The princess and prince are beautiful today too

04

A few days later, it was finally the holiday. I took a carriage and headed to Lev's mansion.

나플리

Finally... will I be able to see Prince Noah?

I looked out the carriage window, my heart pounding with excitement. Soon, the carriage arrived at the Lev mansion. As I stepped out, Lilia was already there to greet me.

릴리아

Welcome, Naples.

나플리

How have you been?

릴리아

Okay. Seira Youngae has already arrived. Let's go catch the carriage to your aunt's house.

I followed Lilia into the carriage at the Lev mansion. Young Ae Seira, who had already boarded, scoffed at me.

세이라

Wow, you really came. I was hoping you wouldn't come.

나플리

Unlike others, you are visiting with a pure purpose, right?

세이라

Profit...huh!

Seira Youngae frowns and looks out the window. Lilia sits down next to me, and the carriage soon departs. After about an hour, the carriage stops.

릴리아

I've arrived.

As we disembark from the carriage, we come into view of Aunt Eril's magnificent and serene mansion. We head toward the entrance. The mansion's butler, perhaps hearing the sound of the carriage approaching, greets us.

그리드 저택 집사

welcome.

릴리아

Hello. Where is your aunt?

그리드 저택 집사

He is in the reception room to welcome the ladies.

We follow the butler's instructions and head to the reception room.

We pass through a long hallway and arrive at the reception room. The butler knocks to announce our arrival. A soft voice of permission comes from inside. Finally, the door opens.

Entering the drawing room, I see Aunt Eril sitting on the sofa. She has a kind yet strong impression. She has been living alone, caring for the Countess of Greed since the death of her husband, the Count.

릴리아

Aunt, how have you been?

그리드 백작부인

Yeah, welcome. It's nice to not be alone for once.

세이라

Meet the Countess of Grid. This is Seira Vincennes.

Seira Youngae greets Countess Grid with elegant etiquette. I follow suit.

나플리

Long time no see. This is Naples Leez.

그리드 백작부인

Naples... It's been a long time. I saw you when you were very young, you've grown up a lot.

Countess Grid smiles happily and nods. We sit on the sofa and begin to chat. Lady Seira sets down her teacup and speaks.

세이라

I would like to ask you one thing, Madam.

그리드 백작부인

..Tell me, Youngae.

세이라

.....Is Prince Noah here?

At Seira Youngae's direct question, Lilia and I gasped. Countess Greed remained silent for a moment before setting down her teacup.

그리드 백작부인

Why do you ask about the prince's whereabouts?

세이라

...I want to see the prince. Please help me, Countess.

Seira Youngae looks at her with an earnest expression, but Countess Grid stares at Seira Youngae with an indifferent expression.

그리드 백작부인

..the prince is not here.

세이라

..Aren't there any eyewitness accounts of people seeing a princess who resembles Prince Noah? Please tell me the truth.

At Seira Youngae's request, Countess Grid's gaze slightly softens.

그리드 백작부인

I accepted your visit at Lilia's request, but... you're rude, Youngae.

세이라

..That, that...I'm sorry. But I... really want to meet Prince Noah!

After that, Countess Greed only replied with a denial. Finally, Lady Seira became sullen and stopped speaking. Countess Greed suggested they stay for a day, but Lady Seira, with a stern expression, summoned her own carriage and rode back.

릴리아

..Whew, I didn't know you could be so rude to your aunt. I'm sorry, aunt..

그리드 백작부인

It's okay, Lilia. Actually, there were many young ladies who came looking for me like that.

As expected, everyone moved quickly based on the rumors. Lilia and I decided to stay at the Greed Mansion for a day, and we were each led to our respective rooms. The room I was shown to was on the opposite side of the room Lilia was staying in.

나플리

Phew, are rumors just rumors?

I look around the room and approach the window. I have a panoramic view of the outside of the mansion. As I open the window, a cool breeze blows in.

나플리

good night..

As I gaze blankly at the scenery, my gaze suddenly stops on a single spot. A golden light gleams through the leaves of a large tree. The gold, shining vividly amidst the green, reveals itself in the sunlight. I quickly realize it's hair.

나플리

......no way.

Only one thing came to mind: Prince Noah's blond hair. My eyes sparkled as I closed the window. Then I stood in the middle of the room, lost in thought. Finally, with a rough plan in mind, I took a step forward.

나플리

...Please let me see your real face.

I try to calm my mind and head out of the Grid Mansion.

I leave the mansion and walk slowly along the garden path. I take my time, admiring the flowers in bloom. Before I know it, I've passed the garden and arrived at the entrance to a forest of trees.

나플리

..Wow..Awesome.

I admire the majestic trees. The green leaves rustle in the breeze, making a rustling sound. I quickly scan the trees, searching for gold.

나플리

'Found it!'

A golden light gleams through the green leaves of a tree not far away. Nervously, I slowly approach the tree. The moment I reach it, something falls from above with a thud.

나플리

...!!

It was a basket filled with strawberries. I naturally looked up at the tree.

A woman in a black dress, her long blonde hair fluttering in the wind, looked down at me from a treetop. The teardrop under her left eye particularly caught my eye.

나플리

......Over there..you dropped this.

At my words, the woman's gaze shifted to the basket of strawberries, then she quickly rose, skillfully descended from the tree, and stood on the ground. She descended with graceful movements and silently picked up the basket.

나플리

..The..strawberries are safe!

At my words, she looks at me and snickers. Her blue eyes stare into mine, and she slowly approaches me. Then she picks up a strawberry and offers it to me. I take it absentmindedly.

나플리

..thank you.

I look up at her, slightly taken aback. Up close, she seems about a head taller than me. Silence lingers for a moment, and then a gust of wind blows past us. I squeeze my eyes shut and curl up. Soon, calm settles in, and I open my eyes.

나플리

....ah..???

I opened my eyes and met her gaze as she picked up a long, golden wig that had fallen to the floor. She froze for a moment, then sighed softly and straightened up, leaving the wig on the ground. Then she stared at me and spoke softly.

노아

Can you keep what you just saw a secret?