Chapter 18
Yeah, I know the truth.
This man had nothing to do with her family’s downfall. Cayman Rossiantus was a mere figurehead, a shallow crown prince who was all bluff and bluster. As the son of the deceased former empress and the eldest of the two princes, he was next in line for the throne.
However, being the heir amounted to nothing; he was but a puppet with no real power. Only a few ignorant countryside nobles and commoners would consider Cayman to be the true crown prince. Most knew that the true heir was his half-brother, Wichern, who was two years younger than him.
None dared to oppose Wichern, the only son of the current empress. Although the weak and sickly emperor did not support him, he had the full support of the Doiken dukedom, his maternal family that rose to the pinnacle of power.
In such a situation, some unsavory types made bets on when Cayman would be stripped of his title and deposed.
As a child, Ellie never knew this. Her entire world was the Lantel estate, located far from the capital. She only saw the world through rose-tinted glasses. Enjoying the splendor of the winter festival with her parents in the capital city, her brief encounter with the crown prince and his warm voice—that was all she knew of the world.
She could never have fathomed the truth: that this kind and gallant crown prince was, in fact, a weak, worthless figure with no real power.
Was that why complex emotions stirred in her heart as she stared at the masked prince? It was only natural to detest the emperor’s son, but perhaps reminded of their brief encounter, she found herself sympathizing with his situation.
He was not just anyone; he was the son of the emperor, the one who damned her family.
Sympathizing with such a man was absurd.
Forcing a smile, she stifled a bitter, self-loathing laugh. “Why would you say that, Your Highness? Who would dare make such impudent remarks?”
“So everyone says. Are you denying it? You seem quite oblivious to the goings of the palace,” Cayman said with a smirk.
Beneath his silver mask, his dark-blue eyes seemed to mock her. His expression was vastly different from the one from her childhood. Once again, she was reminded that the kind boy of the past was no more. Now, he was just the son of Emperor Bartum the Second.
Feeling a chill run down her spine, Ellie lowered her eyes slightly. Cayman’s gaze was as unfathomable as the boundless ocean, seeming to pierce the darkest recesses of her soul. However, when she looked back up, he smiled gently as if nothing had happened.
At that very moment, Ellie’s brow furrowed. His smile seemed quite familiar. Was this just because she had met him years ago? However, that seemed implausible. Rather, the uncanny feeling was so vivid that it felt quite recent.
But that was impossible. It had to be because of what happened all those years ago. Otherwise, there was no way to justify her current feelings.
Before she could clear her head, he spoke again. “Come to think of it, I have kept you standing for long. This is not how I should treat my teacher.” Leaping from his perch on the window sill, he clicked his tongue lightly, motioning for her to follow him to the table.
His gait was imposing yet carefree, which stood in sharp contrast to his self-deprecating laugh earlier. People did not simply reveal their inner feelings through words, expressions, or conscious actions. Rather, the indication lay in how they held themselves. How did they walk? What sort of posture did they maintain? These actions taken without a second thought held the truth.
Then, which was the crown prince’s true self?
It was not like she needed to know this. After observing his backside for a bit, she gave a silent headshake and followed him. He sank into the sofa while waiting patiently for her to take a seat.
“Have a cup of tea.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Nodding, she silently watched him pick up the teapot and pour the tea into his own cup. Then, after filling her cup, he smirked and broke the silence first. “Do people not return the favor at times like these? I may be a puppet, but you just watched as I, the crown prince, poured your tea. You have quite the nerve.”