It has been a month since I moved out of the sanctuary.

  For a month, I have been constantly on the move.

  I had to evade Duke Ellon's surveillance.

  I had to travel from the sanctuary to the South with only David as my companion.

  During that time, I encountered many hardships.

  Although it was hard, I felt liberated.

  That was the only time I felt this free.

  I felt all the burdens on my shoulders vanish without a trace.

  I got to experience many things that I could not.

  I did not have to mind my conduct.

  I could finally be myself.

  And today is my special day.

  I got to finally ‘meet’ Lilia for the first time.

  With the support of David, I could officially attend the party in Duke Willow’s mansion.

  For my preparation, I had to spend all our funds to buy myself a suit for the party.

  After all, I needed to present my best form to her, right?

  The moment we stepped into the party venue, many eyes were drawn to us.

  Yet, I could not see Lilia or Duke Willow.

  However, I consulted myself since it was the party organized for Lilia, who will be an adult next year; she, the protagonist, should appear last.

  Although Lilia is younger than I, she will become an adult before I do.

  Lilia will become an adult next year.

  Yet, I needed two more years to become an adult.

  So, many flies will try to steal her from me during that one-year gap.

  That was what made me anxious.

  That was why, the moment Duke Willow appeared with Lilia, I pushed David to talk with Duke Willow before anyone else could.

  The moment Duke Willow saw David, he showed a troubled face.

  At the end, he reluctantly left the party venues with David after giving a speech and dancing with Lilia.

  After that, as per tradition, Lilia danced with her brothers.

  After that, many suitors tried to request her for a dance.

  Yet, they were blocked by her brothers.

  So, during that confusion, I sneaked her out of the party venues.

  When Lilia saw my face, she was confused.

  Yet, she kept following me as I led her to the garden.

  The moment we were completely alone, Lilia started asking me in confusion.

  “You, why are you here?”

  Seeing her like that, I could not hold my smile.

  And I replied to her in a playful tone.

  “Didn’t I say? I will come to your debate.”

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  Indeed, I made a promise with her that I would attend her party to announce her coming-of-age ceremony next year.

  During my stay in the sanctuary about a month ago, she told me we wouldn't be able to meet for a while because she was busy preparing the party.

  That was when I made the promise with her that I would attend it, to which she replied in laughter.

  That was also why I pushed my schedule to move out of the sanctuary earlier than expected.

  Finally, I could keep my promise for the first time.

  That, too, was my promise with Lilia.

  As for Lilia, upon hearing that, she dropped all her ‘lady-like acts' and turned back to my Lilia.

  “You did. But I never expected it to happen. I mean, you are stuck at that place after all,” she said while stomping on the ground.

  Seeing her like that, I gave her a warm smile and said, “Not anymore.”

  Yes, I was no longer stuck there.

  I was finally free.

  I could be with her.

  Yet, seeing me like that, Lilia looked at me in surprise.

  And with hesitancy, she asked. “Are you moving out?”

  In response to her question, I took a step forward and peered into her face.

  With a teasing smile, I said to her. “Oh, worry about not being able to meet me anymore?”

  I knew that Lilia, too, did not want ‘our’ time to be gone.

  Perhaps due to her embarrassment, she pushed my face with both hands while saying this in an angry voice. “Who would worry about it?”

  It was at that point that I caught David’s figure waiting for me at the balcony of the main building.

  He might have finished his talk with Duke Willow and come out to call for me.

  After all, he was the one who told me about this garden.

  And he told me to wait for him here before he called for me to meet Duke Willow.

  After I saw him, I had to reluctantly separate from Lilia for a while.

  So, with a smile, I said to Lilia. “Don’t worry. We will see each other a lot.”

  After that, I turned in the direction of the main building and began to walk.

  However, I was stopped by Lilia.

  Lilia grabbed my hand and asked in urgency. “What do you mean by it?”

  Then, I turned to Lilia.

  Seeing her confused face like that, my smile turned into a grin.

  Then I draw my face close to her.

  I could smell her sweat scent.

  So, I whispered into her ear.

  “You will see. Oh, I am here as David’s cousin. And my name is Robert. Remember it.”

  After that, I withdrew my face.

  I also did not forget to flash a smile at her before I turned to walk again.

  As for Lilia, she stood still as she was stunned by it.

  It was only when I almost exited that garden that she came to herself.

  Then, she hurriedly said to me. “Hey, wait.”

  In response to her outstretched hand, I turned and looked back at her.

  And I perform a gentleman's salute to her. “I will see you soon, my lady.”

  Yes, Lilia is my ‘Lady.’

  I am pretty sure about it.

  With that parting word, I left Lilia behind in that garden, as I needed to go to meet Duke Willow.

  It was David who came to guide me to Duke Willow’s study room.

  And the moment I stepped into his study room, I was greeted by Duke Willow sitting behind his desk and his butler standing diagonally with him.

  Thus, since I was the guest and was only ‘a prince,’ I gave him my greeting first.

  “It is my pleasure to meet you, Duke Willow.”

  Yet, although I had already greeted him, he did not return the greeting immediately.

  He looked me up and down several times before he gave his greeting back.

  “... it is my honor to meet your highness in person.”

  Seeing his behavior like that, I was unsure how to process it.

  So, I turned to David before asking Duke Willow whether David had finished explaining the situation to him.

  “I believe David already informed you about the details.”

  And to my question, Duke Willow answered with a heavy affirmative.

  “... yes.”

  Upon hearing that, I silently sigh in relief in my heart.

  Then, I lowered my head to him as I was asking him a favor.

  “I will be in your care for a while.”

  Then, Duke Willow let out a long sigh before tiredly saying.

  “... it is hard for me to believe it.”

  To answer his doubt, I bravely met his eye.

  And with a confident voice, I spoke the truth to him.

  “It is thanks to Lilia that I can recover.”

  Then, I lowered my head to him and pleaded with him. “I hope she will continue to assist me.”

  Without looking up, I could hear him weakly say.

  “Do I even have the choice?”

  When I heard him say that, I lowered my head further and gave him my apology.

  “... my apologies.”

  We stayed like that for a long time.

  Then, finally, it was Duke Willow who generously forgave me.

  He gently asked me about my past with Lilia.

  “How long have you two known each other?”

  When I heard his question, I lifted my head.

  And with a straight back, I calmly answered him.

  “Since I turned 15.”

  Then, I suddenly felt bloodlust emanating from him, Duke Willow.

  With a slight intimidation mixed with killing intent, he suddenly said to me.

  “Your Highness, Lilia is my daughter. I hope you will respect this boundary.”

  Facing his killing intent, I began to sweat profusely.

  Yet, I knew I could not step down.

  So, I forced myself to smile with confidence.

  Then, I move my right hand.

  After I curled it into a fist, I placed it on top of my heart.

  Then, I confidently declared, “I am serious about Lilia.”

  Only after I said that did Duke Willow withdraw his killing intent.

  Yet, he kept exerting his pressure on me.

  Then, he firmly said to me.

  “I will continue to watch.”

  To which I calmly replied.

  “I will not let you down.”

  That was how my ‘first’ formal meeting with Lilia went.

  And it was also how my first meeting with Duke Willow ended up.

  I was delighted that, at the very least, he gave me a chance to prove myself.

  That was my first hurdle to be with her—with Lilia.

  Yes, I passed the first trial.