Blackening the Affectionate Male Lead (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 8

The problem was that she couldn’t even pretend to recognize him.

Whitney glanced surreptitiously at His Highness Prince Chester. She couldn’t help it—her eyes kept drifting toward him.

“There he is. May I ask what brings you here?”

Melissa asked him with a cheerful smile. Chester’s gaze was fixed solely on Whitney. Ignoring Melissa’s words, he rose from his seat.

“Lady Orleans, were you aware the items had been switched?”

“The items?”

Whitney’s eyes widened in surprise. Her expression clearly showed she had no idea what he meant, and his face beneath the cloak twisted slightly. Then, leaning forward a little, he spoke to Whitney.

“The book taken from the bookstore.”

“…The book? Ah!”

She hadn’t even opened the wrapping of the book she’d bought since that day. Remembering it now, her eyes widened again.

“It seems I haven’t even unwrapped it yet. I apologize, but I was in a hurry, so I opened the package myself.”

Whitney waved her hand dismissively, signaling it was fine. Melissa seemed hurt, as if her pride had taken a blow from being ignored. Yet, restrained by the royal insignia on his chest, she couldn’t speak up and instead glared at Whitney, biting her lip.

Noticing the narrowed distance between them, Whitney stepped back slightly and spoke.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll bring it right away.”

“I’ll come with you.”

Melissa abruptly stood up and, turning toward him, offered a polite smile.

“I’ll guide you to the drawing room. After all, isn’t it likely to cause unpleasant gossip if a man enters a lady’s private chamber?”

“I’ll just take what I came for and leave.”

“I think it’s best if you stay in the drawing room, as my sister suggests. I’ll be right back.”

Whitney didn’t want to show him her room. If he found out a princess was living in the attic… She squeezed her eyes shut.

Hadn’t he already seen how she’d been ignored by the knight? She was afraid of how Chester might now view her.

“Then I’ll wait in the drawing room.”

Chester followed the servant’s guidance and headed for the drawing room.

[This is the timeline separator]

Whitney clutched her pounding heart as she hurried toward the attic.

‘My chance has come. This is my opportunity.’

Melissa seemed unaware of his true identity. Whitney tucked the book she’d bought from the bookstore close to her chest and lowered her head. She slowly regulated her breathing to calm her still-racing heart.

She took a deep breath in and out, focusing on her breath. As she listened to the beat of her heart in her ears, its rhythm gradually slowed.

Whitney opened her eyes, which she’d closed gently, and looked into the mirror. Though she looked somewhat better than before, he must have already realized how she was treated within the Ducal Mansion.

She saw the green eyes reflected in the mirror and her dull brown hair, which paled in comparison to Melissa’s. She straightened her posture.

‘It was definitely the scent of Ribenia.’

Though Ribenia was known as a medicinal herb, it was poisonous to frail bodies and also had adverse effects on those possessing an aura. This wasn’t widely known, and it was rarely used on the weak—indeed, its toxicity was so potent that prolonged use could even lead to death.

She needed to ask why that floral scent was coming from His Highness Chester. If she could speak with him today, she might even be able to make a proposal first—perhaps preparing for what might happen months from now.

Just in case, she took some herbs from her drawer and placed them in an envelope. Then she wrote a note, preparing for the possibility that he wouldn’t tell her the truth.

She felt showing her hand—her need for help—might be the only way to secure another chance.

Hiding the note in her sleeve, Whitney headed toward the drawing room where he was waiting.

“You—just who are you? How do you even know a royal knight?”

A royal knight?

Apparently, Chester had lied to conceal his true identity. Of course—he couldn’t reveal anything; everything was a secret. It was a smart excuse; deflecting like that was wise.

Whitney blinked slowly without answering. She hadn’t expected Melissa to follow her all the way to the attic, but seeing someone connected to the royal court must have sparked her curiosity.

“Why won’t you answer me?”

Melissa crossed her arms and glared at Whitney. Her violet eyes twisted fiercely, as if she might pounce on her at any second.

Whitney stared back at Melissa but, seeing she wouldn’t budge, finally spoke.

“I don’t know either. I bought a book from the bookstore, and apparently, it got switched.”

“Is that really all there is to it? You haven’t been sneaking around outside, acting like a flirt? I never imagined the man the knight mentioned would be a royal knight.”

“At the time, I didn’t know he was a royal knight either.”

