Chapter 5.1

Chapter 5.1

The Prince commanded the Countess as if he were treating his servant. Was this because he was a part of the imperial family? A stifling arrogance pervaded the dining room in an instant.

Nevertheless, no one here protested or expressed dissatisfaction.

As the Countess obediently followed the order and signaled to the servants to leave, everyone scurried out of the dining room at a brisk pace. One by one, each time they disappeared from sight, Ariel felt like she was left alone in a lion’s den as she stared at the tea after dinner with a complicated state of mind.

The gift box in her pocket felt as heavy as a stone.

The dining room quickly emptied out. After one person left after one another, the Countess finally rose from her seat as well.

“I’ll excuse myself as well.”

Her brief remarks showed that she was fully compliant with the Prince’s orders.

Ariel’s expression darkened. She hoped that perhaps the Countess might be able to turn this situation around, but all the hopes she had were dashed. Even the Prince’s aide had left, and the door eventually slammed shut.

Now, it was just him and Ariel, completely alone.

The quieter space created extreme awkwardness. At the same time, her chest felt tight, as if water had risen and blocked her airway.

She looked at the teacup with a silent expression.

The Prince, who was sitting on the other side of the table, shifted his posture and sat cross-legged before deliberately pretending to be looking at her. It was an action taken to provoke Ariel. Still, she didn’t even flinch. It was he, who had asked her to stay for a purpose, so she had nothing to say without opening her mouth first.

Meanwhile, her behavior provoked the Prince unconsciously.

…To be indifferent yet courteous.

He tilted his head crookedly and gazed at her with a look of disdain.

“No squirming on either side, eyes down, and remaining silent throughout the whole meal… is that how you were taught?”

“…No, I’m courteous because Your Highness is in front of me. I’m usually a little more free-spirited.”

Ariel finally raised her head and met his eyes.

Once she was thrown into such a situation, her calm head allowed her to respond calmly. Concurrently, the Prince, who was seated across from her, seemed bored. He pursed her lips and lowered his eyes, seemingly displeased.

“The Countess says you’re the same age as me.”

“Is that so… I don’t know what Your Highness’s age is, but I’m seventeen this year.”

“And this year, you’re planning to enter the academy.”

“Yes. My mother mentioned it to me this morning, and I was thinking I should go this year at the latest since I was also determined to go as well.”

“I asked the Countess how she felt about you being the crown princess.”

“…Yes?”

Words that couldn’t be calmly accepted were abruptly thrown at her.

Imperial Crown Princess…

Ariel’s calm face shattered in surprise as her wide eyes conveyed the confusion she felt.

In the meanwhile, the Prince studied her agitated expression. The gaze that was looking at her could only be described as admiration. She couldn’t help but become worried about the look in his eyes as much as the word ‘princess’ he had thrown around.

Those eyes that clearly didn’t like her very much…

“You, Ariel. Ariel Huckley.”

The Prince pronounced her name clearly as if trying to remember it, or perhaps he was warning her.

“How about you? Do you want the seat of the princess?”

“…It’s hard to say anything because I didn’t know about it. If Your Highness gives me some time to think about it—”

“To say that, weren’t you going to give that to me as if you’re hiding it in your clothes?”

He was clearly referring to the gift box in her pocket.

Ariel reflexively glanced down at her waist. The velvet pouch tied around her waist contained something she hadn’t yet handed to him.

The Prince’s keen insight gave her goosebumps.

‘…Should I just give it away since I was caught?’

Such a thought suddenly crossed her mind but she soon changed her mind again.

‘Still, I think giving it away right now would be too bad… wouldn’t it be better to gloss over it?’

Ariel hesitated, lost in thought.

All the while, the Prince’s eyes were fixed straight on her. While he wore a seemingly carefree expression, underneath it seemed to be a sharp judgment. It was better not to tell a flimsy lie or hide something that would be quickly discovered.

Obediently, she eventually untied her pocket and pulled out the box.

“Yes. This is a present for Your Highness.”

The corner of the Prince’s mouth twitched at the honest answer and action, and he let out a mocking laugh.

“Should I consider it as you have an ulterior motive? Or are you just trying to flatter me?”

His voice, which asked about her intentions, was firm. The sneer was followed by a low-toned question that sounded like a mockery, as if he could read her mind and tell her to cut the nonsense.

Ariel took a deep breath quietly and chose one of the options he gave her.

‘If I lied to him, he’d consider that I was playing tricks on him. Furthermore, it was dangerous to be perceived as deceiving him, so I’d rather be honest here…’

“This is the meaning of flattery.”

“Why are you flattering me?”

“I’ve never set foot in social circles, and I’m afraid that if I go to the academy, I’ll get caught up in a fight between aristocratic families. So, I thought I’d try to look good for Your Highness today so that you’d recognize me as one of your people and strengthen my position for the future.”

“So, you’re saying you need my connections after all?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Yes… Certainly, the Countess used that kind of tone rather than coveting the position of the crown princess.”

As if talking to himself, the Prince mentioned the incident with the Countess before he paused as if weighing something. His gaze, which had been fixed on Ariel the entire time, shifted elsewhere.

‘What is he thinking…?’

Curiosity arose but Ariel didn’t ask. She waited patiently for his next words. The silent Prince’s face sometimes looked like it was imbued with melancholy.

“Just looking after you, it’s not something I can’t do.”

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