The Crown Prince resembled the Emperor very much. When she faced that gaze, Siervian regretted it without realizing it.
He was on his way back from swordsmanship training, and sweat had formed on his forehead.
She remembered his cold treatment when they were in front of the Empress last time. If she had seen him first, then she would have avoided him at once.
"Hello…"
But there was no choice but to greet him because their eyes met. She intended to excuse herself right away if her greeting wasn't returned.
But an answer suddenly came back.
"Thanks."
The Crown Prince's reply was so out of place.
[ Damian Erveldote ]
Favorability: +100
Mood: Very excited
The only thing she mentioned was a greeting, but his answer was strange. Flustered, she forgot how discouraged she was just now and asked him.
"Huh?"
"…I was mean to you back then, so I thought you won't say hello."
"..."
As expected, what she thought at first was right. He knew that he was mean to her…!
"I'm sorry."
"It's fwine…"
Did something bad happen to him that day?
In fact, she wasn't fine with it, but she answered politely. She could just avoid him in the future. They didn't have to meet each other anyway.
"Can I meet you later?"
As Siervian was about to leave, the Crown Prince urgently asked.
Come to think of it, on the day they ran into each other at the Empress' Palace, there was something strange about his status window. It was almost like he came to the Empress' Palace in a hurry just to find her on purpose.
'What does that mean?'
She felt uncomfortable. Siervian nodded as a way to avoid him for now.
In her previous life, the Crown Prince never visited her for any personal business.
"Thank you, Siervian."
However, as she nodded appropriately, he smiled brightly at her.
[ Damian Erveldote ]
Favorability: +100
Thoughts: My kind younger sister.
She couldn't take her eyes off the status window.
He thought of her as a younger sister.
"Oh, you're about to go this way, right?"
"Yees."
[ Damian Erveldote ]
Favorability: +100
When she replied politely, the Crown Prince smiled again. It shocked her because he could only imagine him having the same stoic expression as their father.
"See you later."
Her older brother, who was suddenly acting strangely, was so unrecognizable. So Siervian nodded quickly and hurried away.
However, she overlooked the fact that it would take a while for her to pass by her brother because her legs were so short.
[ Damian Erveldote ]
Thoughts: Now that authority over the budget has been shifted, everything should be fine.
Thanks to that, she was able to see another strange status window.
Did something happen between her brother and the Empress?
As she took a quiet stroll at a deserted place, the shock seemed to disappear a little. And it unexpectedly helped her organize her thoughts for what's to come in the future.
'I want to prevent what's going to happen, so I have to become independent once I become an adult.'
Her brother was made for his position as Crown Prince. He had excellent magic abilities and he was very intelligent—truly suited for the Imperial Family. In addition, according to the 'Emperor's Pledge', he was the first in the line of succession.
In many ways, the throne was never hers. Siervian knew this more than probably everyone else.
'But it doesn't make sense that I was accused of treason.'
Anyway, that was what happened. Just because a small incident was prevented didn't mean that even the 'treason' would disappear.
Moreover, she didn't even know how she was framed as a traitor.
That's why she was going to lay low to change this fate. She wouldn't forget her place, even when she was being shown a little bit of favor now.
'I know. I should hide that I'm a princess and get a job, right?'
At the sudden thought, Siervian thought of different places with a new perspective.
The Imperial Palace was not a place where just anyone could enter. But on the other hand, it was also a place where all supplies and talents gathered. She should look around here and think carefully about what she'll do in the future.
'I'll save as much money as I can.'
And just like that, she forgot that she was supposed to meet the Crown Prince.
Until he visited the Princess' Palace the very next day.
"Who?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince has come to visit. Now, Princess, three cheers!"
"Three cheers."
Siervian lifted both of her arms just as Jane asked. Jane was changing her clothes on behalf of Ellie, who went to the Emperor's Palace for a while to meet the grand chamberlain.
Surprised to hear who the visitor was, Siervian was tempted to ask the same question again.
[ Jane Millas ]
Favorability: 8,900
Thoughts: You still have to eat a lot more, our Princess.
It's only been a few days since Jane met Siervian, but her favorability had increased tremendously.
In fact, Siervian couldn't say anything to her at first, but when she saw that Jane liked her, she realized that Jane seemed to be an affectionate person. It's probably because the Princess' Palace compensated its employees handsomely.
But seriously, was he really here?
"Umm."
"What is it, Princess?"
"Nothwing."
She knew that they had agreed to meet yesterday, but she didn't know that he meant that he would come the next day. They never even met like this in her previous life.
After getting ready, she went down to the drawing room and saw that Damian was really there.
"Ah, Siervian. Sorry. I know I should have sent word in advance…"