NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36
The moment Theonis handed over the invitation, she was flabbergasted.
It seems likely that the third prince of Laten is indeed looking for Michi…
He wants to form ties with Elard, probably because he knows Michi is Selleana’s maid.
I shouldn’t jump to conclusions until we talk directly.
It would be great if all this was just a fantastic coincidence. The third prince of Laten is simply an eyeglass enthusiast and wants to form ties with Elard, the empire’s finest noble family…
While Selleana was trying to think positively, it happened.
“Lady, may I introduce you to the third prince of Laten? He specifically requested to greet you if you were to come.”
“
Oh…
The third prince did?”
“Yes! He was so pleased to know I’m acquainted with you…!”
Ha, ha
… While Selleana smiled back at the enthusiastic Mellisa, her heart sank.
It couldn’t be. No, it wouldn’t be.
It shouldn’t be…
“Your Highness!”
“
Oh
, Lady Mellisa.”
“I’ve brought Lady Elard.”
“Good evening, may Orot’s blessing be with you. I am Selleana of Elard.”
“Pleased to meet you. I am Erenst, the third son of the Laten royal family.”
Following proper etiquette, Selleana scrutinized the handsome man before her.
Platinum blond hair and purple eyes… truly fitting for the most significant male lead.
Tall and well-built.
Much like the Tower Master…
Eh?
Selleana was startled by her own comparison of the third prince of Laten to Rakrensius.
Ah, no, it’s because Collin and the tower master have similar physiques. I wanted to compare him to Collin, but the person I saw recently was the tower master…
Her thoughts were a mess from the unexpected association. While she managed a graceful smile to gather her thoughts, Prince Erenst spoke up.
“Ah, by the way… did you come alone today?” The prince exaggeratedly looked around.
Ha, really?
Selleana had to suppress the urge to smirk. “Do you find it pitiful that I don’t have a partner?”
“
Oh
, no, it’s not that…”
Erenst exchanged glances with Mellisa, who eagerly stepped in.
“He means Lady’s maid. The one from our estate before…”
“
Ah
, my maid?”
Though Selleana never referred to Michi as her maid in front of others, she couldn’t casually mention her name in front of the original male lead. Prince Erenst probably already knew, but it was a matter of feeling.
“Yes, she’s always with you, but why not today?”
“She’s sick.”
“The lady is ill?” The question came from Prince Erenst.
“She’s been down with a cold for a few days, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.”
It was the middle of summer, and there was no such thing as air conditioning sickness in this world, so it was a blatant lie, but Selleana brazenly responded.
“That’s unfortunate.” Prince Erenst’s eyebrows sank even further, genuinely concerned for Michi.
Hey, don’t be fooled.
You, what? Planning to kidnap a friend’s first love, huh? Doing all sorts of terrible things, huh?
Selleana recalled Michi’s original story, which heightened her vigilance.
“Lady Mellisa. Would it be against Nepelsian’s social etiquette if I were to send Laten’s herbal tea to her through the Lady?”
“
Ah
, that’s…” Mellisa’s eyes rolled, checking Selleana’s reaction.
“Now, are you worried about my maid’s health?”
“
Ah
…! Well, you see.” Prince Erenst laughed awkwardly. “Actually, during this birthday banquet, I fell in love with that lady. She disappeared from my sight before I could properly introduce myself, but after some inquiries, I found she’s your maid.”
“
Oh
, is that so.”
What would have been thrilling ‘from the male lead’s perspective’ was not amusing to Selleana at all.
“Then, did you organize this gathering and invite Elard for that reason…?”
“
Haha
, it’s embarrassing, but yes. That’s correct. I sought a natural way to get closer without inconveniencing such a distinguished family as Elard for my personal affections.”
He packaged it as respect for Elard, but it was clear he didn’t want to publicize his courtship of a maid from a prominent family.
In Michi’s original story, he kidnapped Michi, who was a maid here and locked her up, claiming she was merely a concubine.
Selleana offered Prince Erenst the most beautiful smile she could muster. “Your Highness?”
“Yes.”
“Is the reason you haven’t returned with the Laten delegation and are staying in the capital… to meet my maid again?”
