Estelle Will Not Forgive a Second Time: The Condemned Noble Lady Returns in Elegance to Dance with the Incompetent Prince - Chapter 7

A week had passed.

Since that night when Prince Leonhardt and I formed our pact as “accomplices,” we had maintained contact in the shadows, working together to uncover the movements of Victor’s faction.

Of course, if word got out that a prince was frequently visiting an earl’s household, it would cause a scandal.

That’s why only a select few in the Grandier household were aware of his discreet visits.

And today, I had come to observe Prince Leonhardt as he trained with a sword, hidden away in the garden.

“Haaah!”

The crisp morning air was sliced by the sharp whistle of steel.

In a secluded corner of the estate’s garden—an unused clearing—Leonhardt swung his blade.

Despite his usual aura of indifference, his swordsmanship was nothing short of astonishing.

“…He’s incredible.”

I couldn’t help but whisper aloud.

Leonhardt delivered a final strike, cutting cleanly through the air, then turned toward me, breathing heavily, sweat beading on his forehead.

“I never imagined you were that strong,” I said, honestly.

He gave me a look—somewhere between a smirk and a grimace.

“This is something I hide, too. It’d be troublesome if people found out.”

His pale golden hair clung to his damp forehead, and for once, his usually drowsy eyes held a flicker of intensity.

Gone was the listless prince—I could feel the strength radiating from him.

My heart fluttered, and I found myself taking a deep breath, trying to calm the sudden racing of my pulse.

“Still… to think the so-called ‘Incompetent Prince’ is actually this skilled.”

“Yeah. I rarely practice openly—too risky if someone at court were to see.”

Leonhardt steadied his breathing, resting his sword point-down against the earth.

Though he’d been training hard moments before, his tone returned to its usual lazy drawl.

But I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

The sheen of sweat on his brow, the faint flush in his cheeks—this was a side of him I’d never seen before.

It was annoying how easily my heart was stirred.

Trying to mask such thoughts, I forced my tone into a calm, measured rhythm.

“Your performance… is truly impressive. I had no idea you were this convincing in your role.”

“My act, huh. Pretending to be incompetent, hiding my sword skills—it’s all to avoid complications. If my brother noticed, it’d be a mess.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

At my agreement, Leonhardt sheathed his sword and moved to the shade, sighing as he wiped sweat from his face with a towel provided by a servant.

He looked like an ordinary young nobleman now, but the contrast to the warrior from moments before was stark—strikingly so.

“Well, I do appreciate having a place like Grandier estate where I can move freely. I’d heard your family holds considerable power… but I didn’t expect this much cooperation.”

“I told Father I was receiving ‘instruction’ from a prince. Of course he’d welcome Your Highness with open arms.”

“‘Instruction,’ huh. I suppose I could give you some lessons, though you don’t seem too interested in swordplay.”

His words made me blush slightly.

“No… I admit I’m not very skilled. But watching you practice is more than enough for me.”

“I see.”

An odd silence fell over us in the garden, and I suddenly remembered why I had come—to deliver important news.

“Ah, that’s right. Victor’s faction… they’ve begun to move more aggressively. Sabotaging contracts and tampering with finances won’t be enough anymore.”

“Oh? Tell me everything.”

Towel still in hand, Leonhardt approached, stopping just beside me.

The faint scent of grass and a trace of sweat filled the air around him, making my heart flutter again—but I had to stay focused.

“It seems my… former friend Clarissa’s family is at the center of it.”

“Clarissa? I don’t know the name. To think a mere count’s daughter would be at the center of such activity. How did you find out?”

“Well… she was once my closest friend. The moment I heard her family was being talked about, it all clicked. A sort of… intuition.”

“Former friend, huh. Are you all right?”

His question brought a dull ache to my chest.

In my past life, Clarissa betrayed me thoroughly.

I may have thought of her as a friend, but she likely viewed me as nothing more than an obstacle from the start.

“Yes. Anyone who betrays me is no friend. She’s an enemy now—and I won’t show mercy.”

As I declared this, Leonhardt blinked, visibly taken aback.

“…I see. You’re strong.”

For a brief moment, his face seemed clouded with shadow as he murmured those words.

Before I could ask what was wrong, Leonhardt composed himself and shifted the conversation.

“So, how do you plan to stop this Clarissa?
Tampering with reports again would be a hassle, and she’s likely preparing her own schemes by now.”

“Oh, I plan to take her down boldly. While they’re still smug in their supposed power, I’ll expose their corruption and secrets.
Once their credibility crumbles in high society, I’ll have her thrown in prison for embezzlement—or worse.”

Honestly, I’d like to repay every ounce of humiliation I suffered in my past life, down to the last detail.

But I had no intention of letting personal feelings interfere.

To bring them down with certainty, I would use any means necessary.

“I see… I like that plan. I’ll do some digging on my end too. I’m sure there are people around my brother who are in contact with Clarissa’s family.”

“Thank you. I’ll use the knowledge and connections I’ve gained through my work so far to set the stage—and pull the rug out from under her.”

Our eyes met.

There, in the quiet corner of the garden, we reaffirmed our shared goal.

I smiled awkwardly.

“I suppose it’s strange, talking about something this ruthless with a smile.”

“No, I think it’s fine. We’re accomplices, aren’t we? If we’re caught, we might lose our heads…
We might as well laugh while we still can.”

He delivered the line with a wry smirk, and I couldn’t help but snort in amusement.

There was a strange sense of camaraderie between us now.

“Yes… but before we lose our heads, let’s figure out how to deal with Prince Victor’s first.”

“You’re awfully violent.”

Leonhardt chuckled, shoulders rising in a mock sigh.
Even as he feigned indifference, I could sense a spark of genuine resolve in him.

Yes, we were using each other.
And that was more than enough for now.

“Well then, I should head back.
If I stay too long, people will start asking questions. Besides, I’m drenched in sweat.”

“Of course. Let’s keep in touch and choose our moments carefully.
I’ll make sure the staff knows you’ve already left.”

“Thanks… Well then, Estelle. Until next time.”

Leonhardt said this casually, slinging his sword over one shoulder as he walked away from the shaded garden.

His pale golden hair swayed faintly in the breeze—and for some reason, I felt reluctant to see him go.
Perhaps it was just my imagination.

Leonhardt… you truly are a mystery.
But you’re also the strongest ally I could ask for.

I can sense it—because I’ve already died once.

And I have a feeling…
He too bears a past betrayal. That fleeting sorrow I glimpsed on his face—it might have been the proof.

But I had no right to ask. Not now.

First, I had to destroy Clarissa and dismantle Victor’s faction.

“…Clarissa, you traitor. I won’t let you get away.”

I whispered softly, eyes fixed on the gate through which Leonhardt had vanished.

The so-called “Incompetent Prince,” ignored and underestimated by all.

And me—the girl who died and came back.

A strange, uncertain partnership.
But one that gave me strength.

That regret—the regret of ignoring his warning in my past life—was now driving me forward.

There was still so much to do.

I gathered the hem of my dress, cast one last glance at the grass marked by his steps,
and began walking back toward the mansion.