AWWEWNR Chapter 31

But Rosaryn’s lips curled up in a sneer as she watched her, ‘You chose to wear a see-through in hopes of looking a little sexy to keep me at bay, but you don’t look sexy, you just look dainty. Elegant, yes, but not the kind of look the Crown Prince would like.’ 

 

“I see you here, my lady Hanaella.”

 

Tharrott greeted her, and Hanaella bowed slightly in return.

 

“I see Count Thearine is here as well.”

 

“I’m escorting my sister. You look very beautiful today, my lady.”

 

“Indeed, and you seem to be feeling quite spirited today?”

 

Rosaryn said at Tharrott’s comment, and Hanaella smiled brightly.

 

“As usual, and I’m grateful you noticed.”

 

“Don’t you usually wear a more modest dress than that?”

 

“If a woman wearing a dress that shows her neck and arms is modest, I don’t know what to say.”

 

“…!”

 

“Well, I’ll go in first then, and please take your time with the rest of your siblings,” said Hanaella.

 

Hanaella turned and walked blatantly into the palace. Rosaryn frowned and bit her lower lip.

 

“I don’t know where the hell the rumor came from, but that’s a pretty confident attitude between us.”

 

“Have you caught the source of the rumor yet?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…I guess we should clear up the misunderstanding first.”

 

As if muttering to himself, Tharrott’s words caused Rosaryn to stare at him in surprise. 

 

After making eye contact with her, Tharrott looked at her with a slight smirk.

 

“I can’t help it if I’m going to take Lady Hanaella to be my wife, because she’ll never want to marry me if she knows what’s between us.”

 

“…That’s true.”

 

‘That’s right. The Crown Prince is still the Crown Prince, but Hanaella doesn’t even look at Tharo because of that stupid rumor, so we’ll have to make her realize that things between me and Tharo aren’t what they seem.’ 

 

“Why don’t you arrange a meeting between me and Hanaella?”

 

“…A meeting…?”

 

“Because I need to see her often enough that she’ll do anything, including flirting.”

 

“…Oh, why are you suddenly so motivated?”

 

Rosaryn said with a mischievous glint in her eye, and Tharrott hid his embarrassment from her.

 

“I just want to do this right, and I’m afraid the barriers between us are higher than I thought.”

 

“Okay, I’ll make room. She seems cold to the idea that we are lovers, and if she hears that our rumors are wrong, her hard walls against Tharo will quickly crumble.”

 

At Rosaryn’s words, Tharrott nodded once.

 

He had agreed to be her escort to see Hanaella, but now that he had met her, he felt that this brief encounter had been a waste. 

 

Tharrott watched as Rosaryn entered the palace, then turned and climbed into the carriage. He couldn’t get the image of Hanaella from earlier out of his head.

 

💫

“Greetings, His Royal Highness, the little sun of Hayden.”

 

The late arrival, Rosaryn, greeted Lloyd. 

 

Looking at her, Lloyd understood a little of why Hanaella had warned him not to fall for her. 

 

She was strangely sensual and sexy at the same time, but she was also cute when she laughed, the kind of thing that would attract men. 

 

The kind that didn’t interest him at all, of course.

 

“So, the young lady of House Thearine wanted to meet me?”

 

Lloyd asked Rosaryn as he sipped his tea. 

 

The fact that Lloyd addressed her by her surname rather than her first name caught her off guard a bit, but she smiled brightly and answered his question.

 

“Every noble in the Empire is eager to meet the Crown Prince, and a few days ago, I happened to run into Lady Hanaella in the dressing salon we were chatting, and I mentioned that I would like to meet you, and the kind Lady Hanaella arranged this meeting.”

 

“I see,” Lloyd said with a smile, and Rosaryn smiled back. 

 

Hanaella took a sip of her tea, feeling a stirring of irritation. 

 

But Lloyd’s next words made her look up at him with startled rabbit eyes.

 

“My woman is kind.”

 

Lloyd set his jaw and smirked at Hanaella. 

 

It was a smile that any woman in the world could fall in love with, and both Hanaella and Rosaryn blushed against their will.

 

“So I’m a little worried. We barely have enough time to be alone together, and I fear that this is how you’re going to grant every young lady’s request.”

 

Lloyd glanced at Rosaryn as he said this. Realizing that he meant to tell her not to ask Hanaella for unnecessary favors, Rosaryn swallowed dryly and lifted her teacup.

 

‘Maybe he’s in deeper than I thought, and I’m jumping to conclusions. ‘

 

…No, no, he’s not in love with her to the point of death like me and Tharo, and it’s probably just a casual fling until the Crown Prince comes along. 

