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Chapter : 14
“Ha… co–sleeping?!”
My mind went completely blank.
Yet my senses sharpened, every feeling amplified.
Especially…
“Why aren’t you answering?”
Silver hair fluttering in the gentle breeze.
A straight, defined collarbone.
A sturdy build, lips murmuring as they trace my fingers…
“Get a grip!”
I bit the inside of my cheek.
‘Is now really the time to be dazzled by looks?’
…“Co-sleeping”?!
Of course, there is such a provision in imperial law, but it had been completely obsolete since the time of the previous emperor.
‘Then why…?’
Lost in this confusion, I heard:
“Well, it is rather late for co-sleeping.”
‘Ugh.’
I tried to pull my hand away from the ticklish sensation, but my fingers were already intertwined.
“It’s only natural you’d be flustered.”
…Is he serious?
Why me, of all people?
‘Weren’t you cozying up with your consort? Wait… he did mention heirs last time.’
“Heirs. Part of the crown princess’s duties includes maintaining a healthy body and mind.”
Hearing that made me angry, but I took it as a warning not to overwork myself.
“…”
‘Well, if there’s an heir, it would only secure his position further.’
“Stop… please.”
I forced my hand free and added,
“Your Highness, Crown Prince, please remember that there are guests in my palace right now.”
But the Crown Prince took my hand again, tightening his grip.
“That’s precisely why it’s necessary to strengthen the marital bond.”
“But there’s Duke Rikesis.”
“Do you know what I hear right now?”
The Crown Prince’s expression hardened, and I stiffened as well.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve heard rumors that the northern duke and the crown princess are too close. You’re not going to just let the palace staff chatter, are you?”
‘Tch…’
I trembled slightly.
‘That’s something I should be saying!’
In society circles, there were speculations that because the Crown Prince had taken a western noblewoman as a maid, she might have carried a royal heir.
How many times had I calmed my father down after he was shocked by such rumors?
“Even more reason to dispel the rumors.”
“Oh, that.”
I cut him off with a gentle smile.
“I intend to keep an eye on things.”
“Keep an eye on things?”
Saying that, the Crown Prince suddenly stood and sat opposite me.
“…”
After a moment of silence, he tapped the table with his finger and suddenly spoke.
“Why are you so calm?”
“…”
“Because you haven’t heard it firsthand?”
“…”
“Shall I tell you exactly what I’ve heard to make it serious?”
Listening to his reprimand, I slowly closed my eyes.
‘Because you saw my affair yourself.’
What rumor could be more shocking than the truth?
‘What to do…’
I had no intention of co-sleeping with the Crown Prince.
‘He won’t be able to let his guard down either.’
Rumors about the northern duke and the crown princess will only grow.
‘I’m no longer a minor.’
In the past, the Crown Prince and I had an agreement not to touch each other until we were both over twenty.
Now that we were well past twenty, refusing co-sleeping would damage trust between husband and wife.
‘I can’t distance myself from the Duke, and I can’t co-sleep with the Crown Prince.’
So, what method could maintain trust between us?
‘First, I need to continue the conversation.’
There were things to confirm.
After a long pause, I opened my eyes.
Meeting a pair of piercing blue eyes staring directly at me, I spoke.
“I simply want to prepare for any potential disputes over the imperial succession.”
“Disputes over succession?”
“If I build a strong relationship with the northern duke from now on, it would allow me to check the empress’s authority in the event of civil war. Given that the Marquisate of Shaphinel could serve as an enemy base, it’s prudent.”
“Civil war?”
“Don’t be angry. I know Your Highness gets along with the Empress, but as long as there’s a Prince Jevar II, the possibility of civil war cannot be completely ruled out, right?”
“…”
Of course, it was all empty words.
The current empress was naive to the point of being called an idiot, and incapable of such grand schemes.
‘The bait is set.’
Now, it’s time to confirm.
“And what if I risk a little of my reputation?”
I held the air with both hands and spoke the prepared name.
“You, Your Highness, also risked your reputation pretending to be close to ‘Princess Nebia Khalid.’”
I fell silent and observed the Crown Prince’s reaction.
“…”
“Exactly.”
‘“Exactly”? Really?’
The Crown Prince agreed—calmly, naturally, as if it were obvious.
‘No reaction at all?’
I just said her full name!
“…”
It was brief.
Confirming that the Crown Prince showed no reaction, I let out a small laugh.
‘As expected, it was all lies.’
“I heard you almost collapsed yesterday. Not feeling well?”
‘Shouldn’t you have been an actor instead of a prince?’
“How can I trust them? They lie to my wife just to repay debts to the Duke’s family.”
“Lutier, it’s because you were worried about me.”
‘I almost believed he truly cared for me.’
“No need to go to the bedchamber. Let’s begin immediately.”
‘Every day, he enjoys himself with his consort and pretends to be close to me without batting an eye.’
So, there’s no need to hesitate any longer.
‘…I’ll deceive you thoroughly as well.’
I took a deep breath and continued naturally.
“Unity between the royal family and the north. Proposal for northern railways. Preparation for civil war. And personally, I’m interested in certain minerals found in the northern lands.”
“Ah.”
“Therefore, I plan to discuss various matters closely with Duke Rikesis and will be staying with him for some time.”
“To turn your back on your husband and stay with the Duke—truly heartless.”
“…Did you not accept that? Then ask more questions. I’ll answer sincerely…”
“No.”
“…?”
“I have no questions.”
The Crown Prince rose from his seat and added,
“Because I trust you.”
…What?
“You trust me?”
“Yes, I do.”
‘Ha….’
His face looked like a serene, enlightened monk. I laughed bitterly inwardly.
‘Does he think I won’t demand a divorce over his affair? Or that I’ll continue to maintain my fidelity as an engaged woman?’
Just like that?
‘What does he think of me…’
It was far too easy, leaving me empty.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you for trusting me.”
I stood and extended a hand; the Crown Prince did the same.
As we shook hands, I reflected on today’s success.
‘As Crown Princess and wife, let him trust me completely.’
I now had every reason to spend time with Duke Rikesis.
‘After making the Duke completely mine, I’ll let him realize my counter-affair!’
The Crown Prince would feel the same emotions I felt from witnessing his affair.
My revenge would be complete.
Slowly, savoring it…
Today’s conversation had been a success.
‘To think he trusts me so easily. All my years of building credibility have paid off.’
It was the first time since witnessing his affair that all the past effort felt worthwhile.
“…”
The Crown Prince shaking my hand still looked displeased but made no move to stop me.
So I swallowed a sly smile and spoke kindly.
“Then, Your Highness, since it’s late, please return for today…”
“…What’s that?”
‘That…?’
I immediately realized he wasn’t referring to me.
He was looking over my shoulder.
‘That gaze… like he’s sizing up livestock to slaughter.’
“…”
A creeping sense of unease made me glance back, and…
“One, two! One, two!”
‘…Why are you here?!’
And naked, with only a towel!
The Duke appeared, making me gasp in shock.
“Princess Lutier, Crown Princess, Cardmael Rikesis is fully prepared!”
Duke Rikesis’s powerful shout echoed throughout the garden.
