Chapter 41

A breeze blew from somewhere, and Cynthia’s silver hair fluttered like sea foam.

The kiss between the princess and the war hero was beautiful, like a painting.

Even those who had watched with playful curiosity were moved at heart by the sight of the youthful couple.

“What were you thinking, doing something so thoughtless? You just ended up upsetting the grand princess for no reason.”

One noble scolded the one who had encouraged the two to kiss.

They were the same nobles who had mocked Cynthia in Medeian, and they were children of the Grand Duke’s vassals.

“No, it was obvious Brigadier General Vicente didn’t like her, so I just…”

“Obvious? Is something wrong with your eyes? It’s clear you’ve never been in a relationship before.”

Massera usually had an expressionless face, but the way he looked down at Cynthia was anything but indifferent.

Another noble spoke up sheepishly.

“Honestly, the Brigadier General is impressive, but that princess… it’s hard not to like her. She’s lovely and harmless, like a flower blooming by the roadside. I felt kind of guilty earlier.”

There was something about Cynthia that drew people in.

Meanwhile, Princess Charlotte, who was watching the two from afar while seated with the royal family, set down her glass with a dispassionate expression.

The last remaining members of the royal family who went into hiding in the North after the monarchy’s fall.

Ever since reappearing in society, she had likely faced endless contempt and scorn.

Yet for the main character of such a tragic story, Cynthia was far too bright and unbothered.

‘It’s strange. Unless she’s exceptionally skilled at navigating social situations…’

At that moment, someone spoke to her while she was lost in thought.

“Charlotte, I’ve heard some good news about you too. You’re to become Her Majesty the Queen soon?”

At her relative’s question, she forced a smile and shook her head.

“Well, my mother only hinted at it. Nothing’s certain yet.”

“As the second daughter from a low-ranking branch of the royal family, this is your only chance to rise to the top.”

“For the sake of your older brother, the successor to the Grand Duke’s house, you must become queen.”

Princess Charlotte clenched her fists as she recalled her mother’s words.

She, with ambitions of her own, had no intention of becoming someone else’s possession.

“Your Highness, you have excellent information-gathering and analytical skills. You’re a valuable asset to the intelligence agency.”

All Medeian royalty had a duty to serve in the military, and accordingly, Princess Charlotte had joined the army and served as an intelligence officer.

It was then that she met Colonel Massera, who was the first to recognize her true capabilities.

From that day on, Princess Charlotte began to dream not of a predetermined fate, but of a future of her own choosing.

‘I don’t need the most impressive husband, but someone who will stand beside me as an equal and recognize me.’

***

A passing breeze carried with it a beautiful melody as it swept by.

‘That man really did it. That was a kiss between adults.’

My legs gave out from the sudden kiss, and I stumbled slightly before regaining my balance.

If Massera hadn’t supported me with his arm, I might have fainted like a sunfish just from the kiss.

“I-I…”

“What?”

Massera asked shamelessly, tracing his finger over his own lips.

Why did he look so sensual? Was it because of the uniform? And were this man’s ears red from the cold, or because he was embarrassed about kissing in public?

My cheeks were burning too, so I was probably red as a strawberry right now.

‘I can’t even look at his face.’

I ducked my head and sat back down, sipping on my tea that had gone lukewarm.

I could feel Massera’s gaze on me from across the table, his chin resting on his hand.

I was deliberately avoiding eye contact when—

—one of the Queen’s personal maids approached and spoke to me.

“Princess Cynthia, Her Majesty has invited you to the Cream Tea Party.”

“Cream Tea Party?”

“The Cream Tea Party is held between afternoon tea and dinner. It could be considered as a sort of appetizer.”

We had black tea for a morning tea party right after breakfast, we’re drinking tea again now, and we’re going to have it again later?

This country’s definitely crazy about black tea—just like how Koreans drink iced Americanos even in the middle of winter.

After the maid gave me the time and location and left, I sneaked a glance at Massera.

“It looks like I’ll have to go to the Cream Tea Party that’s between afternoon tea and dinner.”

“I heard everything from here.”

“Well then, I should get ready to meet the Queen.”

