”
She rubbed her dry face with her white hand.
* * *
Knock knock knock-
The next morning, it was the sound of knocking that woke Crown Prince Cliff. Having gone to bed a bit late last night because there was so much to think about here and there, the sunlight coming in from the terrace was already warm, as the sun had risen high in the sky.
He stretched once, washed his face with the water brought by the servants, and changed into light clothes. Then, a beat late, he asked the attendant who had knocked.
“Is there a reason you woke me separately?”
“The Princess of Beberia has conveyed her wish to have a conversation with you.”
“Ah.”
The Crown Prince briefly recalled yesterday’s late luncheon. Come to think of it, the princess was there, but what did she look like again.
As he was rummaging through his memories like that, the attendant asked again from his side.
“Shall I refuse?”
“……Hmm, no. Let’s talk once, what.”
He was curious what she wanted to talk about too.
The Crown Prince properly dressed and left the room. According to the attendant, she was waiting for him at the tea table in the garden.
‘I might be a bit late.’
But since it was them who came without an appointment, he didn’t feel particularly sorry.
As he appeared in the garden, he saw the Princess of Beberia jumping up from her seat from afar with a delighted face.
“Crown Prince Your Highness……!”
The woman with cascading golden hair and clear blue eyes was beautiful. But as the Crown Prince, he had a mirror, and beside him, there was even a woman named Iris.
‘I’ve gotten too used to Iris’s face.’
The Crown Prince clicked his tongue inwardly but smiled outwardly.
“I’m too late.”
“No. Thank you so much for responding.”
The Princess of Beberia, Dorothy, couldn’t hide her nervous demeanor as her face flushed pink. Even the most oblivious person would know the princess had feelings for him.
The Crown Prince sat down and asked.
“More than that, I was surprised you suddenly wanted to chat.”
“Ah, actually…… I’ve wanted to talk with Your Highness for a long time, but the opportunity didn’t come, so it got this late.”
“Really?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Why?”
“Pardon?”
“Why did you want to talk with me?”
The Crown Prince said with a gentle smile. But somehow, a subtle wall was felt in his tone.
“W-Well, because Your Highness is the Empire’s one and only august Crown Prince……”
“And?”
“You are more beautiful than anyone else……”
“And?”
“F-From the moment I first saw you……”
“I see.”
The Crown Prince cut off the princess’s words sharply, as if uninterested.
☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆
By Anna 💓