“
Ah
. It’s a state secret, but…”
Faced with Selleana’s direct question, Prince Erenst briefly furrowed his brow before bowing. His elegant, low voice resonated in Selleana’s ears.
“I’m ashamed to say I cannot deny it.”
Prince Erenst straightened up, smiling unashamedly. He was handsome. If only Selleana hadn’t heard about his role in Michi’s original story, she might have viewed him positively.
Well, it’s possible he has a good personality. The problem is how he treated the woman he liked in the original story.
Different from the original, Michi wasn’t a commoner, and having Elard as a backing might change his attitude… but the issue was his capacity for such cruelty. This was, after all, that kind of world.
Michi, just trust me.
Selleana, recalling Michi’s tearful face from a few days ago, tapped her lips with her folded fan. “What to do…”
“By any chance, does that lady have a fiancé?” Prince Erenst’s face tensed with anxiety.
“I’m sorry to say, but she’s promised to spend her life with me.”
“Yes?”
“We’ve promised to enter the imperial palace together if I’m selected in the crown princess selection.”
Prince Erenst, who attended the birthday banquet, would have seen Selleana discussing her lover in front of Tashur III.
“So, Lady. In that case…”
“Yes… Even if I didn’t become the crown princess, it would have been difficult to go to Laten. I belong to Elard, after all.” Selleana’s eyebrows dropped as if greatly troubled.
Prince Erenst, who had been smiling the whole time, now wore a crack in his expression. Embedded in it was a sense of insult. Though Laten might be a smaller kingdom compared to Nepelsian, it’s a kingdom nonetheless. With a smaller territory but still a robust kingdom that Rosalli would want to emigrate to, Selleana’s outright dismissal of any marriage talks seemed dismissive.
But what could he do? She was Elard, and it was Elard’s power to stand equal with any kingdom’s royal family.
So, I have no reason to go to your kingdom, and I can’t send my friend alone. Get it?
Selleana put on an enchanting smile that captivated Nepelsian society. “I’m terribly sorry, Your Highness.”
* * *
“What, what?”
After escaping from Prince Erenst, Selleana joined Rosalli, who had been watching from afar. The gentlemen surrounding Rosalli naturally made way for the meeting of the two ladies.
“It’s really about Michi.”
“Totally insane…!” Rosalli covered her mouth with her fan and glanced at Prince Erenst in the distance. “But he’s got good prospects too. Rondel’s young master has a nice build, but well, he’s supposed to lose Michi to him in the original, right?”
“Kind but weak male lead, who bows in front of his prince friend because of his status.” Selleana mocked as she waved down a passing servant and grabbed a glass of white wine from his tray.
“So, what did you say?”
“I told him the truth. I have no intention of sending Michi to another kingdom. Because we’re practically like one body.”
“Right, right.”
As Selleana and Rosalli discussed their plan to protect Michi, it happened.
“Good evening. May Orot’s blessing be with you.”
A deep voice cast a shadow over them.
“Nice to see you again, Lady Elard. And Lady Glen.”
The two ladies managed to hide their startled faces.
“O-oh my. Greetings. May Orot’s blessing be with you.”
“May Orot’s blessing be with you. It’s been a while… Margrave…”
Their counterpart was none other than Agnesia’s original male lead, Margrave Gotenfrid. The imposingly large margrave followed the dress code earnestly, wearing round glasses. His blue eyes courteously looked down at the two ladies. His attitude makes it clear that he wants to make a good impression.
Hey, what kind of original male lead party is this?
Selleana and Rosalli exchanged quick glances.
“I saw you from afar during the birthday banquet, but I couldn’t greet you.”
“Well, it was crowded. Plus, Lady Glen is always busy…”
“Right, right. And you, Lord, are always surrounded by ladies…”
Hearing Rosalli’s words, Karl Gotenfrid’s face stiffened with discomfort.
“Well, that’s beyond my control… Of course, I appreciate their kindness, but…”
Listening to his ramblings, Selleana’s eyebrows slowly raised. Selleana was already drained from dealing with Prince Erenst. There was no need to beat around the bush when the other’s intentions were clear and the response predetermined.
“Lord. Perhaps you’re here regarding Priestess Agnesia of Orot?”