The carriage soon arrived on Mackin Street, and Veronia and Linda decided to get off and walk.
Thanks to the veiled hat she wore, no one recognized her face.
There was a lot to see on Mackin Street. Veronia and Linda were so engrossed in looking at the fascinating magical items that they lost track of time.
Items like flowers that changed shape and color depending on the mood of the person touching them, or books that read aloud when opened, stimulated their desire to buy.
‘I’ll resist today. I have important business.’
Suppressing her desires, Veronia moved on.
Going further into Mackin Street, they came across ‘Pelos’, known as the oldest magical item shop.
Veronia’s heart pounded as she stood in front of it.
‘Ah, thank goodness. I found it safely!’
The building was older and larger than she had imagined.
Veronia turned to Linda and said:
“I’m thirsty. I’ll go in and look around, Linda, you go buy some cool drinks.”
“Yes, understood.”
As Linda hurried away, Veronia entered the building.
She headed to the far corner of the 2nd floor.
There, a white-haired old man was repairing shoes.
‘I was right again this time! I’m so glad!’
Veronia was proud of herself for remembering the original setting correctly.
She was also relieved that there had been no unexpected variables so far.
Standing in front of the old man, Veronia first placed a pouch of gold coins on the table and said in a calm voice:
“I’d like to find a thick owl.”
The old man, focused on his work, stopped and looked up at Veronia.
Calm gray eyes scanned Veronia up and down.
“Come back in a week, at the same time.”
“Thank you.”
Everything proceeded very simply and naturally. Veronia swallowed a sigh of relief as she turned away.
The ‘thick owl’ was a quite capable member of the information guild. It was also a character Veronia had tried to contact in the original story.
‘She failed in the original, but this time I’ll definitely succeed!’
In the original story, Veronia only began to grasp the situation and take action when the shadow of death was already looming close.
She hurriedly made plans to escape with the help of the thick owl.
But by then it was already too late, and in the end, she was dragged to the execution ground without being able to change anything.
‘But I won’t be too late. Time is on my side!’
In the original story, Veronia was executed around her 21st birthday, which was about 11 months away from now.
‘I’ve started moving before the shadow of death, so I’m halfway to success!’
All she had to do now was keep going without loosening the reins.
She felt buoyed by the expectation that things would go well.
“Here’s your iced tea. Judging by your bright expression, you must have found a gift you like?”
She ran into Linda just as she was entering the shop.
Veronia took the iced tea Linda handed her and led the way out of the shop.
“There were so many nice things that I couldn’t choose just one. It’s a shame, but I’ll have to leave empty-handed today.”
“Ah… I see.”
Linda followed behind Veronia, tilting her head in confusion.
‘If there were so many nice things, why did she try to choose just one? She could have just bought them all.’
The princess had never been hesitant about buying things and spending money.
It was natural. This most noble person in the empire was also the wealthiest person in the empire.
‘The other maids are right. Her Highness has definitely changed.’
Linda was always teased for being slow to notice things.
So while the other maids whispered among themselves, questioning Veronia’s changed attitude and behavior, Linda alone would be puzzled, saying, “I don’t really notice anything different.”
But today’s Highness was definitely different.
‘I guess she’s matured as she’s gotten older! Plus, she’s been through a near-death experience, so it’s natural.’
Feeling unnecessarily sentimental, her nose tingled.
[This is the timeline separator]‘I thought you’d be busy, but why are you home? It would have been fine to avoid me on purpose.’
Veronia sat down across from Killian, hiding her disappointment.
The two of them sat in silence, watching the busy hands of the maids filling the tea table.
Veronia felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, vividly recalling the last words she had spoken to him at the banquet.
‘…So I’m not going to like you anymore either.’
‘I won’t make any effort to attract your attention, so don’t worry. And please don’t misunderstand.’
The vivid memory clung persistently, refusing to let go.
Veronia sighed and fanned herself gently.
‘I acted so confidently like I’d never see him again, but I was the one who asked to meet first….’
It seemed brazen even to herself.
‘I don’t want this either…!’
Stuck between reality and ideals, struggling in vain – is it too much to ask for a little understanding for this pitiful life? Veronia let out another deep sigh, hiding behind her fan.
“I didn’t expect Your Highness to visit first. It was unexpected and surprising.”
Do you really have to interrogate me like that to be satisfied? Veronia quelled the irritation bubbling up deep inside her, took a sip of tea, and slowly opened her mouth.
Hoping to appear elegant.
