"Heirad, you're on escort duty again today, right?"
"Yes, Princess."
"..."
Today was the day of the banquet.
Yesterday, she had spent time with Prince Raphael, enjoying a musical performance together.
The atmosphere hadn't been bad.
Prince Raphael was clearly developing feelings for Clarice.
Everything was going according to Isaac's plan, progressing smoothly.
Yet, as Clarice gazed blankly out the window, she felt a strange emptiness in her chest.
"Princess, it's time for you to put on your dress."
"Oh, right. I should."
She prepared to get dressed for the banquet, but Heirad did not step outside. Instead, he stood still, silently watching her.
"What is it?"
"As you already know, Princess, I oppose your marriage to Prince Raphael."
"I know. You've said it many times."
"Yes. I truly hope you find real happiness, not a political marriage."
"A political marriage that strengthens the kingdom is my happiness, Heirad."
At her calm words, Heirad nodded.
"I understand. I'll accept it."
"..."
"I heard that most of Brentarion's nobles have been invited to today's banquet. Some are even traveling long distances to attend."
"Yes, that makes sense."
After all, this was a crucial banquet where the engagement between a prince and a princess would be decided.
"There will be a lot of people. At some point, I might lose sight of you."
"...What?"
Clarice was about to snap at him, thinking how absurd that sounded coming from her escort knight.
"If such a moment comes…"
Heirad smiled gently and bowed his head.
"Step outside to the garden. Baron Logan will be guarding the area. You can entrust your protection to him temporarily."
"...!"
Clarice's eyes widened.
"Heirad—"
As she slowly called his name, Heirad turned to leave, adding one last remark.
"The choice is yours, Princess. But I truly wish for your happiness."
The ladies-in-waiting entered the room, passing by Heirad, ready to dress the princess.
But Clarice remained standing there, unable to say a word.
***
The dead of night.
Yet, Brentarion's royal palace was illuminated brightly.
Nobles, adorned in lavish attire, laughed and chatted, their conversations blooming like flowers.
The banquet was truly splendid.
After all, this gathering celebrated the engagement of a prince and princess who would serve as the bridge between two kingdoms.
Outside the banquet hall.
Even the beautifully decorated garden had a scattering of people—
Some stepping out to clear their heads,
Some creating romantic moments with their lovers,
Some engaged in secret discussions.
In a secluded corner.
Isaac, who had taken on the role of a guard, was swaying side to side, moving in rhythm.
Enjoying the music drifting from inside the banquet hall, he hummed along when—
"What are you doing?"
"...?!"
Startled by the familiar voice, he quickly turned around—
And there stood Clarice, dressed in a black gown.
"Princess?"
"You're supposed to be on guard duty, yet you didn't even notice someone approaching from behind?"
Clarice asked sharply, and Isaac replied, looking dumbfounded.
"Your footsteps belonged to someone attending the party. If you were an assassin or an intruder, I would have noticed immediately."
"Hmph, as if."
"But why are you here? Where's Heirad?"
"I don't know. There were too many people, and I lost him."
"..."
Isaac's expression twisted.
There was no way a skilled knight like Heirad would lose sight of the princess at the banquet. And even if he had, how would the princess know exactly where to find him?
'Heirad…'
It seemed the princess's loyal knight, who so dearly wished for her happiness, had pulled some strings.
With a sigh, Isaac gestured.
"I'll find Heirad for you. Let's go."
"Wait a minute."
Clarice stopped him before he could move forward. Crossing her arms, she questioned him accusingly.
"Why didn't you come to me yesterday? Because of that, I couldn't practice."
"It was a concert, wasn't it? There wasn't much to practice."
"Still, you just disappeared without saying anything? And on top of that, how could you switch roles with Heirad without even asking for my permission, when I'm practically the leader of this operation?"
"…I apologize."
Isaac's polite apology made Clarice scoff.
"Hmph! What was that all about? It felt like you were avoiding me, and it really annoyed me."
"…."
He had been avoiding her. There was no excuse to make.
Likewise, Clarice knew full well that Isaac had been avoiding her—and yet she still asked.
A brief silence.
A subtle battle of wits unfolded between them.
Then, Clarice lifted the hem of her black dress with a smirk.
"Look at this. This is the dress I wore to the last banquet when I was your partner, Isaac."
"Why are you wearing the same one?"
"Because I liked it."
