“Ha! Amazing. You invited me and didn’t come out because you’re sick? If the royal family makes an appearance at a pitiful party, you should come out even if you have to crawl, shouldn’t you?”

“That’s not the case, Second Prince.”

When Adam, the aide, whispered quietly, Lacogen slapped Adam’s cheek without hesitation.

Smack!

Even though it happened inside the carriage, the sharp sound echoed outside.

Everyone shivered, but only Jamie calmly raised her head and locked eyes with Lacogen.

“You’re ignoring me because I’m the Second Prince. Did you treat me like this even when the Crown Prince came?”

“Second Prince…”
“Bring out the Countess Green immediately and bring her here! If you don’t, I won’t take a single step from here!”

+++

“As expected, it turned out like that.”

Lishi sighed upon hearing Jamie’s report.

Glancing out the window, he saw the imperial carriage standing in front of the main gate, surrounded by people.

Mir and Eldy were not there. The Grand Duke Mir didn’t need to bow to the imperial family, and Eldy, belonging to the Sacred Kingdom, was in the same situation.

Since the Green Marquisate also belonged to the Sacred Kingdom, there was no reason for the imperial prince of Gavizar to be subservient to them. Still, it was not a good idea to provoke the feelings of the powerful imperial prince.

If it were Eldy in front of Lacogen, who was showing his temper, Eldy would have headed for the main gate just to greet Lacogen politely.

“How about it, Jamie?”

Lishi raised his head and stared at Jamie.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think the Second Prince will fall for me?”

“Oh…!”

Jamie almost burst into laughter.

Lishi asked his joke-like question too seriously.

“Don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m naturally humorous, sister-in-law. And… he’ll fall. You’re really beautiful, sister-in-law.”

“Probably, right?”

“Yes. Probably.”

“What should I do?”

“Well, you can’t make yourself ugly…”

“There’s no kind of magic like that, is there?”

“It used to exist, they say, but now… There might be someone somewhere who can use it, but we don’t have it in our mansion. Milanthis Gong also can’t use that level of magic.”

Lishi sighed again.

“As the mistress of the Green Marquisate under the protection of the Sacred Kingdom, is there a possibility that the Second Prince won’t be disrespectful to me?”

“No.”

“I have to be firm.”

Lishi took a deep breath and straightened his posture.

“Oh, sister-in-law. Your current figure is so charming.”

To Jamie’s comment, Lishi smiled gracefully.

“If he’s going to fall for me anyway, wouldn’t it be better to make him fall completely? Instead of falling for me moderately and swinging me around, it’s better to make him deeply in love so that he can be at my mercy.”

At Lishi’s confident words, Jamie lowered her head.

“You’re right.”

+++

Lacogen waited with an unpleasant feeling for Lishi to arrive.

If the one who came here was the Crown Prince, Lishi wouldn’t have acted like this.

‘Ignoring me because I’m the Second Prince… I won’t let it go.’

He had to show his true colors to a woman who acted differently depending on people’s status. Regardless of what he did to the people below, Lacogen was only contemplating how to punish Lishi.

At that moment, Lishi was seen walking towards this side from the main building.

Two maids were walking behind Lishi.
With a cold heart, Lacogen waited for Lishi. As she approached, he instinctively turned his head in that direction, almost protruding his body out of the carriage window. Her untied hair, fluttering in the winter wind, sparkled like the moonlit night under the sunlight. Below, her small face was adorned with perfect features.

Beneath the beautifully drawn eyebrows, large eyes filled with violet irises, and red, plump lips formed a perfect harmony. The thick fur coat she wore to block the chilly wind made her look like a rabbit.

The moment she entered the garden, the cold wind caused the dry gardener to extend his blue leaves, and previously nonexistent flowers seemed to bloom and scatter.

Dash—Lacogen opened the carriage door, an almost subconscious action.

Step by step—Lacogen walked towards Lishi with a dreamy expression, as if lost in thought. People, confused by the situation and tired of waiting in the cold wind, split apart on both sides.

Following that path, Lacogen walked to where Lishi stood.

Lishi grabbed the hem of her skirt, slightly bending her knees and lowering her head. Her flowing rosy hair blinded him with its radiant color.

“Iris Green sends her regards to His Second Highness.”

Lishi’s voice was as dry as the wind blowing in the desert, but to Lacogen’s ears, it sounded like birds chirping.

“Iris…”

There was no thought that calling her by name on their first meeting was impolite. Even if there was such a thought, Lacogen wouldn’t have cared.

“Beautiful. Much more beautiful than the rumors.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“My type.”

Lacogen didn’t explicitly order her to raise her head, but Lishi slowly lifted her gaze to meet Lacogen’s.

Typically, when Lacogen made such comments, women showed two reactions: shyness or embarrassment. However, Lishi responded differently from either.

“Countess Green, Your Highness. Please refrain from further comments.”

She smiled faintly, but her gaze was icy.

Although she wore a light smile, her eyes were cold.

Caught off guard by the chilly gaze, Lacogen suddenly regained his composure. Almost mesmerized by her beauty, he was about to say, ‘I’m sorry,’ but held back.

“Do you dare to criticize my words? Dare?”

“If so, what will you do?”

Lishi provocatively retorted.

Normally, regardless of whether someone had noble status or not, he would have raised his hand to strike the cheek. No one dared to disrespect him, whether they had noble status or not.

But now, Lacogen only trembled slightly, unable to strike Lishi’s small face with his hand.

Even Lacogen himself couldn’t understand the situation.

“Welcome to the Green Marquisate, Your Highness. Please forgive my late greeting due to poor health.”

“…If you weren’t feeling well, there’s nothing to be done.”

“Bow… cough…”

As Lishi coughed, Lacogen’s heart sank. Having never felt this way before, Lacogen stared at Lishi with wide eyes.
Come to think of it, Lishi was too thin and small. The winter breeze seemed unfavorable to Lishi’s body.

“I apologize, Your Highness.”

“No…”

“I will guide you to the living quarters.”

“No, um… You can be escorted by Lord Russell. You don’t look well; it’s better for you to go inside.”

“But…”

“Come on.”

Contrary to his feelings, an impatient tone emerged.

Worried that Lishi might be hurt by this tone, Lacogen glanced at her, but her calm gaze revealed no discernible emotions.

Lishi nodded slightly.

“I appreciate your consideration. Rumors about His Second Highness’s broad-mindedness seem to be more than just rumors.”

Lacogen felt pleased with Lishi’s compliment.

Yes, I do have some broad-mindedness.