Eric asked, thinking it was fortunate, and Alicia smiled sweetly.

“Yes, I can go alone.”

“I thought you said I don’t have to go?”

“But I want to see the opera. Especially because it’s a premiere.”

While Eric looked hesitant, Alicia seemed excited.

“Do you like opera?”

“I do, and I really want to see this performance.”

“When is it?”

“Next Friday.”

“Alright, I’ll free up some time.”

“I thought you didn’t want to go?”

“Me? No, I like opera too.”

“Since when?”

From today.

“I’ve just been too busy to go. It’s a good thing, I suppose. Neither His Majesty the Emperor nor William will have people to send on errands.”

“Really? That’s a relief. I was hesitant to go alone.”

Seeing Alicia’s relieved smile, Eric felt that the inconvenience was worth it.

So Eric paid attention to Alicia’s explanation of the opera he had no interest in.

(This is a time divider.)

Accompanied by Eric, Alicia entered the opera house.

“Wow, they really decorated this place since the royal family is coming.”

“Indeed.”

The opera house was not very crowded, perhaps due to the limited number of attendees.

Eric thought that was fortunate as he and Alicia moved.

Inside, there was a red carpet, with knight statues lining one corridor, and knight busts in the other.

Even pillars and beams had sculptures, which looked eerie or traditional depending on the lighting.

“Today’s actors are amazing.”

“Really?”

Alicia showed him the pamphlet and smiled as they climbed the stairs to the box seats.

Then, they heard William calling them from behind.

“Eric. Miss Alicia.”

“Your Highness.”

As Eric and Alicia greeted him, William raised his hand cheerfully.

“What’s this, Eric? I thought you’d decline, so I didn’t even send an invitation.”

“What are you talking about? You know well that I like opera.”

“Really? Since when?”

As William looked at him as if he had heard something preposterous, Eric forced a smile and closed his mouth.

“I’ve always liked it. You know that.”

“Really? Well—right. You were just too busy to attend, right?”
William awkwardly laughed along with Eric’s words.

“Your Highness, you’re here early?”

“I’ve just been here early. If I come late, I’d have to wear all the accessories myself.”

“?”

“Do you like opera?”

“Yes. I’ve wanted to see this performance. I saw it in the newspaper.”

“That’s good. They say it’s the best lineup today.”

“Yes. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“Are the others here yet?”

“No, they’ll probably come right before it starts.”

William cheerfully invited Eric and Alicia.

“Shall we go inside? Let’s have some tea or perhaps champagne.”

“Sure.”

The three warmly walked toward the box seats.

“?”

Suddenly, Alicia stopped, bothered by a familiar yet irritating feeling.

Goosebumps rose on her arm.

“Why?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Alicia faked a smile and followed Eric.

She had a bad premonition.

(This is a time separator.)

“So, what shall we have?”

As soon as William sat in the box seat designated for the Gloucester Duke’s family, he asked.

The box seat was spacious and luxuriously decorated, fit for the royal and VIPs.

It even had furniture like sofas and tables, as if a living room had been placed there.

Prince William first offered Alicia a seat on the threeseater sofa and then sat next to her, followed by Eric escorting Alicia and sitting on the sofa.

Although it was a threeseater, the order in which they sat was generally fixed by the situation and social status, making it rare for them to sit side by side like this.

Especially when Prince William was present.

Flustered, Alicia alternately looked at Eric, who pretended not to notice, and William who quietly asked,

“Count Russel, what is the meaning of this?”

“What’s wrong?”

“It clearly looks like something’s off, doesn’t it?”

“Seems so.”

“Right?”

“It’s because Your Highness is here.”

“······.”

William pretended to laugh and whispered so Alicia couldn’t hear.

“You little brat, are you disrespecting the Prince? Did I do something to your fiancée? A little punch? I’m royalty; I have the right to the upper seat, you know. Do you really want to act childish?”

“Isn’t the upper seat usually a singleseat sofa? Why do you insist on sitting here?”

“Normally, yes. But this is a box seat. Don’t you know that the oneseat sofa is actually the corner?”

Having no retort, Eric pretended not to hear and picked up a bottle of champagne from the table’s ice barrel.

“Let’s just—”

Forced to smile, William glared at Eric. Sensing the tension, Alicia subtly stood from her seat.

“I’ll sit here.”

“Sit. The lady should naturally sit here.”

“Yes. Don’t go. Stay here.”

As she tried to stand, Eric suddenly grabbed her arm. Alicia lost her balance and hesitated, finally sitting on Eric’s lap.