“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

At my words, Abino made a reluctant face.

“Uh... alright.”

He finally nodded unwillingly.

Back in my room, Han Ji-hyuk was packing.

I waved my hand at him.

“Contact the factory. Tell them I’ll stay a few more days.”

“What? Why?”

I sighed deeply and told him about Liantin.

After hearing everything, Han Ji-hyuk frowned.

“Why is Prince Salvatore interested in Liantin?”

“Who knows. Not sure what he’s after. But one thing’s clear.”

“What’s that?”

“If Liantin causes trouble, it’ll be blamed on me who brought her.”

Salvatore must have some scheme behind charming Liantin.

‘He’s a snake; he wouldn’t just reach out because he likes her.’

Chances are high something will happen.

So I have to prevent any accidents before they occur.

Han Ji-hyuk clicked his tongue.

“This’ll be troublesome. So what’s the plan?”

“Since Salvatore made the first move, I’ll give him a taste of his own medicine.”

Of course, I have to keep Liantin too busy to get caught in his trap.

“Taste of medicine?”

“Yeah. So you need to cooperate too.”

“I will, but... I’m worried.”

“Why?”

“You sometimes act crazy. It’s that look in your eyes.”

Han Ji-hyuk frowned and nodded.

At that moment, there was a knock.

“An employee from the border fortress. Here to escort you by order of Prince Salvatore.”

Looks like Abino passed my message well.

I left the room.

Following the servant, I entered a glass-walled room.

A gigantic tree stood at the center, and the floor was paved with smooth stones, unusual for indoors.

Without the bookshelves lining the walls, it could easily be mistaken for a greenhouse.

“This is the Wisdom Room, pride of the border fortress.”

The maid who guided me kindly explained.

“Wisdom Room?”

“Yes. Traditionally only the lord and lady of the castle could enter, but it’s opened for distinguished guests.”

“I see.”

“Among the guests, only those approved by the Sun Society’s highnesses may enter.”

She had an expression showing how impressive it was to be chosen.

‘This world really loves hierarchy.’

Only the top 1% get invited to the Sun Society.

Among those, even more select guests are distinguished.

‘Well, I’m glad the criteria are clear.’

Just then, the guards announced my arrival at the Wisdom Room.

After receiving permission, I entered.

Salvatore was waiting.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Yeah.”

He smiled gently, holding a teacup.

“You requested a private meeting?”

He pointed to the seat across from him.

I sat down and replied.

“Yes.”

“For what reason?”

“The same reason as you.”

“The same reason? That’s incomprehensible.”

“I mean the same reason as why you reached out to Liantin.”

Salvatore’s eyes briefly narrowed.

But in an instant, he returned to his usual friendly smile.

“Rude, Erilot Astra.”

“Will you punish me?”

“Well, I tend to like bold people, so it’s a dilemma.”

“If so, I might get more rude to please you. Please understand generously.”

His eyebrows twitched.

He leaned back deeply, folding his arms.

Like a challenge: let’s see how you play.

I smiled brightly.

“Are you afraid of Astra?”

“The crown prince afraid of a mere subject’s family... You speak recklessly.”

My teacup was already prepared.

Pouring tea from the pot, I continued.

“If you wanted something, you could have ordered Astra directly. Using children to manipulate Astra—aren’t you afraid?”

“Do I look like I’m trying to manipulate?”

“Yes.”

Salvatore, staring at me, chuckled softly.

“Oh, I see. You’re angry at me now.”

Laughter danced in his eyes.

“Instead of reaching out to the precious you, the duke’s favorite granddaughter, you reach for a mere cousin.”

“What? No way.”

I quickly set down the teapot.

Covering my mouth in surprise.

“You think everyone craves the crown prince’s attention? Typical imperial pride.”

My sarcasm finally changed his expression.

‘Upsetting others is my specialty.’

I put on an innocent look and clapped.

“With a glance from the crown prince, all reason in the world laughs and cries. Yes, because you are the empire’s crown prince.”

“...”

“Sisters will fight over you. Yes, because you are the empire’s crown prince.”

“...”

“No one knows the crown prince’s attention is fairly divided. Pathetic. Of course it is. Because you are the empire’s crown prince.”

“...Interesting.”

“Really? Oh, I’m delighted.”

Somewhere, a stomach turned.

I curled my lips in a slight smirk.

“But Your Highness, do you know Astra’s motto?”

Raising my cup, I glanced at him.

“Return what you receive.”

In other words, ‘an eye for an eye.’

It’s also my personal motto.

The prince snorted.

He seemed to realize I was declaring I’d return whatever I got from him.

“Very Astra-like motto.”

“Indeed.”

“Then let’s see if little Astra returns the favor.”

“You gave me a chance; I will uphold the motto with sincerity.”

Then—

Bang!

The door opened.

‘They’re here.’

I turned toward the door.

Abino and the princes entered the Wisdom Room.

Cesare, the prince with bright curly light brown hair, smiled.

“Sorry. Did we interrupt your private meeting?”

I chuckled inwardly.

They said sorry, but they came to interrupt.

‘I actually told Abino to do that on purpose.’

I knew from comments.

Prince Adin and Cesare were interested in me.

Adin was so flustered he picked a fight when he saw me—definitely intense interest.

Cesare was a collector of rare things.

And—

‘They’re bad-tempered, so they won’t let anyone steal their prize.’

Adin frowned.

“What kind of sinister plan are you two cooking up? Why? Is the Kalsoi Empire conspiring to assassinate foreign heirs?”

His mocking tone was unusually pleasant today.

He clearly disliked me being with Prince Salvatore.

I deliberately spoke kindly to Salvatore.

“It’s been a really pleasant conversation.”

“...Pleasant?”

