Now, Go Ahead And Stamp It

Upon arriving in the capital, Ellen’s first stop was the main branch of her family’s boutique.

After ordering and paying a modest sum of money to the coachman who’s waiting outside, she went straight to work on contacting her family. As soon as she’d left her finished letter with the messenger, she bought a selection of items from the store brought to her room.

“These are all the finest items in the store, and I’ll start with this dress…”

“The description sounds good. I’ll take it all.”

“You mean all of them?”

“Yes. Pack it all up and send it here.”

Ellen scribbled the number of the hotel room she’d gotten on a notepad and handed it over.

Then she picked up a dress hanging halfway down the aisle and went straight into the fitting room.

After changing from head to toe–dress, gloves, shoes, you name it–Ellen dumped her clothes on the floor and said.

“Burn it all.”

As if she were disgusted with herself for holding it, she relentlessly removed everything, and only after ordering it all to the be burned did she leave the boutique.

‘I’ve written to my father. And this is the Emperor’s capital, so Killian won’t be able to do anything… good.’

Now what?

Ellen organized her thoughts.

‘Perhaps it would be better to stay in the hotel and wait for word from my father, rather than circling the block…’

Once she took action, she felt a little more relaxed.

But nothing was certain yet.

She has an idea of where she wants to go, but she needs a more concrete plan… to convince her father.

That’s when it hit her.

“Oh, shit. I’m out of luck.”

As Ellen walked back into the hotel, she heard an eerily familiar voice.

Turning her head toward the source, she saw a man standing alone in a crowd of busy people going about their business, digging through his pockets.

He was groping all over his body with his hands in a panicked gesture.

“Shit, what kind of asshole…!”

‘Who’s he? He sounds familiar.’

She wondered if anyone she knew had such a foul mouth.

Then, as if sensing Ellen’s gaze, the man turned his head toward her.

Their eyes met.

“… Mrs. Krembel?”

“Are you, uh, Mr. Caden?”

Ellen was puzzled.

Why on earth would someone who was supposed to be in the palace be here now?

But it wasn’t hard to come up with a reason.

After all, this hotel was where the crown prince had taken them once before.

“It’s been a long time, Your Highness.”

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen you since the New Year’s banquet.”

Caden Istacio.

The cousin of her husband, Killian Krembel, and the crown prince of the Istacio Empire, his nemesis.

“May I ask what brings you here alone?”

“I had some business to attend to. I can’t tell you how lucky I am to have found you.”

He turned to her with a bright smile that made her wonder if the swearing he’d been doing earlier was an illusion.

“I see you’ve been in a bit of trouble.”

“Yes. By the way, ma’am, how is it that you and your husband have come all the way to the capital alone?”

Ah, her husband.

The momentary confusion in Ellen’s head was quickly lifted by the words that reminded her of reality.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Caden. We’re not going to be a couple anytime soon, so I’d appreciate it if you’d call me by the Kryant name from now on.”

“You’re not going to be a married couple… Are you thinking of getting a divorce?”

“All he has to do is put his stamp on it and it’s done.”

Ellen felt the tiniest bit of surprise at how casual her voice sounded.

She hadn’t thought the day would come when she would be able to say such a thing, so casually.

But the crown prince seemed surprised, and with a smirk on his face, he stammered on.

“That guy… has a blunt edge to him, and I dare not imagine the hurt you must be feeling, but it takes a bit more time for a woman to make such a big decision… I wonder if you have taken enough time to carefully consider it.”

There was even an awkward pause in the middle where he almost stuttered.

‘I didn’t expect it to be that surprising.’

She thought back to what the couple had been like around this time.

‘I don’t think we were any different than we are now.’

She had lived and died with an unremarkable life.

A small gasp escaped the corner of her mouth.

‘Well, I’m surprised myself, so I can imagine how much more surprising it must be for him.’

Divorce.

A word she hadn’t even imagined herself saying until a few days ago.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ve given it a lot of thought.”

“I must have been a nuisance… I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Caden couldn’t help but feel embarrassed by Ellen’s denial.

But technically, the incident was embarrassing enough for a crown prince.

Some people might say that this divorce is lucky for the crown prince, as the third successor will leave the race.

But his biggest obstacle now was his brother, the second in line to the throne, and his cousin, the Duke, who had quickly abandoned his lust for the throne in favor of a stable hand to consolidate his power: Caden.

And now he was watching the Krembel family’s rise to power with both eyes wide open.

Ellen felt suddenly sorry for him.

“Rather than that, may I ask what the trouble you are going through right now?”

