Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Trying to Seduce the Crown Prince… Huh? (Illustration Included)
A cool evening breeze brushed past her earlobes. The night view of the empire shimmered beautifully from the terrace.
A man and a woman left alone there.
Whether it was the city lights stretching out at a glance, or the dizzying height that carried a natural sense of tension, the atmosphere easily could have turned in that direction.
It should have.
But…
“What is this? Why isn’t she saying anything?”
Charlotte was simply sitting on a bench at one side of the terrace, lightly swinging her legs as she looked out at the night view. She showed no intention of starting a conversation.
And so, an inevitable thought formed in the crown prince’s mind.
“So she really did this for me?”
Was it not some calculated opportunity she had seized? Or perhaps she was merely pretending to remain aloof even now that they were alone.
“Mm, then the latter must be correct.”
The crown prince, whose confidence in himself was absurdly high, came to that conclusion. A woman with no feelings for him? That couldn’t possibly exist.
She was clearly using a strategy of pretending not to care in order to stand out from the other noble ladies.
So that’s how it is. Trying to be different from the others?
But how long could she really keep up that mask?
“If I keep not speaking, she’ll only get more anxious.”
“……”
“……”
And yet, what was this?
Even as the minutes passed and the dance was about to begin, she still continued to look out at the night view.
Not even turning her head toward him, let alone speaking.
It was as if she were deeply lost in thought.
As if she were suppressing some hidden pain, simply gazing at the lights scattered across the dark skyline.
Only then did another possibility re-emerge in his mind.
“Don’t tell me… she really isn’t interested in me?”
If her intention had truly been nothing more than helping him, then everything made sense.
It was a little frustrating, but…
“Well, that’s not so bad. At least she isn’t annoying.”
He preferred this to women who constantly clung to him and talked endlessly.
Only then did he finally dismiss his pointless assumptions and decide to sit beside Charlotte.
He felt he should at least express his gratitude.
“I should thank you, Lady Charlotte. Thanks to you, I was able to catch my breath before the ball.”
At his words, she finally turned her gaze toward him. Her eyes carried a faint trace of fatigue, and she answered with a slight smile.
“I’m glad to hear that. I also don’t particularly like crowded places, so I can sympathize with Your Highness to some extent.”
“I suppose someone with your appearance would also suffer quite a bit, Lady Charlotte.”
“Oh my, to receive such praise about my appearance from someone as noble and radiant as Your Highness…”
She smiled more deeply, her eyes curving into gentle crescents. One hand lightly covered her mouth as she laughed.
“I’m delighted. Thank you, Your Highness, Prince Kyle.”
For a moment, he felt his breath catch.
It might have been because it was the first genuine smile she had shown.
Or because she had called him by name instead of “Your Highness” or “Crown Prince” for the first time.
Or perhaps both.
Kyle felt a faint warmth rise to his face.
He was a perfectionist. His standards were impossibly high.
So far, there had never been a woman who met those standards.
Because something like perfection was nearly impossible.
And yet, this woman had no visible flaws.
Her smile was dangerously captivating, his eyes kept drifting toward her without permission.
And in that brief moment he was distracted, she leaned in without hesitation.
“Ah, Your Highness… just stay still for a moment…”
Not just her face, but her entire upper body leaned toward him.
Up close, her pale skin and jewel-like eyes filled his vision.
Her hand reached toward his hair.
Her lips, faintly red, drew closer… closer still.
Kyle coughed lightly, lowering his gaze—but what awaited him below was even more dangerous.
The presence of her chest, restrained by her dress yet still overwhelming, as if it might burst through the fabric.
Gulp.
A dead end.
His eyes had nowhere to go—neither up nor down.
As a reminder, Kyle had no romantic experience whatsoever.
He had devoted his life to mastering swordsmanship, magic, and studies befitting royalty.
There had been no time, and frankly, no woman he had ever found appealing.
Besides, as a prince, women usually came to him.
Sometimes they threw themselves at him relying only on their bodies, but he could easily avoid such advances.
He had always believed he could choose anyone he wanted, whenever he wanted.
