Upon hearing that, Prince Kaidel furrowed his eyebrows.

“In that case, you’ll immediately lodge a complaint with Princess Milliora. There’s nothing good for her in such an incident.”

“…….”

It was hard to deny the truth in his words.

Princess Milliora and Prince Graelan were not the type to gracefully let his younger sister crawl up to him.

Moreover, Prince Orl might take advantage of the conflict between Princess Milliora and Prince Graelan, and if that happened…

“Just… In truth, I’ll tell the truth. Prince Kaidel, in a playful mood, gave me that ring as a vent for my frustration. I framed the princess because she knows better.”

He nodded with understanding.

“It’s a shame. In that case, let’s postpone the walk. Thank you for your time today, Lady Lorissha.”

Thank you for my time? You practically threatened me!

“Uh, uh!”

He escorted me with a cheerful smile that I couldn’t see on my face.

“Ha…”

Princess Milliora’s reaction was surprisingly succinct when we returned to the palace.

I immediately reported to her about what happened with Prince Kaidel.

I especially detailed the situation with the ring, explaining how absurd the gift was.

‘Prince Kaidel seems to see jewels as toys!’

But Princess Milliora just stared at me without asking questions and sighed at the end.

“I understand.”

“What?”

For a moment, my mind felt clear.

What, and how did she understand…?

“Which woman wouldn’t fall for Prince Kaidel? Even men would. Haven’t you seen the Amata Tournament opening ceremony? How his subordinate units looked at him.”

“Hwa…”

“Well, what, are you going to deny it? Is Locard Kaidel not cool?”

“No, it’s not that, but, that and this are…!”

“I get it. I understand. What can you do? He’s Locard Prince Kaidel. Can you deny that? I thought you were a smart lover.”

I was so dumbfounded that I uttered empty words. It was disadvantageous for me to say so, but I had no choice.

“The one who brought the ring wasn’t me; it was Prince Kaidel.”

“It was for venting, he said. Locard Kaidel is ending it just by calling it a trivial gemstone ring. But my maid can’t even dance, how dreadful!”

Venting, he said.

I trembled, recalling Prince Kaidel’s scheming face when I firmly defended myself during the last medal incident.

Whether Princess Milliora should like or dislike how she sorted out this situation, I couldn’t tell.

Cursed noble bastards!

I glanced at Princess Milliora cautiously.
The curses directed at Prince Caidel were something I always did, but I couldn’t muster the courage to say “damn nobles” in front of him. The princess, conveying my agony, spoke without noticing it at all.

“Didn’t you see him at the tea party? He’s kind and affectionate to everyone. And Caidel, with his benevolence and tolerance, has earned a high reputation. Rocard is truly Caidel. The problem is you.”

“……!”

The moment I heard those words, my composure burst, and I almost died on the spot.

“You, if you abandon me for falling for Prince Rocard… If you abandon me to gain his favor, do you know what I’ll do to you?”

The orderly front bangs under her silver hair extended like jewel-like eyes. It was chilling.

“Lorissha, I have no one but you. The competition isn’t over, and you’re the only one who’ll take the whip for me, and the only one who’ll teach me what to say in front of my uncles. But if you abandon me for a man…”

“Your Highness, I…”

She cut off my words decisively.

“I will get angry. A lot.”

“I will never betray Your Highness…”

“Understand? Even if I may seem ridiculous to you, I am Tagar. I can do things you can’t even imagine.”

“Find it amusing? How can I…”

“Understood?”

“Yes. Yes, Your Highness!”

As I was about to leave, she called me again.

“Lorissha.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Watch your back.”

“…What?”

“You are now the public figure of Tagar’s social circle.”

She said that and laughed mischievously.

Flowing Hearts

I have been spending days chatting with Lord Rond in the sponsorship, mostly doing the talking while Lord Rond mostly sat quietly. But then Misha came looking for me. The Duke wouldn’t contact me before I contacted him, and nothing significant was happening in the palace now. So her visit had to be related to Prince Caidel. I returned to my room with an anxious heart. Misha was sitting on my room sofa, waiting for me. I quickly glanced with the eyes of a thief, but all my belongings were in their place. Unlike before when she would have turned my room upside down, the mischievous one was waiting quietly. I asked surprisedly, “Misha? What’s going on?” Misha replied straightforwardly, “If it’s a problem, it’s your problem. Do you know how your rumors have spread? Everyone is in an uproar because they can’t ask me.” “…!” Although I was the most unfairly treated person in this matter, I was speechless when Misha said so.
I quickly scanned the room with my eyes, but all my belongings were in place. Unlike before when the one who would have turned my room upside down was quietly waiting.

Surprised, I asked, “Misha? What’s going on?”