“Oh, right. It’s not the time for me to worry about the young lady.”

Caden smirked and ruffled his hair.

“I lost my money, so I couldn’t solve my business and it’s difficult to go home. But I can’t just let the flea’s liver 1 go to waste…”

He was searching his pockets frantically.

Ellen realized the meaning of his strange behavior.

‘You do so many things from going out without permission to making trouble.’

“Oh my, did he say fleas? It’s the first time I’ve heard such a thing.”

Fortunately, the problem he was facing was the kind she could help with.

She guessed he must have gone stealthily without his father’s knowledge, as was his habit back in the old days.

Of the many thoughts that flashed through her mind, Ellen quickly narrowed it down to a few.

Killian Krembel’s treason.

Crown Prince Caden Istacio.

The capital.

And this opportunity that had been presented to her today.

She decided.

“When will you be returning home? I, Ellen Kryant, will serve you today.”

Ellen clapped her hands together in a motion as graceful as her first greeting.

The clapping soon brought the hotel steward, who had been standing in the corner, come rushing over.

“Go and fetch the coach. It looks like you’re going to have to go with us today, so go and tell your employer that, and here’s your share.”

What came out of her hands were jewels that showed off the craftsman’s delicate craftsmanship.

Gemstones that seemed to glow with their own brilliance as they were cut, and the platinum that encased them that made them a work of art.

Gazing mesmerized at what she was holding, the attendant placed them on his palm, and then ran off, clasping them in his hand with great care.

She smiled and said.

“As you can see, the jewelry is mine. So today Ellen, Kryant’s eldest daughter, will serve you today, Mr. Caden.”

I’m getting a divorce, but I want to remain on friendly terms with you.

In response to her act of expressing that fact, Caden’s gaze turned to the back of the attendant that was far away.

He looked troubled.

But then he smoothed the corners of his eyes and said.

“Thank you, then, and I’ll leave you to it for today, young lady.”

Okay.

Ellen balled her small fists tightly.

The crown prince had decided to listen to her.

This was an opportunity.

A chance that would have been lost forever had it not been for the coincidence of her first move.

‘This is just the beginning.’

Ellen smiled genuinely, the corners of her lips lifting.

“I shall be in your good graces, Mr. Caden.”

* * *

“Where were you originally headed?”

“I was thinking of wandering around the market streets of the old town a bit. That’s where the people and the stories are.”

At that, Ellen furrowed her brow as if she’d heard something she wasn’t supposed to.

“Your Highness, I can be your purse, but I cannot be your escort.”

“I know. I have my duties, and I would never think of doing something so dangerous.”

“I’m glad to hear you say so.”

The crown prince chuckled at Ellen’s sour words, and soon returned his gaze to the half-open window.

When the carriage arrived at their destination, Ellen was the first to change money before handing the crown prince his fare.

“Keep it, just in case.”

“Your help today is much appreciated.”

“As a subject… It’s the least I can do.”

But at those words, the crown prince said with a bitter face.

“Well, it usually becomes a matter of course when there are more of them.”

That’s certainly true.

Not feeling the need to argue, Ellen nodded inwardly.

Then the crown prince smiled, as if he couldn’t help it, and took her hand in his.

“I didn’t mean for you to make that face. Rather, since we’ve come this far today, why don’t we enjoy it together?”

“What?”

“I’m just saying that you’re not going to take your eyes off me anyway, so why don’t you just stay with me.”

What is this prince talking about?

Ellen stared at him, unable to get the words out of her mouth.

He put his arm around Ellen’s shoulders and pulled her inward, weaving his way through the crowd.

“I like that skewered meat restaurant over there, what do you think?”

“Uh… I’m good.”

“Okay, then wait here.”

He stopped her on one side of the street and approached the skewer house.

“Hey, old man!”

“Uh, long time no see.”

The old man chuckled when he spotted Caden.

“Now that you’re here, I’m going to close up shop early today.”

“Let’s see if I can live up to expectations. Put up five first. And later, you can give me the recipe for the sauce before you close up shop.”

“You talk like you know everything despite being so young and inexperienced.”

The old man clicked his tongue and placed a chicken skewer on the grill.

The crown prince chuckled nonchalantly, then asked a question as if to say hello.

“Old man, by the way. These days, there are rumors that it might be better to close the business early while it’s still possible.”

“Don’t tell me. These days I have to stay until night to sell everything.”

He flipped the skewers with a flourish.

“Do you know that a corpse was found around here recently? Since then, as soon as the sun sets, the seed dries up.”

The crown prince’s face fell when he heard the story.

1

used to describe something that is insignificant or trivial