 

‘And as much as he likes her now, it’ll probably end when he sees another woman.’

 

“I don’t think you need to worry about that, Your Highness. Lady Hanaella is a kind woman, no doubt, but she’s not the sweetest.”

 

At Rosaryn’s words, Hanaella glanced at her.

 

“Rather, she fears that if the Crown Prince sets his eyes entirely on her, she might be subjected to envy and jealousy from the young ladies who admire the Crown Prince.”

 

‘Ha— look at this?’ 

 

“For the sake of Lady Hanaella, and for the sake of the many young ladies who admire His Royal Highness, I do not wish His Royal Highness’ noble eyes to be focused on one place.”

 

‘After all, you want a piece of this, I see.’

 

One corner of Hanaella’s lips tilted up at Rosaryn’s words. 

 

Lloyd, who had been watching her expression, saw the corner of her mouth twitch up as if she were invisible, and then he looked at Rosaryn and spoke.

 

“I am Hanaella’s lover, and you are telling me that I should be in love with a woman other than Hanaella, for the sake of House Thearine?”

 

“Ah… that’s not what I mean… I’m asking you to consider the hearts of the many young ladies who are in love with His Highness the Crown Prince…”

 

“Are you saying that for the sake of the young ladies who admire me now, please don’t focus on my lover, Hanaella, aren’t you saying that the young lady of the Thearine family wants to offend me now?”

 

“…Not that…! I beg your pardon, Your Highness.”

 

‘That’s not it.’ 

 

Rosaryn lowered her head in embarrassment. 

 

Hanaella glared at her, then turned to Lloyd with a smile.

 

“Don’t be so hard on her, Your Highness. You’ll frighten Lady Rosaryn.”

 

“But is not that what Lady Thearine says, that I should hide my feelings for you for the sake of women whose faces I do not know.”

 

“I didn’t say hide it, I said open your eyes and see the other ladies around you.”

 

“Isn’t that what it is?”

 

“Your Grace, indeed. I’m sure Lady Rosaryn meant well, but I can’t believe you’re taking offense like this. After all, Lady Rosaryn is here with a purpose.”

 

“…!”

 

“Purpose?”

 

Lloyd asked, and Hanaella turned to look at Rosaryn.

 

“Do you remember what you told me in the dressing parlor?”

 

—”Isn’t it possible that you don’t know? If I had the good fortune to meet His Highness separately, I might be his woman now.”

 

— “Is that so? His Highness must not have gotten a good look at me, because if he had, red hair could be his ‘favorite’ color.”

 

— “Of course. If you don’t believe me, why don’t you arrange it for me?”

 

Remembering her words in the dressing salon, Rosaryn clenched her fists tightly. 

 

Seeing her like that, Hanaella smirked, “I’ve given you this opportunity because of your insolence, so do well. Lady Rosaryn.”

 

Rosaryn glared at Hanaella with a frightening intensity. 

 

Lloyd, who had already heard everything from Hanaella, asked her what she was talking about with a blank look on his face, and Hanaella said it was nothing, just between the two of them, and sipped her tea.

 

Having originally hoped to bend Hanaella’s face so that the Crown Prince would show some favor toward her after seeing her today, Rosaryn had instead been rendered speechless by Hanaella, and her hands were shaking with rage.

 

“Now, I need to use the restroom.”

 

Lloyd smirked as Rosaryn hastily excused herself.

 

“That’s pretty good, huh?”

 

“What?”

 

“Scratching on purpose.”

 

“Because that’s where it started.”

 

“Well, yeah.”

 

“You didn’t feel smitten by her, did you?” asked Hanaella.

 

“Smitten?”

 

“Yes. Lady Rosaryn… Especially today, since she went the extra mile to make herself beautiful.”

 

“You are more beautiful. Did you take extra care, as well?”

 

“I didn’t, did I? Doesn’t it just make me look ridiculous to be dressed like that next to someone who splashes like that in the first place?”

 

“Yes. That’s why you look so beautiful today. You look even more graceful and noble, thanks to the influence of the Thearine family.”

 

“…”

 

“It’s a compliment, but why won’t you thank me?”

 

“…I’m flattered.”

 

When Hanaella, who had become unnecessarily embarrassed, said that with a pouty smile, Lloyd smirked.

 

“So. How long do we have to go on with this stupid play, can’t we just wrap it up and be done with it? I’m tired.”

 

Hanaella said, lifting her teacup, “I’m the one who’s tired and wants to go home?”

 

‘Well, I guess that’s enough. I’m tired myself, so let’s stop this ridiculous play and go home.’