-Elizabeth fled the hall quickly, her heart pounding like war drums, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She bumped into two maids at the entrance, causing some flowers she was carrying to fall. The maids looked at her in surprise, and soon they gathered around her, asking what had happened.

One of them gently took Elizabeth’s hand and asked, "What’s wrong? Why do you look so flustered?"

Elizabeth took a shaky breath, trying to calm herself before she whispered, her voice trembling, "The... the prince Démic danced with me..."

The maids’ eyes widened in astonishment and envy. "Démic of Cassial?!" one of them whispered in awe, while the other covered her mouth in disbelief.

"The most handsome and charming prince of Cassial!" said another with a sigh, her eyes sparkling.

Another maid, curious, added, "What was it like?"

Elizabeth recalled those moments, her voice filled with awe as she said, "He was so enchanting... his body was incredible... and he moved with unbelievable grace. There was this soft scent of lilies around him, making my heart melt with joy."

Another maid, envious, said, "The scent of lilies? That just adds to his charm and royal presence."

Elizabeth felt embarrassed by their attention, but a small smile crept onto her lips as she remembered those magical moments she could barely believe had actually happened.

She felt shy under their gazes, but a part of her couldn’t suppress the childlike joy that flooded her heart. It was Démic of Cassial, the prince everyone in the palace whispered about, and now she had become one of those who had experienced his irresistible charm firsthand.
---

"  Evy! How are you? Why don’t you call me anymore? You cold-hearted man!" said Theodore with a warm smile.

Evering crossed his arms, resting his chin on them, and replied in a cold tone, "Theodore, why are you calling?"

Theodore laughed. "Weren't we friends? Didn't we study at the same university? You've been ignoring me for a long time, but I won’t give up! I’ll keep chasing you until you stop treating me with this coldness."

Evering sighed quietly and said, "What’s the reason for this call now?"

"I just wanted to congratulate you on your brothers' return, and thank you for the invitation you sent in my name. I was worried you'd only invite my father because he’s the ruler, but it seems you care about me after all."

Theodore beamed with joy, while Evering rubbed his face tiredly.
"I sent invitations to everyone. It’s nothing personal."

But Theodore wasn’t convinced, furrowing his brows as he stared at the screen with determination. "Evering, you’re too cold with me. Do you think I’ll hate you because of that? If necessary, I’ll move to Cassial just to make you stop behaving like this!"

Theodore laughed, but Evering felt a headache growing.

"What do you want, Theodore?" Evering asked.

"My brother, you’re colder than the snow in Norfeld," added Theodore.

"I’m going to hang up if you don’t have anything important to say," Evering said, his hand reaching for the call button, but he stopped when Theodore shouted, "No, no, Evering, please wait! I need your help."

"What’s happening to you?" Evering asked, concerned.

"My half-brother wants to remove me from the line of succession."

"Damn him. Why does he want the throne now?" Evering asked, frowning.

"The throne isn’t important to him anymore... He wants to kill me."

"What?" Evering’s voice turned serious.

"He and my stepmother have conspired to get rid of me."

"Did you tell your father?" Evering asked.

Theodore shook his head. "You know my father is bewitched by her, and he’ll do whatever she asks."

Evering lowered his head in sadness as Theodore continued.

"She’s tried to kill me countless times over the years, but failed in one way or another. So, the invitation to Cassial has become her opportunity. When we travel to the forest where the teleportation gate to Cassial is located, she’ll send me in a carriage by myself. The driver will take another route, claiming it's a shortcut, but it will lead to a treacherous mountain path where the carriage will fall. I’ll die there, and she’ll send mercenaries afterward to make sure I don’t survive under any circumstances."

---
Evering felt short of breath, as if his cursed heart was about to burst from his chest. He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and wiped his face with his hands.

"Who told you this?" he asked.

"Ivy, are you okay? I... I'm sorry. I wish I hadn't told you. Damn me," Theodore said, noticing Evering's shock and concern.

"Damn you, Theodore! Tell me who told you, now!" Evering slammed his hand hard on the table, yelling at Theodore.

Theodore smiled, feeling a mix of pain and joy, seeing his cold friend worry about him.

"The butler, he overheard them plotting. That old man cares more about me than my own father. He’s the only one who truly looks out for me."

In sudden anger, Evering hit the table again and shouted, "Theodore, damn it! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

Theodore laughed bitterly, "Because I didn't want to bother you. I'm used to assassination attempts, but this time it’s really scary. I’ve realized now that you're the only person I can trust."

Evering grabbed the glass of water beside him, drank it in one gulp, and then crushed it in his fist. Theodore screamed in fear, "Ivy, your hand! Are you hurt?"

"Don’t worry. The wound will heal quickly. What’s important now is that you don’t leave your room today. Are you sure no one can hear you right now?"

"I used a silencing spell, don’t worry. Luckily, no one here knows I learned magic."

Evering sighed, "I’ll come to get you tonight. Leave a message for your father, telling him you left early because you missed me."

Theodore smiled with joy. "Are you going to kidnap me, my prince?"

"Shut up. If you don’t want me to save you, that's your choice."

Theodore laughed, "I’ll be waiting in my room, with my bag. Don’t be late."

---

Evering closed the call with his dear friend, feeling his heart pounding annoyingly. He knew Theodore was telling the truth. It wasn’t the first time his stepmother had tried to get rid of him. She had poisoned him when he was a child and sent assassins after Theodore repeatedly. Even at university, Evering had saved Theodore from several assassination attempts. That pure-hearted boy— even the girl he loved was stolen from him by his brother. His life there was in constant danger.

Evering wiped his face with both hands and sighed heavily.

"If I bring him here until the party ends... What then? How can I save you, Theo?"

He leaned back in his chair, resting the back of his hand on his face, closing his eyes. His cursed heart was pounding with anxiety, exhausted from worry. He dozed off for a few minutes, only to wake up suddenly, sensing someone in the room.

He opened his eyes to see Kretos standing calmly before him, staring at him.

"Your Highness, I will go to fetch Lord Theodore. You will not leave Cassial right now."

"Chris, when did you come in? And how did you know?"

"I was standing at the door and overheard. Forgive this servant for his curiosity."

Evering smiled and looked at Kretos.

"So, from your worry and insistence on bringing him... does that mean you know about...?"

Evering hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

Kretos knelt on one knee, placing a hand over his chest, showing respect to Evering.

"Your Highness, I know about your heart. Or rather, I suspected it, but I confirmed it today after speaking with His Highness Démic. I am your humble servant, and your secrets are safe with me. I swear that not a word will escape my lips."

Evering smiled kindly.

"Chris, what do you think of my previous offer?"

Kretos raised his head in surprise, his eyes meeting Evering’s.

"What offer, Your Highness?"

"To grant you the title of Marquess. There’s the Maran province; the previous Marquess died in the war with Miracia and left no heir. The province needs a Marquess. By the way, you’ll stay here with us, only visiting occasionally to manage it and check on its affairs."

Kretos stood up, smiling.

"Your Highness, serving you is the greatest honor. I don’t need any other title."

Evering shook his head, a bit bored, and smiled.

"Now go and bring that fool Theodore tonight. Don’t forget him. I don’t want to lose a friend... If he asks why I didn’t come to get him myself, tell him it’s because of the strict policies of the treaty. If he refuses, knock him out and bring him."

"As you command, Your Highness."

Kretos bowed and left, while Evering unintentionally fell asleep again.