•?••? ? ?••?•

“Iva, I’ve been waiting for you.”

The moment she stepped out of the Imperial Palace, there he was: Claude. For a split second, Iva mistook him for a younger Adhvan, and her heart skipped a beat.

She blinked rapidly to confirm it was indeed Claude, but that didn’t necessarily put her at ease. He, too, was an enigma, hard to read.

“You were waiting for me? Why?”

How did he know I was at the palace? Iva approached him with suspicious eyes.

Claude replied with a sly smile, “I wanted to see you.”

Caught off guard by his unexpected answer, Iva quickly glanced behind her.

Is he talking to me? Maybe he’s speaking to someone behind me. But there was no one else there.

“Haha. Who are you looking for?”

“Were you addressing me just now?”

“Yes. I was speaking to you. I missed you.”

Claude took another step closer, his blue uniform making his pale skin and silver hair even more striking.

“How did you know I was at the palace?”

“I heard about it a little while ago.”

“Oh, from Chase?”

So, my parents must have boasted to Chase’s parents, and word got around.

“No, from Flah.”

“His Majesty’s aide?”

“The emperor seems to consider you my guest. He suggested I should be the one to escort you out.”

Did they anticipate my hasty exit? The penetrating gazes of both Adhvan and Flah came to mind, sending shivers down her spine.

“I was in the middle of something when I heard, so I couldn’t bring a carriage. But I can accompany you as far as possible.”

“Oh, I can manage on my own. You should attend to your urgent matters first.”

“No, you are my top priority right now. Let’s go.”

Why does he sound so… cheesy today? Feeling puzzled, she followed him.

“I realized I haven’t properly greeted you yet. It’s an honor to meet Prince…”

“It’s fine. We don’t need formalities between us anymore.”

I’d rather maintain that distance and formality, thank you very much.

“This is the first time we’ve been alone since the masquerade party.”

It had been a while since they met without the constant presence of Ray or Julian. Claude had purposefully made time amidst his work to seize this moment.

“Come to think of it, I don’t believe I properly thanked you for rescuing me that day.”

Well, he did threaten her to organize the party as a payback. Still, his help that day was genuine, so she gave a nod of gratitude.

“Your Highness, I’m truly grateful.”

“It’s alright. You looked particularly adorable that day. Consider that my thanks.”

“Ah, my black cat mask was cute that day, wasn’t it?”

“It wasn’t the mask.”

“…Pardon?”

“It was you who was cute.”

Iva blinked in surprise. She had definitely heard those words somewhere before.

‘Meticulous yet adorably clumsy.’

‘Prince Claude, I apologize. I should have been more careful. It was my oversight.’

‘It’s okay. It was cute.’

‘…Pardon?’

‘Your actions were rather endearing, Lady Julian.’

The words echoed the first time Claude had shown a hint of his feelings to Julian.

Could it be? Does Claude have feelings for me? Nah, that can’t be.

Iva gulped, her anxiety palpable, and glanced at him. Sensing her gaze, Claude met her eyes. 

His soft blue eyes curved warmly. 

With memories of their past encounters looming large, Iva realized she hadn’t truly taken the time to read Claude’s expressions before. But now, anyone could see the affection in his gaze. How did she miss this?

Embarrassed, she quickly averted her eyes. What kind of twist was this?

“Thanks to you, I received rare praise from His Majesty.”

“Did… did you?”

“Yes. So, how about working as my personal aide?”

Claude tried to meet Iva’s green eyes, but she stubbornly kept her gaze forward.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ve already informed Lord Chase of my decision to decline.”

“I heard. But just as you initially declined the party and later accepted, I’m hoping you might reconsider this time as well. What do you think?”

Wasn’t it because of his half-threat?

“I’m seriously considering moving to the countryside now. It’s going to be tough.”

“Have you found a young man to go with you?”

“…I won’t be looking for one. I plan to go alone.”

“Ha, that’s a relief then. That position was mine to begin with.”

Being aware of his feelings made his words resonate even more deeply with Iva, so she quickly changed the subject.

“Um, is this the right way to the western entrance?”

“Yes, this is the way.”

“I feel like we should be seeing the entrance by now, but I can’t spot it.”

“I took a detour because I wanted to spend more time with you.”

•?••? ? ?••?•