Crown Prince, I hate you!

“I apologize,” she said, her tone devoid of sincerity. “It seems we’ve run out of guest cups in the estate.”

Offering such a plain cup to a guest was a blatant insult. In any other household, such an offense would be enough to spark outrage.

Even the smallest estates kept dozens of cups and plates to avoid such situations. Rael’s words were unmistakably deliberate.

Her unspoken message was clear: “There is no tea worthy of you here. Leave.”

Her hostility toward me was evident, yet I was confident that her cold demeanor wasn’t meant as a direct threat—not the kind others might make.

Because this was Rael.

She wasn’t the type to judge others based on their rank or position. Even now, though her demeanor was sharp and guarded, she was still the Rael I knew.

Without hesitation, I picked up the teacup and took a sip.

One sip. Two sips.

The tea in the small cup quickly diminished. By the time I set it back down, only half the tea remained.

Clink.

Placing the cup on the table, I met Rael’s gaze and smiled faintly. For the first time, her composed expression faltered, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.

“Really…” she murmured, her tone tinged with disbelief.

After a moment, she asked, “Did you understand what I meant and drink it anyway?”

“To be honest, yes.”

It would have been harder not to understand. Her dismissal had been unmistakable.

Rael’s gaze lingered on me for a moment before she let out a soft laugh, as though she couldn’t decide whether to be amused or incredulous. Perhaps it was because most people, bound by their pride, would never have done what I did.

“Should I call that foolishness or boldness? I honestly can’t tell.”

“I’d prefer boldness, if you don’t mind,” I replied with a wry smile.

“Is that so?”

The tension in the room began to dissipate, softening the atmosphere between us.

Sensing the shift, I decided it was the right time to speak.

“Lady Rael, I came here because I need your help.”

“Help?”

But before I could explain further,

“My lady!”

A maid burst into the room, her urgency unmistakable. Behind her stood another woman.

Rael’s face darkened the moment she saw who it was.

“Rael,” the woman called sharply.

Her gray hair, a shade darker than Rael’s, framed her face elegantly, and her vivid crimson eyes gave her an imposing presence. The resemblance between them was striking, though the woman carried a slightly more mature aura.

Rael’s mother.

“And who is this young lady? Did you bring her here?”

Her luxurious dress, adorned with intricate lace, swayed gently as she stepped forward, the fabric shimmering with every movement. It seemed she had just returned from an outing.

As the three of us stood in the room, Rael subtly moved in front of me, shielding me from her mother’s sharp, scrutinizing gaze.

“She is my guest.”

“Your guest?”

At Rael’s words, Lady Porhan’s sharp eyes swept over me, assessing me from head to toe, before she exhaled in exasperation.

“How peculiar, Rael.”

With a sudden motion, Lady Porhan tilted Rael’s chin upward, forcing her to meet her gaze.

“Judging by her age, she’s surely had her coming-of-age ceremony by now… but I don’t recall ever seeing this young lady in society.”

It was clear that her comment was directed at me.

Noticing Rael’s tension, I stepped forward and bowed politely.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Porhan. I am Verian of the Clody Count’s household.”

“The Clody family?”

A sharp, incredulous laugh escaped Lady Porhan’s lips, and she released Rael’s chin with a rough motion.

Her piercing gaze returned to Rael, brimming with disdain.

“You’ve lost your senses.”

Her icy voice cut through the room like a knife.

“I’ve told you before, Rael: not everyone in society is your equal.”

“Mother—”

“I’ve repeatedly instructed you to associate with those who will benefit this family. Haven’t I?”

Clang!

The sound of metal against stone reverberated in the corridor.

The jeweled fan in Lady Porhan’s hand had struck Rael’s head before clattering to the floor.

The sudden noise startled me, making my shoulders tense.

I had never heard any rumors about Rael and her mother having a strained relationship.

But this wasn’t just a minor quarrel.

Perhaps their apparent harmony exists only in public. And they think someone like me, with no power, is of no consequence.

“Honestly, you are just—”

Lady Porhan clicked her tongue in frustration and turned to me, her eyes like ice.

“You said you’re Lady Clody?”

“…Yes, Lady Porhan.”

“I’m well aware of your family’s decline. For someone like you to step foot in this estate is an insult in itself. I’d appreciate it if you left immediately—and keep today’s events to yourself.”

“Mother!”

Rael’s voice rang out sharply as she stepped forward.

“She is my guest. I invited her. Please, stop embarrassing me.”

Though her voice was steady, the slight tremor in her tone and her clenched fists betrayed the strain she felt.

“Fine. If you insist, I’ll take my leave. But remember the promise we made earlier. There’s not much time left.”

With those final words, Lady Porhan turned and left the room, her skirts trailing behind her.

Click.

Even after the door closed, Rael remained motionless, her gaze fixed on the space where her mother had stood. She neither turned to me nor moved toward the door.

In that moment, something struck me.

Rael reminded me of myself—not long ago.

The stillness of her figure, the vulnerability in her posture… everything about her felt fragile, teetering on the edge.

“The matter Lady Porhan mentioned… it’s the engagement with Viscount Bendiz, isn’t it?”

“How do you know about that, Lady Verian…?”

Rael’s voice broke the stifling silence, pulling herself from her daze as she turned to look at me, confusion in her eyes.

“You asked earlier why I came to see you, didn’t you? Whether I intended to use you.”

My soft voice echoed through the stillness of the room.

“I’m here because I need your help. And in return, I’ll help you. I can help you, Lady Rael.”