Chapter 33
“…He was the one who courted me first. I’m quite timid and passive, so I was quickly swept up by Alex’s advances.”
Alex had held Nina’s hand with confidence, marching straight to Count Merison to secure approval for their engagement.
At first, Nina didn’t think too poorly of him. But after their engagement, Alex’s behavior changed, and her troubles began.
“He says he hates my personality. He says being docile is fine, but I’m too dull and boring. He even suggested I learn how to flirt like other noblewomen.”
Nina’s voice trembled as if she might cry. Claire clenched her fists tightly.
Alex, that bastard, had no limits to his cruel words toward a young lady.
Her anger boiled within.
What Nina had experienced was all too familiar to the Claire of her early twenties, who had often been told to act cute to match her pretty face.
‘Idiots. If you like coquettish behavior so much, why don’t you try it yourselves?’
Claire struggled to suppress her fury and suddenly asked, “Did Alex ever mention Countess McQuarry when saying those things?”
“Yes, he did. How did you know…?”
“Sigh…”
Claire narrowed her eyes in disdain at her half-brother’s audacity, openly comparing Nina to his mistress to demean her.
The more she heard, the more appalling Alex’s actions became.
She was determined to ensure their engagement was broken at all costs.
“And so, I began to wonder if I’m just lacking in some way….”
“What are you saying? What could possibly be wrong with you?” Claire’s eyes widened, disbelief evident in her expression.
In a faint, hesitant voice, Nina replied,
“But honestly, I’m not good at dressing up, and I’m not particularly charming….”
“Tsk, Lady Merison. Why are you saying such harsh things about yourself?”
Seeing the young, tender lady self-deprecate was so heartbreaking that Claire’s expression softened in sympathy.
Nina felt a strange warmth in her chest.
As an only child, she couldn’t be sure, but she thought this might be what it felt like to have an older sister.
“You’re beautiful even without dressing up. You’re much better than Alex.”
“…I don’t think that’s true. Master Ravello is very handsome.”
“Not to me. Truly, Lady Merison, you deserve far better.”
Claire was sincere, but Nina took it as mere encouragement, unable to muster any confidence in herself.
Unable to listen to the same conversation repeat, Claire finally took decisive action.
“Would you like to go dress shopping with me?”
“W-What? Dress shopping…?”
Caught off guard by the sudden proposal, Nina blinked her round eyes.
Claire nodded seriously. “If you can’t believe it, then let me help you. I’ll dress you up myself so you can see just how incredible you really are.”
And so, you’ll have no trouble letting go of someone like Alex.
“I’ve already set an appointment at a boutique. Let’s meet there, all right?”
“O-Okay.”
Overwhelmed by Claire’s assertiveness, Nina nodded almost reflexively. But secretly, she was glad for their impromptu third meeting, her cheeks turning rosy.
***
A Few Days Later, 4th Avenue, Olsen.
The bustling avenue, lined with shops and boutiques, was filled with young nobles out on leisurely strolls.
A luxurious black carriage rolled gracefully into the square at the center of the street.
Golden accents gleamed on its wheels, and a flag bearing a dragon emblem fluttered in the air.
The carriage stopped, and the Crown Prince, clad in a royal blue uniform, stepped out with his long legs in full display.
Then, holding his hand, Claire emerged, elegantly dressed and radiant.
Her flowing gown gave her the appearance of a freshly bloomed spring flower.
“It’s the Crown Prince and Lady Ravello!”
“What brings them here? Are they out shopping together?”
Curious gazes followed them, sticking to them like glue.
But the two seemed entirely unbothered, as if they couldn’t feel the stares, focusing only on each other as they entered a high-end boutique.
“Do you think His Highness is buying her a gift?”
“How enviable! A gift from the Crown Prince—what could be more wonderful for his beloved?”
“Of course, Lady Ravello must be buying anything she desires.”