“Yes. If it’s alright, would you share tea with me again sometime?”

Then all the princes except Salvatore changed expression.

Salvatore chuckled with his arms crossed.

“If you don’t mind.”

He looked like he was daring someone to act up, but I smiled as if it meant nothing.

“I’m glad.”

“Oh, you’re really an interesting person, Lady.”

“I also enjoyed our conversation, Your Highness. Truly.”

Other princes’ faces grew increasingly hostile.

Adin grit his teeth.

He couldn’t say why, but he kept feeling bad.

Probably since hearing from Abino that Salvatore and I were alone.

“Lady Countess Astra and Prince Salvatore are together?”

Cesare furrowed his brows and asked; Abino narrowed his eyes.

“Yeah.”

“...Why?”

“No idea. Erilot wanted a private meeting. Tch, I know everything Salvatore can do.”

“Right? With so many people around, why Salvatore? I want to keep him away... Especially if he’s someone else’s.”

Greed flickered in Cesare’s pupils.

“Shall we go?”

“What? Where?”

“To where those two are. I want to see what’s being talked about.”

Cesare was originally obsessed with special and beautiful things.

His collection included rare beastman slaves and beautiful animal taxidermy.

So his interest in Erilot Astra made sense.

Having a dragon was special.

Her dazzling presence overwhelmed people.

Everything perfectly fit Cesare’s taste.

Prince Abino had been constantly talking about Erilot since I saved him from kidnappers.

So it was natural they teamed up to follow me.

‘But why am I here?’

Since seeing that boy, I’d been acting uncharacteristically.

I didn’t like it.

‘Yeah. It annoys me. That’s why.’

Adin suddenly grabbed my ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) arm in the hallway.

My eyes widened in surprise.

Adin stared absently at my eyes.

“Prince Adin?”

Only after being called did he snap back.

“You know my name?”

“You introduced yourself last time.”

“If you know.”

“Yeah?”

“If you know, why bother going to Salvatore? If you need something, you could’ve asked me...”

Adin flinched.

‘Is he really crazy?’

He sounded like a brat complaining.

Why I went to Salvatore, not him.

“No, I mean...!”

Blinking, I smiled awkwardly.

“Shouldn’t you ask someone stronger?”

“...What?”

“Prince Salvatore is His Majesty the Emperor’s sole heir. But Prince Adin...”

“I’m the eldest son of the Palasa Kingdom! I’ll soon be the crown prince!”

“There’s a difference between crown prince and heir apparent.”

Adin’s face hardened.

He snarled.

“Did Salvatore say I’m inferior to the future crown prince?”

“Not exactly...”

“You bastard.”

Grinding his teeth, Adin shouted at me.

“In this continent, there’s not much difference between royal and imperial families! Kalsoi is just larger than my country!”

“...”

“The empire won’t function without resources from my country!”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah! Besides, my father promised to name me heir, but the empire’s emperor never confirmed any heir!”

“Impressive.”

Adin flinched at my words.

His trembling gaze met mine, and I fluttered my eyes.

“I like strong people.”

“...What?”

“Will you let go of my arm? It’s... starting to hurt.”

“Huh? Uh, uh, alright!”

Flustered, Adin quickly released my arm.

“I’ll head upstairs then.”

“Y-yeah.”

I bowed.

My golden hair flowed softly.

Adin stared blankly at my retreating figure.

Those words echoed in his ears.

“I like strong people.”

Like.

Like.

Your Highness, I like you.

Adin slammed his head against the wall.

“Damn it.”

He’s going crazy.

Because of a tiny girl.

I entered a quiet corridor with no one around.

From the corner came a sudden thump against the wall.

‘Easy.’

At that moment, I turned my cold gaze behind me.

“Like strong people?”

A familiar voice.

I turned ahead and saw a figure leaning against the window, cloaked in a robe.

“Alexis.”

Startled, I quickly approached him.

“When did you arrive?”

“Just now.”

“You came sooner than expected. I thought the process of the Igritz Mercenary Squad joining Daymond’s jurisdiction would delay you.”

“You should’ve waited if you knew. Don’t come into a den of beasts without protection.”

Alexis’s voice was gruff.

I chuckled and pulled down his hood.

Light poured through the large window, breaking over his silhouette.

Alexis frowned, holding my hand.

“Why are you laughing? Should I tell your father you came here unguarded?”

“No! I’d be grounded for a year.”

“Then why keep laughing, milady?”

“You’re still the handsomest.”

All the boys of the Sun Society boasted striking appearances.

Even Liantin, used to Astra beauty, gasped.

But I wasn’t impressed—maybe because I grew up seeing this face.

‘Probably because of Dad too.’

Alexis sighed.

“Promise me you won’t go anywhere unguarded again.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t just say it... Hey, what’s this?”

Alexis frowned, grabbed my face with both hands, and examined it closely.

“They say I’m a baby, milady. Don’t touch me like I’m a baby.”

Having known each other since childhood, Alexis and I often grabbed each other like this.

Trying to sound serious, his cheeks got squished and his pronunciation faltered.

“I’m a prince.”

“Not yet.”

“Does it hurt anywhere?”

“No.”

“Don’t I know you?”

After seven years, he was like a ghost at noticing my condition.

He somehow knew I was coming down with a cold from the temperature change.

I pulled my hand away and frowned.

“I’m not.”

“Milady, if you’re unwell, your eyes get red.”

“...”

“What will you do? I heard from Han Ji-hyuk you can’t return immediately because of your cousin.”

“Technically, it’s not Liantin but Salva...”

As I spoke, Alexis hid me behind his back and looked toward the corner.

I hurriedly turned to look.

Then I focused and heard footsteps approaching.

The footsteps coming from afar were drawing nearer.