Raphael shrugged nonchalantly, as if to say, “See?”

“If you had confided in His Highness about your situation earlier, he never would have done anything to upset you. He’s always been like that, hasn’t he?”

“That’s…”

Dahlia bit her lip, clearly frustrated by the truth of his point. Raphael then posed a direct question.

“Do you truly wish to part ways with His Highness, Young Lady Hebe?”

Dahlia’s head snapped up, her eyes trembling, but no words came out. Despite her dislike for Ulysses, she couldn’t afford to let go of his status.

A man with power and wealth—Ulysses was the only one who could sever her ties with the Hebe family completely. 

Raphael continued in a detached manner, laying out the consequences if Dahlia were to end things with Ulysses.

“His Highness would let you go without hesitation if you say you no longer wish to be with him. There are many ladies who admire him, just as there are gentlemen who admire you. Both of you would quickly find other suitable matches.”

“N-no! That’s not true! His Highness told me that he loves only me!”

Dahlia cried out in panic.

“And how can you be so certain?”

For the first time, Raphael’s expression turned cold. He pressed, his words sharp.

“Love changes if you don’t work at it. Yesterday’s lover can become tomorrow’s enemy. Assuming His Highness will love you unconditionally is not a wise move.”

Dahlia’s face showed both frustration and a hint of realization. She found Raphael’s words harsh, yet undeniably true, and she clenched her fists, trembling in silence.

Now that he had pushed her to the brink, it was time to offer some comfort. Raphael knew the balance of pushing and pulling. He softened his tone.

“Of course, it seems His Highness truly does love you, so it’s unlikely that anything like that would happen.”

“…You just said I misunderstood his feelings. Why are you suddenly changing your tune?”

“Because this misunderstanding stems from a lack of communication. Had you spoken to His Highness earlier about your discomfort and your personal struggles, he wouldn’t have gone to that illegal auction.”

“…”

Dahlia’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. She asked Raphael in a wavering voice.

“Do you really think he did all of this out of love for me?”

“Of course.”

Raphael nodded gently, though inwardly he thought the opposite. His smile was warm and reassuring.

“His Highness fears the emperor. Yet he was willing to risk the emperor’s scrutiny by attending Walpurgis Night, all for you. If that isn’t love, then what is?”

A glimmer of hope began to light up Dahlia’s face, though her anxiety hadn’t completely faded. Her low self-esteem, nurtured by her difficult upbringing, made her susceptible to Raphael’s manipulation. She was reacting exactly as he had expected. It was time for the final touch.

“But…”

“But?”

Raphael hesitated, his expression turning slightly uneasy, causing Dahlia’s face to fall again. He spoke as if out of concern for her.

“If something like this happens again, there might not be a next time.”

The implication of what Raphael meant was clear.

There were plenty of women who desired Ulysses. Dahlia was just one among many.

Her teacup rattled in her hands, a clear sign of her growing fear.

“W-what should I do? What if His Highness is truly angry with me?”

Dahlia looked at Raphael as if he held the answers to all her problems, her expression desperate and pitiful. Raphael found the situation somewhat amusing—just moments ago, she had been trying to drive a wedge between him and Evelyn, yet now she was the one clinging for support.

‘Well, I’m not one to stop just because someone seems pitiful.’

Raphael gave her a reassuring smile, offering the advice she clearly sought.

“Everyone makes mistakes the first time. His Highness is just as much at fault, so you don’t need to worry so much.”

“R-really? Are you sure?”

“Yes. However, from now on, you’ll need to put in more effort. Be completely honest with His Highness, tell him everything you dislike, and teach him how to love properly. Show him what’s right and what’s wrong. If you pour your sincere love into him first, His Highness will come to love you even more deeply. He’ll become the perfect prince, just for you.”

“My perfect prince…”

Dahlia echoed Raphael’s words, almost in a trance. She looked up at him, her face still filled with worry. Raphael seized the moment.

“Remember, love requires effort. How His Highness behaves from now on depends on how much you’re willing to put into your relationship.”

“Effort…”

“Yes, effort. Love cannot thrive without it.”

Dahlia’s eyes followed Raphael’s graceful gestures as he spoke. After a few moments of contemplation, she abruptly stood and bowed deeply to him.

“Thank you for your time today, Marquess. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Take care, Young Lady Hebe.”

