Oops, That Poor Scholar Is Royal

Synopsis

My family was loaded, and the Marquis' household had power. My elder sister, Evelyn, and the second young lord were a match made in heaven. But the heir of the house was a snob. He picked on her at every turn and even wanted to take her as a concubine. I was furious. So I decided to walk straight into the lion's den and give him a taste of being thrown aside. During the Midwinter Fair, I pretended to get swept away by the crowd. Looking small and helpless, I grabbed the sleeve of his coat. For a while after that, I stayed by his side. I kept him company on Midwinter's Eve, helped him decorate the hall with holly and candles, and played the perfect sweetheart. When spring came and the flowers started blooming, his eyes were red as he said he wanted to take me back to the capital to meet his parents. I left him a letter instead. It read: [It was all just a game. Don't take it seriously.] I thought I would never see him again in this lifetime. And yet at the Marquis' spring banquet, I was happily gnawing on a honey-glazed roast shank, grease all over my mouth. When I looked up, the man I had ditched was sitting in the seat of honor, while the young heir stood beside him, bowing as he offered him a cup of wine with both hands. The heir addressed him as "His Royal Highness."