FMY 37

At an announcement even greater than their engagement news, the faces of Serge and Gabriel, who had been looking at each other, snapped back to the front like lightning.

‘The list of candidates for Crown Princess…!’

The attendees of the salon cheered with fervent expressions, accompanied by small gasps.

It was only natural, as this was the goal of the young lords and ladies gathered here. The final objective for those who had striven to catch the Queen’s eye, as if in a competition to vie for the position of Crown Princess.

It was just as Raphael had said. It seemed the list that had been sent up to the King had finally been approved. Now, the names of the three or four who had been selected would surely fill all the daily papers and keep their respective families busy.

The Queen’s announcement continued.

“The individuals who have ultimately made the list of candidates for Crown Princess are Lord André de Vallière, son of the Count; Lady Isabella de Daubergne, daughter of the Viscount; and Lord Gabriel Loutel.”

As the Queen read from a stiff sheet of paper, the joy and sorrow of those gathered in the salon were divided.

As soon as he heard those words, Gabriel’s face, which had been flushed and mottled with anger, transformed.

“I…”

A palpable sense of victory bloomed on the face that everyone praised as angelic.

“Finally, I…”

Gabriel was overflowing with rapture, as if he possessed the entire world.

“I’m on the final list of candidates for Crown Princess…”

Even as he listened to those ecstatic words right next to him, Serge secretly scoffed.

It was half as he had expected. Since he had not yet actively moved with Duke Arthur to oppose the marriage between Gabriel and the Crown Prince, it was a foregone conclusion that Gabriel would rise close to the position of Crown Princess, just as in his past life. Serge simply watched Gabriel, who was getting excited, imagining that he would soon be able to grasp his futile dream.

‘It wouldn’t hurt to let him float a little higher, like a cloud.’

Gabriel’s face, colored with joy, turned toward Serge. His glistening eyes were intoxicated with a sense of victory.

“Look at this, Serge.”

“…?”

“No matter how much you struggle and crawl, that’s as far as you’ll ever get, you pathetic crybaby.”

A sneer appeared on the face of the false victor.

“The most brilliant spot is mine, after all. Yes, of course it is. There’s no way I, a dominant, would lose to a mere recessive omega who can’t even be a proper omega. No matter how neatly you cut that plain brown hair of yours and step forward with a smiling face, a big omega like you… Pfft!”

Gabriel, whispering his true thoughts into Serge’s ear, acted as if there was nothing holding him back now that he was on the list of candidates for Crown Princess. On top of that, what was so funny that he was snickering to himself and swallowing his laughter. Serge was utterly dumbfounded.

“And you’re like a picture of bread with no scent… no, bread at least looks delicious, but you? A stone? Not just a pebble, but a boulder? Would that suit you?”

The mouth of the one who thought himself the victor would not close.

“I guess everyone really does have their own place. Right, Serge? It’s only natural that I’m above you.”

Serge barely managed to hold back a snort at those words. It seemed Gabriel had been inwardly anxious and displeased with Serge being engaged to Duke Bernadotte, Raphael. To the point where he, without realizing it, dared to belittle the status of the royal Raphael, suggesting he was inferior to the Crown Prince. At those confident words, Serge actually became calmer.

‘Place… a place.’

Serge gave a relaxed smile and whispered quietly into Gabriel’s ear.

“Yes, Gabriel. Just as you said, I think everyone has a place that suits them.”

Serge looked at Gabriel’s highly raised nose and continued calmly.

“Don’t forget what you’ve said. Be sure to remember it.”

After planting those final words in Gabriel’s ear, Serge headed toward Raphael, who was standing a few steps away. Then, he naturally linked his arm with his, smiled brightly, and looked back at Gabriel. Looking at Gabriel, who now had no one standing beside him.

The three people on the list of candidates for Crown Princess are looking at each other with wary eyes, and those who didn’t make the list at all are engulfed in disappointment and jealousy, giving each other the cold shoulder. As if there had never been a single day when they interacted affectionately like good friends.

In that sharp atmosphere, only one alpha was protectively wrapping his arms around his omega fiancé.

In that place where the main character of the occasion, the Crown Prince himself, was nowhere to be seen, not even a single strand of hair.

A strange atmosphere was flowing in the salon.

There, Serge and Raphael smiled warmly and received congratulations from the Queen and her ladies-in-waiting. Their relationship had now reached a point of no return.

The engagement ceremony was truly just around the corner.