Of course, not everyone welcomed Courtney Devon, who suddenly became the center of attention. Especially the young ladies who secretly harbored feelings for the crown prince. From a nearby table, snide comments could be heard, just loud enough to be overheard.
“Oh my, how embarrassing.”
“She looks so smug, relying on the crown prince.”
“If he sees her like this, won’t he call off the engagement immediately?”
“Indeed. Her true colors will show soon enough.”
The whispers were just loud enough to be heard, yet quiet enough to deny if confronted.
Since Courtney could hear them, so could Patricia, who sat right next to her. The proud smile on Patricia’s face hardened instantly. Courtney whispered softly, only loud enough for her mother to hear.
“Ignore them.”
Not reacting to provocations is the best way to win. Unlike the calm Courtney, Patricia’s face turned various shades of red and blue as she fumed. Finally, unable to hold back, she spoke up.
“The crown prince is so smitten with our Courtney that he sends her so many gifts, we don’t even have room to store them all!”
“Oh my, how enviable.”
Courtney felt even more embarrassed by her mother’s boast. What was there to be proud of about relying on someone for even a spoon? Adding more words would only make things worse. Courtney gripped her skirt tightly, trying to hold back her anger.
Noticing that their comments had been heard, the young ladies at the other table became even more excited.
“How did she manage to seduce His Highness?”
“Well, she must have thrown herself at him… Isn’t that how it usually goes?”
“It’s a shameful topic, but what else could it be?”
The blatant ridicule made Courtney’s blood boil. Did they not realize that such vile words also insulted the crown prince they adored?
Despite her anger, there was nothing she could do. She could not reveal that the esteemed crown prince had peculiar tastes right here.
Courtney calmed herself by picturing Richard’s handsome face. She felt like she could shout and curse at him to her heart’s content the next time they met. And that next opportunity came sooner than she expected.
“Oh my, Your Highness!”
Marchioness Delvin’s exclamation made Courtney lift her head. Under the white-flowered vine arch stood the crown prince in a deep blue uniform. With his usual bright smile, he greeted the Marchioness.
“I just dropped by to say hello. I hope I am not intruding?”
“Of course not! As it happens, Lady Devon is also attending today. Oh, perhaps you came because…?”
“Was it that obvious? I’m completely taken with Lady Courtney.”
Richard not only played along with the noblewoman’s banter but even took it a step further. He must have overheard Patricia’s earlier boastful remarks. Courtney, embarrassed, lowered her head again.
Richard signaled to the Marchioness for permission and walked straight to where Courtney was sitting.
“Courtney.”
Courtney, feeling mortified, could not look up. Just because she had the crown prince’s favor did not elevate her status. It felt like she was standing naked in the middle of a plaza.
With a hum, Richard suddenly lowered himself and knelt on one knee at her feet. Startled, Courtney looked up to see him gazing at her with a serious expression, as if he understood all her feelings.
She whispered quietly, just loud enough for him to hear.
“What are you doing?”
Kneeling before his betrothed in front of everyone at a tea party was an incredibly romantic gesture. The young ladies behind them and even the dignified noblewomen could not contain their excitement.
Ignoring the commotion, Richard whispered back in a small voice.
“Courtney, who upset you? Tell me, and I’ll throw them all in jail.”
“What?”
“Or should I just kill them? Just give the order. I can come up with a suitable charge.”
Courtney’s eyes widened. She thought he was just a pervert, but he was also a budding tyrant. She looked around nervously to see if anyone was listening. Everyone pretended to be engrossed in their own conversations but kept glancing at them. Courtney lowered her voice further and snapped.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Then who is it? Who upset my woman?”
The term “woman” made Courtney blush furiously. She had read about ‘woman positioning’ in the first chapter of that crazy book, but she was not ready for this.
She quickly spoke, wanting to shut him up.
“Stop it. Right now, your Highness,” she corrected herself, “Richard is the one making me the angriest?”
Though she tried to keep her voice low, Courtney’s attempt at controlling her expression failed, and she glared fiercely. Unfortunately, her angry face had the opposite effect.
“That makes me a bit happy.”
He looked clearly elated. What was this madman planning to do here? Courtney’s blood pressure soared. In some ways, Richard was more troublesome than Frederick.
“Please, just keep quiet… No, do nothing here. That’s not a request; it’s an order.”
“If you say so. Then I’ll accept my punishment later.”
Richard chuckled as if genuinely delighted. Courtney had to restrain herself from punching him right then and there. If it were not for the eyes watching them, she might have done it. Although, he would enjoy that too.
Richard stood up again. Seeing the grass stuck to his blue uniform pants, Courtney panicked, but Richard simply brushed it off. With that simple gesture, he transformed from a pervert back into a noble prince.
“Well then, I’ll go greet the others.”
“Yes.”
Courtney replied as if nothing had happened. Richard’s cheerful smile irritated her to no end. The jealous glares from the young ladies were now irrelevant.
Richard also greeted Patricia before moving on. As he walked across the garden, the noblewomen vied for his attention.
Courtney watched him in a daze. With his constant sunny smile, he looked every bit like a fairy tale prince. How did he end up with such strange tastes?
“Lady Devon!”
A bright, chirping voice made Courtney turn her head. There stood a young lady with curly hair, looking thrilled.
She was the second daughter of Count Aberdeen. They had never had a proper conversation, but she looked at Courtney with awe, as if she had found a long-lost sister.
“Lady Devon! I am so envious. Prince Richard is so wonderful. Ah, I am Selene Aberdeen. I’d love to be friends.”
“Selene! Do not cut in! Hello, Lady Devon. I am Hannah Anson. Just call me Hannah!”
It was not just them. Young ladies swarmed around, introducing themselves. Their faces lit up with excitement. While the noblewomen were interested in the power Courtney would gain, the young ladies were curious about her romantic relationship with the handsome prince.
Naturally, it was not the same young ladies who had just insulted Courtney. They now sat quietly, unable to speak, looking displeased.
Courtney had never experienced such friendly attention before. She greeted them in a daze.
“Yes, nice… to meet you.”
While she struggled to adjust to reality, the young ladies’ enthusiasm was overwhelming. Hannah, who had just introduced herself, spoke excitedly.
“Please visit our home next time. But how did you fall in love with Prince Richard?”
“What?”
“Is it true that His Highness passionately pursued you? Oh, it’s so romantic.”
Selene continued, clasping her hands, and looking dreamy. The young ladies squealed, their shrill voices making Courtney’s ears ring. As soon as Selene calmed down, Courtney asked quickly.
“Who said that?”
“Prince Richard.”
“His Highness.”
“The crown prince said so.”
They chimed in like a discordant choir. Courtney quickly turned her head, searching for Richard.
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