At that voice, Rosetta Toulon started and turned around.Unnoticed, a man had approached her closely.Red hair and deep chestnut eyes.If one had to say, he was the likable type, but there was something faintly cruel about his demeanor.Well, who was he? She had seen him somewhere before…

With so many nobles met recently, at some point, she could no longer tell who was who.When looking at Cardier Montrosa, she often felt no particular impression beyond noting that other men’s features were in their proper places.

“Who…?”

As Rosetta racked her memory, her gaze fell on the imperial insignia on the man’s clothing, and she finally recalled that he was the Crown Prince.Rosetta froze, her face stiff with the practiced smile meant for polite conversation.

Oh no, this is bad.

Of all people, the one she most wanted to avoid had come to her of his own accord.And in a crowded ballroom, no less, where everyone’s eyes were on them.

Even Rosetta, scraping by at the bottom of the empire, knew that the Crown Prince and the daughter of Valdemore had been engaged for over a decade.They were called the future Crown Princess, but with an engagement that long, they were practically a common-law couple.

Not even knowing whether they spoke formally or informally to each other was, frankly, a minor concern.

Rosetta had not a single shared memory with Leah.She could manage Cardier, with whom she had a distant relationship growing up, but deceiving her fiancé, the Crown Prince, was an entirely different matter.If she could, she’d drag Leah’s soul by the collar and make her take her place.

As she hesitated, the Crown Prince raised one eyebrow and spoke.

“You must be quite upset with me. You haven’t even greeted me.”

Oh, right. A greeting. What did Lady Valmont say to do when meeting royalty?Rosetta hurriedly bent her knees in a clumsy curtsy.

“I-I greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

She spoke so quickly she bit her tongue.A sharp pain brought tears to her eyes.Her shoulders trembled.No matter how she thought about it, Leah’s body had no tolerance for pain.In her focus on her own pain, she missed the glint in the Crown Prince’s eyes.

“You’re trembling.”

His tone was like someone observing a curious creature.At that moment, Rosetta felt an odd sense of unease from the Crown Prince.When she instinctively stepped back, he stepped forward.After a few such steps, her back hit the wall.The Crown Prince placed one hand on the wall and leaned his head closer.

Rosetta raised her turquoise eyes to meet his.From his face, she could read fragments of many emotions: annoyance, suspicion, cruelty, irritation…It was a collection of unpleasant feelings.

Rosetta knew these kinds of faces well.Trying not to show her curiosity, she studied the Crown Prince’s face.This wasn’t about a relationship so bad it couldn’t be mended or one of them cheating.People with such expressions weren’t driven by such trivial reasons…

“Leah, how are you still alive?”

The Crown Prince’s low voice cut through her thoughts, as if implying she should have died long ago.Rosetta’s shoulders trembled involuntarily.It was a strange experience—her mind and soul were fine, but her body seemed to recall something and react.

Rosetta stared at her hand with curious eyes before clenching it into a fist.

“Since my illness, my—no, I mean, my memories aren’t quite clear.”

“…”

She licked her dry lips to speak more comfortably.The Crown Prince’s unconscious gaze lingered briefly on her lips before moving away.

“So I have no idea what kind of answer you’re expecting.”

“Is that so… You lost your memories.”

The Crown Prince faintly repeated her words, as if weighing their truth.His snake-like eyes scanned her, as though trying to discern if she was lying.

“I heard the rumors, but I thought they were a joke.”

“…”

“But it seems they were true, judging by the intriguing expression you’re making.”

The Crown Prince reached out to lift Rosetta’s chin.Suddenly, a large hand grabbed his wrist firmly.

“Your Highness.”

“…Cardier.”

The hand of the Crown Prince, which had seemed so intimidating moments ago, was now held weakly by Cardier.With a displeased look, the Crown Prince reluctantly stepped back from Rosetta.

It was as if he worried standing too close to Cardier would reveal how much shorter he was.

“Do you have some business with my partner?”

Cardier’s voice was low enough to make Rosetta flinch.For a moment, it seemed the Crown Prince felt the same pressure.Frowning as if displeased by the challenge, he soon let out a hearty laugh.

“No need to growl like that. I just came to check on her.”

“Check on her?”

Cardier echoed, incredulous.To call it a simple check-in when every eye in the social circle was already on them was absurd.With their broken engagement already drawing attention, such close contact was bound to spark rumors and gossip.

Rosetta rolled her eyes and noticed the Crown Princess, pale-faced, standing rigidly behind the Crown Prince.She shrugged.

Tomorrow’s cheap gossip papers will have a field day. All four of us, side by side.

Even to Rosetta, the outcome was clear as day.Could the Crown Prince, seasoned in the ways of high society, really not have foreseen this?Yet he continued to act innocent, raising an eyebrow as if Cardier’s suspicion was overblown.

“Yes, a check-in. I couldn’t just pass by when I saw her.”

“…”

“Leah, you were so heartbroken by my change of heart that you even attempted to take your own life.”

His words almost sounded like genuine concern.But in reality, he’d come to hurl insults, asking how she was still alive.Putting aside his outrageous attitude, one thing was certain.

The relationship between the Crown Prince and Leah was not as romantic as the rumors suggested.

“If there’s anything I can do to help morally in the future, I intend to do so.Since my former fiancée fell ill, I haven’t been at ease either.”

“There’s no need for Your Highness to concern yourself.”

Cardier sharply cut off the Crown Prince’s attempt to gloss over the matter.The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes and openly clicked his tongue.

“To think you’d growl at your lord like that.”

“…”

“House Montrosa must be finished. To neglect your lord over a mere woman.Is it even in that clever head of yours who you’re meant to serve in the future?”

“He has never been forgotten for a moment.However, I am not yet a duke, and Your Highness has not yet ascended the throne, so can’t we have a little freedom?”

“…If you couldn’t even talk.”

The Crown Prince scoffed as if amused, but a brazen smile returned to his face.Even if it was just words, he seemed pleased that Cardier had bowed his head.

“Fine, whatever. Your loyalty can be tested later.Enjoy yourself while you can.”

The Crown Prince patted Cardier’s shoulder a couple of times and walked past him into the crowd.Laughing jovially as he exchanged greetings with a few people, he soon disappeared from sight.

Cardier watched his retreating figure with wary eyes for a long time before lowering his head.

“I told you to stay put.”

“I was staying put. That guy…”

“Watch your words.”

Rosetta wrinkled her nose.

“Anyway, I didn’t start talking to him.”

“…Fine.”

Cardier, seemingly uninterested in pressing further, handed Rosetta the glass he was holding.She had expected a strong spirit when he said he’d bring a drink, but it was only a light sparkling wine.She tried to hide her disappointment.Then again, a noble lady guzzling hard liquor would look suspicious.

Instead of drinking, she twirled the glass in her palm.Cardier spoke up.

“Stronger liquor would be too much for your body.”

“Who said anything?”

“There’s no poison in it, and it hasn’t been tampered with.”

“…”

“I took a sip to check.”

At Cardier’s added remark, Rosetta’s stunned gaze met his, and she carefully closed her gaping mouth.Poison, of all things.It was as if he knew something.