Crying

Flory was a little surprised that Raine had used the trick of “demote first, promote after,” leaving her actual authority unchanged.

But there was no harm in it.

To erase the impact of openly defying the Crown Prince, she had to accept punishment.

Yet if someone with real merit were punished too harshly, it would only chill the hearts of others.

So even if Raine hadn’t thought of it, Flory herself would have suggested he give her some monetary compensation to quiet any gossip…

Of course, when she left in the future, she planned to return all of it along with every coin of her wages.

Raine hardly lacked money. But she had no right to use a single piece of it.

So this symbolic “demotion” was actually a clever solution. ‘

It didn’t quite fit her original plan to create distance between them, but she couldn’t help feeling a flicker of happiness at his growth.

Because this way, others wouldn’t fear punishment so much that they avoided speaking honestly to him.

Good advice was always hard to hear. Throughout history, rulers who could truly accept it were rare.

Flory hoped she could help Raine become one of them.

“Call Lady Yaros in.”

Clearly, Raine had realized Flory’s plan: soothe him first, then repair relations with Stella.

Flory went outside to inform Stella.

But she didn’t enter with her, leaving the two to handle the matter themselves.

The results seemed decent enough. Before long, the blue-haired girl stepped out.

“Flory, please call everyone else back.”

“Yes, but one moment, please.”

Flory entered the dining hall and began to cast warming spells over the dishes that hadn’t yet been served.

Raine almost told her it wasn’t necessary—but quickly noticed her careful hand.

Some dishes she ignored, while others she reheated at different intensities and times.

Clearly, she was restoring them to their best possible state.

He held his tongue. Stella, who had followed behind, froze at the sight.

A maid who could use magic… Even women with such talent could often earn a knight’s title without inheritance.

For someone like that to willingly serve as head maid—it might suit the Crown Prince’s lofty position, but it was still astonishing.

And it naturally sparked a thought—

“Lady Yaros, if you ever think of stealing Flory away from me, I won’t allow it.” Raine smiled faintly.

“Please rest assured, Your Highness, I’d never dare.” Stella shook her head quickly.

Forget magic—just Flory’s composure alone proved her importance to Raine’s household.

Meanwhile, Flory worked quietly, smiling politely but without responding. She didn’t acknowledge his words.

That was fine. Raine planned to repeat similar remarks again and again, until one day she would remember them.

Until the day she truly planned to leave—he wanted her to recall the weight of his intentions.

When she finished reheating the food, Flory called the others back, and Stella’s dinner finally began.

There wasn’t much cheer left after all that had happened, but neither was the atmosphere stifling.

“Your Highness, this tomato dish is delicious.”

“This was Flory’s creation.”

“So impressive? Miss Haggia, you’re remarkable.

If only I had such a maid… But don’t misunderstand, I don’t mean to take her from you.”

From that point on, Stella and Raine’s conversation lost much of its empty formality.

There was still some flattery, but not to the suffocating level of before.

Raine knew this was Stella’s way of signaling the Blue Lion family’s stance. He didn’t care much, and occasionally replied.

Dinner ended without incident. Raine returned to his study to handle paperwork, while Flory led Stella to the guest chambers.

“Thank you for today, Flory.”

Once the room was tidied and the other maids dismissed, Stella turned to her.

“It was simply my duty… But, Miss, you can relax a little. There’s no need to be so stiff, or to rely on me to steer the conversation.”

Flory spoke plainly.

“Sorry. I only thought His Highness might like to hear me praise you, so I did it. I’ll be more careful next time.”

Stella gave a wry smile. “As for being tense… you know our family’s circumstances. I don’t have the luxury of being at ease.”

Flory kept her expression calm, speaking like a bystander.

“Yes, I understand. But isn’t that why you came here—to solve that very problem?”

Stella lowered her head sorrowfully.

“I know. But…”

She trailed off.

Of course, marrying into the royal family would secure the Blue Lions’ future.

But what if she didn’t want to marry the Crown Prince at all?

Others might not know. But Flory did.

She knew Stella was stalling—buying time, flattering Raine just enough to prevent him from breaking the engagement outright and dooming her family. She was waiting.

Waiting for her childhood sweetheart to act.

(I’m sorry I’ve been so slow… but I will grant your wish.)

Flory slipped seamlessly into her disguise, brightening into a sunny smile as she clasped Stella’s hand.

“Miss Yaros, don’t worry. His Highness is actually a very good person. He just doesn’t know you yet.

I’ll tell you more about him, and I’m sure you’ll get along wonderfully!”

“Thank you.”

The sudden cheer in the golden-haired girl startled Stella for a moment, but it didn’t feel wrong.

In fact, she felt encouraged, and nodded instinctively.

They agreed to stroll in the garden together the next day, and Flory left in high spirits.

But once Stella sat before the vanity, her expression darkened, then softened into something fragile, almost tearful.

She held that look as she left the room alone, no guards with her, and quietly approached the study.

She didn’t knock. She simply waited outside until the door opened.

“What is it?”

The tall, dark-haired boy fixed her with a cold stare.

“Your Highness… there’s something I want to tell you… if it’s convenient…” Stella’s voice was timid, her body curling inward.

“Come in.”

With permission, she crept inside, glancing around nervously, as if to confirm something.

“No one else is here. What do you want?”

Raine sat back down, eyes watchful. The blue-haired girl before him had lost all trace of haughtiness—she could barely even hold onto the posture of a noble lady.

“Your Highness… I’m sorry for offending you today.”

“If that’s all, you should go back.”

“No, that’s not it. I only hope you can put aside past grievances and help me…”

“Say what it is, first.” Raine was already losing patience.

The Blue Lion family’s problems weren’t enormous, but they weren’t small either.

Solving them came down to the royal family, and ultimately to that old man on the throne.

Their engagement wasn’t even close to marriage yet, and anything could happen before then.

Raine didn’t believe he had any real part to play in it.

Besides, he didn’t like anyone right now.

A golden figure flickered through his mind, unbidden. He quickly drove it away.

“Well…”

On the other side, the blue-haired girl drew in a deep, heavy breath, as if steeling herself.

Her expression turned sorrowful, almost heroic, as though she’d made a grave decision.

“Your Highness, please save me…”

Her eyes glistened with tears, her whole body radiating helplessness.

“I can’t endure that man’s harassment any longer…”

“Who?” Raine’s eyes narrowed.

“Who else? Of course it’s that vile, shameless Leonardo Champion!”

Stella’s voice broke with grief and rage.