So, Ariana thought that their relationship was only to that extent, but this dinner seemed like a family reunion after a long time. Cyrus and Isaac seemed more like family than the White family compared to Ariana.

‘North Crown is probably considering using me someday, so he wants to establish friendly relations with the East Crown for that time. It will be easier to devise plans when that time comes.’

At this point, it was unclear whether the improved relationship between the Northern and Eastern Crowns was a good thing.

‘The Third Prince has been eyeing the throne for some time now. Even now, he must be watching the trends of the Northern and Eastern Capitals. If he finds out that there is interaction between the Northern and Eastern Crowns, he will probably prepare countermeasures.’

Since Ariana had no power to deal with royal people yet, she didn’t know how to respond if the Third Prince attacked.

“What is the princess thinking about while stabbing the sherbet with her fork?” Cyrus’s voice brought Ariana back to reality.
Before she knew it, the meal had ended, and sherbet was served as dessert. Ariana still held the fork in her hand. As everyone at the table saw the fork in her hand, Ariana’s cheeks turned pink.

“I was reminiscing about my days in the Western Capital for a moment.”

Ariana’s explanation led to a stiff expression on the faces of the White family members. Isaac raised his eyebrows in embarrassment, and Cyrus subtly lifted the corners of his mouth, seemingly amused.

“Oh.”

“I didn’t know how to eat dessert properly because my learning was limited. If it bothered the Northern Crown, I apologize.”

Cyrus seemed to become a bad guy in a blink of an eye.

While the White family members didn’t show any reservations since they received significant help from Cyrus, Isaac was different. He glared at Cyrus, sending a clear message with his eyes.

Cyrus slightly lowered his head.

“I have made a great disrespect to the princess. I did not consider the painful days the princess had gone through. I would like to accompany the princess for a walk after the meal to seek forgiveness. May I have your permission?”

“Northern Crown, it might not be suitable for the princess to take a walk as she hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

No matter how many years had passed, a father was still a father. Russell, who noticed the subtle atmosphere flowing between Cyrus and Ariana, intervened, and Isaac, without hesitation, added his words.

“Princess has fully recovered now, Eastern Crown. Although the old scars remain, she has been consistently taking the stamina recovery medicine I provided, so her health should be fine. Besides, a short walk after the meal is beneficial for health.”

“But this city is not a familiar place, and the princess might be scared.”

“Oh, Your Majesty. Are you doubting the abilities of our Northern Crown? How strong are you? If attackers appear, you can freeze them solid.”

“Will she not stumble on the nighttime road?”

“Your Majesty, she will be escorted safely.”

Ariana couldn’t understand the tension between Eastern Crown Russell and Isaac.

‘Why is the Eastern Crown trying to prevent me from walking with the Northern Crown? Did he find something suspicious about the Northern Crown?’

Ariana, who didn’t understand the feelings of a father with a daughter, listened to the conversation between the two men with a puzzled feeling. However, Theodore nodded approvingly, watching Russell’s defense.

Caradin, who didn’t notice that the two men of the White family were trying to disrupt Ariana and Cyrus’s walk, said, “The Northern Crown is a gentleman, so he will escort Ariana well. Ariana would also want to feel the breeze.”

“Mother.”

“Ariana, be careful and don’t go too far.”

Although Russell and Theodore glared at Caradin as if they were displeased, Caradin didn’t even blink.

In Ariana’s hand, as she set out for a walk as if being pushed, there were 10 gold coins. It was the allowance given by Caradin, saying she could buy whatever she needed.
Receiving an allowance for the first time left me bewildered. I couldn’t help but smile, recalling the days when I secretly sold Victoria and Helena’s jewelry for the future when it might be needed.

“Since the princess has 10 gold coins, she can get at least one snack. Or are you planning to save that money?”

“If the grace from the Northern Crown can be repaid with 10 gold coins, may I offer to buy you a snack? I can buy a hundred if you want.”

“I can’t eat that much, so I’ll pass.”

“Before leaving the Western Capital, I had to risk my life to earn around 20 gold coins. Now, just taking a walk brings in 10 gold coins.”

“So, are you resentful?”

At the piercing question about her stepfather, Ariana turned to Cyrus. Cyrus walked slowly while staring straight ahead and spoke.

“The princess suffered miserably in the Western Capital, but Eastern Capital has been peaceful and happy. It’s natural to harbor feelings of resentment.”

Embarrassed to have her unspoken thoughts exposed by Cyrus, Ariana felt pitiful, wondering if her actions were so revealing.

“It’s a meaningless resentment, Princess. Even if you resent the Eastern Crown’s family now, it won’t change what happened to you.”

It was a valid point, and Ariana knew it well.

However, it wasn’t easy.

“I am a person too, Northern Crown. I’m not a doll, and I can’t easily get rid of these feelings that come naturally.”

“Well, you may not be able to eliminate them, but you can make an effort. But in my view, it doesn’t seem like the princess is making much of an effort.”

“……”

“Eastern Crown is a good person. So is the previous Eastern Crown. But because the Eastern Capital is a place where people live, not everyone can be happy. There will be those who envy the princess and those who try to eliminate her for their own purposes.”

“I understand.”

“Do you really understand?”

Cyrus stopped and looked back at Ariana. Starlight falling on the small river behind him surrounded him.

“Pointless resentment and suspicion only make people tired. By being overly vigilant about meaningless things, you may miss turning that vigilance in the right direction when facing a real enemy.”

“So, should I trust the people of the White family and feel at ease? What if things go wrong later? I accepted them as my family. What if they were just planning to use and discard me? What should I do then?”

Ariana didn’t realize that her voice had become sharp.

Cyrus, with an expressionless face, stared at Ariana for a moment and asked, “Have you ever trusted the Bronthe family?”

Yes, I did. Until the very last moment, even as I felt my throat grow numb, I trusted them.

She swallowed the words lingering in her throat.

With a sharp gaze, Cyrus observed Ariana and said, “Pointless resentment and suspicion only make people tired. By being overly vigilant about meaningless things, you may miss turning that vigilance in the right direction when facing a real enemy.”