🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 29
Since he was young, most people Casey met did not show kindness—but hostility.
Because of that, he became very quick at noticing when someone felt hostile toward him.
Orte did not try to hide her disgust at all.
So it was natural that he noticed it immediately.
‘Maybe… she wanted me to notice it.’
His subordinate looked confused.
“But how can she hate you when she’s barely seen you? What’s wrong with you, Your Highness?”
“Compared to the Duke of Weekend’s family… I’m lacking.”
If Orte wanted, she could have become the Crown Princess—future Empress.
But instead, she was being told to become the wife of the Third Prince, who only handled the Crown Prince’s work.
From her point of view, it made sense to refuse.
“Still, Your Highness is more than good enough—”
The subordinate couldn’t finish his sentence.
“It wasn’t that kind of feeling. And… I don’t think it will be easy.”
“Why?”
“Me…”
Casey frowned.
“I don’t love you.”
“She says she doesn’t love me.”
For some reason, the moment he heard those words, his heart dropped heavily.
As if—
He had believed that Orte loved him… and had been betrayed.
***
As soon as the door closed, the Duke of Weekend spoke.
“Orte, have you gone mad?”
“I’m more normal than ever, Duke.”
Orte looked at him.
“I’m the one who’s confused. You suddenly told me to get engaged to someone I’ve never even met.”
“Then if you meet him a few more times, will you agree?”
“No.”
Orte answered firmly.
“I already told you. I don’t love the Third Prince.”
“Like you said, falling in love with someone you just met is foolish!”
At those words, Orte blinked slowly.
‘So… this is what normal thinking is.’
Then how foolish had she been in the past—falling in love at first sight?
The Duke closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath.
Then he spoke.
“Get engaged.”
“Father!”
Just as Orte was about to refuse—
The door burst open.
Ellen appeared, breathing heavily.
“Is it true? That Casey and that parasite are getting engaged?!”
“Who told you that?”
“I’m asking if it’s true!”
“Ellen!”
Clef rushed in and blocked him.
He bowed toward the Duke.
“I’m sorry, Father. Ellen kept asking why the Third Prince came… so I told him. It’s my fault.”
The Duke let out a deep sigh.
“You made me proud by becoming a knight so quickly… but you are becoming more disappointing, Ellen.”
“Father, I admit my fault. But this engagement can’t happen. I…”
Ellen looked at Orte.
“That parasite doesn’t suit the Third Prince. Are you trying to ruin his life?”
“Ellen!”
Clef shouted at him.
“This isn’t just a simple engagement. It’s something His Majesty wants. How many times do I have to say it?”
Ellen closed his mouth tightly.
Silence fell.
Orte, who hadn’t been paying attention at all, stood up.
Everyone’s eyes turned to her.
“Since you don’t seem to have anything more to say, I’ll leave.”
She bowed slightly to the Duke and turned away.
“Hey, parasite. This is your matter. Are you joking?”
Ellen couldn’t hide his disbelief at her indifferent attitude.
Orte stopped and turned back.
It had been a long time since she faced all three of them at once.
And she didn’t want to stay even a second longer.
Because their faces—
Were exactly the same as before.
“Like you said, it’s my matter. So don’t interfere.”
“Hey, you—!”
Orte left the reception room.
Back in her room, Orte bathed and changed into clean nightclothes.
Even after lying down, she couldn’t fall asleep.
Casey.
The engagement.
Those things didn’t matter at all to her.
Not even a little.
‘Enoch.’
She thought about the unknown person she only knew by name.
‘Who are you… really?’
Why did you appear?
Orte’s days were simple.
Every morning, she wore her slippers, put on her shawl, and went to the library first.
It was a fresh start to the day.
Even after meeting those three terrible men yesterday—and Casey—
She didn’t feel bad.
At least… not until she saw him.
“Hey, parasite.”
Now 22 years old, Ellen had completely lost his boyish look.
But when he saw Orte, his expression became the same as before.
“What is it? You came all the way here.”
“…Why? Is there a reason I can’t come to your room?”
Orte walked past him toward the library.
Ellen followed her.
“You’re not planning anything strange, right? You’re really not going to get engaged to Casey, right?”
“……”
“Good. You know your place. Do you really think you match the Third Prince?”
Orte entered the library and started looking for a book.
“If you change your mind later, you’ll be in serious trouble.”
“……”
“Do I really have to say this much?”
Ellen ran his hand through his hair and looked around, lowering his voice.
“That guy Casey… he’s not normal.”
Orte’s hand stopped for a moment while searching through the books.
But she naturally pulled out the book she had touched.
“I’m not saying this for you—for me. I don’t want to get closer to that bastard.”
Luckily, it was the book she wanted.
“He’s… strange. He uses people without hesitation, lies easily, and most of all—he can’t feel emotions…”
Orte stood up.
Ellen blocked her path.
“Don’t ignore my warning.”
“Young Master. All nobles and royals are like that. They use others and lie easily. Are you stopping this engagement just for that reason?”
Does he really have nothing better to do?
He had recently joined the First Imperial Knights, yet he was wasting time like this.
“And I already told you yesterday.”
Orte pushed his shoulder aside with her book.
“Don’t. Interfere.”
Ignoring Ellen shouting behind her, Orte left the library.
After thinking about the time, she headed to the dining room.
A servant bowed when she saw Orte.
The door opened—
And Orte stopped.
“Lady Orte.”
Casey stood up and walked toward her.
“We meet again.”
“…You came to where I live, so of course we would meet again.”
“I have matters to discuss with the Duke, so I may stay here for a few days.”
Seeing that he was dressed casually today, not like yesterday, Orte asked—
“Do I need to show formal respect?”
“There’s no need. Please sit comfortably.”
“No.”
Orte lightly held her nightdress and bowed.
“I’ll take my leave. Please continue your meal.”
“I heard you haven’t eaten yet. Lady Orte, join me.”
“That’s not a reason for me to eat with you.”
Orte turned to leave.
But Casey’s subordinate moved faster and closed the door.
Orte looked at him, then turned back to Casey.
“What kind of rudeness is this?”
“If you don’t want to eat with me, how about we talk?”
Casey leaned against the table and pulled out a chair—
As if it was meant for her.
Orte looked at the chair, then raised her eyes.
“I think you also have something you want to say to me.”
“Ha.”
Orte let out a dry laugh.
“Not at all.”
Casey’s brow twitched.
Orte spoke to the servant standing nearby.
“Open the door.”
The servant hesitated, then carefully opened it.
Casey’s subordinate waited for his order, ready to close it again.
“Your Highness—”
But Orte spoke faster than Casey.
She looked directly at him.
In the past, he had controlled her, deceived her, and used her—
But this was not the past.
“Don’t ever treat me carelessly again.”
“You are not someone who can do that to me.”
