“Wooohooo! I’m finally free from playing the obnoxious First Prince! I want to take on roles as a vagrant, a criminal, a nerdy scholar, or even a jester! I’m so excited!”
Lady Tiara, having pulled out a paper fan from who-knows-where, smacked the First Prince over the head. A crisp smack echoed through the room.
“You’re not ready for that yet! First, you need to observe people properly. Your observation skills are terrible! Every time you focus on someone, you stare way too hard and creep them out. …Ugh, what a waste of a handsome face. And yet, you insist on playing comedic roles. I swear, I might have to rethink your entire acting curriculum…”
So that’s why the First Prince had suddenly started staring at me with such an intense gaze—he had been using me as a subject for his acting studies.
Lady Tiara, sighing in exasperation, suddenly looked more like a dependable older sister.
Their playful banter continued, and before I knew it, I was laughing out loud.
※※※
The Royal Palace’s Office on the Night of the Graduation Party
In the king’s study, only two people were present—the Prime Minister and His Majesty the King.
Glancing over a document, the Prime Minister raised an eyebrow and asked,
“Oh? It seems you’re investing in this theater troupe.”
The King furrowed his brows, his expression stern as he answered,
“This troupe donates part of its profits to orphanages. It serves the public good, so I am merely making a prudent investment.”
The Prime Minister chuckled softly.
“People grow closer when they share a common enemy. It was quite the performance—turning a history of fratricidal struggles into a bond of brotherhood. And the greatest actor of all… is you, Your Majesty. You played the role of the strict, oppressive father to perfection.”
“Enough nonsense! Get back to work!”
Watching the faint blush on the King’s face, the Prime Minister merely smiled knowingly.
Act One - End
Epilogue – On the Night of the First Performance
Tonight marked the debut performance of a play featuring none other than former First Prince William.
Despite officially living as a commoner, William and Leo, now the Crown Prince, still maintained contact through the royal intelligence network. In fact, the tickets for tonight’s performance had been sent by William himself.
Leo had become completely transparent with me as of late, even sharing these kinds of behind-the-scenes details.
His newfound honesty stemmed from my rather delayed outburst of anger.
Initially, when I learned I had been deceived in the whole engagement fiasco, I was too shocked to react properly and forgave him without much resistance. But later, a slow-burning fury began to rise within me.
Each time that anger resurfaced, the Second Prince would apologize sincerely, insisting, “I was desperate to win the most important person in my life—you.”
He also showered me with so much affection that it was impossible to stay mad at him.
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