Crown Prince, I hate you!

A midsummer morning.

Even during the sunniest hour of the day, the Crown Princess’s residence remained as quiet as ever.

The only sounds filling the room were the faint clinking of dishes being cleared away and the soft rustle of maids tidying the bedside.

The Crown Princess, Verian, glanced briefly at the maids silently going about their tasks before turning back to the window. Sitting idly at a small table by the windowsill, she gazed absentmindedly at the sky.

The tranquil monotony, which had lingered for several days, was just beginning to feel familiar when unfamiliar footsteps echoed in the room.

“Greetings, Your Highness. My name is Rael Bendiz, and I will be serving you from today.”

A composed figure carrying a large bag stepped inside, offering a polite greeting.

That day marked the arrival of my second lady-in-waiting.

Rael Bendiz.

Unlike Meisha, whom I had personally brought into the palace, Rael had entered the imperial household of her own accord, volunteering for the position.

Though I had occasionally seen her at social gatherings, seeing her up close was striking. Her remarkable beauty and flawless posture spoke of an upbringing steeped in refinement, befitting her status as the wife of Viscount Bendiz.

“Yes, Lady Bendiz. I look forward to working with you,” I replied with a nod.

Her green eyes flickered briefly to the floor before she responded.

“Um… would it be possible for you to call me Rael? I’m not quite used to the title ‘Lady’ yet.”

She smiled lightly, though the corners of her lips barely curved upward, and her gaze, unfocused, resembled that of someone struggling to maintain composure. Her eyes reminded me of someone who had lost their anchor.

“…Very well, Rael.”

For a fleeting moment, I felt a twinge of concern, but I dismissed it quickly. After all, she was just another maid—someone who had no real connection to me.

I assumed she felt the same.

So, I didn’t plan on giving her much attention.

But Rael turned out to be different from what I expected.

“Staying inside the palace all the time isn’t good for your health. Why don’t we go for a walk today? The sun is lovely.”

She took more interest in me than I had anticipated.

“That outfit doesn’t really suit Your Highness’s presence. Something less extravagant might be more flattering.”

She was unexpectedly candid.

“I really wonder what gives some people the audacity to speak so freely in front of the Crown Princess. They clearly have no regard for the imperial family.”

“Ahem. Let’s… let’s go now.”

And, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she stood firmly by my side.

“You don’t need to go out of your way for me,” I once told her.

“Sometimes you do. Especially now, when imperial events are so few and far between.”

“…You’re right. Let’s head in—it’s getting late.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Have a good night.”

“You too, Rael.”

Before I realized it, she had become a bright presence in my life.

She wasn’t like anyone else. She was different. And I couldn’t help but feel curious about her.

I wanted to know her better.

That thought crossed my mind the very next day.

And then, the scandal broke: evidence of Viscount Bendiz’s corruption and secret dealings spread across the empire.

The rumors shook the entire capital, a testament to how far his influence had spread.

The impact was enormous. While the Viscount was imprisoned in the imperial dungeons on multiple charges, that was where it ended for him. The true burden fell on Rael, his wife—innocent of any wrongdoing yet forced to endure the relentless judgment of society.

But Rael didn’t complain.

“Rael, I—”

“I’m sorry,” she interrupted, her tone quiet but steady. “It seems I’ve caused trouble for you by becoming your lady-in-waiting, Your Highness.”

She apologized first.

“I’m fine, Your Highness. It’s not as though I loved him, nor do I have children to care for,” she said when I asked if she was all right.

Her words were calm, her expression composed. She seemed so unaffected that I, foolishly, believed her.

If not for the muffled sound of sobs that night, leaking from her room, I might never have known the truth.

“…Hhic… hic…”

Her cries were stifled, as if she were covering her mouth to keep the sound from escaping.

Even so, in the stillness of the night, those quiet sobs reached me as if they were ringing in my ears. The small lamp in my trembling hands flickered faintly.

How could I not have noticed? Why didn’t I stop this?

If I had paid more attention to her earlier, I might have known. Even if I hadn’t, at least I wouldn’t be standing here now, helpless and unable to offer a single word of comfort.

That night, I stood frozen outside her door until her cries faded into silence.

I had no intention of repeating the regret I felt that night.

So—

“I’ll help you.”

This time, let me help you.

Rael’s eyes flickered with uncertainty as she looked at me, but she soon let out a soft, weary sigh.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“…Are you pretending not to understand?”

Rael turned her head sharply and exhaled, her tone brittle.

“I really don’t understand. What can you possibly help with? My engagement to the Viscount? How could you even interfere?”

“Not the engagement itself,” I replied firmly, “but the annulment. I’ll help you end it. You don’t want this engagement, do you?”

Rael’s fingers trembled slightly, betraying the calm facade she was trying to maintain.

“Stop saying nonsense. Why would I oppose this engagement? He’s from a respectable family, works as an imperial official, and is a responsible man.”

Her voice was tense, her words tightly restrained.

“It’s not him you dislike,” I said, holding her gaze. “It’s the idea of giving up everything you wanted for an engagement and a marriage you didn’t choose.”