Cyrus glanced briefly at Ariana.

Occasionally, Ariana would say something that would moisten Cyrus’s heart. Now was one of those times.

As beautiful as that sunset.

Cyrus recalled his mother. She had crimson hair as beautiful as that sunset and eyes as red as Cyrus’s. She was a beautiful woman emitting a cold aura, yet absurdly affectionate toward Cyrus.

The Northern Crown’s previous monarch and consort had been unable to have a child for a long time, and they gave birth to Cyrus at a late age, making their affection for their son exceptional.

Why is that?

Why does being with this woman make me feel numb, as if I’m with my parents, and vividly recall memories of the past?

The gentle touch of his mother’s hand as she stroked his head and the firm arms of his father as he hugged him with a hearty laugh. Remembering those sensations, which he had forgotten, made Cyrus both a little happy and melancholic as he struggled to suppress the surging emotions.

Suppressing the roiling emotions, he said, “You were beautiful.”

“So is the current Northern Crown Consort.”

“I don’t resemble her. My mother’s hair was the same color as that sunset.”

Ariana turned to Cyrus and reached out her hand. Thinking her hand was touching his face, Cyrus closed his eyes.

However, her small, slender fingers only lightly brushed against Cyrus’s hair before returning to their original position.

“The Northern Crown Consort’s hair also reflects the colors of the sunset.”

When he opened his eyes, a crescent-shaped folded eye was visible. The blue iris within the thin eyes was as clear and transparent as a midwinter lake.

Cyrus discovered his own reflection in those eyes.

As Ariana mentioned, his hair was indeed tinted red.

An indescribable yet poignant emotion filled Cyrus’s chest. An inexplicable impulse took over Cyrus’s body.

With trembling arms, Cyrus managed to bring them down and said, “Duke Heran must have prepared a grand feast. Let’s return.”

+++

The people attending the dinner were Duke Heran, Andrei, Isaac, and Cyrus and Ariana. It wasn’t as bustling as the dinner of the White family, but it was a sufficiently grand and enjoyable gathering.

Duke Heran asked Ariana multiple times if she lacked anything, Andrei was curious about Dongryeong’s martial arts, Isaac raved about rare herbs found in Dongryeong, and Ariana occasionally answered their questions.

During this time, Cyrus silently listened to the stories.

After Duke Heran, the elderly, mentioned that he would retire first, Isaac asked, “Your Highness, did the Crown Prince visit?”

At the mention of the Crown Prince, Ariana glanced at Cyrus. Cyrus, who had been sitting at the head of the long table, put down his fork and nodded.

“Yeah. Did Andrei tell you?”
“There are no secrets between Ray and me.”

As Cyrus stared at Andrei as if he were a tree, Andrei shrugged his shoulders.

“Sorry, Your Highness. There are no secrets between Isaac and me.”

“But really? The Crown Prince tried to run away with his lover.”

“Yeah.”

“Hey, the Crown Prince didn’t seem like that. They say love makes people go crazy, but I never expected the Crown Prince to be like that.”

“True. We knew he was delicate, but it’s disappointing.”

“He must have been disappointed because you didn’t accept him. What’s the Crown Prince going to do now?”

“Soon he’ll choose a Crown Princess.”

“Oh! The continent will be buzzing.”

To Isaac, it was just an interesting story, but it wasn’t the same for Ariana.

The Crown Prince was going to choose a Crown Princess.

After wandering for a long time, the Crown Prince, who had been blinded by his lover, had now come to his senses and was about to choose a Crown Princess.

‘Finally.’

A chilling sensation flowed down his spine.

‘The time has come.’

It wasn’t clear when the Third Prince started to actively move, but now it was apparent.

The Emperor deeply disliked the Crown Prince, David Blenwit, who was born from his relationship with the Empress. David, however, was an obedient and intelligent son.

But he changed when he met Chloe, the daughter of Duke Spencer, a local aristocrat.

The Crown Prince fell deeply in love with Chloe, only thinking about being with her, and the Emperor and Empress found this troublesome.

If Chloe, the daughter of Duke Spencer and a palace maid, were to become the Crown Princess, it would become a mockery, and the Crown Prince’s position would undoubtedly be shaken.

The Emperor was not someone who would watch the imperial family become a laughingstock.

‘There have been rumors about dethroning the Crown Prince and choosing another prince as the Crown Prince. So, the Third Prince quietly waited for that moment, keeping an eye out.’

Aeyela, the mother of the Third Prince, received the most love from the Emperor among the various empresses. Still, knowing when to humble herself, she maintained a good relationship with the Empress. The Third Prince, Herald, was also intelligent, humble, and well-liked by the lower ranks.