She knew Cecil would be angry, but she didnât know he would be disappointed. Rowena would always kneel and pray if Count Adelia was angry, but that wasnât what Cecil wanted.
Three days have already passed, saying that he will not be away from Rowena for five days. The remaining vacation was only two days, including today.
Two days later there was a ball to celebrate the engagement. At that time, she wanted to practice dancing, but Rowena was still unable to speak to Cecil.
What should I do?
Cecil, who was eating, acted like a calm stranger. Rowena peeped at Cecil, fidgeting. It occurred to her that she was probably taking it for granted being loved by the crown prince.
That canât be true.
There was a fear of what would happen if Cecilâs heart had changed because of that incident.
She was confident she would live well even if she divorced Cecil and became a marquess. Paul, Count of Adelia, would try to do something about her, but she could fight back.
At that time, she would also be noble with a title.
But she didnât want to lose Cecil. She wondered how she could live after losing him.
ââ¦Iâll be back at the same time today.â
Cecil said, putting down the fork. Rowenaâs heart beat quickly at the sight of Cecil standing up.
As he got up from his seat in a hurry, Cecil stared at Rowena.
âYouâre tired. Take a rest in your room. You can do what you want to do.â
She wasnât tired, and she didnât want to rest in a room without Cecil. She wanted Cecil to make her tired. Rowena stood quickly and came to Cecilâs side.
Cecilâs blue eyes widened from Rowenaâs embarrassing expression.
âIâll be back.â
âWellâ¦â
Rowena grabbed Cecilâs hem urgently. She was afraid of him shaking her off, but Cecil only looked at Rowena. Rowena grabbed Cecilâs arm as her hand was slipping.
âRowenaâ¦? Do you have something to say?â
âI-itâs still a holiday until five daysâ¦â
Rowenaâs cheeks flushed red as she looked at Cecil.
âStay with me, please.â
Cecilâs eyes narrowed as he looked at Rowena without answering. As he turned his eyes to look around, quick-witted attendants and maids were away.
ââ¦did you say, Anna? Donât you need time to hide the maid?â
Anna has entered the palace. Even the Marquis of Wenson couldnât search the Imperial Palace, so she hid her in the Crown Princeâs Palace.
She would be working with his hair dyed and horn-rimmed glasses.
âOr, did you have time now because you hid the maid well?â
Rowena was intimidated by Cecilâs face with a crooked smile.
âAre you disappointed in me?â
âIâm disappointed. Iâm giving everything to you, but you donât trust me at all.â
He already knew that Rowena dearly valued Marquis Wensonâs daughter. But he was outraged that she deceived him because of her.
There was a lack of faith, but his treatment seemed lower than Lyriaâs.
âIâm sorry. I couldnât tell you because I thought your highness might prioritize your position as a crown prince over your relationship with me.â
It depends on Lyriaâs life. The nobles would have resisted if the crown prince had tried to tie the marquisâ daughter to a plain knight.
If Cecil did anything, it would help Lyria and Kian escape. Well, even if Cecil didnât have any feelings for Lyria, she had a lover and their engagement was broken.
âWhyâs that so?â
Rowena avoided eye contact as Cecil frowned.
âItâs something that the aristocrats might object to⦠Well, Lyria turned you downâ¦â
âOh, so do you mean that I might have tried to make Lady Wensonâs escape fail out of spite? That I would raise this problem to the nobles?â
ââ¦â
Rowena was surprised by Cecilâs stiff expression. It seemed that what she said to relieve his anger had fueled the fire.
âEven if itâs not necessarily like that⦠Iâm the only one Your Highness is kind to.â
Cecil couldnât say anything because it was undeniable. Rowena hugged Cecil, not wanting to be like this. For a moment, she saw Cecil trembling.
Why?
He thought about it, but Rowena clung to Cecilâs body. In a moment of embarrassment, Cecil raised his hand and covered his face.
Oh, myâ¦
He had to be angry, but the corners of his mouth were about to go up. Cecilâs face also seemed to be flushing, so he clenched his mouth.
Rowena completely buried her face in Cecilâs chest and looked up at him.
âItâs my fault. I wonât let this happen again. Your Highness has always been on my side⦠I acted rashly out of anxiety.â
Cecil peeped into Rowenaâs face through a crack in his finger. When the gaze from between the fingers touched Rowena, he flushed even more.
Oh, I thought I was wrong.
In this way, wouldnât he be swayed after she was on the throne? Those who always observed the prince would soon notice that Cecil was swayed by Rowena.