Dahlia rushed from the café in a hurry, looking as though she had come to some grand realization. Her expression was both resolute and anxious.

As Raphael remained seated, one of Pagrassium’s staff approached and served him a fresh cup of tea.

Satisfied, Raphael took a sip from the cup, crossed his legs, and gazed out the window. He murmured to himself, revealing the advice he hadn’t bothered to give Dahlia.

“In truth, if one person has to put in all the effort just to make the other change, it’s better to end it sooner rather than later. Especially if you’ve promised a future together.”

Not that it mattered to him. Raphael smirked, gazing out at the city beyond the café.

‘I wonder what Young Lady Hebe will do to try and please milady.’

With a smile of anticipation, Raphael took another sip of his tea.

<b>* * *</b>

Reflecting on Raphael’s report, I couldn’t help but comment aloud.

“You’re really good at gaslighting.”

“Gaslighting?”

“Yeah, it’s a thing. You did a good job.”

Raphael didn’t bother hiding his smugness as he added with a hint of pride.

“Then I would appreciate a generous compliment. I worked hard.”

“I’ll pay you later with money.”

“How stingy. Money lacks sincerity.”

As if. This guy knew better than anyone that praise through money was the highest form of compliment. I was about to tell him to stop spewing nonsense when suddenly—

“That’s enough! Just follow me!”

Dahlia’s voice rang out as she stormed out of the gambling hall, leaving Ulysses flustered.

“Dahlia, wait!”

Ulysses looked torn, glancing between chasing after her and saying something to me. He was practically frozen in place, overwhelmed. I casually gestured toward the door and asked.

“Shouldn’t you be going after her? She looked pretty upset.”

“Lady!”

Whoa, I guess I hit a nerve. Ulysses’ face turned red with rage, his veins popping out. But I wasn’t the least bit scared. Why should I be, when I had a 200-golden shield named Raphael by my side?

“Oh, what? Did I say something wrong? Shouldn’t you be chasing her?”

“How dare you…!”

Maybe I pushed him a bit too far. Ulysses clenched his fist and began marching toward me. The moment he reached out his hand—

“You dare interfere with me agai—<i>ugh</i>!”

Ulysses groaned in pain. Raphael had swiftly grabbed his wrist.

“Excuse me.”

“What do you think you’re doing? Let go of me!”

Ulysses grit his teeth and tried to pull away, but Raphael stood firm, not budging an inch.

“I told you to let go! How dare you lay hands on royalty!?”

Even with Ulysses’ threats, Raphael remained calm, his voice as composed as ever.

“As her fiancé, I can’t just stand by and watch you threaten her.”

“You dare…!”

Ulysses ground his teeth so hard it was a wonder he didn’t crack them. He looked like an enraged hamster. I raised my hand and gave Raphael an order.

“Enough, Raphael. Let him go.”

Raphael, who hadn’t flinched under Ulysses’ threats, obediently released him as soon as I spoke. Ulysses glared, clearly irritated by how submissive Raphael was toward me.

Trying to avoid further trouble, I asked Ulysses, “By the way, Your Highness, shouldn’t you be chasing after Young Lady Hebe? She looked pretty mad.”

“Lady!”

Ulysses yelled, his face flushing a deep red, veins bulging on his forehead. I couldn’t help but feel amused. How could I just stand by and watch this?

“Farewell! Come again, and I’ll be sure to kick you out myself!”

I waved him off, smirking with delight, making sure to flick him off with both hands as well. Looking slightly bewildered, Raphael cleared his throat and tried to change the subject.

“Well, I think things ended well this time, don’t you?”

“Of course, they did. I’m paying you well for a reason.”

I grumbled, frowning as I tried to regain my composure. Raphael chuckled, clearly entertained by my mood swings, and then offered some reassurance.

“Congratulations, nonetheless. You’ve rid yourself of some troublesome leeches. If I were them, I’d never dare come back to you.”

Despite my earlier frustration, I couldn’t help but smile, my annoyance fading. He was right. After everything that had happened, there was no way the original couple would want to deal with me again.

Success in escaping the original plot and a future of carefree luxury was finally within reach.

As I smiled in satisfaction, Raphael leaned in and cheekily asked, “So, about that compliment?”

He smiled slyly, like a fox, reminding me of his earlier request.