Onlookers, gathering both inside and outside the store, eagerly anticipated the Crown Prince’s display of lavish generosity for his beloved.
But contrary to their expectations…
“Your Highness, is there anything that catches your eye? Please choose whatever you like.”
The one freely opening her purse was not Theodore, but Claire.
Ever since their relationship became public, there had been a label that followed Claire everywhere.
The lady whose life turned around by finding the right man.
Many speculated that she had gained wealth and power solely through her connection with the Crown Prince.
‘Even when I was Priscilla, everyone called me lucky to have become a duchess beyond my station.’
And how had that so-called luck turned out?
She was sick of hearing it.
Of course, Claire acknowledged that she had indeed benefited from Theodore’s support.
Being his partner made it easier to establish herself in high society, and she would undoubtedly continue to reap many rewards in the future.
But that didn’t mean she wanted to appear as though she were leeching off him.
‘Titles and prestige may be unavoidable, but I have my own money.’
Thus, Claire had decided to spend her hard-earned wealth generously on today’s outing.
Such a gesture would likely earn her more respect among the nobility, making the investment well worth it.
“I’d like you to recommend items that would suit our prince.”
With a friendly pat on Theodore’s shoulder, Claire offered the shopkeeper a charming smile.
The shopkeeper, already briefed on the plan, nodded without hesitation.
“Ah, y-yes! Please wait a moment!”
The shopkeeper, who had been staring blankly at the pair, hurriedly brought out various men’s accessories.
Gloves, brooches, cufflinks, and more.
Leisurely examining the items, Theodore stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Hmm, they’re all quite appealing.”
As soon as he spoke, Claire extended her hand without hesitation.
“From here to here—take it all.”
Her reasoning?
“Because our prince likes them all.”
The onlookers’ jaws dropped.
Most had imagined Theodore paying for everything while Claire meekly accepted, but the reality was nothing short of shocking.
“W-what? Lady Ravello is the one paying?”
“I’ve never seen this before. Where does she even get that kind of money?”
“Do you think the Ravello Marquisate gave it to her?”
At that moment, Claire emerged from the boutique, arm in arm with Theodore.
The previously noisy crowd fell silent, their eyes fixed on the couple. Claire addressed them softly.
“I receive no financial support from my grandfather or grandmother. Please keep that in mind.”
In other words, she was not shopping with the Ravello family’s money.
While it wasn’t the right time to publicly reveal her ownership of the Minerva Trading Company or Darling Atelier, she made it clear that she wasn’t reliant on Ravello’s wealth.
She had no intention of letting such rumors persist.
After visiting several other shops and gifting Theodore with an array of presents, Claire climbed into the carriage, satisfied.
Theodore crossed his long legs as he asked, “How much did you spend today?”
“Hmm, roughly estimated… a few million gold.”
“I’ll make sure to reimburse you.”
Claire’s green eyes widened.
“Why would Your Highness do that?”
“You spent it all on me, didn’t you?”
“Well, of course. Today was the day for me to spend money on you. If you pay me back, it defeats the purpose.”
“No one will know if I give it to you secretly.”
“That’s not the issue… I’m saying there’s no need for you to give it back.”
Theodore raised an eyebrow.
“Why not? Didn’t I mention before that I would provide a stipend for my partner to maintain their dignity?”
“Oh…”
Recalling the conversation they’d had in the garden, Claire shook her head slightly.
“That’s not the condition I agreed to. We’re working together for mutual benefit, so there’s no need for Your Highness to support me financially.”
A relationship where one party solely received always ended poorly.
“Think of the gifts today as my thanks for you agreeing to wear them.”
At Claire’s firm stance, Theodore eventually relented.
To an outsider, it might have seemed like he gave up willingly.
But having known him for so long, Claire recognized the dissatisfaction subtly etched in his profile.
Clearing her throat, she spoke again.
“Well, in that case, how about helping me find ways to make more money?”
—
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