Marcus Stein's gaze clung to me until I returned to the main seat, his head still turning as I moved.
I raised a finger to my side. "Come here."
He immediately left his seat and ascended the steps on the red velvet carpet.
"Crown Prince, I am deeply grateful to serve in your palace—"
I raised a hand to stop him. "Spare the formalities."
He fell silent at once, kneeling on one knee to pour wine for me.
"I offended Your Highness at the Malt Tavern that day. I wonder if you can grant me a chance to atone?"
My interest was piqued. "Granted."
He smiled and bowed to the attendant behind me. "Please assist."
The attendant didn't move until I nodded slightly, then clapped to summon the musicians outside the hall.
Moments later, the melodies of a lute and flute filled the room, and twelve bardic maidens in silver-blue satin dresses entered the Mirror Hall, lifting their skirts.
"I heard Your Highness enjoys ballads from the Rhine region and particularly favors the Water Nymph Dance, so I prepared this gift today."
I nodded in approval. "Very good. When I travel incognito, I most love listening to such tunes in riverside taverns."
I handed him a silver cup. "The second son of the Stein family is indeed thoughtful."
Marcus looked modest, but a flash of pride crossed his eyes. He drained the cup and praised, "This wine of Your Highness's is very much like the mead brewed with woodruff honey in my family—"
He suddenly stopped.
I smiled faintly. "What's wrong? Doesn't the wine suit your taste? This was personally brewed by Fräulein von Stein. Only one jar was made this year."
Marcus knelt heavily. "I beg Your Highness's forgiveness!"
I asked gently, "For what?"
He clenched his sleeve, his voice trembling. "I... I shouldn't have speculated on Your Highness's preferences—"
I tapped his lips with the ivory fan handle to silence him.
With a sigh, I lifted his chin with the fan. "Marcus, you're a clever man, but use your cleverness wisely. My preferences are not your concern. What you should focus on is—what I aim to achieve."
I stared into his pupils. "You hate Hans, hate that theology student for humiliating your sister. I'll give you a chance."
His pupils constricted sharply. I withdrew the fan, but he continued to stare at me.
I waved my hand. "Withdraw. Come see me when you've thought it through."
I pointed to the wine jug. "This wine is a reward for you. You've served diligently so far. In the future—"
I smiled. "Don't disappoint me."
Marcus leaned forward unconsciously, his eyes slightly dazed. "Yes, Your Highness, I—"
Gone was the arrogance of his first entrance, yet his gaze remained intense.
I nodded. Before he could speak, Heinrich's cold voice cut in. "Presumptuous."
"Frau Stein, now that you serve in the Crown Prince's palace, you must abide by rules."
Heinrich took a half-step forward, blocking the space between me and Marcus.
"Withdraw."
Heinrich naturally resumed his seat beside me. I teased, "Finally decided to join us?"
He cast a cold glance at Marcus, then turned to me with a smile. "Since Your Highness said no one can surpass my position, I should naturally share your burdens."
His back was rigid, completely blocking Marcus's gaze.
The banquet lasted until midnight.
When I asked if Heinrich would stay the night, he turned his head. "—Your Highness, I should return home."
Assuming he had private matters, I said, "Very well. I'll have an attendant escort you."
Heinrich hesitated, biting his lower lip, a hint of hurt in his expression.
I turned and said, "Fine. It's so late—what's the harm in you staying? It's not like you haven't before. Why are you being shy today?"
Heinrich's ears turned red. "I obey Your Highness's command."
The next morning, I went to the queen's chambers to pay my respects.
Before crossing the threshold, I heard my aunt and the queen whispering.
"—I imagine she takes after me. I also had my first menstrual cycle at sixteen or seventeen, and I was perfectly healthy."
The queen sighed. "If only that were the case, there'd be no need to worry."
Not understanding, I coughed softly. "Mother, Aunt, Eleanor has come to pay her respects."
The voices inside stopped abruptly. By the time I entered, both were sitting upright, showing no trace of their earlier conversation.
I curtsied and informed them of the special selection plan. The queen nodded. "Good. I trust your choices. However, your uncle the Duke of Brandenburg has been stirring trouble again recently."
I nodded. "Don't worry, Mother. I know what to do."
My aunt interjected, "Why hold this special selection?"
I recounted meeting Marcus at the Malt Tavern. My aunt and the queen sighed repeatedly. "What an ungrateful wretch! Eleanor, don't be soft-hearted with such people."
The queen glanced at me. "Eleanor, if you were in Fräulein Stein's place—"
I smiled faintly. "Mother loves to tease me."
"I am the crown prince, naturally more decisive than Fräulein Stein. Such ungrateful people, even with a doctoral degree, wouldn't understand the way of ruling. Feeding them to wolves would be their last use."
