“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Ah… no, why would I go there? My friend is you, and you’re the one I care about.”

“No, it’s fine if you go, Ian. And you don’t need to worry about me. I’m doing well with my matters, and there are plenty of people around me who help. So, don’t come anymore.”

Ian seemed quite shocked by Cesenia’s firm response.

“Why are you saying that? Ah, you were upset. Yes. You always got upset over strange things.”

“…….”

“Got it. I’ll come to see you more often. Is that because I haven’t been visiting much?”

Cesenia slowly approached him.

“Ian.”

“Yes. I’ll come and hug you more often. Will that do?”

“I really hate people who aren’t smart. And I also dislike those who are ambiguous. And you fit that description perfectly. That’s why I hate you.”

“What…?”

“It seems like you’re misunderstanding that I love you. I wish you didn’t have that misunderstanding. You’re just a friend to me. Nothing more. So, could you please leave?”

‘When did it start, Ian? When did your heart turn towards my sister? When did you start siding with her and telling her everything about me?’

Cesenia stared at her long-time friend, Ian.

‘No matter what, in the end, you just played with my feelings. So, asking when… it’s unnecessary.’

She had no intention to forgive him or to continue being with him.

His mere presence was dreadful, and she felt ashamed of her past.

“Cesenia.”

“Would you leave then? And a royal like you shouldn’t just open the door to a noblewoman’s room like that. What if rumors of indecency start?”

“……Why are you doing this?”

“Until now, we were friends, so I won’t spread rumors… but you should be careful in the future. We are no longer friends. Will you leave then?”

“……What’s making you act this way towards me? It’s always hard to handle you in times like this.”

Seeing him still not understanding, Cesenia chuckled.

“When did I ever ask you to handle me? You have a strange way of making excuses. Please just leave. In the future, have fun with my sister who you worry about so much. Since you’re not leaving, I will.”

Cesenia didn’t hesitate to walk away.

“Cesenia. Cesenia!!”

“Ah. You should leave the room quickly too. If it gets out that the noble Prince Ian was alone in a noble lady’s room… wouldn’t that spread bad rumors?”

That was the end. Ian, looking dumbfounded as Cesenia left, and Cesenia, mocking him as she exited. Ian, realizing too late, hurriedly followed her, but Cesenia had long since left the place.

“Where did Cesenia go?”

Ian quickly asked a passing maid about Cesenia, but she just shook her head.

“……Really…….”

Where could she be? Ian looked around, but he had no idea where she might have gone. He was not used to searching for her. Just hearing that Ian was coming, Cesenia would wag her tail like a puppy and come to him.

He had never thought of looking for her.

“Damn…….”

It was the first rejection he had ever experienced.

Cesenia, who had always begged for his love because her family didn’t love or cherish her, now rejected him. That was a big shock to him.

“No, it’s just temporary. Cesenia, who longed for my affection for so many years, couldn’t have changed.”
He tried to reassure himself as he walked down the hallway, confident that Cesenia would cling to him like a puppy next time. With that thought, he returned to the palace.

Two days had passed. As if waiting for Cesenia to wake up, Elzer burst into her room.

“What’s the matter? Bursting in without any manners?”

Cesenia, who had been enjoying her tea, greeted her sister’s intrusion with a certain enthusiasm.

“You seem calm… You must not know yet, Cesenia.”

“Know what?”

“What. You’ll find out soon.”

It was the brightest smile Cesenia had ever seen on Elzer. Cesenia slowly nodded her head at her sister.

“What’s going on? Is there some good news?”

“Of course. It’s great news. Oh, but maybe it’s dreadful for you.”

Elzer laughed as if enjoying herself, making her intentions all too clear.

“What’s got you dragging this out?”

Gulp. Gulp. The sound of Cesenia drinking her tea filled the room.

“This isn’t the time for tea.”

“If it’s not time for tea, what should I do? Rush out to put out a fire?”

“A fire… Oh?”

Elzer was taken aback by Cesenia’s unexpected response.

“Ah, no. If I ask like this, it’s too obvious I’m hinting at something. Let me ask differently, Elzer. Is there a fire in my warehouse?”

Initially confused, Elzer managed an awkward laugh. She still couldn’t manage her expressions well.

‘Because everything always went her way, and everyone loved her, she never needed to manage her expressions.’

How could someone who lived like that suddenly learn to control their expressions?

“Why not?”

“Did you know?”

“Know what? That there was a fire, or that you, Elzer, were the one who started it?”

Elzer’s cheeks trembled slightly. Seeing her sister’s face turning pale, Cesenia shifted her gaze to her teacup.

“Asking suspiciously like that makes it sound like you’re the one who did it, doesn’t it?”

“No, no! I didn’t do that!”