CFLBF CH 04

That morning, Lavinia woke up to a message that arrived early.

The person requesting her presence was Cedric Theophil Lionel de Balmon, the King’s nephew and the only son of the Duke.

Why does he want to see me?

Lavinia frowned and fell briefly into thought.

Of course, she had made use of him a little the previous night—but hadn’t everything been neatly settled? The young duke had been startled, yes, but he had not shown any sign of displeasure. She had also offered a proper apology and left courteously, so she had assumed that their connection would end there.

But contrary to her expectations, the man at the very top of high society had come knocking at her detached palace at dawn.

Don’t tell me he’s bringing up last night again.

Contrary to Lavinia’s uneasy thoughts, the maid spoke in a strictly formal tone.

“His Grace of Balmon stated that he has come to return an item the young lady lost on the terrace last night.”

“An item I lost? I have not lost anything.”

“…He said to inform you again, in case you might say so. It is said to be an extremely precious item, and must be personally returned.”

Lavinia’s brows furrowed slightly. Her voice, asking “Really?” was full of disbelief. But the other party was the heir of House Balmon. For her, a fallen princess of a defeated nation, refusing his request was nearly impossible.

“His Grace is currently waiting for you in the Venedic Greenhouse.”

The maid added once more with respect.

The moment Lavinia heard the location, she was certain.

So that’s it. He really has come to pick a fight.

The Venedic Greenhouse—the pride of the royal family, a place that preserved the spoils of conquest taken during the Nordiel Empire’s wars of expansion. A glass-roofed garden that kept rare plants from all over the world imprisoned under glass, justified as a botanical collection, but in reality a display of imperial conquest. Only royalty could freely enter such a place.

Just like those flowers, my situation is no different.

She did not know what “lost item” excuse he was using, but it was clear he intended to assert royal authority now. From the very beginning, he had chosen such a symbolic place to suppress her presence.

Lavinia steeled herself, promising she would not be shaken no matter what he said today, and straightened her appearance.

“It would be discourteous to keep such an important guest waiting. Let’s go.”

---

*****

As soon as she entered the greenhouse, the humid scent of grass and exotic flowers pierced her senses. Lavinia had expected herself to arrive first, but Cedric was already there despite the early hour.

“You have arrived, Lady.”

Cedric rose to greet her warmly. Seen up close, his complexion was clearly poor, but he hid it and spoke cheerfully.

“I am truly sorry for summoning you so early in the morning under such a ridiculous pretext. However, I couldn’t stop thinking about last night’s events.”

“Last night?”

Lavinia replied coolly, clearly uncomfortable.

Cedric gently took her elbow and led her away from the others.

Through the thin fabric of her sleeve, she could feel his fingertips trembling slightly. Yet his demeanor remained smooth and composed.

“I have no intention of troubling you about that matter. However, having seen what I saw last night, I feel compelled to assist you in some way.”

“In what way?”

Her sharp sky-blue eyes examined his face as if trying to read his intent.

At that gaze, Cedric felt a strange tremor rise deep in his chest and, before he knew it, he said:

“I will place myself in your hands.”

“…Pardon?”

Lavinia stepped back in surprise, as though it were a proposal. Cedric followed her instantly, closing the distance with a faint smile that allowed no escape.

“Do you remember the couple dancing yesterday? They will announce their engagement today. At the lakeside, everyone will be firing rifles. Philip, unaware of the situation, will believe he must be the center of attention alongside you. He is confident only in shooting. In other words, what happened on the terrace last night will escalate into something far worse.”

So take my hand.

That was what he meant.

Cedric gently slid his hand from her elbow and placed it over her palm. A sharp jolt ran through her skin at the contact. Yet he endured the pounding of his heart and smiled calmly, like a savior.

“Viscount Edward is an excellent marksman, no less skilled than Prince Philip. While he captures attention by shooting targets and pledging flowers and his life to Lady Isabella, Philip will likely try to steal attention by teaching you how to shoot in front of everyone. A princess and a firearm—what a spectacle that would be.”

