Chapter 26 – The Crown Prince’s Call (4)

Translator: Lioness

Gail was surprised by the Empress’s words, with his eyes widened after a glance with anger at Alice. When Alice received that gaze, she shrank her body.

Lawrence took a step forward to cover the line of sight of the Crown Prince. Noticing his movements, the Empress asked Gail again.

“Why did you call her?”

“I called you, yet you came running to my mother’s palace.”

According to the etiquette of the imperial palace, when female nobles entered the imperial palace, they had to greet the Empress. The empress’ expression darkened at his words, which completely ignored the imperial court etiquette. Gail didn’t notice the change in her expression and continued.

“I must look like a fool, then.”

The empress let out a deep sigh at Gail, who had uttered those words in a hurry. She never thought that the Crown Prince revealed his feelings openly. The Empress knew that his qualities were lacking but she never knew it was to this extent.

Because he was the only son, there was no one other than him to inherit the throne of the Erha Empire. Although she has a princess, the Erha Empire was a place where only men could inherit the throne.

“Your Highness, it’s not…”

“I hate to hear your words.”

Alice tried to explain her side, but Gail didn’t even pretend to hear and caused the Empress’ expression to harden more. Her expression disappeared altogether. Alice confirmed it from the front and involuntarily swallowed dry saliva.

Alice’s hand were full with cold sweat from the tension adding to that was Stella’s hostile eyes at her.

‘What did I do wrong?’

All she did was successfully finish the last scene to close the original story. It wasn’t something to be hated by Stella like that.

‘Of course, I feel bad because I did such a thing, but what can I do? That was how the story ends.’

Frustration surged through her so she straightened her back and pulled her chin in. Straightening, she met Stella’s glare unflinchingly. Stella’s eyes widened at the sudden change in her mood.

“Do you know why I called?”

Gail asked her.

“I don’t know, Your Highness.”

“Do you remember that you were rude to the Crown Princess?”

“I do. I remembered that I did a mistake but I have bought a gift to represent my sincere apologies to Herr Highness.”

Alice’s tone also became strangely rigid. Recognizing her sudden change in tone, Stella’s eyes narrowed, but Gail didn’t notice. Looking at Gail, who couldn’t grasp her mood, the Empress held back her sigh.

“However, your attitude was rude, so the Crown Princess…”

“Crown Prince.”

In the end, after Gail had stopped talking, the empress stepped forward. The Empress was afraid that if she allowed him to say more, Lawrence will laugh at him.

“How about covering up the past? They say he even gave it as a gift.”

“Mother.”

“You, as a man, shouldn’t be involved in women’s affairs.”

It was a sweet voice, but her gaze toward Stella was sharp. The empress could not help but notice that she was the cause of her confusion. Stella opened her mouth proudly.

“His Highness was so kind that he understood my pain.”

“Then let’s just stop here. Please remember the consideration of the Crown Prince, Crown Princess.”

“But Mother.”

The empress’ expression was almost distorted because of Gail’s inability to grasp her mood and constant interrupting her. Alice’s expression, watching from the side, was also not good. There was a change in Stella’s personality. She finally want to get out of this place as soon as possible.

Since she didn’t know what kind of effect Stella’s change might be, she needs to formulate a plan right after returning home.

“Alice.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Alice quickly responded to the empress’ call.

“He said your apology wasn’t enough, so prepare another one.”

“I will keep that in mind. Your Majesty.”

“Do you have anything more to say?”

The empress asked Stella but she could only bite her lip in anger, and couldn’t open her mouth easily. It was because she might go out of her way and get caught by the empress, who didn’t like her very much.

“Why did you say something like that to the Crown Princess, Mother?”

“Crown Prince.”

“Did you not? Please think about what she had to go through and what kind of noble would insult a member of Imperial Family.”

“I know what happened to the Crown Princess, but didn’t Alice apologize already? You also received that apology, so you shouldn’t say two words now. As a member of Imperial Family, you should be setting an example for her.”

“It is the duty of nobles to respect the imperial family. While it was also the duty of the Imperial family to punish those who do not properly fulfill their noble duties.”

