(Chapter 13)
"I made a mistake..."
Aedric heard the murmurs of Lorcan Frostborne as they were in the study. There were only the two of them in the room, and Lorcan began to open up about the troubling issue that weighed on his mind.
"It seems like Your Highness got carried away and ended up doing it?"
"She's too captivating... I did something foolish, damn it, why did I follow that guidebook I bought back then?"
Aedric tried to suppress a laugh and replied, "Your Highness, Lady Clarisse doesn't seem as angry as you feared. Didn't she escort you home?"
"Yes, but I still feel uncomfortable about what I did. Clarisse looked really shocked, and I thought she wouldn't reject me like the guidebook said."
"It seems like Your Highness should apologize at the next meeting so that Lady Clarisse will think better of you again."
"Yeah, you're right. I think I'll apologize in a letter first, then apologize again in person."
"Your Highness really likes Lady Clarisse. This is quite unusual."
"Mmm?"
"Your Highness has never been like this with anyone before, let alone with a lady," Aedric continued.
Lorcan paused for a moment as he absorbed Aedric's words. Then, he took a piece of paper and began writing. Lorcan thought carefully about the right words to say, hoping that his apology letter wouldn't take all day to write.
"Well then, I'll take my leave, Your Highness."
"Yes."
After ten failed attempts, Lorcan finally finished his letter. He read it once more and was satisfied with the result. The apology letter was neatly written.
Clarisse received the letter. Every word was filled with a genuine apology.
"Is he truly regretful?" Clarisse smiled, relieved to realize that it was just Lorcan getting carried away.
She then sent a reply letter, which made Lorcan smile in satisfaction.
Lorcan had a hard time sleeping for two days, constantly wondering whether his apology would be accepted or not.
"Next time, I won't do something so foolish. I won't follow that silly guide again."
Lorcan called for Aedric, who immediately entered his study.
"Everything went as we predicted, Your Highness. There are no more disturbances at the border, and you can visit Lady Clarisse."
"..." Lorcan stared out the window.
"Your Highness?" Aedric called when he saw Lorcan suddenly wearing a serious expression.
"I'm wondering... is Clarisse close with many students at the Academy?" Lorcan turned to ask Aedric.
"By chance, I've already gathered information on who Lady Clarisse is close to."
"And?"
"Lady Clarisse is friends with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. According to the information, they've been friends since they were very young."
"The Crown Prince..."
"But they don't have a relationship beyond that of friends, Your Highness."
"Mm..."
Lorcan recalled a party where the Crown Prince had been present. Known as the 'Empire's Sun,' Kaelion Arvasyn was the friendly and sociable type who got along with anyone. Every time Lorcan thought of him, he felt uncomfortable, wondering if his future wife might be swayed?
"And there's also news that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is already engaged to the Princess of the Southern Duke."
"Yes, I remember. He does have an engagement."
Aedric smiled uncertainly, feeling the need to continue sharing the information he had gathered, mentioning that the relationship between the Crown Prince and his future fiancée was not all that harmonious.
In a low voice filled with tension, Lorcan said, "Keep an eye on the developments between the Crown Prince and the Princess of the Southern Duke."
"Understood, Your Highness."