To Austin’s question, Herald naturally thought of Lily. Although Austin didn’t specify who exactly, the woman included in the phrase “slept with” could only be Lily, so it was obvious.

Of course, he didn’t actually sleep with Lily. They literally just “slept” together, and nothing happened between them.

“Then… will you become my mistress?”

…Maybe something did happen after all.

“D-Don’t lie! I never made such a proposal…!”

Herald burst into a small laugh, recalling Lily’s contrasting demeanor that was hard to believe came from the same person.

“What’s with that face?”

Austin asked exasperatedly, seeing Herald’s expression that anyone would recognize as happy.

“Did you really sleep with that woman? Huh? Was it so satisfying that you can’t help but smile with happiness?”

Herald didn’t answer, but Austin took it as confirmation and groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He then made strange comments about how Herald could do such a thing and why it had to be that woman, but Herald ignored him and drank his coffee. Drinking the bitter coffee without any sugar seemed to clear away the drowsiness and slightly wake up his foggy mind.

He wasn’t curious about how Austin knew he had spent the night with Lily at a hotel. No doubt, Liam Prasis must have told him. Herald put down his coffee cup, regretting that he had trusted Liam even for a moment.

“Keep it a secret from others.”

Austin snorted and replied cynically.

“Well, I don’t think it’ll stay hidden even if I keep it a secret.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“What else? That woman is going around spreading rumors herself.”

It was nonsense to say that Lily was going around spreading rumors about what happened at the hotel that day. Herald was certain that Lily, if no one else, would never do such a thing.

Yet he couldn’t shake off the doubt of “what if” because Austin seemed so certain. While he often played pointless pranks, he wasn’t the type to display unfounded confidence.

But Lily, whom he had experienced firsthand, wasn’t that type of person either, so he was confused.

“Did you see her spreading rumors that she slept with me?”

Thinking that might be why he was so certain, but Austin shook his head.

“No. For now, there are only rumors that you and that woman dated.”

“Dated?”

When did I ever date Liliana Benjamin?

Herald tried to recall his memories, but no matter how much he thought about it, he had never dated her. Lily wouldn’t have made up lies to spread rumors.

Finally noticing something odd, Herald asked Austin.

“Who is this woman you’re talking about?”

“Who else? I’m talking about Kennedy Stacy.”

As expected, the woman Austin mentioned wasn’t Lily. The moment he heard Kennedy’s name, all of Herald’s doubts were cleared, and he chuckled as he put a cigar in his mouth.

The Crown Prince, even more frustrated by Herald’s calm, almost carefree attitude, went on.

“There are so many women in the world, especially women who like you—enough to trip over—so why the Stacy Count’s family of all people? Surely you know that family supports Derius, right?”

“I know.”

“You know and still went on a date with that woman? Why? Don’t tell me you fell in love with Kennedy Stacy at first sight or something like that?”

Herald laughed softly, exhaling white smoke at the absurd guess.

“That’s impossible. You should know that I don’t believe in things like love, right?”

“I know. That’s why it’s strange. No matter how I think about it, there’s no reason for you to date that woman. Unless you’ve sided with Derius.”

A chilling glint flashed momentarily in Austin’s eyes. It was a moment that showed how much he disliked Derius.

Feeling that if left alone, his delusions would snowball like a snowball rolling down from a mountaintop, Herald began to explain.

“I found out that the late Viscount Benjamin and Count Stacy were close enough to invite each other to family events. Of course, their wives got along well, and even their daughters were as close as real sisters.”

Austin listened intently to his explanation, as if he had never grumbled.

“But as soon as the late Viscount Benjamin died in the fire, the Stacy family turned their backs. On a day of heavy rain, Liliana Benjamin cried desperately for help, getting soaked in the rain, but they didn’t even throw her a single coin.”

For a moment, his hand clenched, breaking the cigar. Herald clicked his tongue and threw the broken cigar into the ashtray.

“Until then, they had been getting along well, laughing together, but suddenly turning their backs just because the late Viscount Benjamin died seemed strange. I wondered if the Second Prince had ordered them to do so. I approached the Stacy family through Kennedy Stacy to find out about that. If my guess is correct…”

“Two years ago, the person who ordered to set fire to the Benjamin Viscount’s residence and kill the late Viscount Benjamin must have been Derius.”

