Editor Group: Liber Reverie
“… Stop it. Our father said he’d be talking to the Duke, so he’d find a way.”
Cain was also likely to come up with a way, so he would not be branded as a traitor and also make a profit.
It was very simple. Asher had fallen in love with Aria very much, and if he would control Asher through Aria, it would be all right. It was a slightly different method from the princess, but it was one of the ways to make the Crown Prince into their doll.
It was a highly feasible plan if Aria decided to follow them. She was also a member of the Count’s family, so she would be forced to follow them. The Count and the Duke would surely try to go with that plan.
“No! You can’t do that. Never!”
Mielle shouted as if she had come up with a plan, whether she had thought of one or not. Although she was still young, it did not suit her. The image that she had only shown to Emma was sometimes revealed in unnecessary places because there was no one to show it. Cain’s eyes touched her, embarrassed by the unfamiliar look.
“… What if there is a sure way to separate her from His Highness?”
“… I say again, such a way…”
“No! Brother, I have it. It’s a way that will not only separate Aria from the Crown Prince, but it would also make her never be able to be with someone forever. It’s a little… dangerous.”
Mielle, who penetrated Cain’s heart, made a bitter offer to him. She looked confident. Apparently, she was not just saying empty words.
‘If that’s the way it is… no matter how dangerous it may be, I wouldn’t take it.’ But he couldn’t easily nod his head because her expression was so insidious.
* * *
Although it must be a mansion inferior to a stable compared to the Imperial Castle, Asher did not miss a single path to the garden. There were interest and admiration in his gleaming blue eyes. Aria asked Asher, avoiding people’s attention,
“It’s just a small mansion with nothing to see, so what’s so fun here?”
“I think it’s fun to think that you’ve been here all the time.”
As for Aria, who had lived there for more than a decade and faced death, he probably meant her few years of stay in the mansion after she had entered the Count’s family. Aria closed her mouth, and as soon as he noticed it, Asher hurriedly changed the topic.
“How was it today?”
“… Yes?”
“I asked if the Count and Countess were satisfied.”
This time, Aria was speechless for a different reason. She was shocked to know that he had been truly trying to win their favor. It was a great honor just to make a visit…
“… Was it not good?”
Again he asked her, and Aria shook her head with a small smile.
“That’s not true. I’m sure they would have liked you if you hadn’t shown favor otherwise. You’re in a position to do so in the first place.”
“Hmm… it’s a little bit disappointing to hear that since I’ve tried my best, but it hasn’t worked.”
“…!”
He had made his futile efforts, but he was pleading for praise like a child. ‘Oh my God. You are a fully grown man, but why does this look so cute?’
“It’s because there is no need to say that, so don’t be angry.”
So, saying so, she gently touched his palm. Then he reddened his ears a little and quickened his steps. He seemed embarrassed and wanted to avoid people’s eyes.
After his birthday this year, the official age of Asher was much higher than her’s, as they were twenty and seventeen years old, respectively, but Aria had lived a life longer than his. So it was clear that he would not be able to overcome her life experience even if he lived another lifetime.
Aria asked teasingly, “Shall we go to the indoor garden quickly?”
“… I’m ashamed, so let’s do that.”
Aria laughed a little louder at the sight of his cuteness and candor at the same time.
* * *
A letter with her name arrived at the mansion if it was true that the judge was interested in Aria as he had mentioned last time. The letter was sent under the name of “Frey,” except for her last name, so she tore the envelope off, thinking he was a businessman who wanted to get an investment, but she could not shut her mouth after reading it.
[I’m Frey, and I’m a judge. I have no last name because I came from the Imperial Castle. I’m worried about your health. Good tea and sweets have come in, and I want to have fun and talk with Lady Roscent. Please write down a possible date on when we could meet and give me an answer.]
‘Oh my God. Does she have a secret design? Did she really show interest because of the rumors, as Asher said?’ It troubled her mind that Frey had been surprised to see her face in court.
‘Why was she so surprised? Does she know me? The woman from the Imperial Castel?’ Aria thought it would not be possible, but she had to meet her to confirm. She didn’t think she would do harm to her, so she wrote back a few of the earliest dates she could visit.
It didn’t take a day for the reply to arrive; it was as if she was waiting for Aria’s letter. She proposed to meet Aria on the earliest date she had sent, and that day came faster than she thought.
“Miss, you have to decorate yourself a little more gorgeously. You’re about to become the Crown Princess…”
Since Asher’s visit, Annie had been talking like that, no matter what clothes she wore, “You’re about to become a Crown Princess.” She was not the only one. From the servants and maids of the mansion to those who she did not know, they all regarded Aria much more than ever before and respected than ever.
‘It’s because Mr. Asher crossed the capital in a glorious carriage. How surprising. Though it was late, I was told that he had passed all the busy streets on purpose. It’s as if he was showing off who he was going to meet and make a rumor. I didn’t see him like that before… though he was the Crown Prince, he was still a man.’
When asked if she didn’t like it, the answer was no. He wanted to show off because he liked her, and it could be possible for her to dislike it.
“Why don’t you change your dress now?”
Aria smiled as she laughed at her nagging to wear a fancy dress without knowing where she was going. And in a moment, she heard someone calling. “The wagon’s ready, Miss.”
She put down the book she was reading at the call of the servant and got up from her seat.
‘I hope it’s not bad.’
Things were so easy that there was a sense of uneasiness in the place where it was not necessary. Aria, who looked at herself again in the mirror, breathed out deeply and left the mansion.
* * *
Frey’s mansion was located in the suburbs. Although she was a royal family member, it was a simple house that could not be compared to the mansion of the Count. Unlike other aristocratic mansions, she could guess her pedigree because of how high her walls were.
It was only natural that Frey’s mansion was small. It was because she was a royal family, not a successor. In order to protect the imperial power, only minimal support existed for the royal family, except for the Crown Prince. Sometimes it was extremely rare for the Crown Prince or the Emperor to give major posts to those who were highly trusted, but it had nothing to do with Frey, a woman.
It was a great deal of treatment for her just to get a position as a judge. Not only were there a few single female royal family members, but most of them had lived quietly with the support they got from the empire.
“Miss! It’s about to arrive!” said Annie, who checked as the mansion grew closer when she looked out of the window. Annie’s nervous expression was evident because it was her first visit to the imperial mansion. This was the same for Aria, who failed to grasp Frey’s intentions.
Soon after Annie’s words, the carriage stopped at the mansion gate. A royal guard that could be seen out of the window looked strict. However, with a very simple procedure, the guard opened the front door so that the carriage could pass through.
The carriage stopped in front of the mansion through the small but beautifully decorated garden. The voice of the driver who announced the arrival was heard. Even though the knight and Annie’s eyes were on Aria, she did not go out immediately. She touched her head and clothes and asked, “Annie, how about my clothes?”
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