I sneaked a peek at Alex, who was sitting next to me. How wonderful it is to drink ck tea so gracefully, and even the outline of the tea passing through his throat had an alluring atmosphere.


    Youre quite mature now.


    There were so many stories waiting to be told after finally meeting after a year. I feigned innocence and gave Alex a scolding.


    Your Highness, too, has changed so much that I dont think Id recognize you if I run into you on the street.


    Is it that bad?


    I was joking, but Alex, whos always serious about everything, looked at himself in wonder. I burst intoughter when I saw it.


    It was dizzying to think about what would have happened if he hadnte, so I offered snacks with gratitude.


    Just kidding, theres no way I wouldnt recognize you.


    Alex epted the cookies I had handed him and he handed me some in return.


    You deserve to show off.


    By interacting with us sisters, Alex, who had been a loner all his life, learned how to treat people well little by little.


    Having a good friend expands ones world, so I sincerely praised Alex.


    You were out on the battlefield but now youre a little more honest.


    Its going to get harder and harder.


    Now that Alex is back, the Empress will start moving in earnest. So we have toe up with our own strategy.


    As you suggestedst time, Id like to invite Lady ra as my exclusive pharmacist.


    He finally asked about what I had alluded to in myst letter.


    Sisters rich knowledge of herbs is helpful to Alex. Also, if she bes the youngest pharmacist in the Royal Pce, her sess will be guaranteed.


    There is no better option than this to get a job for big sister and solve the male leads problems at once.


    If thats the case, theres nothing more Id like. Theres been a lot of trouble these days because my sister has more and more suitors each day.


    That is not a joke. Most of the guys who came almost every other day or two didnt really care about my sister, but most of the time they came just because of the Valentine name.


    My brother Theo is ten, twenty, or a million times better than such poor people. If she had tomute to and from the pce, she wouldnt be able to date other people especially if she was busy.


    Its absolutely uneptable unless its the Crown Prince or the future Duke at least. I know that the path of the true female lead in a ropan[1]is a long and rough road, but I was willing to enter into a deal with the Crown Prince just for my sisters future.


    Its good for her to enter the Pce. Please take care of my sister.


    When I readily agreed, Alex asked, wondering.


    Do you know what it means to be my exclusive pharmacist?


    Im sad that well be spending less time together. Even if its like this, my love for my sister is sincere. I cant let her miss this great opportunity because of me.


    I can show people all over the world how special my sister is.


    A chance to show off her talent as a full-time pharmacist and not as Valentines adopted daughter.


    Honestly, I dont know if its good for me or not, but if she isnt recognized by the world even after improving her skills more day by day, shed be a fool.


    But Alex brought up apletely unexpected story.


    In principle, the pharmacist of the royal family should stay in the Pce. Im just saying it because you look so happy when shell be leaving home.


    What? What do you mean?


    I know that ra stayed at the Pce in the original book because she couldnt stand the harassment of the maids brought on by Ciel.


    But if she bes an Imperial Pharmacist, she has to leave the house?


    Thats why I was wondering. I was wondering if you wanted me to wee Lady ra as the Crown Princess.


    Theres no love between the two. Alex was staring at me with a troubled face.


    Are you going to have your sister be the Crown Princess?


    Its not something we cant consider to strengthen your alliance with Valentine.


    If Dad was really a politically greedy person, he might have used ra that way. As I said that, Alex looked at me.


    Why are you looking at me like that?


    Stan seems very interested in you.


    Oh, I see. If I get engaged to Stan while Alex is in an alliance with Valentine, Dad might rethink this alliance.


    So theres also a way to maintain his bond with Valentine through raising ra to the position of Crown Princess. Dads a man of character, so even if shes foster daughter, he wouldnt betray ras fiance.


    The questions I had been holding back began to be solved. Why did Alex start liking ra in the original novel?


    Is it because Alex and ra werent real lovers that they were used of being ridiculous people that fell in love quickly and none of the kissing scenes appeared?


    No way


    I had nothing to say when I saw Alex acting like he doesnt seem to care about her. ra chose that option in the first ce because of Ciels misdeeds.


    And I almost drove my sister into a loveless political marriage without even realizing it.


    No, I cant do that.


    My nice sister should only walk on the flowery path, but Id rather get cursed at rather than make her suffer. I held Alexs hand and shook my head.


    If you need someone like that, Id rather be on your side.


    Ciel?


    Youd be in trouble if I were to marry Prince Stan.


