Alone in her room, Cecil murmured her name. Whether she pitied her or whatever, resentment surged first for everything being because of her.

‘I can’t have good feelings. But she’s someone I can’t hate either.’
The next day, Cecil went to meet Marian as commanded by Espen. Marian greeted Cecil with a bright smile, like a puppy.

“Cecil! You came again today.”

“Yes.”

Whether Cecil knew she would come today or not, a large table was already filled with various sweets and hot tea. Marian sat across from Cecil and smirked.

“The Birds’ Prince comes to feed me every day? Is that it?”

Her cheerful tone and sharp banter were just like yesterday. Cecil responded with appropriate courtesy.

“I didn’t exactly say that.”

“You said something similar, didn’t you?”

“…Yes.”

Marian chuckled as if she had expected it. Then, clapping her hands together, she added.

“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t let you endure without eating just to make you suffer.”

Cecil flinched at those words.

‘Endure punishment?’

Espen never said such things to Cecil, but Marian mentioning it meant there had been conversations in that vein.

‘I thought he was a highly rational person.’

Cecil felt that the man Marian spoke of now was entirely different from the Birds’ Prince she knew.

And for this rational person to become emotionally involved to this extent…

“It seems like His Highness has a deep love for Marian.”

Perhaps it’s love after all.

Cecil blurted it out without realizing it, and her face turned red. Marian let out a dry laugh.

“Love? Is locking someone up and doing whatever you want love?”

“Uh, there are various forms of love.”

“I don’t empathize with that thought. Hurting someone in any way isn’t love.”

Though Marian’s words were reasonable, Cecil couldn’t help but have twisted thoughts.

‘Perhaps because she’s in the position of being loved.’

Then, she shook her head.

‘Why am I having such thoughts?’

Just a moment ago, she pitied Marian, and now she couldn’t understand why she felt as if she was being mocked.

Jjoruruk.

When Cecil was confused, the servant poured chilled tea at the perfect timing. Cecil took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

Likewise changing the mood, Marian brought up another topic, this time about Cecil.

“I heard that the Birds’ Prince has a fiancée. Do you happen to know anything about her?”

Cecil nearly dropped her teacup. She looked visibly flustered and stammered.

“What? A fiancée? W-Why would you ask about the fiancée?”

“I heard she’s truly calm and elegant. A perfect match for the prince.”

“Ah…”

Marian’s face, talking about Cecil, showed no wrinkles. She genuinely seemed to have positive feelings.

‘But I…’

Suddenly, Cecil felt embarrassed. She cast her eyes down. Marian, with a wide smile, continued speaking.
“If there’s such a lovely fiancée, it’s probably not love. It’s just blindly clinging to the comfort of the past, unable to forget it.”

How did such a good person end up in this situation?

Cecil, feeling momentarily angry, brought up words that she would never have mentioned first.

“Do you, by any chance, want to leave the palace?”

Marian’s eyes widened. It was the very moment.

Crash!

“Oh my.”

The teacup slipped from Marian’s hand, shattering into pieces. Simultaneously, tea splashed on Cecil’s dress.

Marian stood up and pulled Cecil’s arm.

“I accidentally dropped the cup. It’s better to change your clothes quickly.”

“No, I…”

“We have many clothes here. Don’t worry; I think our body shapes are similar.”

As Marian moved around, the sound of glass crunching was heard as shards were stepped on. The maids tried to dissuade Marian.

“We will take care of it.”

“She’s my friend, so I’ll choose. Don’t interfere.”

Marian led her to a unique wardrobe that filled one wall with clothes. When Cecil widened her eyes in surprise at the numerous clothes, Marian whispered in her ear.

“I know you probably already know, but I’m being watched.”

Cecil turned to look at her. Marian gave her a bitter smile.

“I appreciate your concern, but saying such things might get you killed.”