CPSMBD Chapter 19

Maomai
Aug 25
5 min read

Chapter 19

Stolen

"A knight?"

"Yes. I know someone in the Imperial Knights. He's quite decent."

Brahe hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"Though... he does have one major flaw..."

"What is it?"

"He's never even held hands with a woman before."

"What? Really?"

I widened my eyes in mock surprise, covering my mouth with my hand to hide what would have been an unmistakable grin.

"Yes. If it weren't for that, he'd have been the first person I'd introduce to you, senior."

A knight with no dating experience? That made him even more appealing!

Besides, it's not like I had any dating experience either, so it didn't matter.

"But if he's a knight... he must be tall and well-built, right?"

I could feel myself salivating at the thought.

"Oh, absolutely! He's incredibly tall and built like a warrior. His swordsmanship is top-tier too. There's a reason he became the Imperial Knights' Commander at such a young age!"

A well-built, capable man who's innocent in matters of love? There was no reason for me to refuse.

If anything, I should be the one on my knees begging for a chance to meet him.

The real question was whether someone so impressive would be interested in someone like me.

"Would someone that impressive really want to meet me?"

"Of course! He's incredibly naive. Just flash him a smile, and he'll fall for you right away."

Just a smile? That was my specialty.

After six years of palace life, I'd smiled so much my facial muscles would sometimes cramp.

But with a tall, well-built man before me, I wouldn't need to force those smiles – they'd come naturally.

Nodding, I took a long sip of coffee and made my resolution.

Although my first matchmaking attempt had failed, I would learn from that experience and succeed this time!

I could vividly imagine a rose-tinted wedding ceremony with the Imperial Knight.

Just then, I spotted a familiar face beyond Brahe's shoulder – it was Lily, his fiancée.

"Oh? Isn't that... Lily?"

"What? Where? Where's Lily?"

Brahe jumped up from his seat, making a fuss as he looked around.

"There. Right there."

Lily was entering the Imperial Café, looking as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Having finally spotted his beloved, Brahe rushed over to her and personally escorted her to the empty seat.

"Darling, what's wrong? You look so troubled," he asked with concern.

"Ah, well..."

Lily hesitated, glancing at me uncertainly. It seemed she was reluctant to speak in my presence.

I was about to tactfully excuse myself when Brahe beat me to it.

"Don't worry. You know Senior Violetta's character. She's not one to gossip."

I quickly nodded, putting on my most trustworthy expression.

Truth be told, I wanted to stay. I was curious about what Lily had to say.

Lily nodded and carefully began speaking.

"Since I can trust Senior Violetta, I'll tell you. Remember the Fairy's Tear that came as a gift recently?"

"Yes, I remember."

I nodded enthusiastically alongside Brahe.

"The Fairy's Tear has been stolen."

***

Who could have stolen the Fairy's Tear?

I'd heard from Lily that although the Investigation Bureau was secretly tracking the culprit, they hadn't found any leads yet.

'If by some chance His Highness remains unable to marry, that Fairy's Tear could have been incredibly helpful.'

I clicked my tongue in disappointment.

Whoever did this was truly despicable.

Just then, Chief General Aide Kuan clapped his hands to get my attention.

"It's time for His Highness to receive the ladies. Please go and guide them."

Oh right. I'd almost forgotten my duties, distracted by thoughts of the Fairy's Tear.

I finally managed to peel myself off the chair.

The thought of spending another hour guiding women who wanted to meet the Crown Prince was truly depressing.

I headed to the front of the Crown Prince's office and began instructing the gathered visitors about protocols, arranging them in order.

Among the long line of people, I spotted a familiar face.

It was Aila.

I approached her, wanting to apologize for what had happened in the greenhouse previously.

"Hello, Aila?"

"...Hello."

Aila remained cold as ice today. But I wasn't one to be deterred by just that.

Gathering my courage, I spoke up.

"Um... I'm sorry about what happened in the greenhouse last time."

"It's fine."

Aila's frosty response crushed what little courage I had left, turning it to ash.

"O-okay. Then I'll just..."

As I was about to turn away, the ring on Aila's finger caught my attention with an unusual sparkle.

How strange... Aila wearing jewelry?

'Could it be... she wants to look good for His Highness?'

Though she was cold and distant with me, it seemed even Aila wanted to appear attractive to the Crown Prince, whom she liked.

I'd heard she was so infatuated with the Crown Prince that she could barely eat.

'I suppose people in love are all the same. Looking at how Aila dressed up for this...'

The line quickly shortened until it was Aila's turn.

"Next."

Aila entered His Highness's office.

As I was checking the list for the next person, something felt off. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what, but the feeling was undeniable.

Even though I tried to dismiss it as nothing, it kept nagging at me like a hangnail.

Usually, when I get these feelings, incidents tend to follow.

'What exactly am I missing?'

I quickly replayed recent events in my mind.

My memory stopped at the image of Aila just before her meeting with the Crown Prince.

'Yes, that's what's strange. This part exactly.'

Aila's attire hadn't changed from usual - buttons fastened up to her neck, a dress so plain it was almost dull.

While this was typical for Aila, was it really appropriate attire for meeting someone you love?

Everyone else who came to see the Crown Prince wore their most elaborate and beautiful dresses.

People waited for their turn in vibrant fabrics and fluttering laces, their faces bright with anticipation. Aila's approach was completely different.

And that wasn't all.

'Aila showed none of the excitement you'd expect from someone about to meet their beloved.'

Instead, she was wrapped in anxiety, unease, and a razor-edge tension.

But there was one thing completely unlike the usual Aila.

"The ring!"

With this sudden realization, a chill ran down my spine.

The jewel set in that ring.

It was definitely pink.

Identical to the pink crystal I'd seen recently while helping sort through the gifts that had arrived for the Emperor's coronation ceremony.

Now that the Fairy's Tear had been stolen, could it be mere coincidence that Aila appeared wearing a ring with a pink jewel - something she'd never worn before?

My instincts were screaming.

Stop Aila immediately.

But if the Crown Prince fell in love with Aila, he wouldn't have to suffer through searching for a match anymore.

As I hesitated, the Crown Prince's words echoed in my mind.

His statement about being unable to see women as people.

What little conscience I had left stung sharply at the thought of standing idly by.

'Oh, to hell with it.'

I practically ran toward the Crown Prince's office. Though Brahe gave me a questioning look, there was no time to explain.

His Highness would have to spend the rest of his life being grateful to me.

'After all, I'm about to become his savior!'

The moment I threw open the office door, my eyes met directly with the Crown Prince's as he was drinking tea.

Simultaneously, his previously sharp eyes became clouded, as if covered by fog.