After a brief pause, I shrugged my shoulders.

It wasn’t time to reveal it yet.

“I’d like to tell you, but it would be difficult.”

“Why?”

“Put yourself in my position. His Majesty has only opened his heart to me a little. Would he be pleased if I whispered our conversation to Baron Douglas?”

“Why does Douglas come up when a father is worried about his child?”

Nikolai asked sharply.

“It’s just a metaphor.”

“Stop it. Unless you’re trying to provoke me.”

“Why do you dislike Baron Douglas so much?”

“Why do you keep mentioning Douglas? Aren’t you just friends?”

I couldn’t continue speaking for a moment.

It was because I remembered the pepper bottle Douglas had given me.

Even though I knew I shouldn’t, my heart ached.

Not missing that moment, those green eyes pierced through me.

“There’s something.”

“… Didn’t we agree not to touch each other’s feelings?”

“I should address this now. About the added clause in the contract.”

Nikolai pulled out the contract from his chest.

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.

“Do you always carry that around?”

“Me? Of course not.”

“You just flinched though?”

“Why would I carry around a mere piece of paper?”

“How would I know?”

“The content is what matters. Read it slowly.”

I received the familiar contract.

In elegant handwriting, this content had been added:

– No third parties unrelated to this contract shall be involved.

The first additional clause was familiar.

But I couldn’t understand the content that followed at all.

– Dating other people of the opposite sex is not allowed. Having one’s heart stolen is also considered dating.

It was as if it had been written while watching me being briefly shaken by Douglas.

Seeing me flinch, Nikolai raised the corner of his mouth.

“We each added one thing we wanted. Any complaints?”

“The contract termination conditions have changed too?”

“Isn’t it better than having all your assets confiscated and being sold as a slave?”

“If one unilaterally terminates the contract or violates a clause, it’s considered a loss… Do you want to win this badly?”

“I tend to be quite competitive.”

“You’re saying no love or dating, will that be okay for you?”

I glanced towards the concubines.

Nikolai was nonchalant, as expected of a Casanova.

“I’ve never had my heart stolen by anyone.”

“Come on, that’s not possible…”

“If you’re really a medium, look into my true heart.”

His attitude was proud, as if he had nothing to be ashamed of before heaven.

‘So all those women were just physical relationships? What a beast! And what stamina!’

My face heated up for no reason.

I barely managed to hold back my imagination from running wild.

Nikolai offered his hand for a handshake.

“Well, do you accept?”

The sensation and warmth of that hand vividly came to mind.

“No backing out, okay?”

“Of course.”

We shook hands.

A smile spread across Nikolai’s face.

Not a sneer that just twisted the corners of his mouth, but a sunny smile that brightened his whole face.

‘So this person can smile like this. What a pretty smile. It almost makes me forget he’s the villain of the original story.’

I couldn’t move for a while.

I would have stayed that way for some time if Nikolai hadn’t said something to pique my interest.

“As a gift for renewing the contract, I’ll tell you about the progress of the investigation.”

“Who tried to harm the Crown Prince?”

“We don’t know.”

“Didn’t the royal physician confess?”

“He says he was forced to put poison in the medicine because his family was threatened. The poison was received through anonymous mail. Moreover, the physician wasn’t the only one who poisoned Franz.”

I felt dazed, as if I’d been hit on the head.

Nikolai muttered with an expressionless face.

“The cook and young servants also confessed. They say they put minute amounts of poison in the meals and tea.”

“How could this be!”

“From my perspective, at least two or more perpetrators are targeting Franz.”

“Why? He’s Your Majesty’s only heir!”

“That’s precisely why.”

“!”

“Franz has no mother to care for him, nor powerful in-laws to back him up. Since he was young, he’s been sickly, so there’s been talk of needing a new heir.”

“That must have been a complex for His Highness.”

“If you hadn’t uncovered the poisoning, Franz would have gradually fallen ill and collapsed. And then…”

As if unable to say it with his own mouth, Nikolai bit his lower lip hard.

Though he was trying to suppress it, undisguisable anger poured out from his body.

But more than anger, it seemed guilt was tormenting him.

“The former tutors must have been threatened and bribed, right?”

“I never imagined they would target the Crown Prince right under my nose. It’s all my fault.”

“That’s right, it’s all Your Majesty’s fault.”

Nikolai’s eyebrows twitched, as if he didn’t expect me to say it so bluntly.

“How could someone who knows so well leave his young son alone?”

“Franz was uncomfortable being with me.”

“There must be a reason! Can’t you endure that as a father?”

“…”

“Are you saying you’ll keep him close if he’s sweet and affectionate, but distance yourself if he’s uncomfortable? Even pets become twisted if raised like that.”

Nikolai bowed his head deeply, as if about to argue but stopping himself.

Somehow, he looked like a large dog being scolded severely by its owner.

I wanted to gently pat his head.

“You’re right. I truly am a useless father.”

“Don’t blame yourself.”

“Weren’t you just saying it was my fault?”

“If self-blame would help, you can do it a hundred or a thousand times. But right now, Your Majesty’s self-blame is of no use.”

“So?”

