Chapter Five

For several seconds, neither of them moved.

Seraphine stared at the man standing in the doorway.

The Crown Prince stared back.

His gaze moved over her face before settling on the letter in her hand.

Seraphine's eyes followed his, and she was momentarily flustered.

Not because of his appearance.

She had seen enough half-naked men in military camps to know better than to be flustered by a man's bare chest.

It was simply because she had been caught snooping around in his personal space.

But, she didn't let it show on her face.

Without a word, she returned the document to the narrow gap between the leather-bound volumes.

Then she turned away from him.

"I'll give you a moment to dress."

The man watched her turn away and raised a brow.

She was quite calm for a noble lady standing in front of a half-naked man.

"There's no need."

His voice stopped her.

Seraphine glanced back.

Lucien had already pulled his outer robe over his shoulders. He tied it slowly, then waved to whoever was behind him before closing the door.

Then he turned back to her and, after a moment, slowly made his way to the settee in the middle of the room.

He lowered himself into the seat with a faint sigh.

"Forgive me. I wasn't expecting a visitor.”

When he saw her still standing quietly by the bookshelf, he gestured toward the settee across from him.

“Please sit.”

Seraphine hadn't expected him to be so accommodating despite the compromising situation in which he had found her.

She didn't waste time either. She crossed the room in a few strides and settled herself on the settee.

“Thank you.”

Meanwhile, he reached for the teapot on the small tea table between them. Then he picked up a small pouch from the tray and opened it.

Inside were thin, dried tea leaves.

Lucien measured a small spoonful into the teapot.

Seraphine watched his slender hands as he measured the tea leaves. His fingers were pale, slender and almost unnaturally delicate.

He poured warm water over the leaves, and instantly, a faint fragrance spread through the room.

He lifted the teapot and poured the tea into one of the cups before filling the other. Then he pushed one toward her.

“I grew these tea leaves myself.”

Seraphine's eyes fell to the cup.

“Please have some,” he added.

There was something strangely ordinary about the way he said it.

As though a Crown Prince spending his time growing tea was the most natural thing in the world.

Seraphine picked up the cup and took a small sip.

The tea was light, with a faint earthy sweetness that was rather refreshing.

"It is good.”

A small smile appeared on Lucien's lips.

"I'm glad."

He lifted his own cup.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Lucien looked at her over the rim of his cup.

"I didn't expect you to visit me today."

Seraphine set her cup down.

"Neither did I."

His smile deepened slightly.

"Then what brought you here?"

Seraphine reached beside her and picked up the bundle of records she had brought with her.

"I have something to discuss with you."

Lucien's gaze fell to the papers.

He set his cup down.

"Is that so?"

Seraphine placed the household ledgers on the table between them.

Lucien looked down.

"What are these?"

"Records concerning the provisions allocated to the Eastern Palace."

Lucien paused briefly.

He looked up at her face. There was no emotion visible on his features, however, and he soon looked back down.

He reached for the first document.

Seraphine watched his eyes move across the page.

Then the next.

And the next.

His expression remained unchanged.

He didn't look surprised or angry.

He didn't even ask how she had obtained them.

Eventually, he placed the papers down.

"The palace steward oversees these matters."

"Steward Marius?"

Lucien nodded.

"You should speak with him."

Seraphine studied his face.

That was all?

She watched him quietly.

That was not enough.

She had not come here merely because the food sent to her quarters was inadequate.

There were three reasons she had involved herself in the affairs of this household.

The first was the memory of the pond.

She remembered someone behind her. She suspected she had not fallen into that water by accident.

And if the Crown Prince's household was as disorganized as these records suggested, Seraphine had no intention of remaining vulnerable while she investigated.

The second reason was simpler.

This body belonged to the Crown Princess, and Seraphine was living the life that had once belonged to her. She could not simply take everything she had been given without repaying something in return.

The third reason sat before her.

Lucien.

Before she could move freely within his household, she needed to know where he stood.

