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Chapter 13 - Sought-after Gems and Beloved Wildflowers

Back in her room, after such an intense meeting with the Princess, Althea sat before her desk, which was laden with delicious dishes. However, the food remained almost untouched. Her mind was still wandering in the garden, with the girl with blonde hair and blue eyes filled with despair.

Every bite tasted like paper pulp in her mouth. She remembered every detail, every tremor in the voice, every tear that fell. But what echoed most in her ears were the words the Princess had whispered at the end of their meeting.

"I... I feel so relieved to be able to tell you this," the Princess had whispered, her eyes still red but no longer filled with thorns. "I've heard many rumors that the Crown Princess-to-be is not very intelligent. But, seeing what has happened now... whether you're clever or not, you are a very kind person."

Althea could only manage a small smile, restraining herself from letting her mask slip.

"But unfortunately, that's as far as it goes," the Princess continued, her gaze distant. "If I had a friend, could I truly find someone like you who would listen to me? Who wouldn't judge? Even if I had to wait in line or pay a high price, I think I'd be willing to do it."

Those words struck Althea like a lightning bolt on a clear day. A need so great, so real, in the midst of sterile luxury. At that moment, without thinking, Althea put on her wide, "foolish" smile.

"Then, why not just talk to me?" she said innocently, as if she didn't understand the invisible walls that separated them.

The Princess was stunned, then let out a small, bitter yet warm chuckle. "It turns out what everyone says is true. You really don't realize our positions." She sighed. "Talking like we did today... it's impossible for it to happen again. But, thank you, Althea. Thank you for listening to the story about... my friend." She stood, brushing down her gown. "Please forget this, and I hope we never meet again."

That last sentence was not a curse, but a form of protection. An acknowledgment that their meeting was a dangerous accident, a miracle that must not be repeated.

I hope we never meet again.

The sentence was still echoing in her head when the door to her room opened and Caspian entered without permission. He was already fully dressed to go out, with a black velvet cloak and a small circlet signifying his status.

"Prepare yourself," he said without preamble, his voice as flat as if he were reading a schedule. "We'll take a short trip to the outskirts of the capital. I have some business to attend to. You'll accompany me on our plans."

Althea swallowed, forcing herself to stand and curtsy. "Yes, Your Highness."

***

The Imperial Capital of Faerie rumbled with life. The voices of merchants, the laughter of children, and the clatter of cart wheels created a symphony of bustling chaos. However, as the magnificent royal carriage passed slowly, everything seemed to pause for a moment. All eyes were fixed on the two figures inside.

Caspian sat with a majestic and graceful posture. The sunlight danced in his golden hair, making it seem like a living crown. His sharp profile—a strong jaw, a straight nose, and lips usually set in an indifferent line—now blossomed into a soft smile directed at only one person. His deep blue eyes, usually cold and piercing, now radiated a warmth that seemed to exist only for Althea.

He turned his body slightly towards her, his voice low and melodious, intentionally pitched so only she could hear. "Look, my love. They are all cheering for you."

Althea, playing her part perfectly, lowered her head further. Her cheeks were flushed with the rouge she had carefully applied. "They... they are cheering for us, Your Highness," she whispered, her voice deliberately trembling and shy.

Caspian reached out, a gesture that seemed spontaneous and full of affection. His long, perfectly manicured fingers gently touched Althea's chin, prompting her to look at him. His touch was warm, almost searing.

"No," he countered in a whisper, yet full of intensity. His smile deepened, creating a faint dimple that made him look so young and enchanting. "The cheers are for your courage. For your beauty, which is priceless in my eyes." His blue eyes gazed at her so deeply, as if trying to drown her. "You are the gem I have been searching for all this time, Althea."

Althea felt her chest tighten. Not because of his words, but because of how he said them. Caspian's aura was so captivating and intense. His presence filled the entire space inside the carriage. If she weren't Gina, who knew the truth behind it all, she was certain she would have drowned in that gaze. She quickly looked down again, hiding her face behind the curtain of her blue hair, which she had intentionally left down.

"Your Highness is too kind," she murmured, playing the part of a girl so flustered she was speechless.

Caspian laughed, his low, resonant voice like velvet to the ears. "Never kind enough for you, my love." He did not break his gaze. "Tell me, are you happy today?"

Althea nodded, still not daring to look at him directly. "Very, Your Highness."

"This is only the beginning, Althea," Caspian whispered, as if sharing a great secret. "I promise, there will be many more days like this. Just you and me."

Every word spoken felt like sweet honey and deadly poison at once. Althea played her role flawlessly, with a shy smile, flushed cheeks, and awkward gestures. But inside, Gina was screaming. How easily this man manipulated, how perfectly he acted. If he could do this in public, what couldn't he do?

"Look! She's blushing in front of the Crown Prince!"

"How romantic!"

"They're like a couple from a fairytale!"