“Let’s come up with a new strategy to protect the Crown Prince.”

Nikolai, who had been gazing at me with admiration, asked:

“Why are you so proactive about Franz’s matter?”

“I’m being paid a hefty salary. I need to earn my keep.”

“Are you trying to extort more?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t ask for Your Majesty’s heart.”

Nikolai’s eyes wavered for a moment.

He looked like someone who had already lost a piece of his heart.

“It’s my strategy too. I think helping the son will aid in seducing the father.”

“Do you want to win against me that badly?”

“When it comes to competitiveness, I don’t fall behind anyone.”

“Fine. Let’s see who wins.”

“Before that, I have something to ask.”

“What now?”

Nikolai swept back his fallen hair as if to say ‘enough already’.

Though I knew we were alone, I lowered my voice secretively.

“You need to tell me as detailed and accurately as possible. In a way that even a complete novice with no experience in that area can understand.”

“What on earth are you trying to ask?”

“That… how do you do it?”

Nikolai coughed, covering his mouth.

So even a tyrant gets flustered like that.

I saw myself in the mirror, narrowing my eyes and smiling.

Even to my own eyes, I looked quite lecherous.

[This is the timeline separator]

I stopped by Franz’s study before heading to the training grounds.

Today too, Franz was wielding a wooden sword, sweating profusely.

The swordsmanship instructor, Simon, cheered enthusiastically.

“Excellent, Your Highness! Put more spirit into it!”

“Haaah!”

“Your Highness can become the greatest knight just like His Majesty!”

But Franz’s wooden sword kept slipping, failing to hit the straw dummy.

‘I’m sorry, but it’s hopeless. Franz has no talent for swordsmanship.’

Does Simon know how much false hope can torment a person?

Franz’s desperation to master swordsmanship at all costs.

Desperation alone cannot bring what one desires.

There was a clear gap that could not be overcome by effort alone.

Sometimes, giving up might be the wisest choice.

‘I might not be able to escape the fate of dying at the hands of my favorite character either. Maybe it’s better to give up than struggle to twist the original story. At least I could enjoy the rest of my life?’

When I learned that the person who got me the pepper was Claudia, my heart crumbled once again.

A sense of helplessness washed over me like a tidal wave.

It was even more so because I had been desperate at every moment.

I wanted to let go of everything I had been holding onto so tightly.

Words like “perseverance leads to victory” were no comfort.

‘The reality is that you can fail miserably despite trying your best. The hardworking can’t keep up with the talented, and the talented can’t keep up with the lucky.’

Should those without talent or luck give up?

Can that even be called a choice?

And what do I gain from it?

Whether it was God’s misconception or mistake, I had gotten a new life.

Even if fate drags me by the ankle to hell, I decided to struggle as long as I have breath in me.

Until the blue blade of the guillotine falls, this stubborn and foolish choice won’t change.

“I’ve brought snacks. Take a break for a moment!”

I waved my hand and raised my voice.

Simon greeted me with a bright smile.

“You’ve come, Miss Elizabeth!”

“I told you not to come. You’re being a nuisance.”

Franz grumbled but seemed pleased.

A servant brought water and a towel for hand washing.

I spread out a picnic mat and set up silver tableware.

“Ham sandwiches and apple carrot juice. I made them myself, so eat plenty.”

“You can cook too?”

“Be careful. It might be so delicious you faint.”

“Can I eat two?”

“You can have three.”

“Thanks, Elizabeth!”

Franz’s face brightened.

Instead of a fork and knife, Franz grabbed the sandwich with his hands, red with blisters.

When did he ever show perfect table manners? He bit into the sandwich, his small cheeks puffing out.

‘He mixes formal and informal speech depending on the situation. His way of addressing me changes too. I guess he hasn’t decided how to treat me yet?’

I didn’t point it out specifically.

There was something else to deal with first.

“I apologize, but is there none for me?”

Simon, who had been licking his lips, awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

There were plenty of sandwiches, but the silver tableware was only for two.

Just two plates, two napkins, and two bottles of juice.

I gave a bright smile to Simon, who had been treated like an invisible man.

“There’s nothing for Sir Brenden.”

“Pardon?”

“Because you’re fired as of today.”

Simon staggered, seemingly in great shock.

Barely regaining his composure, he asked in a fierce tone.

“I am the swordsmanship instructor appointed by His Majesty. That means I’m not in a position Miss Elizabeth can shake at will.”

“That very His Majesty ordered me to fire you.”

Simon’s handsome face contorted.

I had hoped he would show his true colors a bit more, but Simon suppressed his anger.

“Do you know that I am the eldest son of the Brenden marquis family?”

“I know, but is that important?”

“If you drive me out, no one will want to instruct the Crown Prince.”

“Are you threatening me using your family background?”

“I’m giving you advice because you seem unfamiliar with noble customs.”

It was hard to hold back a sneer.

There are people who just want to babble but always say ‘I’m saying this for your own good’.

For such people, a direct hit is perfect!

“What can I do? I have no desire to know about noble customs.”

“What did you say?!”

“And we don’t need a new swordsmanship instructor.”