Chapter 115 - His Beloved Daughter

It was the day before the tea party, after making sure I had prepared everything I needed, I spent my time lazing around in my room. 'I'm tired. I'm definitely not cut out for social events,' I thought. At that moment, I heard a tapping sound coming from my window. 'Did Max come this way again?' I sat up and walked over to the window since there was a strong probability that he would do so. Just as I was about to mindlessly open the window, I stiffened when I heard a flapping sound.

'W-what is that?' With trembling eyes, I peeked out the window and saw something. I carefully studied the object to identify it, then felt my blood run cold. 'W-why would a pigeon be here…?' Perhaps it was because I had just witnessed something so terrifying, but I found that I couldn't even scream. Goosebumps rose on my arms, then spread throughout my entire body.

During my previous life when I worked part-time at a convenience store, there was a time when a pigeon flew in and tore up everything in the store. I tried to kick it out by shooing it away with a broom, but the little guy fluttered around the store, dropping its feathers and secretions everywhere. The pigeon eventually left after a customer drove it away, but ever since then, I had become traumatized by pigeons.

"U-uhh…" I dropped down to the ground, unable to let out a scream. I started to feel suffocated with the pigeon staring at me through the thin window. As if it were threatening me, the little guy pecked at the window with its orange beak.

'The window won't break, will it?' I thought of the worst-case scenario, when I heard the door open.

"My lady! Oh my goodness! What are you…"

I shakily raised my hand and pointed at the window. "M-Merilyn! P-please get that pigeon away from there!" I gulped at Merilyn who had appeared just in time.

At my request, Merilyn made a fierce look that didn't suit her and approached the window. "You cursed bird! Go away at once!"

I was startled by her violent behavior, then felt my breath return when I could see the pigeon flying away. 'I survived.' Maybe it was because I felt a sense of relief, but I was suddenly reminded of the nightmare I had last night. 'Did I have that nightmare because of this?' I was taking deep breaths to calm myself, when Merilyn spoke.

"Oh, that pigeon looks like a carrier pigeon, my lady. It has something tied to its leg."

I narrowed my eyes at Merilyn's words. 'A carrier pigeon?' Carrier pigeons were typically used to secretly send letters one wished to keep private from the outside world. I pondered over the number of people who might send me a letter in such a way, then concluded that it was one of the many people who wanted to send me threats.

'Yeah, it must've been sent to scare me.'

I was certain of my thoughts when Merilyn asked, "Could it be… a love letter from someone who has feelings for you, my lady?"

My face went blank at her words. "There's no way. It would make more sense if it were sent by someone who disliked me," I stated.

"I'm sorry?" Merilyn questioned as if she thought I had uttered something absurd. However, I trusted my instincts and decided that this letter must have come from a terrorist who held animosity towards me.

"I want you to… do something so that bird never comes near this area again."

"Yes, my lady. I'll deliver your words to Madam Perez," Merilyn answered with a deep sigh.

I watched as Merilyn headed out the door, then sighed. 'Nothing will happen at the tea party tomorrow, right?'

* * *

Max, who had been staying at his residence in Salon Blooms, frowned as he looked at the carrier pigeon that had returned to him with the letter still intact. 'I definitely saw it land on the windowsill…' Max clenched his fists as he mulled over if his master had already done something to interfere with his plan. 'If this carrier pigeon won't work, I'll have to find another way…'

At that moment, Fresia opened the door and entered his room. "Oh, Your Highness! Aren't you supposed to be at the imperial palace…? Um, what's with the carrier pigeon and letter? Isn't that your seal?"

"It's something I tried to send to Jubelian, but I failed."

Fresia sighed at his words. "You're extremely fortunate that it failed."

"What?"

Fresia raised her voice at the crown prince who had absentmindedly answered back in a dejected tone. "I mean, the lady doesn't even know about Your Highness' true identity! Wouldn't it be strange for her to suddenly receive a letter from the crown prince when she has never met him?"

Only then had Max understood what she meant. He furrowed his eyebrows. "I see."

Letting out another sigh, Fresia continued. "If you wish to get close to the lady as the crown prince, you should first make an opportunity to meet her."

"An opportunity…" Max muttered under his breath.

"And now that you've officially returned to the capital, please stay alert from now on. If Your Highness is found to be absent from the room—"

"Victor is standing in for me."

"Oh, he must be wearing that armor again," Fresia mumbled meekly, expressing her sorrow for Victor.

"It's made of the finest amantarium, so it shouldn't be too uncomfortable."

'That's not what I mean…' Fresia sighed at her lord who had completely missed her point.

"Has there been any new information from the imperial palace?" Max suddenly asked.

At his inquiry, Fresia hardened her face and replied, "The empress has been fabricating groundless rumors and is spreading them."

"Groundless rumors?"

<To Be Continued>

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Hope you enjoyed it,

Love,

Biji ^^,

April.28.2023