Inserting a marriage proposal into the family and proposing to Etienne. Due to Rudby Prince openly revealing that he has nothing to hide, the rumor had already spread.

Nevertheless, when mentioned suddenly like this, Etienne seemed unsure of how to react. Even though she must have thought about what to do when the prince proposed to her…

“What do you think?”

Rudby asked again, wanting to get Etienne’s answer.

Of course, it was a rejection. However, since she needed to buy time, Etienne carefully chose her words.

“It’s still the funeral period. It would be better to discuss this afterward.”

“So, it’s not an outright rejection.”

In Etienne’s roundabout expression, Rudby accurately understood the message she intended.

“Yeah, we have time… So, I can wait a bit.”

With his seemingly considerate attitude, Etienne bit her lip while looking at him.

‘Something’s off.’

A strange sense of discomfort lingered. Sensing something amiss, Etienne turned her head away from Rudby while pondering.

She couldn’t pinpoint the reason yet. Therefore, rather than continuing the conversation with him, she chose to avoid. However, Rudby seemed not to have any intention of leaving. It was quite annoying having him around. While waiting for him to leave, his hand touched her shoulder.
The startled Etienne, with a stiffened posture, pondered how to naturally push away the hand on her shoulder. However, he lowered his head and came closer.

Rudby’s lips appeared before her eyes. Etienne tried her best to hide her tension, swallowing dry saliva.

“Don’t be so nervous.”

His lips gently curved upwards. It wasn’t the first time she had seen him smile, but she couldn’t take her eyes off his face.

Seeing Rudby’s laughter reminded her of Leharht’s carefree smile…

“Someone might think I’m about to devour you.”

“Your Highness…”

“Not going to devour you.”

Rudby tilted his head and met her eyes.

“So, don’t be so stiff like that.”

“Please… let go of my hand.”

“That’s a bit disappointing. I do like you.”

In an instant, sparks flared in Etienne’s eyes. When he said he liked someone whose throat had been slit, anger welled up, and she had the impulse to push him away.

“Why… do you like me?”

“For starters, your face.”

Rudby replied promptly.

“You know your appearance is quite attractive too, right? I initially planned to marry Hae-na, who resembles my mother. But your gorgeous appearance, like a rose, also appeals to me.”

Lena Hwangbi, resembling marigold, and Hae-na, with a pure and gentle smile resembling freesia, share a similar atmosphere.

‘So, the reason Rudby Prince likes Hae-na is because of that.’
Finally nodding as if understanding, Etienne suddenly stiffened at a thought that crossed her mind.

‘Did Hae-na not reciprocate Fernand’s feelings because… it’s related to Prince Rudby?’

In her past life, Fernand didn’t explicitly say that Hae-na was the person he liked, but he didn’t hide his feelings for her.

However, Hae-na never truly faced Fernand’s feelings. She just smiled and maintained a friendship.

What if that had something to do with Prince Rudby, who, in their past life, became the emperor? What if she had plans to marry him?

It was a plausible story, but there was no way to confirm it. It was a bit disappointing that the speculation remained as mere speculation.

“The next thing I like is personality.”

“…My personality?”

Etienne, truly not comprehending, tilted her head. While doing so, she subtly turned her body, letting go of the hand on her shoulder. Seeing her hand hovering in the air, Rudby chuckled and lowered it.

“I don’t know anything, so figure it out yourselves.”

Etienne clenched her fist to suppress the trembling. She tried not to react, but it seemed like Rudby knew what he wanted to say.

“Your expression might seem like you’re unaware, but your eyes are observing everything around. And this hand, too.”

Rudby pointed at her hand.
“As if not knowing or caring, it seems like you’re intentionally stepping back. But in reality, you’re paying attention to everything, whether it’s deliberate or not.”

“Did I… do that?”

“Yeah. That’s why I like your cute personality.”

“You find me cute.”

Etienne shook her head as if denying it, but Rudby didn’t care and continued speaking.

“In the future, don’t act like that. I’m letting you know in advance.”

Curious about what he was going to say next, Etienne stared intently at Rudby’s face.

“If you’re curious about what I was doing at the fountain, come by later.”

“…”

Surprised, her heart pounded, and she clenched her skirt out of shock. Before interpreting Rudby’s words, Etienne had to calm her startled heart.

“I’ll send a knight later. Whether you follow him or not is up to you.”

With a smile instead of a farewell, Rudby left, saying that if she followed the knight, she could hear more detailed stories. Etienne was left feeling tricked.

“I fell for it.”

The initial shock subsided, leaving only a sense of emptiness. Etienne let out a tired laugh, pondering over the conversation with Rudby.