TPHRU 67

Chapter 67…

The Crown Prince’s Tactics.

“ Yes, that’s right. My mother said that I’m far more suitable to be Prince Alexis’s fiancée than my sister-in-law. She promised she’d definitely make me the Crown Princess. My mother always grants whatever I wish for, no matter what it is… ”

That was all Alexis needed to hear.
Hidden behind the rosebushes, he glanced toward the attendant who had been secretly recording everything with a magic stone. It was the most trustworthy servant he’d brought along from Lord Johan’s castle.
Catching Alexis’s signal, the attendant gave a firm nod — the recording had gone perfectly.

Alexis quickly stepped away from Céline.
“Ah, I have to return to my duties now. Come, Céline — you have your queen’s lessons, don’t you? Let’s go back together.”
He urged her with a gentle smile. Céline, looking a little disappointed yet still dreamy from the encounter, followed after him.

When their conversation ended, Alexis handed Félicia over to her etiquette tutor who had been waiting, then headed for his own office. Once inside, accompanied by the servant hiding the magic stone under his cloak, he slumped into a chair and exhaled deeply.
He had never used such blatant seductive tactics before, and the mental exhaustion was crushing.
He accepted a cup of tea from another attendant and finally allowed himself to relax.

“Thank you for your hard work, Your Highness,” said the servant, placing the magic stone on the desk.
“Would you like to review the footage?”
“Thanks. Please.”

The scene from earlier projected from the stone. Céline’s incriminating words were clearly captured, and Alexis let out a sigh of relief. When he saw his own expression on the recording, he gave a wry smile.
“What a terrible face. I look like a villain.”
At his self-deprecating murmur, the servant shook his head firmly.
“No, Your Highness. You did splendidly. I’m certain Lady Félicia will understand your intentions.”
Meeting the servant’s clear, unwavering eyes, Alexis smiled faintly.
“Thank you. That makes me feel a little better.”

(Even my servant can tell how I feel about Félicia. But to her, I’m probably nothing more than a childhood friend and former fiancé. That’s fine, though. I still wanted to do something — anything — for her.)

When Alexis had reunited with Félicia recently after so long, she no longer had that fragile, vanishing air about her.
He’d been surprised to see her speaking her mind with calm confidence — and yet he found this new, spirited Félicia even more radiant than the one who once hid her emotions beneath the weight of everyone’s expectations.
(It must have been my uncle who changed her…)

Anyone could see from the way they looked at each other that Félicia and his uncle had mutual feelings.
That tender, loving gaze — one Félicia had never directed at Alexis.

(I tried so hard to win her back, but it seems I’m already too late.)

His chest ached as if his heart were crying out. Perhaps this pain was the punishment for failing to protect her.
Still, no matter how much it hurt, his desire to help Félicia would never fade.

(Until the very end, I’ll do whatever I can.)

Rising to his feet, Alexis walked to the window. Far in the distance, he could see the forest — the place where Félicia must be now.