Chapter 4

The crowd was stunned. A prey animal was still in the tiger’s mouth.

The herald stammered, “Prince Harald: tw-twenty-five…”

Christof left the field with a sour expression. Everyone rushed to congratulate Harald. He, however, ignored the crowd and came to stand in front of me.

“Heh. I won.”

I smiled. “Congratulations.”

He took another step closer. His eyes sparkled as he looked at me. I could feel his breath on my face. It tickled.

“I won.”

I tilted my head up. All I could see was that cocky, spirited young man.

“I saw.”

Realizing we were too close to each other, his face flushed. He averted his gaze from me.

“What I’m trying to say is… you wanted me to win. So I won.”

My heart pounded violently.

The wind was howling across the hunting ground. But my whole world had shrunk down to just that one quiet, blushing boy.

On the way back, Harald walked near me several times. But each time he walked away again.

I could not figure him out.

[Why is this kid so useless? Where did all that energy from the hunt go?]

[Tell Louisa you want to ask her out! You’re killing me here!]

I held back my laughter and deliberately teased him.

“So, since you came in first, don’t I get some of the credit? Aren’t you going to thank me?”

“Uh... A flash of surprise lit up Harald’s eyes. He turned away awkwardly.

“Um, well… I heard Langdon’s has new dishes. They’re actually pretty good...

[Aren’t you usually a smooth talker? Now you’re stammering?]

[Tell her you’re into her. Pin her against the wall!]

[Langdon’s cost a fortune. Harald is really splurging to win his girl over.]

I nodded, and just as I was about to agree, Christof’s low voice came from behind me.

“What are you guys talking about?”

Thus, the three of us ended up in the private room at Langdon’s and stared at each other with wide eyes.

[Ooh. Christof is getting jealous.]

[A face-off. I love watching this. Keep going.]

At the square table, Harald massaged the space between his eyebrows.

“What brings you here, Christof?”

Christof chuckled. “I’m just here to celebrate your achievement of the jeweled hunting knife. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”

With that, he waved his hand generously and ordered every famous dish in the restaurant.

He even requested a live-band performance.

Christof was obviously showing off his wealth. Harald became agitated.

“Louisa. These grapes were brought in from the southern vineyards this morning. Try one.

“Louisa. This truffle was just unearthed at dawn. Here, taste it.”

Christof refused to be outdone.

“Louisa...”

“Louisa...”

In no time, my plate was piled as high as a small mountain.

I tasted one shrimp that Christof had peeled. He immediately became smug and looked at Harald provocatively.

I took a sip of the wine that Harald had poured. He also immediately snorted and used it to challenge Christof.

I let out a soft grunt.

[Sweetheart. You’re stuffed, aren’t you?]

[Is this really how princes compete for a girl? This is how they fight at the dinner table?]

I rubbed my stomach. I really could not eat anymore.

I looked up and saw Christof and Harald’s pitiful gazes.

“I chose this for you myself. Come on. Just one bite!”

Get lost!

Seeing that I was about to lose my temper, the two of them finally ended this childish farce.

“Louisa. See that harpist all the way on the right? She’s an old friend of Harald’s.”

Christof pointed toward a graceful girl in red beyond the partition.

I raised my head to take a look. Although I could not see her face clearly, I knew she must be a beauty.

I had always known Harald was a flirt. But I never expected to run into his lover.

“I’m not what you think!”

Harald saw my expression change and immediately tried to explain.

Just as the song ended, the harpist gracefully stepped forward.

“Your Highness, you once said my scent was unusual. So I made you a special sachet. Would you come with me to get it?”

Harald hesitated. It really looked like he wanted to go.

I sighed.

“You should just go with her. Thanks for the meal.”

I rose to take my leave. Harald’s face turned pale.

He looked at Christof, then at me, then at the harpist.

“Louisa, I...”

Ultimately, he was speechless.

I turned and left the dejected and powerless young man standing there alone.

[No, don’t go! That guy is actually just—]

Just what?