If he opposed her, there would be limits to what she could accomplish.

If he supported her...

Her gaze lowered briefly to the records between them.

She leaned back slightly.

"I intend to."

Lucien lifted his cup again.

"Good."

"But that isn't enough."

His hand paused.

Seraphine reached beneath the documents and withdrew another sheet of parchment.

She placed it before him.

"I want full autonomy over the affairs of the Eastern Palace."

Lucien looked down. His gaze moved over the parchment briefly.

Then he looked back at her.

"You wrote this yourself?"

"Yes.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"It seems you came here expecting me to agree."

Seraphine paused for a moment before responding.

"I came here prepared to ask."

His smile widened slightly.

"There is a difference?"

"There is."

Lucien looked at the decree again.

He read it carefully from beginning to end.

It granted the Crown Princess authority over the management of the household, including provisions, servants, expenditures and internal administration. She would have the right to review household records, question servants and officials responsible for its affairs, and make changes where necessary.

When he finished reading, Lucien leaned back.

"It is thorough."

"I don't like leaving matters unfinished."

"So I've noticed."

He tapped the parchment lightly with one finger.

"And if I refuse?"

Seraphine met his eyes.

"I presume you don't want such unruly servants in your household either."

Her tone became straightforward.

“You wouldn't.”

Lucien stared at her for a moment.

Then he laughed softly.

“I suppose so.”

Lucien slowly rose from his chair.

His movements immediately became more delicate. He paused halfway, one hand resting against the settee.

Seraphine's eyes followed him.

He looked like a man whose body could betray him at any moment.

It really did seem that he was indeed as sickly as rumored.

Lucien picked up his imperial seal from his desk.

He returned to the tea table and pressed it firmly against the wax before lifting the seal.

He pushed the document toward her.

"There."

Seraphine looked down at the seal.

Lucien smiled.

"Do whatever you wish."

She looked up, her eyes revealing a bit of surprise.

His tone became more serious as he continued.

"Question whoever you need to question. Replace whoever needs replacing. If anyone gives you trouble..."

His smile became faintly amused.

"Tell them you have my support."

Seraphine was silent.

She had expected the Crown Prince to be difficult.

Instead, he had made himself very easy to work with.

Perhaps too easy.

She couldn't tell if it was because he was too weak to deal with them himself and wanted to use her hands.

Or, if he had other motives.

But either way, it was to her advantage.

She reached out and picked up the parchment calmly.

“Thank you.”

Then, without another word, she stood up.

She instinctively wanted to turn and leave. But just as she took a step, she suddenly remembered she was a noble lady at this moment and turned back.

Lucien was also watching her over the rim of his teacup. He didn't say anything, but he was clearly studying her.

Seraphine acted naturally and slowly curtsied.

“Then, I'll take my leave.”

He didn't say anything to that and merely gave a light nod.

Then Seraphine left.

Soon after she was gone, there was a slight rustle from behind the study desk, and a man emerged from the side room.

The man looked about Lucien's age, with broad shoulders and a fit build. He was dressed in a simple black outfit befitting a personal guard.

“Your Highness.”

He moved to stand close to Lucien.

“Does this mean the Crown Princess plans to deal with those people? Didn't she remain silent about it all these months?”

Lucien had already placed his teacup back on the table.

He looked in the direction Seraphine left and responded slowly.

“It appears so.”

The personal guard's brows creased. “And you're letting her do so? What if that brings unwanted attention?”

Lucien was silent.

Then he chuckled,

“It is only a few servants. How bad could it get?”

He rested his chin on his right hand, his expression thoughtful.

“There is something unusual about her getting involved, however.”

He paused for a moment.

“I would like to see how she deals with it.”

The personal guard fell silent.

“Cedric.” Lucien suddenly called out.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Lucien's eyes sharpened slightly.

“Look into what happened yesterday. I don't think she's careless enough to simply fall into a pond.”

Cedric looked at him, clearly taken aback. But he didn't hesitate for long before nodding.

“Understood, sir.”