Do you think barbarians even know how to hold a gun?
I wonder how badly she will shoot.

Lavinia could already imagine the whispers spreading about her.

Her brow tightened slightly.

Cedric squeezed her hand gently.

“So today, use me however you wish. I will be your loudest and most reliable shield.”

Lavinia stared blankly at his hand.

Whether to take it or not—that hesitation was clear in her expression.

Please, please, Cedric silently begged, maintaining his smile.

Fortunately, her hesitation did not last long. She seemed to decide that avoiding a predictable disaster was better than facing it.

As expected, she is wise.

As Cedric nodded in approval, Lavinia suddenly let out a small laugh.

The sound made his chest feel as if a breeze had passed through it.

“You are… a much stranger person than I expected, Your Grace.”

“Is that so?”

What did “strange” mean? Hopeless? Cedric’s face paled slightly with concern.

Lavinia added gently, as if to reassure him:

“It also means you are kind.”

Cedric exhaled in relief and laughed faintly.

“That is not true. I am simply a foolish man trying to look good in your eyes. Now, before Philip notices and breaks down the garden gate, we should hurry.”

He guided her forward, and she followed.

The feeling of her body moving where he led her was indescribably sweet.

With every step, happiness seemed to drip from him. Who could have guessed that in just one day, she would become so precious to him? Even he could hardly believe it—and it must have seemed even more absurd to Lavinia.

Calm down, Cedric Theophil Lionel de Balmon.

Don’t do anything reckless.

But the moment they reached the lakeside entrance and saw the golden carriage, he clicked his tongue in irritation. Leaning beside it was Philip.

“Hello, cousin.”

How had the prince, who should have just departed from the detached palace, arrived here first? Cedric’s brow twitched slightly.

As Cedric stepped out, Philip’s gaze landed on Lavinia’s hand resting on his arm.

“Ha. Seems you had quite the pleasant walk, being sent in circles and all. From the palace gardens all the way here, no less.”

Of course Philip was furious. He had been misled and delayed, while Cedric arrived holding his fiancée’s hand.

Sensing the tension, Lavinia instinctively tightened her grip on Cedric’s arm.

At that, Cedric felt his irritation melt away instantly.

She was using him as a shield.

How could his heart not swell?

He smiled foolishly, clutching his chest dramatically.

“There’s been a misunderstanding, Philip. A walk, you say? As you can see, I look like I could collapse at any moment.”

Cedric swayed theatrically.

“Her Ladyship was kind enough to support a dying man who could not be left on the roadside. So do not blame her—blame this incompetent brother instead.”

But Philip was not so easily fooled.

Cedric ignored him with feigned indifference, but Philip had always been irritated by Cedric’s inexplicable interference at crucial moments.

From childhood pranks to royal gatherings, and even the war incident where Cedric had unexpectedly outshone him after refusing to participate.

“Stop lying, Cedric! What is going on with you? Is this about the decree from three days ago? You said it was fine!”

He was referring to the plan to convert part of House Balmon’s lands into royal hunting grounds in exchange for an official position for Cedric. It was a scheme devised jointly by the King and Philip to curb the influence of the ducal family.

Cedric had accepted it without objection, smiling lazily as he drank that day.

Philip clenched his teeth.

“Did you suddenly change your mind about the land? It’s just forest land! Are you humiliating me over something like that?”

Cedric didn’t even care about the land.

His attention was entirely on Lavinia’s hand still holding his arm.

“…The decree? You are very diligent, Your Highness, still discussing state affairs at a time like this.”

Cedric looked at Philip.

“I am simply unwell. And her kindness prevents her from abandoning a sick man.”

He leaned slightly closer to Lavinia, inhaling the faint rose scent from her hair—the same scent as last night.

A very sweet rose scent.