"Not So Carefree, Future Sun of the Empire"
"Not okay? The one who will become the sun of the empire someday shows far too little sense of crisis."
Though the crown prince and I were enemies, we shared some subtle commonalities. One was that we'd never once spoken our true feelings to each other.
Unlike Abigail, I had zero interest in the crown prince. So there was no sincerity behind my feigned concern. And the crown prince standing before me was surely the same.
It was obvious his anger toward me was fake. He wasn't truly worried about me wandering alone—there had to be some ulterior motive.
"I can protect myself if need be. But you can't, can you, Lady Carpoem?"
"That's...!"
I couldn't tell him the truth because I had to hide my power until the succession ceremony. It was frustrating and unfair. I wanted to snap back that I had plenty of strength to fight, that the sword at my waist wasn't just decoration. But speaking up would complicate things, so I held my tongue.
"B-but why were you wandering these back alleys, Your Highness? The night market's that way."
I blurted out the first thing that came to mind to divert his attention. But it was odd, really. This place didn't suit him at all—it reeked of it.
"I just sensed mana here and came to check it out."
"... "
Ah, Ren's magic. The imperial family was blessed by the gods, wielding a sacred power unlike the Carpoem house's brute force. That's why the original male lead, the crown prince, was so sensitive to mana, allowing him to overcome various trials.
Even during the Magic Festival, with mana popping up everywhere, he'd pinpointed Ren's spell in this dingy alley and tracked it down precisely. I inwardly clicked my tongue. No bloodhound had a nose like that.
"Sigh... I won't ask any questions, so let's head back to the mansion first."
The crown prince sighed with a displeased look and extended his hand to me.
"... "
He'd escort countless young ladies like this in the future, making them swoon. Before meeting the female lead, he was the picture of duty.
Debutante ladies got one wish during their debut ball. Most dreamed of dancing with the crown prince they'd idolized.
Of course, his high status gave him every excuse to refuse. But he never did. He accepted every request because he was the protagonist with a broad heart that loved his people.
And Abigail, with her sky-high pride, never once asked him to dance, just shot jealous glares. In the original story, those were hands she'd never been honored with.
Now they were right in front of me.
"Ah, well..."
I eyed his hand curiously, hesitating. It wasn't that I hated him or refused to touch him. I was just worried about Ren and Ian, wandering the night streets aimlessly.
If I left with him now, those two—worried about me—would foolishly scour the city until dawn. I didn't want to unleash the guards to find them.
After agonizing, I grabbed the crown prince's outstretched hand. Then yanked it toward me sharply.
"L-Lady Carpoem?"
"Wouldn't you regret heading back just like this, Your Highness?"
I grinned mischievously and tugged him toward the market. The flustered crown prince couldn't shake me off and got dragged out of the alley.
"Lady Carpoem, what is this?"
"It's almost over—wouldn't that be a shame? Let's browse a little."
I winked at him, and he made the strangest face. Was it that bad? Tilting my head, I forcibly dragged the reluctant crown prince back into the shopping streets.
The sun was about to rise, so some stalls were packing up. Might as well enjoy it to the end. I headed to shops I hadn't seen earlier.
The once-crowded paths had gaps here and there—perfect for browsing.
"Welcome! I was just closing up, but for a couple, I'll give you a deal."
The young shopkeeper beamed at me and the crown prince. The crown prince froze, suddenly mistaken for my boyfriend. Meanwhile, I scanned the displayed accessories with interest.
Necklaces, bracelets—things women would like. But since couples browsed a lot, he assumed we were one too.
No point correcting him since we'd never pass this way again. Instead, I pointed to a catchy accessory.
"Is this a bracelet?"
The colorful beaded design looked pretty nice. The shopkeeper grinned widely and explained.
"Yes, exactly. Men's and women's have different lengths—short ones and long ones."
He pulled out a long blue-beaded bracelet and a short red-beaded one, glancing between me and the crown prince.