“It’s because Her Majesty has been so insistent. I have to humor her to some extent.”
“You have to humor the Empress… Am I included in that as well?”
Veronia and Killian’s gazes met in midair.
‘Is this person trying to pick a fight with me right now?’
Veronia felt angry for a moment but had to hold back.
If she could peacefully finish her tea today, she could use the excuse of coming here again in a week to slip out of the palace.
Veronia smoothed out her eyes that were about to narrow into triangles and gave a gentle smile.
“Yes, of course. In fact, if you think about it, this is all because of you, Lord Killian.”
“Pardon? What do you mean it’s because of me?”
“Because you’re such a desirable son-in-law that we can’t afford to lose. If only you were a bit lacking.”
Then even the imperial family wouldn’t have coveted you. Finishing her words, Veronia raised the corners of her mouth brightly.
Killian chuckled at her glib remark, half serious and half joking.
The small smile that appeared on his previously expressionless face was as radiant as a ray of sunlight.
‘Please stop smiling so prettily. I don’t want to grow fond of you!’
Veronia brought her teacup to her lips to restrain her mouth that was about to open.
Taking a sip of tea to regain her composure, she spoke again.
“So please bear with it until I can dissuade my parents. It won’t take long.”
“I will obey your command, Your Highness.”
Killian replied, wiping the smile from his face.
But a trace of a smile seemed to remain in the slight curve of his eyes.
Surprised by his response, Veronia shook her head slightly and said:
“It’s not an order, it’s a request.”
“…I will obey your command.”
The same answer came back again.
Is he being sarcastic now? Veronia felt a surge of anger and asked in a sullen voice:
“Are you trying to pick a fight?”
“With Your Highness? How could I dare to do such a thing?”
“…”
“Whether it’s an order or a request, I meant that I would follow whatever it is.”
Veronia’s narrowed eyes scrutinized Killian’s face, trying to gauge his intentions.
But there was nothing to be found.
He seemed to be someone accustomed to not showing his thoughts or emotions on his face.
Soon, Veronia looked away from him and said with a sigh:
“I hope that willingness… lasts long.”
“You clearly said it wouldn’t take long earlier.”
“Oh, really!”
Unable to bear Killian’s nitpicking any longer, Veronia finally raised her voice in exasperation.
Her gaze, sharp as an ax blade, pierced Killian’s face.
“Pfft, hahaha!”
Perhaps her flushed face, alternating between red and blue, was funny. Killian failed to hold back his laughter.
He seemed surprised by the sound that burst out.
“Oh my. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“…”
“But… it’s… pfft, hahaha!”
Even though they were engaged, his counterpart was the Imperial Princess. It meant she was someone to whom he should show utmost respect.
But today, Killian found that difficult.
That was because it was the first time he had seen Veronia drop her smiling poker face and show genuine anger.
He had no immunity to such a sight.
‘I’ve never seen this expression, not even when she was a little girl 10 years ago. So this is what she looks like when she’s angry. It’s kind of cute… But I should hold back.’
Meanwhile, Veronia found this situation so absurd and embarrassing that even her irritation had vanished.
‘Wasn’t this man originally a cold, aloof beauty? But now, what in the world…’
Killian’s appearance, unable to hold back his laughter and chuckling, looked unfamiliar to Veronia as well.
On the other hand, she was also intrigued by this new side of him she hadn’t known before.
It took quite a while for the laughter to subside.
“Lord Killian… you have a strange taste.”
“I’m really… really sorry, Your Highness.”
Seeing him apologize while scratching near his cheek in embarrassment, this time Veronia burst out laughing.
‘No… where did the aloof cold beauty go, and who is this awkward man sitting here?’
For a moment, their gazes locked onto each other simultaneously, and the reception room was filled with pleasant laughter.
[This is the timeline separator]Whoosh!
The arrow flew in an arc, piercing the chest of the still young deer.
The deer collapsed without even making a sound.
“As expected of brother!”
At the second prince Tate’s flattery, Crown Prince Jonathan showed an expression that seemed to say, ‘Well, this much is nothing.’
Jonathan, watching the attendants load the fallen deer into the cart, opened his mouth.
“I heard Veronia went to the Drea duchy?”
“Yes, that’s what I heard. Isn’t it admirable how she’s trying to make herself useful until the end?”
Tate laughed as if it were ridiculous.
But Jonathan couldn’t laugh.
Seeing Jonathan’s brows furrow as if displeased, Tate twitched one corner of his mouth.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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