CHAPTER 476: ’SCARLETT VS. FLORIAN’

"Forgive me for asking, but it seems the two of you are quite close, though I was under the impression this is the first time you’ve met." Scarlett’s voice was light, but her fan was pointed directly toward Hendrix’s hand, still brushing against Florian’s cheek.

’I swear, Scarlett...’ Florian thought sharply. ’This is her payback for teasing her earlier with Athena.’

Athena’s curious gaze shifted between them. "Come to think of it, Your Highness, you two do seem like you’re familiar." Her tone was gentle, but there was a note of genuine interest.

Florian’s mind raced. He could lie—of course, he could—but no matter what he said, anyone with eyes could see that strangers didn’t casually touch each other’s faces like this.

’This is all Hendrix’s fault!’ His pulse spiked. ’Why is he being so touchy—especially in front of Scarlett and Athena?’

Hendrix’s chuckle was low and warm. "Oh well, it seems I was being too obvious." Florian turned toward him instantly.

That cheeky smile was back—the one that made Florian feel like he was the only one Hendrix was truly looking at.

"I’ve actually met this little prince on my first day here," Hendrix continued smoothly. "We bumped into each other. Or... well, he bumped into me."

"Oh? That’s interesting," Scarlett said, her grin curling like a cat’s tail.

"It’s not that interesting," Florian replied with a forced laugh that felt painfully brittle in his throat.

"I think it’s very interesting," Hendrix countered, his voice dipping into a teasing lilt. "I had already heard of the beautiful prince in the king’s harem, but seeing him up close is..." His eyes narrowed playfully. "...breathtaking."

Florian froze, the air catching in his lungs. ’This shameless...!’

Heat surged to his cheeks before he could stop it, and his gaze flicked instinctively toward Scarlett—only to see her grin widening like she’d just been handed ammunition.

’You’re worse than Heinz!’

"Oh, well, he does have that effect on people, doesn’t he?" Scarlett asked, turning to Athena.

"Prince Florian is rather beautiful," Athena agreed without hesitation. "When I first saw him, I was in awe. I couldn’t believe he was a man."

"Too much flattery will get to my head." Florian tried smiling, but the look on Scarlett’s face made him feel immense dread.

’What is she planning now...?’ Florian’s suspicion barely had time to settle before Scarlett gave a dramatic sigh, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead as if beset by sudden tragedy.

"But alas, as much as many men and women alike find this prince of ours so very handsome and beautiful," she lamented, "he would be very hard to reach."

"Oh? And why is that?" Hendrix asked, tilting his head with feigned innocence.

Scarlett lowered her fan slightly, her eyes locking on him. "Why, of course, it’s because he is His Majesty’s favorite."

Florian’s eyes widened—and then he choked. Not a small, polite cough, but a sudden fit, sputtering so hard it drew every gaze in the room.

"Y-Your Highness... are you alright?" Athena’s tone was laced with concern.

Hendrix leaned forward, patting his back gently. "Why so suddenly... are you okay?"

"Yes, Prince Florian, what’s wrong? You began coughing all of a sudden," Scarlett added, her faux concern so thick it almost dripped from her words.

Through the burning in his throat, Florian could barely stop himself from glaring at her.

’She’s enjoying this way too much.’

Once Florian finally stopped coughing and managed to compose himself, he forced another polite smile, though his throat still burned faintly.

"I-I hardly think of myself as the king’s favorite. I doubt His Majesty even has favorites."

"My, don’t be so humble now," Scarlett drawled, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. "The king is hosting a grand ball just for your highness’ birthday. And, oh—" she touched her cheek with both hands as though the memory made her swoon, "—everyone knows that when you were kidnapped, His Majesty scoured the entire capital of Concordia searching for you. It’s positively romantic."

Florian’s eye twitched. "I’m sure he would have done the same if any of you had been kidnapped."

Scarlett tilted her head, feigning thoughtfulness. "But... His Majesty hasn’t visited any of us in quite some time. And as far as I recall, you reside in the royal wing of the palace now, don’t you?"

