Secret Love Affair between a Former Saint and a Dark Hero - Chapter 10
Although she could hardly remember it, before dying, there was a scene Sol focused on at the café. It was where the male protagonist of <The Saint’s Flower> makes his first appearance. The moment when the female lead and the male lead meet.
「Arcanda von Ellanys looked at the boy who stood in front of her. The first thing she noticed was his striking blue-gray hair. It had a unique hue that reflected the scattered light.
“Why have you entered my garden?”
Arcanda suppressed a rising scream. She knew him, his name. The one she’d never forgotten, the one everyone said was her destined companion. Ovid von Juste Wilhelm.
Arcanda knew who he was, but she hadn’t expected him to know her.
That’s why she asked, dumbfounded.
“Do you know who I am?”
Staring down at her in silence, he bit his lip. His eyes were like gemstones.
“Every emperor in history has had a saint as their companion.”
“Ah.”
“So there’s no way I wouldn’t recognize the current saint. It’s a pleasure to meet you, my dear Arcanda von Illanys.
Arcanda whispered to herself, holding his voice close to her heart.
‘The person I will marry.’」
It had been a long time since she had perceived the world of a book so clearly. She looked at the Crown Prince with renewed interest and remembered that this was a fictional world.
‘Right, he and I, and Arcanda, all of us were characters from the novel.’
Not many people in this world remember. Arcanda, the female lead, her destined prince, Ovid, not a single person to interfere with their love, the girl, Iora, whose jealousy was the only thing standing in the way of their love; and, finally, the dark subordinate who secretly orchestrated the crisis of the empire from behind the scenes.
‘Whatever I say, he probably won’t take a liking to me, not even by my Father’s will… probably. The prince has no reason to like me. Everything will just follow the predetermined path.’
Yet she couldn’t help but wonder how there really could be someone like that. There was an aura about him that made her nervous to even breathe in front of him.
‘Sol, you were right, the leading man really does glow.’
As their eyes locked, Iora realized that she had her mouth hanging open, staring at him in a daze. She quickly hunched her shoulders, unaware of the Crow Prince’s smirk.
“I-I apologize, Your Highness.”
“Have you examined my face thoroughly, my Lady?”
“I… I apologize if I have overstepped…”
“No, there’s no need for that. Staring won’t bore holes in my face. You might as well have a seat.”
Blushing with embarrassment, Iora bit her lip and took her place in the chair. It was quite pitiful that her first words during their initial meeting were clumsy apologies.
Habit was a terrible thing. Her head involuntarily dipped, and she forced herself to lift it, determined to gain control over her gaze.
“There’s no need to be so tense or frightened. I’m not a monster, am I?”
“If I made you uncomfortable…”
“No. I was just making a joke… My jokes, well, they’re not exactly funny.”
“Oh, no…”
With a gentle, albeit somewhat inscrutable, glance, the prince, who met her gaze, nonchalantly tilted his head.
“Is there a particular refreshment you prefer? I can have it brought to you.”
“…No, anything is fine.”
“Anything?”
“…Yes?”
“Um, no.”
If she wasn’t mistaken, the prince had been observing her. Iora felt a cold sweat forming at the base of her neck due to the scrutinizing gaze of the prince. No wonder the heroine, Arcanda, felt like she was being watched by a giant gray wolf in the novel.
‘I can’t tell what he’s thinking.’
Iora was about to bite her nails out of habit when the door opened and the servants entered. She breathed a sigh of relief. As the attendants busily set out the snacks, the tension slowly began to dissipate with the rich, sweet aroma of tea and cookies filling the room.
Smiling softly at the sight, the Crown Prince lifted his teacup, and Iora followed suit. She gingerly lifted the cup and sipped. The taste was incredibly fresh and sweet, making her eyes widen. It was her first time trying it.
It was then that the Crown Prince, who had been observing her, spoke up. He had set his teacup down, his lips pursed, and was tapping his fingers on the table.
“Seems like you have a lot of patience, my Lady. You probably had many questions for me..”
“Um…?”
“We were engaged, after all. You never called me, didn’t you take offense?”
Of course not. Iora swallowed hard at the words that threatened to spill out. There was no way she was going to let her guard down and say anything that would provoke suspicion.
The young lady here didn’t know the future or who the chosen woman by the Crown Prince was. And she had to return quietly and report to her father that she had a good conversation with the Crown Prince. Then the day would pass without incident.
She knew that. She knew it well. Her fingers twitched.
‘Remember, Iora. You must not show your unsightly mannerisms to the Prince.’ She recalled her father’s warning as he walked away.
The topics, tastes, and preferences that the Crown Prince might like were all stored in her head. She had studied these things, just in case the Crown Prince called her. Even though she had never met him face to face and had a proper conversation with him, Iora knew the person well.
That’s why she knew what words to choose to avoid breaking etiquette, even if she couldn’t speak eloquently, and what attitude to adopt.
‘However, I don’t want to do that.’
But, rather strangely, Iora didn’t want to bring out the prepared topics in front of Ovid anymore. There might be no trace of disdain in his clear eyes.
His eyes weren’t warm, but at least they weren’t painfully cold. This made her want to be honest.
Iora opened her mouth slowly. The first words she’d ever spoken to him, against her father’s wishes. It took a lot of courage.
“If I may dare to ask, Your Highness.”
Her voice was trembling, but the Crown Prince was unperturbed.
“Speak, my Lady. We have plenty of time.”
“Why…Why have you summoned me here, today?”