The queen's expression flickered, and she murmured, "—It seems there's no need to worry after all—"
My aunt grumbled, "She talks tough for someone unfamiliar with women's matters."
The queen shot her a glare, and she immediately sat up straight.
Assuming they were discussing private matters, I chatted briefly before taking my leave.
An attendant waited outside and presented Leonhard's secret letter as soon as I emerged.
I scanned the letter and sneered. "My dear cousin really insists on meddling in every dirty business."
The attendant was taken aback. I tapped my forehead. "Ah, I picked up some slang during my recent incognito travels."
I returned the letter. "The southern rebellion was ultimately caused by flood victims having no means to survive. I ordered Leonhard to open the granaries and arrest the rebel leaders—it's on the verge of being quelled."
I paused. "Yet my cousin is insatiably greedy—"
The attendant whispered, "Does Your Highness wish to see the king? Or summon the duke?"
I feigned confusion. "See whom? I don't even know my cousin's whereabouts. Leonhard merely arrested a merchant hoarding goods."
Gazing at the clear sky, I said, "I hope my cousin donates more silver. Resettling refugees and reducing taxes requires funds, and the treasury can't afford it."
Just then, a page hurried forward. "Your Highness, Herr Stein requests an audience."
My eyes lit up. Perfect timing.
I asked Marcus, "What specialties does the rebel region produce?"
Marcus was taken aback. "Your Highness is...?"
I smiled faintly. "To stabilize that land, the people must have a means to live. Exchanging goods is your forte."
Marcus accepted the order and, before leaving, presented a jar of honey wine. "I brewed it myself. I hope Your Highness will accept it."
I had once rewarded him with Bordeaux; now he returned the favor with homemade wine—a subtle way to pledge loyalty.
I ordered attendants to investigate the Duke of Brandenburg's assets—the pig-slaughtering hour was not yet set, but one must first weigh the pig.
Thereafter, I summoned Marcus more frequently and occasionally kept him for meals. He was less versed in Latin classics than Heinrich and inferior to Leonhard in horsemanship, but he knew every detail about trade routes and taxes.
"Your Highness has been favoring Stein recently," Heinrich remarked casually as he copied official decrees for me.
His brushstrokes were unusually forceful today. I nodded. "There are matters he handles better."
Heinrich looked up. "What matters?"
I smiled. "No one surpasses you in poetry and literature, but when it comes to generating wealth—"
He pursed his lips. "Why involve Yourself in vulgar merchant tricks, Your Highness?"
I shook my head. "Naturally, it cannot compare to your learning. But you know the state of the treasury—tight finances make it hard for me to accomplish anything tangible."
Heinrich quickly relented, smiling faintly. "When Leonhard returns, he will surely understand Your Highness's intentions."
He seemed to recall something suddenly. "He should arrive in Vienna in three days."
I was both surprised and touched. "You weren't close before, yet now that he's been away for half a year, it seems you still miss him."
Heinrich did not respond, only saying, "Stein must join the welcome banquet."
I agreed. "Very well."
Marcus was quick-witted. "Your Highness may rest assured. I will arrange the banquet properly."
On the day Leonhard returned, a grand triumphal ceremony awaited him—blonde maids removed his chainmail, attendants presented rubies and gold coins on silver platters, and Marcus personally escorted him. "Lord Leonhard, His Highness often speaks of you and sent me to welcome you."
Leonhard gave him a cold look. "Who are you? Where is His Highness?"
Marcus's smile did not waver. "I am but a humble servant at His Highness's side."
Leonhard shoved him, and Marcus staggered several steps to regain his balance.
Leonhard pushed through the crowd and knelt stiffly before me. "I report back! I have not failed Your Highness's trust."
I helped him rise myself—he seemed half a head taller, his skin tanned, still as impetuous as ever.
I patted his shoulder as he rattled off stories from his journey. Heinrich, who usually chided his lack of decorum, only smiled and watched today.
Finally, Leonhard's voice trailed off. He touched the silver amulet I had given him like a treasure. "I've kept this close to my heart every day, Your Highness."
Just then, Marcus arrived with tea, stumbled, and spilled half a cup of elderflower tea on the amulet.
Leonhard shouted and jumped up, grabbing Marcus by the collar. "You did that on purpose!"
I snapped, "Enough! Leonhard, this is my newly promoted Marcus Stein—he is as vital to me as you are. Let go at once!"
Leonhard's eyes widened, but his fingers slowly relaxed.
Marcus's face reddened, too ashamed to speak, only glancing at me pitifully.
Heinrich said coolly, "Indeed, His Highness has favored Stein lately. If you hurt him, who knows how distressed His Highness would be."
I sensed something odd in his tone and turned to look, but Heinrich wore his usual elegant smile and even nodded at me gently—as if nothing were amiss.