Chapter 100

This is a story from Lady Clayeu's perspective.

After that, Clayeu led Miria to a private waiting room reserved for nobles in a corner of the castle. As soon as they entered the room, Miria forcefully shook off the arm Clayeu was holding. Turning around, Clayeu saw that Miria was glaring at her with a dissatisfied expression. Clayeu took a deep breath.

"Big sister, I can't accept this. Why do I have to leave?"

"Noble lady, do you still have the courage to stay there? If so, you really can't see the bigger picture."

"That's not true..."

It was right to bring this girl here by force. The atmosphere in that place was entirely Elina's. She had boldly displayed her feelings for Alvis and was even challenged to confront her directly. Elina was that confident. Confident that she was loved by Alvis. Elina's appearance at that time was beautifully frustrating. Her feelings must have been evident. At that moment, their eyes met, but Alvis was looking at Clayeu and the others with a sharp gaze. It was a cold look, different from the calm and gentle atmosphere Clayeu knew. She felt a moment of fear and instinctively looked away. Perhaps this was a sign that Alvis was disappointed in her and Miria for the disrespectful remarks made to Elina. If that were the case, it would be impossible for her to become Alvis's queen. Clayeu had indeed stepped back. No one could intervene between Alvis and Elina now. She had realized this. However, when the time comes, things might change. If she waited for about two years, Clayeu, at her age, could wait. But if her impression worsened, even if Alvis changed his mind, she might not even be considered a candidate. No, it was probably too late already. She wasn't foolish enough to think she could stand by his side after receiving such a cold look.

"...Miria, give up."

"Why? Mother said I would be fine!"

"But didn't your uncle say to stop?"

"Father is a timid person, so he can only say such things. I have always believed that I would become the queen one day, and I have worked hard for that."

Clayeu held her head. She knew that becoming the prince's wife was Miria's dream since childhood. She also knew that Miria's mother supported her daughter's dream. She had always said that she would let her daughter marry the prince one day. However, that didn't mean becoming part of the royal family. Miria had indeed worked hard. She had strived to become a proper lady. But in front of Elina, her youth always showed. Compared to the always composed Elina, her efforts seemed insignificant. Elina had always been the one who received praise in both the academy and society, and there was a significant difference in their mental fortitude.

"I know you've worked hard. But you don't know the Crown Prince. You don't know how he behaves in society. That's why you don't understand the difference in the current Crown Prince."

"I've heard about it. I've heard that he is close to the princess and always brings her to parties as his partner. But if it's a political marriage, it's not just a relationship, right!"

The Crown Prince's closeness to the princess was well-known in society at the time. Alvis was the only one who called the princess by her nickname. Everyone speculated, and some still do. However, those who knew Alvis back then could easily see that it was all a facade.

"The Crown Prince always maintains a smile and keeps a certain distance from women. That's his norm. But... the queen is different."

"What do you mean by different?"

Miria, pouting, asked. Miria hadn't attended that tea party, so she hadn't seen it. She hadn't seen Alvis smiling sweetly at Elina. She hadn't seen Elina accepting it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. After seeing that, it was impossible to think it was an act. Alvis had never been so affectionate with the princess, not even once.

"Anyway, give up. Not only will you not be considered, but you'll only cause trouble for your uncle. If you're not careful, you might lose your prospects for marriage."

"I want to marry Alvis-sama."

"That's why I'm saying it's impossible. Or do you know the Crown Prince well enough to claim you love him more than the queen?"

"Alvis-sama is handsome, strong, and beautiful. He is kind and a great dancer."

"Anyone knows that..."

Clayeu was at a loss for words. If she hadn't seen Alvis at that time, she might still think she could become his concubine. But even then, she couldn't say anything better than Elina. Miria was on the same level. In other words, Clayeu wasn't in a position to criticize Miria.

"Ha..."

Still, she had to stop this cousin. Miria didn't truly love Alvis; he was just her ideal partner.

"Anyway, at least stop calling the Crown Prince by his name."

"But we're relatives, so it's fine, right?"

"Even the members of the Belphias family, your relatives, call him 'Crown Prince' in such situations."

"..."

Even Miria seemed surprised by this. Even her blood relatives and siblings did it. So, it was impossible for Miria to call him by his name. It seemed she finally understood. Seeing Miria's changed expression, Clayeu felt she could finally move forward.

"Having a foolish cousin really wakes you up."

She wanted to say this to her slightly younger self. It's better not to waste time on futile things.