With that, I got up from my seat and fled faster than light.

‘Don’t get ahead of yourself, heart!’

I ran away, furiously rubbing my lips.

Inside, I was in total chaos after experiencing the first kiss of my life. With my heart racing and my face burning, I felt embarrassed to show myself like this.

***

Left alone, Massera stared at Cynthia’s back as she ran off.

“Hah.”

He’d displayed his affection in front of everyone just like she wanted, so why did she look so displeased?

Suddenly, his furrowed brow began to ease.

“Looks like I’ve found a good method.”

The chatterbox who would talk nonstop had gone silent for nearly five whole minutes. He grinned wickedly like a strategist who had uncovered the formula for victory.

And a part of him found her blushing, flustered face so satisfying that he wanted to see it again.

A few nobles approached and tried to speak to him, but he was too absorbed in recalling the scene to respond.

***

As time passed, the time for the tea party arrived.

The tea party was attended by dignitaries invited by the Queen, royals, and Princess Charlotte.

‘Let’s hope that naive woman doesn’t make a mistake in front of Her Majesty…’

Princess Charlotte looked back and forth between Cynthia, who was beaming brightly, and the Queen, who was smiling kindly.

The Queen might appear understanding at first glance, but anyone who crossed her would pay a hefty price.

After all, behind the mask was an iron-blooded monarch who could reduce a nation to ashes with a flick of her hand.

“I feel a certain fondness for you and that’s probably because you’re around my daughter’s age, Princess Cynthia. The Variessa royal family also happens to be a distant relative of mine as well. You see, our families married into each other a long time ago.”

“That’s right. If we trace our lineage, the descendants of the Great Empire two thousand years ago founded different nations, so Your Majesty and I are probably something like eighth cousins-in-law…”

Most royal families were connected by blood in some way.

As Cynthia chatted with the Queen about their vaguely shared bloodline, a count approached her.

“I’ve heard stories about your luck and about how you can read people’s minds, Your Highness. It is quite intriguing. I wish I could see such a gift in action.”

Just as the Variessa royal family had once done in the past, he was implying Cynthia might also be deceiving people with tall tales.

“It was just a coincidence… Things somehow got exaggerated.”

Surprisingly, Cynthia denied having such abilities. Then she added with an innocent smile—

“There’s no way such powers could exist, right? I guess everyone just has a pure heart. Is it because of the Frost Queen myth? Do you perhaps take interest in old legends and superstitions, Count?”

“N-No… I…”

“Next time we meet, I’ll give you a feng shui charm that brings wealth. I bought a few from a souvenir shop. They say sticking it on your front door brings in money. Ha ha ha.”

At Cynthia’s laughter, the count blinked in confusion.

Her words carried a hint of sarcasm—“How naive could you be to believe in such superstitions?”—but with her guileless and bright expression, he couldn’t bring himself to get angry.

“Ahahaha…”

Just then, the Queen, who had been quietly observing, covered her mouth and burst out laughing.

Everyone who was present laughed along, even those who did not understand Luthemian.

“By the way, how is your son doing? He hurt his leg, didn’t he?”

But then, Cynthia’s sudden question brought the laughter to an abrupt stop.

Clink—

The count dropped his teaspoon, his face going pale.

“How did you…?”

The fact that his son had recently broken his leg in a fall from a horse was something he hadn’t told anyone. Since horseback riding was considered basic etiquette, it would only bring ridicule if revealed.

“Was it a secret? I’m sorry—I had no idea.”

Cynthia looked apologetic.

But the count couldn’t shake off the feeling that those crimson eyes saw straight through him.

“So you being able to read people’s minds is—”

“I told you, I don’t have such powers.”

The more one denies something, the more it tends to sound like the truth.

The count turned his head away, unable to meet Cynthia’s eyes any longer.

‘That princess really does have something. Those rumors didn’t start for nothing!’

Cynthia, unfazed by the terrified count, casually picked up a scone and took a bite.

‘I just happened to hear you talking to a servant about it on the way here.’

She only meant to give him a get-well cat charm—something she picked up from a souvenir shop because he seemed like the superstitious type.