A Blend of Romance and Fantasy Chapter 7

Chapter 7

No matter how skilled you are at waltzing, dancing with twenty partners is exhausting.

By the end, my ankles were throbbing.

After retreating to my private lounge and icing them, a knock came at the door.

“May I come in for a moment?”

“Duke Myers. You’re here.”

Abigail and Dorothy, who had been attending me, exchanged puzzled looks at my tone but opened the door as instructed.

Cedric entered with his usual precise, composed steps. After briefly scanning the room, he spoke,

“Your Highness. I have something to discuss with you privately. May I ask that you dismiss the attendants?”

Before I could respond, Dorothy let out a soft gasp, while Abigail smiled knowingly.

She stepped closer and whispered,

“Princess Charlotte, it seems the Duke has something important to say.”

“‘Privately’? He’s not being subtle about it.”

“Then we shall take our leave.”

Still a little confused, I nodded.

Soon, the lounge was empty except for the two of us.

I gestured toward the sofa across from me, inviting him to sit—but he shook his head.

Feeling slightly awkward, I took a sip of tea.

Something about him felt… off.

His expression was as stoic as ever, but his usually immaculate cravat was loosened, and one glove was missing.

In other words—

he looked nervous.

“Duke, is something wrong? You don’t look well.”

“No. My condition is fine. I simply…”

He frowned, shifting his posture more than once before letting out a quiet breath.

“…No. Perhaps something is wrong. For a holy knight who must keep his emotions in check, this is… unusual.”

Just then—

A loud commotion outside cut him off.

I turned toward the door, and Cedric’s expression instantly hardened.

He stepped forward and addressed the guard.

“What’s happening?”

“Your Grace, the Sixth Prince of Blake has come to see the princess.”

“The Sixth Prince? To see me? Why?”

“We’re not certain…”

The guard hesitated, then looked at me.

“Shall we… turn him away?”

“We can’t refuse a visiting prince. Ask him to wait in the reception room.”

After giving the order, I turned back to Cedric.

“So, Duke—what did you want to say?”

It felt awkward with him still standing by the door, but whatever it was, it had seemed urgent.

Better to finish it quickly.

But by then, Cedric’s expression had returned to its usual calm.

“I will speak with you another time.”

“You said it was important. Just tell me now.”

“No. Another time.”

Ignoring my words, he turned and left.

…He just ignored a princess’s request?

Once again, I was reminded that male leads seem to trade manners for good looks.

At that moment, Abigail hurried back in.

“Princess, please compose yourself.”

“Huh? Why?”

“If the Sixth Prince has come to see you privately, it may mean he intends to propose.”

At her words, my face immediately paled.

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Historically, it’s quite plausible.”

“Excuse me.”

Right on cue, Prince Leonard stepped inside.

Seeing Abigail and me standing stiffly, he raised a brow.

“I did say ‘excuse me,’ but… have I interrupted something?”

Yes. Completely.

“No, not at all, Your Highness. Please, have a seat.”

I returned to the sofa and gestured politely.

Leonard walked over and sat across from me.

Having just seen Cedric moments ago, the contrast between them was striking.

Cedric’s presence was like a quiet dawn.

Leonard’s burned like molten lava.

If Cedric was a flawless holy knight, Leonard felt more like a battle-hardened mercenary.

Rough. Dangerous.

And oddly at ease.

He even took a moment to glance around the lounge before settling his gaze on me.

Under that stare, I felt strangely tense.

Then he spoke.

“Princess, I have something to discuss with you privately. Would you dismiss the attendants?”

This feels familiar…

Before I could react, Abigail and Dorothy efficiently cleared the room.

My anxiety spiked.

What if she’s right?

“In truth, there is something I’d like to give you.”

Leonard reached into his coat.

That movement—

I’d seen it countless times at banquets.

And so—

I shot to my feet.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness! I cannot accept your proposal!”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Huh?”

Silence fell.

I slowly looked down.

In his hand was a flat, rectangular box.

Not a ring case.

Then, very slowly, I looked back up.

One eyebrow was raised.

My face burned.

“….”

For a long moment, neither of us spoke.

Finally, I forced myself to look at him again.

He had covered his mouth and turned slightly away—but his trembling lips made it obvious he was holding back laughter.

I want to disappear.

Lowering my head, I muttered,

“I—I apologize… for the misunderstanding…”

“It’s fine. I did ask to speak with you alone. It’s a reasonable conclusion.”

He cleared his throat, lowering his hand.

But the faint curve of his lips remained.

“I wanted privacy so I could give you a special gift.”

“A special gift?”

He handed me the box.

Inside was a small stone, about the size of a thumb.

It shimmered like a gem, shifting colors depending on the angle.

“What is this?”

“I crossed the Resher Desert with my guard instead of using teleportation.”

“The Resher Desert? That’s not somewhere just anyone can cross.”

He only smiled.

Confidence, clearly—but I chose not to acknowledge it.

It was a little irritating.

“There are materials there needed for advanced magic tools. While gathering them, I came across this—the Tear of Deligno. A mana stone more powerful than most high-ranking mages.”

“Why are you telling me something so important… and giving me something so valuable?”

“You know I’m competing with the First Prince. He has already shown interest in you.”

“….”

“This is my way of asking you to be my ally.”

Resting his chin lightly on his hand, he smiled.

“Not a courtship.”

“Ugh.”

“Though I could make it one, if you’d prefer?”

Unable to take it any longer, I buried my face in my hands.

“Please just forget what happened earlier.”

At that, Leonard finally burst into laughter.

At this point, I was seriously considering knocking him unconscious and erasing his memory.

As I clenched my fists—

he stopped laughing and asked,

“So? You’ve rejected the proposal—but I’d rather you not reject the gift. Will you accept it?”

“…I don’t refuse gifts.”

I answered coolly as I closed the box.

“I’ll accept it—on one condition. You forget what just happened.”

“Oh? Did something happen between us just now?”

At his playful expression, I couldn’t help but laugh a little.

“I’ll accept it. But in return, I’d like to repay you. Is there anything you want during the banquet?”

“…Hmm.”

He stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“In that case… would you spare me some time tomorrow?”