Chapter 64.1

But why did an unknown sadness gnaw at her again?

“Lady Carthia.”

Yurina saw off her three brothers and hurried back to the villa. Suddenly, a sound came from behind. It seemed that he was far away, but now Curtis’ steps were heard right behind her.

‘Will I be able to break out this time?’

‘Something clearly hints to me, but it would be impossible. Be that as it may, my counterpart was the crown Prince of this country. No matter how famous a daughter of the House of Carthia I am, he is an adversary who can’t to be taken lightly with.’

Yurina put up a straight face, turned around and bowed.

“Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Rise your head.”

As Yurina lifted up, she saw Curtis’s face right in front of her nose and held her breath. He looked into her wide eyes in amazement and smiled slowly.

“It’s hard to find you lately.”

“How can I distract a great man? I know perfectly well that you’re so busy that you don’t have time for people like me.”

“I feel that I have more time than you.”

Hidden in those words was a hint that it was Yurina who avoided meeting him.

Seven years ago, there were very few moments when these two accidentally crossed paths. This is because Yurina didn’t go where the Prince could appear.

Unlike the original, not only did she not intend to become a Princess, but she would also like to not mess with a Prince at all.

“I’m glad to see you after all this time, but you look unhappy.”

He spoke kindly.

However, Yurina didn’t sense any friendliness in his face or voice. His smile, as beautiful as the portraits, was also cold.

‘He just needs strength to strengthen his position.’

If he fell in love with Yurina at first sight, he wouldn’t treat her like this.

However, his target wasn’t Yurina, but only Reynard.

‘I would prefer that he honestly disclose his desire to see Ray.’

The emperor’s eldest son had enough legitimacy to succeed to the throne, but he had one drawback. His maternal line didn’t promise him much power.

Empress Eileen, who died when he was eight years old, was the Princess of the Crohn Kingdom. As far as Yurina knew, the current emperor of this country left to study in the Crohn Kingdom as a teenager and fell in love with her at first sight. They got married after a passionate romance.

Romantic marriages among those in power were rare, as their marriage was more of an opportunity to form an alliance between noble houses.

But this time it was different. Empress Eileen was beloved by the imperial people for her benevolent nature and for giving the Emperor her first child, Curtis. But she didn’t have a political foundation. After her death, even the reason for the Crohn Kingdom’s involvement in imperial politics disappeared.

On the other hand, Empress Janice, who became Empress after Eileen’s death, came from the house of a Duke, of which there were four in the Empire.

If Empress Janice gives the Emperor a new Prince, how quickly will the Duke’s family pull the strings to name him crown Prince?

Even when she wasn’t Empress, the nobles who marched in line with the Duke praised the intelligence of the second Prince Philip, but after Janice became Empress, she became much more outspoken and aggressive.

Meanwhile, Curtis was alone and struggling to survive, both as a child and as an adult. There was also a lot of news about assassination attempts on him. Perhaps with such a backstory, it is clear why he was so insensitive and calculating.

Yurina was a very good nourishment for him. The only daughter of the Carthia family and the patroness of Ray, the first genius of the younger generation.

This must have been the reason why Curtis chose Lydia after betraying Yurina, who was his love in the original.

It was only a choice between Karion, who brought with him great opportunities, and a loved one. Knowing Curtis’s personality, it’s not surprising that he preferred the former.

He was a man who, unfortunately, knew nothing but his ambitions.

And what did the real Yurina like about him so much that she ran after him?

“How is it possible? I am also very glad to see Your Highness after a long time.”

“Stories reach me about that man supported by your family.”

When the topic of Reynard suddenly popped up, Yurina quietly clenched her fists.

“He was a great help to the Crohn royal family. As you know, my mother came from the Crohn Kingdom, so I have a special attachment to that place. If I have the opportunity, I would like to meet him in person and have a talk. But as far as I know, graduation is still a year away”.

Reynard’s early return was still a secret to the outsiders.

“Yes that’s right.”

“It’s just fate that we met like this. How about a cup of tea and a chat?”

It sounded like a suggestion, but it was actually an order.

“It’s a great honor for me. But how dare I waste Your Highness’ time? I’m not the only one looking forward to meeting you, am I? How many nobles are gathered here, but you chose me?”

Curtis tried to protest with a still forced smile. However, a young man who seemed to be his assistant suddenly approached and caught his attention with a cough.

“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but we have been expected since yesterday.”

“I trust that the crown Prince will make a sensible decision.”

As expected, he declined to hang out with Yurina after a momentary display of feigned disappointment.

“Looks like we’ll se you next time.”

Yurina bowed and answered.

“I’m looking forward to a new chance.”

Of course, she planned to avoid such a chance.

The assistant politely said goodbye to Yurina and directed Curtis.

“The Marquis De Flon is first in line.”