’Scarlett, I swear to God...’ Florian thought grimly, aware of Athena and Hendrix watching the exchange like spectators at a play.

He wanted to retort—oh, he had many comebacks—but none that wouldn’t hint too much at Scarlett’s own feelings.

’Damn it, she’s impossible to counter without collateral damage.’

Then salvation came in the form of Athena. The ever-graceful princess placed a gentle hand on Scarlett’s forearm, making Scarlett glance at her in surprise.

"Scarlett," Athena said softly, tilting her head with innocent concern, "I think you’re flustering His Highness a bit too much."

Scarlett’s self-assured smile faltered instantly. "W-What? I—how could I possibly—"

Florian gave Athena a mental thumbs up. ’Nice save.’

Now it was his turn to press the advantage.

"Come to think of it," Florian began lightly, turning to Hendrix, "did you know, Prince Hendrix, that Scarlett and Athena weren’t always this close?"

Hendrix raised an eyebrow. "Really now?"

Florian nodded. "Now, they’re inseparable. I can hardly find Athena without Scarlett at her side."

"My, then you two must be the best of friends," Hendrix said warmly.

Scarlett’s face turned scarlet, and to Florian’s mild surprise, Athena’s cheeks also picked up a rosy hue.

"W-Well," Athena stammered, glancing shyly at Scarlett, "I do consider Scarlett my closest friend... though, I’m not sure if she feels the same."

Scarlett’s eyes went wide. "Are you kidding, Athena? Of course you’re my closest friend! We spend nearly all our time together—do you think I’d do that if I didn’t like you at all?"

"O-Oh... well, you’re so wonderful, and you come from one of the richest kingdoms... you’re way above me, I just didn’t think—"

"N-Nonsense! I... I should—"

What followed was a flustered, overlapping mess of half-formed compliments, Scarlett loud and scrambling, Athena gentle but shy, both fumbling over each other’s words like tangled ribbons.

Florian felt a grin tug at his lips, though secondhand embarrassment prickled his skin.

’Come on, Scarlett... for someone so proud, at least take the initiative. You two are painfully obvious.’

Then, a slight tug at his sleeve drew his attention. He turned, finding Hendrix leaning in close, his voice pitched low.

"Are those two... an item?"

Florian covered his mouth to stifle a laugh. "No. But they should be, right?" he whispered back.

Hendrix gave him a look as if to say ’Seriously? They’re not?’ before nodding in amused agreement.

Scarlett seemed to notice the brief exchange between Florian and Hendrix—their shared smirks, the subtle amusement neither of them bothered to hide.

She gave a short huff, chin tilting up ever so slightly before she turned toward them.

"I believe Athena and I should take our leave. We’ve already gotten what we needed from His Highness about the ball, and there’s still plenty left to plan." Her voice was smooth, but there was a faint edge to it. She glanced at Athena. "I hope you don’t mind?"

Athena shook her head at once, her smile gentle. "I don’t mind at all." Then she turned to Hendrix, her eyes bright with genuine curiosity. "You’ll stay here for the ball? For His Highness’ birthday, I mean?"

"Of course—if it’s alright with him." Hendrix’s gaze shifted toward Florian, one brow slightly raised.

"I don’t see why not," Florian replied easily, though the truth was he’d already assumed Hendrix would be there from the start.

Athena’s smile warmed. "Then, we’ll be going first." She rose from her seat in one graceful motion and curtsied, her skirts swaying lightly. Scarlett followed a beat later, pushing her chair back with deliberate poise before dipping into her own curtsy.

Scarlett’s eyes flicked toward Florian. "Don’t stay out too long, Your Highness. His Majesty might come looking for you."

’Oh, here we go again...’ Florian narrowed his eyes slightly, holding her gaze in quiet challenge.

Before he could answer, Scarlett turned to Hendrix, her tone instantly more cordial. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Prince Hendrix."

"Likewise," Hendrix replied with a courteous nod.

With that, Athena and Scarlett made their way back toward the palace, their figures growing smaller until they disappeared inside—leaving Florian and Hendrix alone in the quiet, fragrant air of the gardens.