Chapter 7
A loud sigh from Madame Hestia was heard.
“Even if it weren’t so, Her Majesty the Empress was discussing the appointment of the Crown Princess, so perhaps…”
“It’s not about bringing her in as the Crown Princess.”
“Pardon?”
“What I need is a woman who *won’t* become the Crown Princess.”
“What does that even… I must be too old to understand.”
At that, the Crown Prince’s short laugh echoed.
“Since Her Majesty the Empress keeps pushing her confidants’ children at me, I have no choice but to make sure she can’t push anymore.”
“Ahh.”
Only then did Madame let out a soft groan, as if she finally understood.
It seemed the Crown Prince had no intention of going along with the marriage arrangements the current Empress was forcing upon him.
“Even so, that child Iris…”
“She has too many flaws?”
“…As much as I cherish her, to be honest, yes, Your Highness.”
Iris, standing on the nearby terrace, felt her mood sinking further.
Honestly, she had thought there was no way someone like the Crown Prince would come all the way here out of pure goodwill toward her.
‘But hearing it directly, I can’t help but feel my stomach churn.’
Iris gave a faint smile as she looked up at the sky.
The night sky sparkled with countless stars, many of which must have been claimed by countless lovers.
But there wouldn’t be one for her up there.
It was then that the Crown Prince’s voice was heard.
“Well.”
There was a hint of amusement in his tone, but it carried a slight edge of displeasure.
“No matter how I think about it, the flaws I see were in those husbands of hers.”
“Of course…”
“Enough. How about just granting a favor for a guy like your nephew?”
“Oh, fine, I understand. How is it that you haven’t changed one bit since you were young?”
Madame Hestia finally declared her surrender.
Leaning against the terrace, Iris took a moment to collect her sinking emotions.
‘What’s there to be comforted about?’
What did it matter if, after saying he’d use her to his heart’s content, he merely said it was their fault?
With a self-deprecating smile, Iris waited for them to leave the room.
Creak, thud.
Soon, the soft sound of a door opening and closing was heard. Judging that they had left, Iris quietly stepped away from the wall where she had been hiding.
She would now return to the lounge…
But then.
“Is it fun to sneak around like a stray cat?”
“…Your Highness.”
Iris saw him leaning against the terrace railing at an angle she hadn’t noticed while hiding. Her eyes widened in sudden tension.
“I knew you were prowling around like a cat at night, but I didn’t expect you to do it here too.”
“What do you mean? I was just getting some fresh air…”
“Let’s not play coy with each other, shall we? We’re both too sharp for that.”
The Crown Prince’s red eyes locked onto hers. Iris felt as though his gaze had seized her completely.
‘Did I pick the wrong opponent?’
But Iris was a professional too. She couldn’t let herself be pushed around like this.
Soon, she put on a radiant smile and approached the Crown Prince.
The man and woman standing between the railings with a slight gap between them looked at each other in silence for a moment.
“Since you heard everything, I don’t need to make excuses, do I?”
“Yes, I understood quite well, Your Highness.”
“Don’t be so formal. It’s not like I’m saying I’ll use you and toss you aside without a care.”
“Of course. Who do you think you are?”
“Mocking me, are you?”
The Crown Prince let out a short chuckle and leaned loosely against the railing with both arms.
This brought his eye level perfectly in line with hers, as she was shorter than him.
“What would it take to lift our lady’s mood?”
“…Is this your usual personality?”
“No way. I’m only like this because I’ve taken a liking to you.”
“How arrogant.”
“It’s hard *not* to be arrogant in my position.”
The Crown Prince teased with a playful tone.
‘Strange. He wasn’t like this in the original story.’
No, wait—when he was in love with the heroine in the original story, he *was* somewhat playful like this.
‘It’s just a bit early for that.’
Maintaining her smile, she paused briefly before speaking calmly.
“Since you’ve gone as far as to talk about using me, you must have something specific in mind for me, don’t you?”
“Exactly. Be a candidate for Crown Princess so perfect that the Empress won’t even dare make a peep. As my lover.”
“You know my background doesn’t allow for that.”
“That’s why I said *candidate*.”
Iris gave a bitter smile.
Unless a miracle happened, no matter how perfect a lady she was, a commoner could never become the Crown Princess—especially not a commoner like Iris, who had been divorced four times.
“So you need a doll to sit by your side until a suitable match appears.”
“Well, not quite like that. It seems like you’re getting tired of life in the empire by now.”
“….”
Being the Crown Prince, he pinpointed exactly what she wanted, as if he’d dug up all of Jack’s information.
‘I need to have a talk with Jack about this.’
But beyond that, she couldn’t let herself be swept along at his pace here.
She had to paint the situation the way she wanted, not reveal that she was the one more desperate.
‘Well, he’s probably already investigated my background thoroughly.’
Even if he didn’t know she’d orchestrated her husbands’ affairs, he likely knew about her debts.
“Will you give me some time to think?”
Iris took a step back from the railing, creating that much psychological distance between them.
But the Crown Prince looked at her, smiled gently, and replied,
“Well, I’m in a bit of a hurry.”
“Pardon?”
In an instant, the Crown Prince stepped back, then vaulted over the terrace railing to land on Iris’s side.
As she gasped in surprise, his strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her close.
“Your Highness…!”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Do you think I’m like those ruffians?”
‘You’re not much different right now!’
As Iris was about to say that, someone suddenly yanked open the terrace curtain.
A bright light flooded the dark terrace, revealing a beautiful chandelier.
‘This lunatic.’
She could see everyone’s eyes turning toward the terrace at once.
The one who had pulled the curtain was the Crown Prince’s aide.
And the sight before the crowd was the Crown Prince, holding Iris by the waist.
People let out sounds of shock or admiration, quickly covering their mouths with fans.
Iris shot a glare at the Crown Prince, but he merely smiled with his beautiful face.
“What? It’s fun, isn’t it?”
“Haha…”
For a moment, her head spun, and she let out a hollow laugh.
Fine, if it’s come to this, let’s make it the scandal of the century. If he cheats after setting things up like this, he’ll have no choice but to pay an enormous settlement.
“Be quiet, you mad prince.”
At that, a short burst of laughter followed by a quick intake of breath was heard.
When she looked at him with narrowed eyes, his expression, clearly suppressing a laugh, looked utterly charming to others.
“It’s going to be chaos starting tomorrow.”
“Shall I lend you a mansion?”
“No need. Just keep the reporters at bay.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
After confirming that everyone had clearly seen them, the Crown Prince released her waist and knelt on one knee before her.
And then, he dropped a bombshell declaration.
“I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for you. Please allow me to dedicate my heartfelt emotions to you, Lady Iris.”
Iris felt chills run down her spine. Truly, he could deliver such theatrical lines so effortlessly.
“Y-Your Highness, I…”
As Iris stepped back, feigning embarrassment, Madame Hestia, who had been watching the scene, spoke with a sigh-like tone.
“Iris, I fear for His Highness’s knees.”
“Madame…”
In the end, Iris reluctantly placed the back of her hand in his, and the Crown Prince, as he had upon his entrance, kissed it with a smile.
“I’ll make sure you have no regrets.”
He said as much, but Iris knew. Contract or not, once the heroine appeared, he’d abandon her and leave without a second thought.
And so, she—
“That’s for the goddess of fate to decide.”
With a smile more radiant than anyone else’s, she shut down his words with something he wouldn’t understand.
“Iris, there’s no man left in this world worth trusting.’
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By Anna 💓