"…"
"I even did my hair the same way. You told me I really looked like a princess when I wore it like this, remember?"
"I did."
Isaac nodded awkwardly.
Even so, his eyes flickered toward the banquet hall, feeling antsy.
Wasn't anyone looking for her?
After all, she was the main figure of tonight's event.
"Princess, you should probably start heading back—"
"Isaac, are you really unaffected by all this?"
"…Pardon?"
Clarice pouted slightly, puffing out her cheeks.
"I'm dressed exactly as I was when I was your partner at the last banquet. My hair is the same. But this time, my partner is different—it's Prince Raphael."
"…"
"Doesn't that bother you at all?"
"No."
Isaac's completely indifferent response was almost cruel.
Clarice bit her lip.
"How can you be so heartless?! After everything—after you made me fall for you—how can you say it doesn't bother you?"
"Princess… haah."
A deep sigh escaped him.
First the Grandmaster and Sharen yesterday, and now Princess Clarice today…
How many times did he have to repeat himself?
"I never tried to make you fall for me. I simply taught you how to capture a man's heart."
"I-It's not that you were trying to seduce me?"
"Yes. I swear to you, Princess, I have never made a move on you."
"Hah!"
Clarice fanned herself with her hand as if she were feeling hot. Then, pointing an accusing finger at him, she shouted,
"Not trying to seduce me? We stayed up late at night, holding hands, hugging, whispering to each other—and that wasn't seduction?!"
"That was practice, Princess. You know that."
Yes. She knew.
She was being unreasonable.
But she didn't want to admit it.
Because if she had been seduced, then at least it would make sense why her heart was wavering for Isaac.
That's what she wanted to believe.
Because if it wasn't seduction—if it was just practice—
Then how could she have fallen for him so easily?
That would be too embarrassing!
After spending all that time brooding over what love was, asking questions about it, seeking advice…
If she had been this easy to sway, wasn't that just ridiculous?
So, she needed to hear it from him.
Isaac had, in fact, subtly flirted with Clarice.
With a man this handsome making a move, it was only natural for her to feel swayed. She wanted to console herself with some mental gymnastics to preserve her pride.
But Isaac responded with a firmness that was almost disappointing.
"I have never flirted with you."
"Ugh!"
What was she supposed to do with this frustrating man?
As she pondered, the master strategist came up with a brilliant idea.
"Then let's do the opposite."
"Huh? The opposite? Wait, more importantly, do you really have time to be doing this here—"
"Just once, Isaac. Try seducing me for real."
"…What?"
Isaac looked at her as if she had just said something completely absurd. Clarice simply shrugged.
"If you really weren't flirting with me before, then wouldn't there be a distinct difference if you actually tried?"
"…"
"I'll observe the difference. If I feel it, I'll acknowledge it and accept it."
"…Does being a princess make you this shameless?"
"A little? People tend to be too cautious around me."
Clarice grinned playfully.
"Just once. Try it. Honestly, I'm curious about your true feelings."
"…"
"Hurry up, or I'll go to the prince instead."
"That's a ridiculous threat…"
Isaac let out a deep sigh.
Seeing him racking his brain, Clarice covered her mouth with a sly smile.
"Even for someone as handsome as you, is it hard to seduce someone with just one sentence? Yeah, I figured."
"Princess, let me make this clear—I do not like you."
"I-I-I know that!"
Startled by the sudden confession, Clarice stammered in response.
Isaac looked at her sternly, as if issuing a warning.
"I'm only doing this because you asked. Understood? Once you hear it, you walk away."
"I got it, I got it. What kind of incredible line could you possibly come up with, anyway?"
He only had a moment or two.
No matter how charming Isaac was, there was no way he could completely captivate her with just this.
Thinking so, Clarice crossed her arms.
"Go ahead."
"Hah…"
What kind of ridiculous situation was this?
He didn't understand it at all.
But Isaac met Clarice's eyes and, for once, spoke with a hint of sincerity.
"You are truly beautiful today."
"Pfft, that's such a cliché—"
"Like a rose."
"…!"
A rose.
A simple, overused metaphor.
But what did a rose mean to Isaac?
The only woman he had ever truly loved.
The Blood Rose of Helmut—Liana Helmut.
Clarice knew all too well the weight behind the word 'rose' when it came from Isaac.
"…!"
Her lips pressed tightly together, her eyes widened.
And her face turned bright red.
[Image]