Chapter 128.1

“It’s good to see you in good health.”

Curtis, who was sitting lazily on the sofa with his legs crossed, raised one corner of his mouth slightly as he watched the three enter the drawing room. Even in slightly hot weather, his cool voice, which gave goosebumps, didn’t particularly welcome them.

Yurina watched as Riggs bowed in front of Curtis as an example of a knight, then took off his hood. Looking at her brown hair and eyes, Curtis raised his eyebrows with a disapproving expression.

“She’s not the Lady Carthia I knew.”

He quickly recognized that it was Dave’s magic and glanced at Dave. Yurina’s hair color and eye color instantly returned to her original appearance.

Curtis looked her up and down and nodded.

“You look much better that way.”

Yurina swallowed a laugh inwardly. When she changed her shape with her magic, Reynard told her that this appearance was pretty too.

His gaze at the different Yurina was hazy, like someone who had fallen in love once again. So much so that she could tell just by looking at him that he really loved her.

But ‘the original look is much better’? Although she knew it, Curtis’ feelings for her were nothing more than curiosity.

‘No matter how much I think about it, I can’t figure out why the original Yurina liked Curtis.’

Yurina went in front of Curtis and bowed with respect. Her icy gaze seemed to pierce her head.

Crown Prince Curtis, whom she hadn’t seen in months, was making a sterner impression now than he had at the hunting competition. A man born to take the throne. This is how he was portrayed in the original novel.

Here, his sharp golden eyes turned to Yurina, coldly and arrogantly, as if he had brought an entire Empire to its knees and looked down on her.

When Yurina was a child, there was a time when she was trembling at that gaze without even realizing it.

Until now, she was wondering if it was because he was the main character of the original story, or because  of the sense of intimidation he has. She just remembered that he, who was only four years younger at the time, felt very huge and intimidating.

But today was different. Although she had to bow her head to avoid his gaze due to the difference in status, Yurina was no longer afraid of his gaze.

Rather, it was amusing to think, what was she so afraid of in the past and avoided him?

“It’s been a while since I saw your face. I heard you weren’t feeling well. Are you okay now?”

“Thanks for Your Highness’ concern, now I feel much better.”

Thanks for your concern.

Yurina had a hard time during the tournament, where she was assassinated and nearly died. Several months have passed, but the prince is asking this question only now.

This was rather proof that he hadn’t been very interested in her all this time.

Yurina glanced sideways at Curtis, still bowing her head. Unlike the banquet hall of the Imperial Palace, the parlor floor in this villa was flat, without a separate stage for the throne.

The level of his eyes, while the prince sat on the sofa, was clearly lower than hers. But there was still the impression that he was looking down at her.

‘This must be the dignity of the Crown Prince.’

Yurina didn’t know how Curtis acted as Crown Prince. The only role she has seen so far for Curtis is that of a troubled lover and a bad husband.

To be honest, it wasn’t a lot, Yurina could just say she didn’t like it.

However, this didn’t affect his ability to rule the country. Curtis Genosian, who was described in the novel, was said to be a crown prince with a bright future since he was smart and had excellent swordsmanship skills since he was young, befitting the male lead.

In fact, even here, she heard that it was regrettable that he didn’t have a strong background, but his qualities as the Crown Prince were not questioned.

Even his cold-hearted personality, which didn’t easily give his heart to anyone, served as an advantage in being able to look at the future of the Empire calmly without being swayed by personal feelings.

‘As for a husband, it’s the worst.’

On the other hand, the reputation of the second prince was the exact opposite of Curtis. He was open and full of life, but had no power. It was because of that that he fell under the influence of the nobles, who manipulated him according to their own understanding. The Emperor also supported the capable Curtis more than the second prince.

Perhaps it was set up that way to make Curtis, the male lead, stand out.

‘If you have the power but also the ability, then that’s the male lead.’

No one dared challenge his claim to the throne before. But now Marquis De Flon had joined hands with the second prince, and Curtis had no choice but to take action. Originally, Carthia supported Curtis.

“So what did the young lady come to me to talk about?”

Yurina glanced at Riggs and stepped back slightly. It was technically she who asked for her meeting with Curtis, but the story she was about to tell was far better had Riggs put her on the line.

‘My brother’s words must be more persuasive than mine.’

It hurts to admit it, but it was so. To outsiders, Riggs Carthia is the heir of the Carthia family, Yurina is just the youngest daughter who was raised only with love.

It might have offended Curtis if she went out to talk about it.

“We believe that Your Highness himself has recently found the behavior of Marquis De Flon unusual.”

The moment Riggs spoke, Curtis’ gaze changed instantly. His eyes, hazy and sleepy, suddenly became sharper.