The cheers grew louder, and Caspian only smiled wider, as if this were his greatest victory.

The moment the carriage door closed and they left the capital's crowd behind, the atmosphere inside changed drastically, like a curtain falling after a performance.

Caspian's smile vanished instantly, replaced by his usual flat expression. The warmth in his eyes was extinguished, reverting to an untouched sea of ice. He picked up a scroll of documents and began to read, as if Althea were nothing more than a seat in the carriage. No more sweet words, no more gentle touches. Only a tense, cold silence.

Althea, dropping her "shy girl" mask, turned to look out the window. Her body was tired, not from walking, but from maintaining a perfect act under the intense scrutiny of a man so charming and yet so terrifying.

The carriage rolled on, taking them away from stone houses to green meadows, and finally into a road flanked by a dense forest. As their carriage slowed at a deserted intersection on the edge of the woods, Althea's initially drowsy eyes suddenly flew wide open.

Her heart pounded. In a vast field of wildflowers—purple, yellow, and white—a simple cream-colored carriage was parked. A graceful white horse grazed peacefully nearby. And standing beside the carriage, in a simple mint-green dress that fluttered in the evening breeze, was Lady Lysandra Perenelle von Kaelen.

Her beauty stunned Althea. It was not a manufactured or polished beauty, but a natural radiance that emanated from within, like a wildflower growing freely and beautifully. Her blonde hair was like liquid gold under the twilight sun, and her gentle smile was enough to brighten even the darkest corner of the forest.

Caspian, as if sensing her presence, immediately sat up straight. His documents fell unheeded. Without a word, without even a glance at Althea, he opened the carriage door and stepped out.

The change was so stark and painful to witness. His shoulders, which had been tense in the carriage, were now completely relaxed. His authoritative stride turned light and full of anticipation. And when he approached Lysandra, a genuine smile—not a measured or acted one—blossomed on his face. It was the smile of a man who had finally come home after a long and tiring journey.

"Lysandra," Caspian greeted, his voice soft and warm, a complete contrast to the flat tone he used with Althea. It was a voice full of relief and love.

Lysandra gently straightened the collar of Caspian's cloak, as if it were a familiar, old habit.

"I was starting to worry your schedule would cancel this meeting," she said in a gentle tone, her eyes gazing at him with warmth.

"The last thing I would ever want to do is disappoint you," Caspian replied, his voice nearly a whisper. He took Lysandra's hand and respectfully kissed its back, a gesture he had never once performed for Althea. "The world can wait. Moments with you cannot."

Althea watched from behind the glass, a bitter taste flooding her. This was the truth she had suspected, but witnessing it firsthand felt like a slap in the face.

Then, Caspian reached out, gently touching Lysandra's cheek. The woman closed her eyes, her face tilting up in complete surrender and love. And then, in the middle of the wildflower field, with the golden light of dusk shining on them like a spotlight from the heavens, Caspian kissed her.

It was not an ordinary kiss. It was a kiss full of passion, longing, and truth. His hands wrapped around Lysandra's waist, pulling her close as if afraid of losing her. They looked like two parts of a single soul finally reunited, a perfect picture of forbidden yet unstoppable love.

Pain.

It wasn't Gina who felt it. But a deep, piercing ache suddenly spread through Althea's chest, so strong it made her gasp for air. It was the remnants of the original Althea's feelings, the naive soul who had once truly loved that man with all her heart. A faint memory of hope, of the sweet words he once spoke in a ballroom, was now shattered into a million pieces before her very eyes, betrayed by this passionate kiss. Hot tears welled in her eyes, triggered by this body's memory, by the heart that once belonged to it.

No! Gina, her consciousness, immediately took over, trying to suppress the wave of foreign emotion. This is not the time! Those are not your feelings!

She bit her lip until the metallic taste of blood filled her tongue, driving away the ache in her heart. She forced herself to keep watching, to swallow this bitter truth completely.

"What I am seeing..." she muttered to herself, the logical and fearful voice of Gina speaking, while the remnants of the original Althea's soul screamed in agony, "...is the final lesson. Trust no one. Especially not him."

That passionate kiss in the woods was a perfect and utterly cruel reminder. Caspian was not a man to be trusted. He was a brilliant actor, and their agreement was just a piece of paper he could tear up at any moment. If he could pretend to love her so convincingly in front of thousands, then so easily turn to the woman he truly loved, what was to stop him from betraying their business agreement and burning her at the stake when she was no longer useful?

"The agreement... the money... it's not enough," she whispered to herself, while the intimate scene outside continued, every second an agony. "I need more. I need insurance. I need an escape plan he can't predict."

Her reflection stared back at her from the window glass, a face whose eyes were beginning to lose their light.

"If love can kill," she murmured softly, "I will learn to kill in my own way."

And in that moment, slowly, an idea began to form

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