But situations like this—where he couldn’t push away, yet couldn’t remain unaffected—were his weakness.
“Damn it… does this woman have no sense of modesty? Why is she getting this close when she has no feelings at all?”
Even as he maintained a composed expression, he was reaching his limit.
The moment he thought he should say something, she withdrew.
“I fixed it. There was dust in your hair.”
Then she tilted her head slightly and asked, as if remembering something.
“Was that… perhaps rude?”
Rude?
To casually reach out and touch the crown prince’s head would normally be considered extremely rude.
If it had been any other noble lady.
But he hadn’t found it unpleasant.
And he couldn’t exactly scold her for getting too close either.
“…No. I appreciate your kindness.”
He gave a stiff reply.
Watching his reaction closely, she smiled and nodded.
“Then I’m glad.”
‘It wasn’t difficult at all. Much easier than I expected.’
She pushed her thoughts aside for now.
Happiness.
Yes, it was all for happiness.
Even if it made her a little irritated.
Then, taking advantage of the momentum, she continued.
“Your Highness, do you perhaps have someone you favor?”
That sudden question made him pause.
“I don’t.”
Then he added,
“Then what about you, Lady Charlotte?”
“……”
A brief silence.
“…Hmm?”
He almost pressed further, but decided there was no need. If she had someone she liked, that was her business.
Still, something about her reaction lingered in his mind.
“Your Highness doesn’t like it when noble ladies approach you, do you?”
“That’s… why are you asking something like that all of a sudden…”
He choked slightly, surprised. After clearing his throat, he answered.
“How did you know that?”
“Just… I could tell from your expression while observing you today.”
“That so? I don’t think I showed it.”
“You did, quite clearly.”
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing playfully.
“Did I make you uncomfortable as well? You can tell me honestly.”
At that, Kyle hesitated, then decided there was no need to lie.
“On the contrary, it was comfortable. As I said before, thanks to you I was able to rest.”
Then something occurred to him.
“You stayed silent and looked at the night view earlier… was that for my sake?”
“I thought you might be tired. I didn’t want to bother you.”
She smiled softly again.
“I’m glad. I was worried I might be making you uncomfortable. So my plan was a success.”
Once again, she smiled brightly, capturing his attention.
And before he could respond, she slipped into the gap in his silence.
“Then, Your Highness… may I ask you for a dance tonight? If you don’t already have a partner.”
Ah.
So that was it from the beginning.
Kyle was certain now.
This woman was a fox.
A creature that lured people in.
I won’t fall for it. Not me.
I am the crown prince.
Kyle Elraymond.
You think I’d fall for such an obvious scheme?
“…Very well. It seems I don’t have a suitable partner anyway.”
…Or so he thought.
In truth, it wasn’t a bad offer at all.
If he disappeared from the ball now, it would become a scandalous topic of gossip.
So he would need to appear with someone regardless.
And who better than the empire’s most beautiful woman?
The so-called “Rose of the Empire” would silence all objections.
Besides, she was the one who had asked him.
Yes. There was no risk.
He nodded firmly in his mind.
And just then—
“The main event of tonight’s ball will now begin. All participants, please take your partners and gather in the central hall.”
Now.
Charlotte stood gracefully and extended her hand.
“Then it’s settled. Shall we go, Your Highness?”
A scene worthy of memory unfolded before him.
Silver hair swaying in the wind, a breathtaking dress, and a woman bowing slightly while offering her hand.
The lights suddenly dimmed.
Magical devices scattered throughout the hall began to glow softly.
And then—
The entire hall lit up in brilliant, dazzling colors.
As if enchanted.
Kyle, almost mesmerized, reached out his hand.
Perhaps he really had been swept up in the atmosphere.
Just as his hand was about to meet hers—
BOOM.
“…? What was that?”
BOOM—KUUUUUNG!!
The vibrations grew stronger with each explosion.
And on the third—
KRAAASH!!!!
“Kyyaaah!”
“What is happening?!”
The terrace collapsed.
And with it, the prince and the noble lady fell into the darkness below.