Lawrence’s eyes changed at Gail’s words. He interrupted, who had only been watching from his bystander’s point of view.

“Even nobles can make mistakes, Your Highness.”

The tone of the admonition was soft, but it was sharp in it. Gail panicked at the sudden coldness and brushed his arm, but Lawrence’s words did not end there.

“Are you going to continue punishing nobles who realize their mistakes and reflect on themselves?”

“This is not the place for the Duke of Littenverk!”

“Miss Alice is my fiancée, so I have to step in.”

“Fiancée?”

“That’s right.”

He narrowed at the mention of his and Alice’s relationship, but Lawrence spoke again without taking his eyes off Gail.

“So will you stop persecuting my fiancée, Your Highness?”

Gail flinched at the polite but sharp thorny words. Thinking that he was being pushed by a duke, he hurriedly opened his mouth, but Stella grabbed him by his arm. Gail, who had been stubborn and didn’t listen to his surroundings, turned his head to her small movements.

“Do you feel uncomfortable?”

“I’m fine, Your Highness.”

“You’re really fine?”

“Yes, since Miss Alice will prepare something new.”

Stella’s pale eyes turned to Alice which Alice stared at her, too, not daring to lose.

“Are you coming alone then?”

“That’s not possible.”

Lawrence immediately retorted. Now that she had a rough idea of the situation, she couldn’t let Alice go alone. Then she said that if anything happened to Alis, she would return to the Nakran Empire and she would have nothing to say to the crown prince.

“Miss Alice is my future fiancée, so I must accompany her everywhere.”

“She is from the Erha Empire.”

“She is my fiancée, so in the future, she will be a person from the Nakran Empire.”

“You’re engaged and not married yet. This might change your mind in the distant future, Duke, right?”

“Do you really think so?”

“It may be.”

Lawrence smiled at Stella’s reply, which didn’t hold back a single word. She was not an easy woman. He was told that she was an idiot who only knew how to cry, but Lawrence had a different opinion when she looked like a venomous snake completely different from what had been told.

‘I need to be vigilant.’

Gail Erha was nothing. In this Erha Empire, he thought that Karus was the only person to pay attention to, but there was one more person here. And that was the Crown Princess, who had been hiding her poison.

“It can’t be.”

Alice’s low voice echoed in the audience room.

“How do you know that? Miss Alice?”

Stella asked, genuinely curious which also made Lawrence curious. How can she be so sure of a person’s heart?

“Your Highness is also loved by His Highness, so I think you know.”

Alice replied, not adding a word, and the crown prince, who was pleased with her answer, laughed out loud.

“Ahahahaha!”

The smile changed her mood.

“I like what Miss Alice knows. Yes. My love for Stella will never change.”

“Yes. How dare I think of breaking up with Lawrence after seeing the two members of the imperial family who lead the future of the empire?”

“That is right! People should only look at one person.”

‘It’s hilarious. So, you dumped the duke’s daughter and married Stella?’

While secretly laughing at Gail’s double attitude, Alice smiled brightly. Put a smile on her face even if she curses in her heart. It was the attitude of a true merchant.

“So, Your Highness. Now let go of your anger and forgive me.”

“Looking at the face of my Crown Princess, I will forgive you just once.”

“I understand.”

Gail, stunned by Alice’s words, nodded his head with satisfaction. Alice bent her back and raised the corner of her mouth at Stella, who was still glaring at her.

The empress, who looked at Gail with satisfaction, did not notice it. Only Stella caught her sneer head-on. She saw the corners of her eyes go up to the sky, but Alice smiled even brighter and lowered her head.

‘Whatever.’

Since you provoked me, I shall do the same. Alice was determined to reveal all of her characterless personality. When the Empress saw her polite attitude, she said.

“I’m glad it all ended well, Alice.”

“I appreciate Her Majesty’s mediation.”

“What have I done?”

“A lot, Your Majesty. I just want to thank you so much.”

Even if no one else knew, she was really grateful to the Empress in front of her Alice openly ignored Stella, who was aware of her attitude and wanted to laugh but cannot. The only person here who could smile brightly was the careless Crown Prince.