After Heather walked away, Charles couldn't shake the suspicion gnawing at him. What's that girl plotting this time?
He turned around and spoke toward the presence he could sense behind the wall. "How long do you plan on standing there? I know you were listening, Your Highness, Crown Prince!"
Prince Julius stepped out from his hiding spot, flashing a fake smile. "As expected of the strongest knight's son-you sensed me, Lord Exeter."
"Your praise is wasted on me, Your Highness." Charles sounded bored and wasn't even trying to hide it.
"I overheard your little chat with Heather," Julius said. The smile vanished from his face. He never liked that clingy girl.
"I noticed," Charles replied, still unsure where this was going.
"Did she take some kind of drug or something? Maybe I should just have her executed."
The crown prince was always looking for an excuse to kill Heather. Charles was so used to hearing it that he wasn't even surprised anymore. And yet that foolish girl still loved him.
"I understand, Your Highness. If you'll excuse me." Charles started to walk away.
He really didn't like the crown prince, but there wasn't much he could do...the man would be his future emperor.
"Wait a minute!"
Charles stopped and turned when the prince called out, his eyes glinting with mockery.
"Do you… actually like that girl, Tiana?"
Charles took a deep breath. Clearly, he wasn't getting away anytime soon. "May I ask why you're asking that?"
"I'm just curious. What is it about her that you like?"
"You…you like Tia too, don't you? Then you should understand why I do."
The crown prince's face twisted in surprise before he burst out laughing. Charles could only conclude that the prince had finally lost his mind.
Or maybe he'd been insane all along.
"You've completely misunderstood. There's no way I could ever be in love with that girl!" Julius said between laughs.
Charles didn't get it. If he didn't like her, then why pay her so much attention?
"Then why…?"
"To piss Heather off, of course!"
Charles froze. The prince saw Tiana as nothing more than a toy, just like Heather did. His fist clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
"Why would you do that, Your Highness?! You're playing with Tia's heart!"
The crown prince didn't even hesitate. "You don't seriously think Tiana actually loves me, do you? Her only goal is to become empress. Seriously, you couldn't figure that out?"
Charles refused to believe it. Nobody seemed to understand how genuinely kind and gentle Tiana really was. "You're wrong, Your Highness. Tiana isn't like that," he said firmly.
"Believe whatever you like." Julius shrugged. "Maybe love's made you blind."
Charles forced himself to stay calm. "Class is about to start. If you'll excuse me!" He strode away, leaving Julius behind.
The crown prince watched him go, his voice dropping to a murmur Charles couldn't hear.
"As if I could love her…when there's already someone else I care about."
~
Heather Federline
Did the crown prince really listen in on our conversation?
I didn't treat Tiana like a person at all. Is he going to have me executed?
God, just once, let luck be on my side please!!
The bell rang, and the teacher entered the room. I glanced around, all three male characters were here.
I'd already spoken with Charles Exeter. I'd had an unpleasant little stare-down with Crown Prince Julius Lytton.
That left only Frances Allencourt.
A royal by blood and Julius's cousin, Frances Allencourt -the grand duke's son was a side character famous for his handsome looks.
With his long red hair and golden eyes, he didn't resemble the crown prince at all.
Honestly, Frances was my favorite character. Among all the male leads, he was the most normal. Plus, he was into art and unfailingly polite.
As I was studying Frances, he must've noticed because he looked back at me.
Unlike the others, his gaze wasn't filled with hatred. He just seemed curious why I was staring. I quickly turned away.
The teacher finished roll call, and when Tiana's name was called…she wasn't here.
Where was that girl?
The first class came and went, still no Tiana.
During the break, I was doodling nonsense in my notebook when a voice spoke nearby.
"Lady Federline, do you happen to know where Tiana is?"
The speaker was Frances. Despite his beautiful face, his deep, masculine voice caught me off guard.
Does he think I kidnapped Tiana or something?
Wait…did I?
I checked Heather's memories. Nope, definitely not.
"I don't know," I said, but he didn't believe me.
"Are you sure? It's not too late to confess."
Maybe I should take back what I said about him being my favorite.
But as Heather, I understood why he was acting this way.
Heather did seem like someone capable of kidnapping Tiana.
"You might find it hard to believe, but I'm telling the truth. I have no idea where Tiana is."
"Nobody believes your pathetic lies!" The voice came from my left. When had the crown prince gotten so close?
Before I could respond, he grabbed me by the collar and yanked me up. Still holding me, he continued speaking.
He looked amused. Wasn't he supposed to be worried about Tiana being missing?! "Now, Lady Federline, why don't you tell us where Tiana is?" He was definitely mocking me.
Frances spoke up. "Calm down, Julius. Even if she's Lady Federline, you shouldn't treat a woman like that!"
Even if? Rude, Frances.
Frances tried prying the prince's hand off my collar but failed—because the crown prince was ridiculously strong.
A faint blue light shimmered around him. Was this jerk using magic to boost his strength?!
What was I supposed to do now?
I felt like a sacrificial lamb about to be slaughtered.
It was as if Prince Julius was holding the knife to my throat while Frances was saying, "At least make it quick."
My eyes met Charles's across the room. He glared at the crown prince with hatred…but did nothing else.
Honestly, that was for the best. The last thing I needed was more trouble.
Just as the situation was reaching peak disaster, a gentle, girlish voice rang out.
"Sorry I'm late, everyone! I was baking cookies for all of us and lost track of time."
I turned to the newcomer...Tiana, obviously. At last, I'd come face-to-face with the heroine herself.