# 48
## The day the prince returns
On the day of the big event and banquet celebrating the prince's return, Kaiden was preparing for the Eclipse Hunting Tournament when his assistant approached him.
“Sir, this is the list of gifts prepared to congratulate His Highness Prince Andrew on his return.”
After clearing his throat, the assistant began reciting the gifts.
“Golden tortoise, high quality pink pearls from Altan Mountain...”
Recently, the nobles of the capital have been eager to curry favor with the prince while keeping the Emperor's opinion in mind. Since he was the sole heir to the throne, getting closer to him had advantages that outweighed the risks.
As a result, sending extravagant gifts under the guise of celebrating his return became a trend.
“100 carat blue diamonds from Bartak, and...”
The assistant flipped to the next page, continued listing the gifts, and then moved on to another page. Finally, after reading the last item, he took a deep breath.
The menu was excessive.
Honestly, Kayden didn't have to put in all that much effort.
As the future heir of the Besen Family, he knew that no matter how helpless the prince was, he would not dare to stand against his family.
“…that concludes the list.”
silence.
"my lord?"
No response.
The assistant adjusted his small glasses and raised his voice.
“Sir, is there something on the menu that does not satisfy you?”
Finally, Kayden's eyes returned to focus. Pressing his fingers to his temple, he finally spoke.
“You made sure my gifts were more valuable than my brother's, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then that's enough.”
The assistant leaned in, holding back a sigh.
'Lately, he seems to be more obsessed with Duke Harold.'
Caiden had always hated Harold, but until now, it had not led to such unnecessary expenses.
It was a huge, unplanned expense—an amount that made the assistant's stomach churn just thinking about it.
Despite his close advisors, including the butler, advising against him, Caiden did not back down.
'Well, I guess it doesn't matter.'
After all, his master was the heir of the Besen family.
Besides, a recent report from the family doctor confirmed that Harold's disease is getting worse.
'He may look strong with the help of painkillers, but his time is running out.'
“It's time to leave.”
“Safe journey, sir.”
Kayden climbed into the cart, which moved smoothly forward.
As the outside scenery changed rapidly, his gaze settled on a pink flower on a tree.
The delicate petals reminded him of a woman—a woman whose cheeks flushed whenever their eyes met.
Even after the flower disappeared from view, he found himself unable to look away from the window.
A voice echoed in his mind, shaking him to his core.
"Now you understand, don't you? Diana never really loved you."
Kaiden clenched his fist so hard that he felt like his veins would explode, showing his teeth like a beast defending its territory.
His displeasure reached its peak, and his red eyes seemed ready to burn the entire sea.
Even after realizing the cause of his uncontrollable anger, his daily life remained a mess.
Kayden was convinced that his anger towards Harold was what caused this.
But today, it will all end.
'Brother, playing love games is okay, but you shouldn't have made fun of me.'
Today, Diana's true feelings will be revealed.
He was ready to use a method that he had avoided until now—one that would definitely reveal the truth.
'No matter how much you pretend, Diana, I know you still love me.'
When that happens, his brother—who has always stood arrogantly above him—will finally collapse.
Watching Harold's arrogant face contort in despair would be a satisfying pleasure.
Kaiden sneered coldly.
By then, his carriage had reached Count Garcia's palace.
When he came out, the Count's servant welcomed him.
“Hello, Sir Kayden. Please wait a moment while I summon Ms. Ella.”
"Good."
Kaiden looked around as he waited.
Relics of Diana were permeated throughout the palace.
He clearly remembered how she would follow him, always eager to talk to him.
'At the time, I found it annoying and tiring.'
But looking back now, it was kind of cute.
'No... nothing has changed.'
Diana was just pretending.
By the end of the day, she'll drop the pretense and go back to pursuing him like before.
She won't have a choice.
* * *
“Ma’am, we will style your hair as we discussed last time.”
“I'm going to start applying my makeup now. Please close your eyes for a moment.”
I sat still, letting the maids work while my mind wandered.
‘If things go well today, events that were supposed to happen three years later may start early.’
According to Harold, Prince Andrew wanted to improve the lives of the Empire's citizens.
For someone like me—who was reborn into this world and lived in fear while struggling in the streets—this was the best news I could have heard.
At that moment, a knock was heard at the door, and Harold entered my room.
“Are you ready?”
"Yes! I arrived just in time!"
The servants left quietly, leaving us alone. I approached Harold, expecting him to offer his arm to accompany me.
Instead, he just stared at me.
“…Is there something on my face?”
“Diana.”
"Yes?"
“How about wearing the perfume I gave you?”
I blinked in surprise.
“I wasn't going to put it on since we'd be near the forest...why?”
Harold walked past me to the dressing table, his broad back facing me.
“Most of the capital’s nobles will be there today. Even many regional lords are attending.”
He picked up the perfume bottle from the table and turned to face me.
“This will be the first time many will see us as a couple.”
“…”
“So, I need to make it clear how much I'm obsessed with you.”
Harold's sharp gaze fixed on me. The small perfume bottle was resting in his hand.
“...I see. You want to prevent people from suspecting that our marriage is fake.”
Harold was very possessive of what he considered his own. I remembered the first time I wore the perfume—how strikingly different the noblewomen's reactions were.
Given that, this seemed like an effective strategy.
“…”
Harold remained silent. I took that as his way of saying yes.
'He could only have said it was to prevent people from suspecting that our marriage was fake.'
Why did he have to say that in a way that made my heart sink? It made me think about things I shouldn't, even though I was already struggling to cope.
I shot a slightly annoyed look at him.
Then, I extended my arm, indicating that I would apply perfume.
“I'll put it on for you,” said Harold.
“I can do it myself.”
I reached out to take the perfume bottle, but he pushed it out of my reach.
“Harold?”
“Yes, Diana?”
His eyes met mine, narrowing slightly like a cunning fox. His smile looked sweet, as if he would do anything for me, but there was deep stubbornness behind it.
'Why is he obsessed with this?'
He was like this when he first gave me perfume too. It was such a strange thing to insist on that I couldn't even argue.
“…Okay, do whatever you want.”
With a sigh, I let him do whatever he wanted.
Harold came so close that all I could see was his chest.
I'm used to this kind of closeness, but my eyelids are still blinking nervously.
The scent of the forest that was clinging to him became stronger.
His breath rubbed my neck as he applied perfume.
“As I thought, it suits you.”
“…”
“Maybe because it's the perfect perfume for my wife.”
Harold pulled back slightly, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
“I love it.”
Knock, knock, knock. My heartbeat was loud in my ears.
That cunning and dangerous face!
He always managed to say things in a way that made them seem...weird.
I gasped inwardly and slowly backed away. But in my confused state, my legs became tangled, and I lost my balance.
"brother!"
I braced myself for falling and closed my eyes
But before I hit the ground, two strong arms wrapped around my waist.
“You should be more careful, Diana.”
Harold's hands stopped, his warm fingers stroking my reddened ears.
* * *