•?••? ? ?••?•

“I think I liked her more than I thought. So, that’s probably why I’ve contracted this illness of the heart.”

As bittersweet as it was to recall the rejection, the thought of Iva still brought color to Ray’s face.

“What is her name?”

“Huh?”

“There must be a way to change her mind. I want to help my precious friend fulfill his unrequited love.”

Claude wanted to use his power, if necessary, to make Ray’s love come true.

However, Ray firmly shook his head.

“I don’t want to burden her any further. She has given me enough time, and during that time, I failed to change her heart.”

He didn’t want to forcibly keep Iva by his side using his power. He couldn’t go against her wish for freedom.

“You were truly sincere.”

“I want to leave only good memories with her.”

Although he was rejected, Ray was still passionately in love.

“Ray, you’ve grown up.”

“Yes? I’m already an adult.”

“No, not just in terms of age.”

“Ah, I see.”

“So, you won’t tell me her name?”

Ray nodded slightly.

“Then, can I ask about something else?”

“Something else?”

“What about her attracted your heart? Her appearance? The way she speaks?”

Ray unconsciously raised his hand and lightly touched his scar.

“She was incredibly beautiful, but she said it was cowardly to avoid me because of my scar. She told me to proudly show it off like a medal.”

“A very brave lady.”

Not many people dared to approach Ray due to his scars and imposing stature, as well as the prejudices associated with his noble family.

But here was someone who used those very words while speaking to Ray. Claude felt like he was starting to understand why Ray had succumbed to lovesickness.

“Did you return safely from your inspection? Did you go without any guards again?”

“Oh, I met an interesting lady because I didn’t have any guards.”

Claude had been contemplating how to prepare for the upcoming diplomatic party for the envoy.

That’s why he participated in the renowned Madame’s party to gather information. However, he ended up only receiving an invitation to become a young rural head from a woman wearing a cat mask.

“An interesting lady? Didn’t you recognize her Your Highness?”

“She was wearing a mask.”

“I’m glad nothing dangerous happened.”

“Well, I did get slapped.”

“Pardon?”

Ray, who had been slightly slouched, suddenly straightened his posture, raising his neck as if to kill someone right away.

“It’s fine. It was nothing.”

“How can it be nothing that Your Highness got slapped?”

“Don’t act like you’re going to jump out just because I got slapped. I handled it well.”

Ray, who had actually considered jumping away, couldn’t help but deflate at Claude’s words.

“Can you go in that state?”

“I stood on the battlefield even when I was stabbed in the back.”

“But it’s not a war now. Recover your spirits quickly.”

“Don’t tell me… the lady who you found amusing was the one who slapped you?”

Claude’s smile grew when Iva came to mind.

“No, that lady told me to go to the countryside with her and become the young rural head.”

“What? Did she say that to Your Highness?”

“Ray, what do you think? Do you think I can do it well?”

“Your Highness is capable of doing everything well, so I believe you will succeed, but…”

Ray earnestly envisioned Claude becoming the young rural head.

“Your Highness suits the palace the best.”

“I thought so too, but it was interesting to hear that there are other choices outside.”

“Other choices?”

“I’ve never considered a life outside the palace. I always thought that catching Your Majesty’s attention and expanding my influence was everything in life.”

‘It’s my life, I’ll make my own rules.’

The tone was casual, the attitude being that it’s fine to live however one wants.

Those words shook Claude’s values, which he had fiercely adhered to until now.

“It felt like she was showing me that one can live well without striving so hard.”

“So that’s how it seemed to you.”

“Those words were light, yet they brought comfort?”

Inside the palace, he was the third prince, unrecognized by anyone, but outside the palace, he was a noble whom the people found intimidating.

Claude made an effort to blend in wherever he went. To the people, he was a kind prince, and in the palace, he was a prince recognized for his abilities.

However, both roles were not easy, and he constantly pushed himself harder, feeling the need to be perfect wherever he was.

The black cat mask, which only selected words opposing Claude’s ideals, was intriguing. He wondered what kind of reaction he would see when they meet again.

“Wasn’t she an interesting lady?”

“She is peculiar, but seems like a good person.”

“I think so too.”

To genuinely make Claude, who was accustomed to insincere laughter, laugh, Ray also became curious about the woman’s identity.

“Did you arrange to meet again?”

“No. She hurriedly left while drunk.”

“Then, do you know her name?”

“I didn’t ask anything. She disappeared quickly.”

“Does she have any distinctive features?”

Claude had the same expression now as when he was curious about Ray’s secret love interest.

“It’s a secret.”

“What?”

“Since you also didn’t tell me the name of that lady, I’ll keep the details about her a secret too.”

For the first time in their long friendship, a secret emerged between the two of them.

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