“How am I supposed to believe that?”

“That’s up to you. Are you really going to keep blocking my way like this? If he’s a royal knight, he’s here on an errand. If you don’t intend to keep him waiting, please step aside.”

Melissa bit her lip tightly and finally moved aside. Only then did Whitney set off toward the drawing room where Chester was waiting.

Standing before the drawing room door, she took a deep breath and stepped inside. The maids who had prepared refreshments glanced warily at Whitney.

“Shall I dismiss everyone?”

Chester nodded. Hesitating as if their feet wouldn’t move, they looked uncertainly at Chester.

“Do you intend to inconvenience our guest? It seems Duke Orleans’s household employs servants so deaf they can’t even hear a simple instruction to leave.”

At that, they scurried out of the drawing room in a hurry.

“I’m sorry. Here’s the book I mistakenly took.”

“It’s fine.”

Whitney took the book Chester handed her and her eyes widened.

‘W-what is this?’

Seeing the title of the book she’d bought, Whitney quickly flipped it over and coughed awkwardly.

[The Secret Private Life of a Princess]

She’d just picked a random book—who would’ve thought it would be something like this? Her face flushed, and she fanned herself with her hand.

“I-I mean… just consider it a matter of personal taste.”

“I didn’t say a word.”

Chester’s calm tone made Whitney even more embarrassed. Seemingly finished with his business, Chester stood up.

“W-wait a moment!”

At Whitney’s call, he turned to look at her. She couldn’t let this hard-won opportunity slip away.

“I smell Ribenia—could it be that you’re taking it?”

“…You can smell it?”

Chester tilted his head slightly and looked down at himself. Seizing the moment, Whitney spoke quickly.

“May I ask which book you bought? I think I might be able to help you.”

“…Help?”

Even beneath his cloak, his expression seemed vividly clear to her. Whitney stepped closer and handed him a note.

“Please read this once you’re back. If you need help, call for me anytime. I’ll be waiting.”

“You speak as if you know who I am.”

“My sister told me you’re a royal knight. Plus, the insignia on your chest—and the fact that you revealed your identity—enabled me to meet you.”

“It seems even a princess finds it difficult to meet someone.”

Whitney gave a faint smile and shrugged her shoulders. Chester tucked the note into his chest and turned away.

“It’s a book on herbalism.”

“Then you might need my help after all—I know quite a bit about herbs.”

Without looking back, Chester left the drawing room. Whitney watched his retreating figure silently. Truthfully, handing him that note had been close to a gamble.

But the choice was his to make.

[This is the timeline separator]

Chester boarded the carriage and removed his cloak. He pulled out the note tucked in his chest and unfolded it.

[If you’re taking Ribenia flowers, your health must be poor. Please try this—it might help you feel a little better. His Highness Prince Chester.]

“Huh?”

He hadn’t expected she’d know his true identity. Moreover, she seemed well-informed about Ribenia flowers.

Chester stroked his chin, lost in thought.

This poorly treated princess who’d picked a strange book… Her calm demeanor despite knowing who he was puzzled him—and yet, it piqued his curiosity.

‘She was a strange princess from the very first time I saw her.’

Chester’s brow furrowed involuntarily as he recalled how the knight had treated her. The maids’ behavior toward her hadn’t resembled that of servants toward their master either.

It had become starkly clear to him how she was treated in the Ducal Mansion. There must have been a reason she’d prevented him from following her to her room.

He stared blankly at the herb she’d given him.

“What makes her think I’d trust this enough to actually use it? She really is a strange woman.”

Chester faintly smiled, recalling those green eyes that had fixed so intently on him. Her tastes, her behavior—everything about her was odd. And the way she looked at him held a faint, inexplicable bitterness.

That was precisely why she kept occupying his thoughts. At first, he’d been flustered upon learning the books had been switched, and even more so upon seeing the title—wondering what to do about it.

When he returned to the bookstore and heard the books had been exchanged, he’d had no choice but to seek her out. Had there been another book on herbalism available, he never would have gone all the way to the House of Duke Orleans.

Now, however, he felt it had been fortunate he’d gone. The look in her eyes hadn’t seemed deceitful. But Chester didn’t trust people easily.

‘I should have someone look into this herb.’

Her desperate expression flashed before his eyes again. Perhaps it wasn’t he who needed help—but she.