Natalia never returned after fleeing the carriage.

  Edric assumed embarrassment kept her away. After what he had done, she would need time before she could meet his eyes again.

  Daphne, however, remained by his side.

  Silent.

  Cold.

  She walked half a step behind him, as etiquette demanded, but the warmth in her gaze had faded. When he spoke, she answered briefly. When he looked at her, she looked away.

  Edric suppressed a sigh.

  Jealousy was natural.

  Daphne understood her position. As the Fourth Prince of the Eldoria Imperium and a son of the Valemont Family, Edric would never belong to only one woman. She knew that.

  But knowing and accepting were different matters.

  If this quiet resentment was her way of coming to terms with reality, he would allow it.

  The registration process at the Aurelian Imperial Academy was unexpectedly simple.

  A clerk confirmed his identity, recorded his name, and asked which disciplines he intended to study. No scrutiny. No questioning.

  Within minutes, it was finished.

  Royal blood simplified many inconveniences.

  Afterward, Edric waited outside for Natalia for nearly an hour. Students came and went, carriages arrived and departed, but she did not reappear.

  Eventually, he left.

  By afternoon, the sun dipped lower across the capital of the Eldoria Imperium.

  Edric had not forgotten his appointment with Lyanna.

  But instead of arriving exactly at the designated time, he waited deliberately.

  Lyanna worked at the infirmary of the Academy until five in the evening. After that, she returned home.

  Her husband, Ronan Blackmere, however, was rarely home before nightfall.

  When five minutes remained before the hour, Edric activated Akashic Sight.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The world unfolded before his perception.

  Inside the infirmary, Lyanna stood alone, glancing repeatedly at a delicate arcane timepiece mounted on the wall. Her fingers twisted lightly against her sleeve.

  She looked… nervous.

  When the enchanted device chimed five, she bit her lower lip, hesitated briefly, then straightened her posture.

  Moments later, she left.

  A faint, knowing smile curved Edric’s lips.

  He assigned Daphne an errand within the palace district and proceeded alone toward Lyanna’s residence.

  Her home was situated not far from the Academy—close enough for convenience, distant enough for privacy.

  Ten minutes later, he knocked.

  “Coming!” Her voice carried from within, followed by hurried footsteps.

  When she opened the door and saw him, her brows drew together slightly.

  “Your Highness… Why come now? My working hours ended moments ago.”

  Edric lowered his gaze slightly, adopting a mild expression.

  “Forgive me, Lady Lyanna. I had intended not to trouble you further. But my back began aching again. When I returned to the infirmary, you had already left.”

  He paused, letting just enough vulnerability enter his voice.

  “I had no choice but to come here.”

  Lyanna hesitated.

  The memory of Ronan Blackmere’s involvement in Edric’s injuries clearly lingered in her conscience. After a moment’s internal struggle, she stepped aside.

  “…Very well. Please enter.”

  Her home was modest but refined. Shelves of herbs and medical tomes lined the walls. The faint scent of dried lavender hung in the air.

  She examined his back with professional focus, lifting his shirt carefully.

  “The wounds are healing well,” she murmured. “There should be no complications. I will prepare another potion. Have Daphne apply it before you sleep.”

  Edric nodded obediently.

  Inside, however, he smirked.

  It seemed Lyanna wished to avoid a repeat of their earlier intimacy.

  She entered her bedroom to retrieve the potion.

  Minutes passed.

  Then more.

  “I’m certain I left it here…” she muttered, her voice laced with mild frustration.

  “Is something wrong?” Edric called from the living room.

  “I seem to have misplaced the potion.”

  “Allow me to assist.”

  Without waiting for a proper refusal, he stepped into her bedroom.

  In truth, he had already concealed the potion earlier using spatial manipulation. But of course, she believed it was an honest mistake.

  “To trouble Your Highness with something so trivial…” she said softly. “I am ashamed.”

  Edric smiled gently.

  “It is no trouble. Especially not for someone as beautiful as you, Lady Lyanna.”

  A faint blush colored her cheeks.

  “You are quite bold with your words, Your Highness.”

  “I speak only what I see.”

  He stepped closer.

  “Among all the women in the capital of Eldoria, few possess your elegance.”

  Her lips curved despite herself.

  “Do you truly mean that?”

  “Without question.”

  The distance between them shortened.

  Before she could retreat, Edric leaned forward and kissed her.

  Lyanna’s eyes widened in shock.

  For several seconds, she froze entirely. His hand rested firmly at her waist, not rough—but possessive.

  When she attempted to push him away, her resistance was hesitant.

  “Y-Your Highness—!”

  “You are beautiful, Lyanna.”

  “I am a married woman! If Ronan were to—”

  Her protest was silenced as his lips captured hers again.

  This time, her palms pressed against his chest, but they did not push with full force. Her breathing grew uneven, warmth slowly melting the rigidity in her posture.

  A soft, involuntary sound escaped her.

  The fading sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting golden hues over her trembling figure.

  Between duty and desire…

  Between guilt and temptation…

  Lyanna Astrid’s resolve began to crack.

  And Edric Valemont, Fourth Prince of the Valemont Family, knew it.