Herald shrugged and put a new cigar in his mouth, his words stolen by the Crown Prince.

Austin stroked his chin in thought, staying silent for a while before asking Herald.

“So, did you find out anything from the Stacy family?”

“Not yet. The Count couple, and their daughter too. They’re more tight-lipped than I thought. Probably because they know I’m on the Crown Prince’s side.”

“But they still accepted your date request, huh.”

“Not just a date request. They even sent a marriage proposal saying they want to marry me.”

Austin’s eyes widened at this new information.

“The Stacy family sent you a marriage proposal? Why? No, more importantly, doesn’t Kennedy Stacy already have a fiancé?”

“I heard she already broke off that engagement.”

“She broke off a long-standing engagement to marry you? Hah, both Count Stacy and his daughter are really something.”

Austin clicked his tongue, crossing his arms, unable to understand. Herald tapped his cigar ash into the ashtray and asked.

“So, are all your suspicions about me cleared now?”

“Huh? What?”

As Austin looked at him in surprise, the corners of Herald’s lips curved up smoothly.

“Weren’t you worried that I might have sided with the Second Prince, so you rushed here before dawn?”

“W-What are you… Absolutely not!”

“Well, they say a strong denial is a strong affirmation.”

As Herald responded indifferently, as if he couldn’t believe it at all, the corners of Austin’s eyes drooped. His shoulders sagged as well, and Austin muttered while watching Herald’s reaction.

“It really isn’t…”

White smoke filled the space between them.

“It’s just… there were rumors that you might marry Kennedy Stacy soon… I came to ask what was going on because I was curious. I absolutely didn’t suspect anything.”

“……”

“Really. How could I suspect you? Although we’re not related by blood, you’re like my brother and family. I might doubt everyone else in the world, but I’ll never doubt you.”

His voice, which started off shaky but gradually became clearer, and his blue eyes looking at Herald were full of sincerity.

Herald hadn’t thought from the beginning that the Crown Prince suspected him. He was just playing a prank to get back at him for bothering him early in the morning, but with that response, it was awkward to say it was a joke.

“Alright.”

Herald stood up, stubbing out the half-smoked cigar in the ashtray.

“I understand your sincerity, so go back to the palace now.”

“…You really believe me, right?”

“I said I believe you.”

Austin asked several times, as if he was very worried, and although Herald was annoyed, he endured it to the end without showing irritation since it was caused by his own prank going too far.

As the appointed time with Fredrick approached, Lily called for the maids. When she asked them to help her prepare for going out, the maids who had been showing their annoyance immediately changed their attitude when Lily added that she would be going out with Fredrick.

Someone applied fragrant oil to her hair, while another brought dresses for her to wear. It was a light pink dress that perfectly matched the spring day with pink petals fluttering about.

Dressed and seated at the vanity, Lily watched her changing appearance in the mirror. Although it wasn’t her first time dressing up like this, she felt strange. She couldn’t quite describe it, but one thing was certain – it wasn’t entirely pleasant.

It wasn’t that she felt bad either. It was just odd and dazed, perhaps more accurately described as not being able to distinguish between dream and reality.

“Which earrings would you like to wear, my lady?”

…This too was an uncommon occurrence.

The maids usually didn’t ask for Lily’s opinion when dressing her up. They would force her to wear whatever they brought, for a simple reason – they were too lazy to bring something else.

If Lily spoke up saying she didn’t think something was right, they would make all sorts of excuses, saying she didn’t know the current fashion or that other people’s eyes were more accurate, and stubbornly insist until the end.

But now being asked for her opinion felt strange. They say servants take after their master’s attitude; had they changed because Fredrick had changed?

For the first time since becoming the Viscountess Benjamin, Lily finished her preparations without major conflicts with the maids. As she was putting on a thin shawl as a final touch and checking for any oddities, there was a knock at the door.

“The master has arrived, young mistress.”

“I’ll be right out.”

Lily made a final check for any irregularities and stepped out of the bedroom. Fredrick was talking with his aide in the central hall on the first floor.

Seeing Fredrick’s serious expression, it seemed they were discussing something important, so Lily approached as quietly as possible.

Unaware of Lily’s arrival, the two continued their serious conversation.

“…We’ve managed to stop it for now, but it could be discovered next time.”

“That woman must never find out. Use any means necessary to prevent it.”