"Great eye! This couple's item sells like hotcakes. Men take the blue, ladies the red."
"Oh?"
Coincidentally, they matched our eye colors perfectly. The crown prince's vivid blue, my red irises.
"What do you think?"
"... "
I deliberately teased the flustered crown prince. When else would I get to mess with him? It was a one-time chance.
"L-Lady... no, Miss Ain. Stop joking around."
Before browsing, I'd told him to call me by a fake name—just in case. The one Betty had mocked, hastily made up.
"Sorry. My boyfriend's shy."
"Oh, hehe."
"La...! Miss Ain!"
The shopkeeper chuckled cutely at my flirtation, while the crown prince protested in a small voice. I knew he disliked me, but I couldn't stop teasing.
He'd be my enemy in the future, but right now, he was just a boy. His looks made him seem a bit cute. At my pre-death age, he could've passed for a nephew. That made it hard to fully hate him.
"Discount for two?"
"Of course. And some extras."
"We'll take both."
I paid cheerfully, pocketing the bracelets and bonus flower-shaped hairpins—cute and dainty. Perfect for May.
Come to think of it, I'd forgotten gifts for the maids. Needed to shop for them soon.
I shoved a bracelet into the still-flustered crown prince's hand.
"Payment for your silence."
"... "
He stared at it for a long while. Ignoring him, I picked more gifts.
Stalls were closing one by one, but with so much variety, my hands soon grew heavy with purchases. Was it okay buying gifts on a secret outing? If I hid them and gave secretly, maybe no one would notice? Making excuses, I walked on as dawn broke.
"Time to head back, Your Highness."
"...Yes."
He looked almost regretful. Had he enjoyed the night market that much? Even in the capital, such grand festivals were rare, so it made sense.
Come to the Magic Festival again next time. I muttered inwardly and offered my hand.
"Thanks for the escort."
"... "
He frowned, puzzled why I'd suddenly extended my hand. Nobles did this to request escorts—and usually, men offered.
But I wasn't asking for one. It was an impulsive urge to share Betty's friendly handshake with him.
"It's a commoner's greeting. Try it."
"Ah, I see."
He awkwardly took my hand. I yanked it toward me, then pushed. He stumbled, releasing it with a bewildered look. I burst out laughing.
"You have to do it back, Your Highness!"
"Ah, sorry."
We laughed for a while in the deserted spot until I realized time was short. A faint-glowing butterfly fluttered from afar.
I knew whose mana it was. Beating the crown prince to it, I spoke first.
"Had fun tonight, Your Highness."
"Me too, Lady Carpoem."
He gazed at me quite seriously. Back at the mansion, he might tell the duke about my escapade. But somehow, I felt he wouldn't.
I was certain I hadn't been the only one thrilled in the shopping streets.
"Keep tonight a secret."
"...!"
Whispering close, he widened his eyes—startled by my proximity.
I gave him a light shove and ran toward the butterfly. His surprised call followed.
"Lady Carpoem!"
I waved back without turning. Then my fingertip touched the butterfly, yanking me in.
The crown prince vanished instantly; the scene shifted to a forest far from the city. Ren and Ian stared at me, eyes wide as saucers.
"Lady Carpoem!"
"My liege!"
Sighing in relief at the familiar faces, I said,
"So here you were, you troublemakers."
"Sorry."
"Sorry."
They bowed like scolded puppies, invisible ears and tails drooping. I smiled helplessly.
"Let's go. It's too late."
Time to head home.
* * *
Michael stared blankly at where the lady had vanished. In his hand was the red bracelet she'd given him.
"... "
He glanced down at it. The red beads eerily matched her eye color.
Michael's eyes trembled faintly as he looked. She'd felt like someone else again.
Coldly demanding annulment by day, then at night, innocently stealing his soul with that brazen face.
"Hoo..."
He clenched the hand holding the bracelet. It was time for him to decide.