After the maid and aide left the room, only Crown Prince Klaus and his mother, the Empress Dowager, remained.

The Empress Dowager touched her forehead with a troubled expression.

“Colin, I find your reaction a bit excessive.”

Klaus coldly retorted.

“So, to what extent should I accept this? To an outsider, it might seem as if Lady Elfriede is your biological child, not me.”

“Colin,” the Empress Dowager softly chided her son.

“Don’t you understand Elfriede’s feelings? Couldn’t you be a little more generous to her?”

“I need to be more rational precisely because I understand her sentiments, Mother. Since when has the marriage of a crown prince been solely based on romantic feelings?”

Klaus’s tone was chillingly indifferent.

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply.

“Alright, I admit it. I’ve been blatantly favoring Elfriede. But Colin, she truly desires nothing but your affection.”

“…….”

Klaus remained silent.

The desire for nothing but one’s heart seemed incredibly modest for a request made to one of the most powerful men in the empire.

Strictly speaking, Elfriede had no reason to want more. She was related to the Empress Dowager and an heiress to the Mechring family, already possessing immense wealth and power.

The only thing she lacked was the heart of the man she loved, something that couldn’t be obtained with money or power.

The Empress Dowager picked up her teacup with a troubled look.

“I’ll be honest. Elfriede is immature. It means she never had to grow up because everything was provided for her.”

“You’re aware of that,” Klaus noted.

“But isn’t that all? She might be immature, but her nature isn’t particularly malicious, is it?”

“What bothers me is exactly that. Everyone comes of age at the same time. Why should the Lady be the only one acting like a child?”

“The time to truly become an adult varies for everyone. Were you always so well-mannered from the beginning? Just because you’re more mature now doesn’t give you the right to disregard and ignore her, who is still growing.”

The Empress Dowager shook her head as she spoke.

“That’s a very arrogant thought, Colin. Remember, someone else might still see you as an immature young man.”

“…….”

Klaus had no rebuttal.

Logically, the Empress Dowager was right, but accepting the reckless Elfriede was difficult for Klaus.

Even if this aversion stemmed from his own ‘immaturity,’ he couldn’t help but dislike it.

“Mother, I don’t love Elfriede.”

“You yourself said it. Royal marriages aren’t based solely on romantic feelings.”

“That was in reference to Lady Elfriede. If she only desires my affection for marriage, then I cannot comply.”

“Then setting aside that affection, is there any other lady more suitable to be a crown princess than Elfriede? Let’s consider aspects other than romantic feelings.”

The Empress Dowager was not easily swayed.

Klaus felt the need to change the subject. If the conversation about Elfriede’s personal issues shifted towards her qualifications as a crown princess, it would inevitably return to the previous topic of her immaturity.

“Mother, to be frank, I believe you are favoring the Mechring family too much. How would other nobles view this situation?”

“…….”

This time, the Empress Dowager fell silent. She had just admitted to overtly supporting Elfriede.

“I don’t want the precedent of a noble family’s heiress becoming a crown princess to become a norm. If nobility is the only criterion, why would any lady strive to develop her talents and virtues? It’s all predetermined from birth anyway.”
Klaus was unyielding.

“There’s only one thing I desire. That Lady Elfriede be treated like any other noble lady of a different family. More specifically, that she doesn’t exploit her aide position to satisfy personal desires.”

“Colin, you can’t be so ruthless to someone who loves you.”

The Empress Dowager looked at her son with sorrowful eyes.

“You’ll receive the same treatment later in life. That’s the mysterious law of the world.”

Klaus let out a hollow laugh.

“Even if I have to face the consequences later, I’d prefer to avoid uncomfortable encounters with the Lady for now.”

“You’re quite stubborn.”

Finally, the Empress Dowager conceded.

“Alright. From now on, I won’t ask Elfriede to join us for tea. But please, just one last request. Say something kind to her.”

Klaus accepted the proposition.

“I agree. If it means not having to face the Lady during our tea time, that’s enough for me.”

Having gotten what he wanted, Klaus had no reason to stay. He got up from his seat without any hesitation.

As he was leaving, the Empress Dowager called out to him.

“Colin, be grateful for being loved. Don’t take such feelings lightly.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Klaus responded indifferently and left the room.

Outside, Musel, Rutz, and Elfriede stood in an awkward atmosphere.

Klaus called out to his subordinates with a dry voice.

“Musel, Rutz. Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

“Sir!”

Musel and Rutz quickly joined him.

Before moving, Klaus turned to Elfriede.

“Lady.”

“Ah, yes!”

Elfriede looked at Klaus with a mix of elation and fear.

Klaus remembered his mother’s words. Despite her immaturity, Elfriede wasn’t inherently malicious.

But how long should he indulge her? Born a noble, pampered all her life, she became immature. Did he really need to understand and comfort her too?

His mother’s last plea echoed in his mind.

Yet, Klaus thought. Warmth is subjective. No matter how softly he spoke, to that greedy and childish noblewoman, it would never sound ‘warm.’

So he decided to say what he really wanted.

“Lady, before I go, let’s talk for a moment. Musel, Rutz. Wait here till I return.”

He gestured to Elfriede and walked ahead. She followed him eagerly.

Rutz whispered to Musel, standing beside him.

“This looks like it’s going to turn into a tearful scene, doesn’t it?”

“…….”

Musel remained silent with a dark expression.

Rutz, feeling awkward, trailed off.

“Um, hopefully, it’s nothing serious…”

Musel had been silent ever since he was called by Elfriede. It seemed like he had heard something serious, but he wouldn’t open up.

“Phew.”

Rutz looked at Musel and sighed quietly to himself.

It felt suffocating.

Once they reached a secluded area, Klaus faced Elfriede.

He tried his best to speak calmly.

“Lady Elfriede, let me ask you frankly. Did you become an aide because of me?”

The question was too direct. Elfriede’s face immediately flushed red.

“Ah, that, well…”

Her reaction was answer enough. Klaus sighed heavily.
“Lady. I’ve respected you since we were young due to our longstanding friendship. If you ask, I’m willing to have tea with you comfortably anytime.”

“Yes.”

Elfriede looked unusually tense, a stark contrast to her usual confidence in the palace. Klaus found it surprising that she could look so flustered.

He steadied his breath and finally said what he wanted to say.

“However, separate from that, I don’t see you as a romantic prospect. I’m sorry.”

“…….”

Elfriede silently lowered her head. Thick teardrops fell onto her lavish skirt.

Klaus felt like a sinner. He cautiously added,

“If what you desire is my heart, I regret to say it seems unattainable. Our personalities are just too different.”

Elfriede wiped her tears with her hand. Her voice, heavy with emotion, barely made it out.

“Is it because I was too forward?”

“It’s not just that, but it’s not the decisive factor.”

Klaus chose his words carefully.

“Even without me, you can certainly find someone good who will love you. So I hope you resign as an aide and return to your rightful place.”

He felt he had said all he could in terms of ‘one kind word.’

Klaus turned and left her there.

“Heuk…!”

A sorrowful cry echoed from behind.

“…….”

But Klaus did not look back and walked away.