    Now I understand why Ciel remained single in the original novel. Since there were secret marriage talks concerning Stan and Ciel, the popr Ciel stirred up the social world but in the end, didnt even know who her formal fiance was.


    If I dont distance myself from Stan at this point, Alexs goal, the demise of the Empress, will naturally fall apart. Since Im in the same boat anyway, Ive decided to cooperate fully with Alex.


    So, you dont want me engaged to Lady ra?


    Its more difficult than that. You said that you dont like her, that you dont have any romantic feelings for her at all.


    Thats right. But Valentine is my biggest supporter.


    Hes not interested in my sister but needs the power of the Valentines family. It sounds reasonable so theres nothing I can say.


    There was an implication in Alexs careful words. Today, I checked the subtle atmosphere between Stan and me with my own eyes, so I have to somehow separate the two of us if I want to live.


    You want to make sure that Im not in a rtionship with Prince Stan?


    Alex did not deny what I said. Now that the Empresss faction has be more powerful, it is time to start preparing to face them in earnest.


    In that sense, everything will be more simple once you enter my Pce.


    While contemting how to solve this problem, I tilted my head at Alexs suggestion.


    Im going into the Pce?


    You wont be safe as long as Stan is alive.


    Yes, this proposal was actually for me, too. If Stan came around like this again, surely the kids fight would turn into a fight between the adults and chaos would ensue.


    Im sure Stan will offer you marriage. Your father will consider it at least once because the position of a Grand Duke is not something to scoff at.


    Grand Duke Stan Winterbaum, second in line to the throne, the only son of Empress Lotte, who now holds the greatest power over the Empiresrgest fief.


    Perhaps its a more stable and better option than the endangered Crown Prince. But even so, I never thought Id enter the Pce.


    Like a well-intentioned human being[2], Alex seemed ready to take full advantage of me. If I go to Stan, my position will be dangerous, so even if I get misunderstood, I will have to take care of it myself.


    Your Highness, youre not doubting me by any chance, are you?


    No way.


    I thought you were worried that I might go to Stan instead.


    Looking at his sullen expression, its not that. At first, I thought he was just trying to use me.


    Now it seems Alex is trying to protect ra as well as me.


    How should I do this? If I send my sister alone, ra will end up crying every night over the mistreatment of Empress Lotte and her minions.


    Id rather jump in and remove all the death gs myself than send my sister alone and see her suffer.


    Im going into the Pce.


    Maybe if I go in there myself, Ill get mixed up with Empress Lotte or Stan. What if they think I have something with Alex?


    Although there are some risks, Alexs position will be more solid if I stay at the Crown Princes Pce myself.


    In the Imperial Pce, aristocrats often enter the Pce under the pretext of education.


    Ive heard about it.


    You still havent had your social debut, so if you act as a valued guest, people around you will misunderstand.


    Its enough to let people misunderstand as much as they want, andter make an excuse that I begged the Crown Prince because I wanted to be with my sister[3].


    There is a risk of encountering Stan, but there is no other way to protect my sister.


    Wouldnt His Majesty oppose it?


    I asked the Emperor in advance. Fortunately, he was very pleased.


    Really? Can I live with my sister in the Pce?


    If you want to. As for a justification, that we can maketer.


    I mean, its a go-stop[4]game that were weaving anyway, so lets make an excuseter.


    I cant ept the sudden offer, so lets think about it first. Then I heard someone running outside the door.


    Ciel! What do you mean, are you okay?


    Louis, who returned homete, ran into the room without knocking.


    Long time no see, Louis Valentine.


    Louis Valentine greets the Crown Prince!


    My youngest brother hurried to greet the unexpected guest. Using the power of His Highness, I sneakily started reprimanding Louis.


    My brother is bad. So where did you go without me?


    If todays ident is known, the first person to be scolded is none other than Louis. He didnt even reveal his destination and disappeared whenever he had time, so my dad was already determined to catch him.


    In addition, Louis would have been afraid of what would happen if Isaac found out that I had met Stan in person without anyone to intervene and stop him.


    I heard that you protected my sister. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.


    The truth is that Im thankful that Im safe and I didnt get cursed at, but in front of the polite Louis, Alex replied with sincerity.


    I just did what I had to do. Its also a disgrace to the Imperial family, so I want you to cover up what happened quietly.


    Of course. There is no question, I will take care of it.


    [1] Romantic fantasy


    [2] This is said sarcastically


    [3] Basically, they dont care if people misunderstand, they just need to get her in the Pce


    [4] A set-up