Chapter 9:

The Crown Prince’s Visit

Caught in the Spotlight of the Problematic Second Prince

“Go to your room. I’ll deal with that nuisance,” Isac said, already heading toward the sitting room of his private residence.

Sera blinked, left standing there after he walked away just like that.

“Nuisance? Didn’t his aide say the visitor was the Crown Prince?”

She really didn’t understand Isac’s personality.

That morning, the air inside Isac’s private residence felt… different. Still quiet, as always—but there was a faint tension lingering beneath the silence, as if the house itself knew something was about to happen.

And sure enough—

Isac walked to the door, opened it calmly, and—

There he was.

Iliyas stood on the other side. The Crown Prince of Vaelmont—perfectly styled hair, a bright, easy smile, a well-tailored suit that fit him flawlessly, and that ever-curious gaze that always made people feel like… he knew too much. Or worse—wanted to know too much.

“My dear little brother, good morning…” he greeted casually, as usual, trying to pierce through Isac’s cold aura.

Isac stared at him flatly. No smile. No greeting in return. Just a sharp look that was enough to make Iliyas take half a step back.

“I said, my dear little brother, good morning,” Iliyas protested. “You’re supposed to reply, ‘Good morning too, my dear older brother!’”

Isac shot him an annoyed look. “Stop. That’s disgusting.”

“Tch, how hurtful. What a cruel little brother.”

Isac rolled his eyes, already bored. This was nothing new. His brother had always been this dramatic.

“What do you want?” Isac asked. His voice was low, cold, and left absolutely no room for small talk.

“Ah… I just came to meet my future sister-in-law,” Iliyas replied, stepping forward as if he intended to walk right past him.

Isac lifted a hand, blocking his path.

“No.”

Iliyas stopped. One brow raised. “No?”

“No.”

A mischievous smile spread across Iliyas’s face. “You’re so cold, Isac. I just arrived—I haven’t even sat down yet, haven’t even had a cup of tea—and you’re already kicking me out?”

“There’s no reason for you to sit,” Isac replied flatly. “And you won’t be offered anything. I’m not going to serve you.”

Iliyas blinked. “Still this cold after everything that’s happened? I might actually cry.”

Isac lowered his gaze slightly, as if calculating how much patience he had left for today. “I’m serious. Leave.”

“Leave?” Iliyas laughed, but didn’t move. “Just because I want to have a short chat with my future sister-in-law? I haven’t even asked how she’s doing yet. I need to know what kind of magic she used to soften someone as cold as you!”

“If you have questions, send a letter,” Isac replied shortly. “Or a formal request. Not here. And I’ll say it again—leave.”

Iliyas let out an exaggerated sigh, as if the world had wronged him personally. “You’re always like this. Stubborn. But I—”

“Leave,” Isac cut him off again. This time, firmer. Still flat—but heavier.

Iliyas exhaled, then shifted slightly to the side—but only halfway. “I just want to make sure my future sister-in-law is fine. Is she really pregnant or not? Did she really abort your child or not? That’s all.”

“There’s nothing like that,” Isac snapped immediately.

“But I’m curious,” Iliyas insisted. “You’re always so secretive and unclear with me. Think of this as a concerned older brother looking out for his little sibling.”

Isac’s gaze sharpened. “If you really care, you should understand boundaries.”

Iliyas shrugged. “I understand boundaries. I just can’t suppress my curiosity. Especially when it comes to her. You know I’m dying to know.”

Isac looked at him coldly, then said quietly, “Then stay curious—outside. I’m not interested in discussing anything here.”

Iliyas frowned, but still didn’t move. He tried negotiating. “Alright, Isac. I’ll be patient. But give me one chance. Just one. I only want to—”

“Leave,” Isac cut him off again, his voice almost like a mantra now.

And this time, he didn’t stop at words.

He physically shoved the annoyingly persistent Crown Prince out—

BAM.

The large doors of his private residence slammed shut right in Iliyas’s face.

Silence.

Iliyas stood there for a moment… then let out a long sigh.

“Seriously…”

But this wasn’t new.

Not even close.

This wasn’t the first time he had been thrown out like this. Every year on Isac’s birthday, he got kicked out too—apparently showing up at midnight with a cake and singing loudly counted as “disturbing behavior.”

“Tch, kicked out again,” he muttered, clicking his tongue.

Then, slowly, a small smile formed on his lips.

“Well… sooner or later, I’ll meet her anyway.”

With that, the handsome Crown Prince finally turned and walked away, leaving the residence behind.

***

Inside, Isac made his way back toward the kitchen. He needed a drink—dealing with his brother was unnecessarily exhausting.

Strangely enough, he clearly remembered telling Sera to go to her room.

But she was still there.

Sitting at the table.

In the kitchen, Sera looked up at him, slightly frowning when she noticed his expression.

“That was the Crown Prince, wasn’t it?” she asked.

“Hm,” Isac responded shortly. His tone was as cold as ever—very Isac.

“Why did you call him a nuisance? Isn’t he your brother?”

“Why are you so curious about that?”

“I’m just asking.”

“…Are you interested in him?”

Sera frowned.

What kind of question was that?

“Of course I am!”

The answer came out without hesitation—bright, natural, and full of enthusiasm.

And for some reason—

Isac went silent.

That answer… bothered him more than it should have.

“…”

“The Crown Prince Iliyas is famous for being kind,” Sera continued, completely unaware. “He’s always smiling, always friendly. And he’s handsome, smart—who wouldn’t be interested in him?”

She looked genuinely excited talking about Iliyas.

Far more animated than when she spoke to Isac.

And for the first time—

Isac felt it.

That difference.

“Me,” he said flatly.

Sera blinked. “What?”

“I’m not interested.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “Seriously? You’re unbelievable. Prince Isac, there is something wrong with you!”

“I’m perfectly normal,” he replied calmly. “I’m just not interested in men.”

Sera nearly choked on her drink. “That’s not what I meant! Oh my God—what I mean is, how can you not like the Crown Prince? He’s amazing—and he’s your brother! He even defends you when you cause trouble!”

“Don’t be fooled by his face,” Isac said. “You don’t know him.”

“Even if I don’t know him personally, everyone knows he’s a good person,” Sera insisted. “He’s completely different from you—who keeps causing problems.”

“…Causing problems, huh,” Isac muttered.

Sera narrowed her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re offended by a factual statement?”

“If I were, would you take responsibility?” he shot back.

“Of course not! I’m stating facts!” she snapped. “If anything, you should take responsibility for me! I ended up here because I got dragged into your mess!”

Her mood visibly dropped at the reminder.

Yes—she could get very annoyed at him.

“I am taking responsibility for you right now,” Isac said, his jaw tightening slightly—as if admitting that wasn’t easy.

“If you really are,” Sera pressed, “then when can I go back to campus? I can’t stay locked up here forever, can I?”

“…Next Thursday. Our campus anniversary event.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re not lying?”

“Oh?” Isac glanced at her. “You’re excited again. That happy?”

“Of course! I’m bored out of my mind here!”

“It’s only been two days.”

“I’m still bored! I want to see my friends! My mom!”

“I’ve already sent someone to watch over your mother in your place,” Isac said. “Don’t go to the hospital without me.”

“Thank you!” Sera said sincerely. Then immediately, her eyes lit up again. “Then… can I meet the Crown Prince at the campus event?”