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Chapter : 22
“What if— what?”
When I couldn’t stand it anymore and asked, Ruak finally opened his mouth.
“If I… listen to you really well… No, never mind.”
Ruak cut himself off and shook his head, and I narrowed my eyes.
This brat— does he have some scheme?
Worrisome.
But his lips were sealed shut tight, so all I could do was let out a deep sigh.
“Anyway, Ruah, people like that are really rare. So I’m not changing my ideal lover.”
“Ideal lover?”
“Yeah. Ideal lover.”
Strictly speaking, I’m looking for a partner more than a plaything—
but Ruak wants to be the one I like most.
Sure enough, Ruak murmured “Ideal lover…,” then lowered his lashes and fell silent.
Looks like he accepted it.
But it was too soon to relax.
I decided to drive the nail all the way in.
“Ruah, I trust you.”
Saying that, I reached across the table and held Ruak’s hands tightly.
Ruak stared at me in silence, and I looked into his eyes and continued.
“But I still have a lot I need to do by myself.
If I ever need your help, I’ll tell you. So… will you wait for me?”
I clasped his hands earnestly, and Ruak gave a small nod.
“Yeah. I’ll help you, I promise. But… could you do just one thing for me too?”
I stared at him.
But only briefly. “Alright.”
I nodded willingly.
If granting one request can persuade him, it’s worth it.
And I could already guess what it would be…
“Let’s go into town for a spring outing today. You promised you’d buy me clothes if my academy grades improved— but you never did, right?”
I laughed as I replied.
“That’s not true. I gave you allowance.”
“I wanted to wear clothes you picked out for me. You know that, don’t pretend you don’t. So mean.”
Gasp.
Seriously— cute, all of a sudden?
This is bad…
Ruak was adorable, even now.
My little puppy…
In the end, I couldn’t help but pat him on the head.
Feeling his soft fluffy hair, I sighed.
I’m way too weak when it comes to this kid…
Ever since Mother passed away, I practically raised Ruak myself,
so I’m way more attached to him than to my other siblings.
Not that raising him was like childrearing—
more like training an unruly beast disguised as a puppy.
“Fine, let’s go right now.”
I rang the bell and the head maid entered.
“Head maid, please inform the Duke of Rikesys that I’ll call on him later.
And prepare for Ruak and me to go out for a spring picnic.”
“Yes, milady.”
My former nanny turned maid looked at us fondly and nodded.
I stroked Ruak’s wheat-colored hair and left the parlor.
“You’re the best, sis.”
Completely unaware of the dangerous glint in Ruak’s eyes.
“Duke Rikesys, then I expect a favorable answer.”
Duke Haim handed over the documents.
Zenin’s eyes widened as he read them.
“This is a great deal for our side. Suspiciously great.”
After Zenin rushed off, saying he needed to talk more with the duke—
Her Highness the Crown Princess…
Before long, night fell.
The duke walked out into the garden, sat down, and brooded.
He couldn’t shake the image of Lettie’s sorrowful expression.
“Lady Nevia of Kalid has been seen entering and leaving His Highness the Crown Prince’s chambers.”
Did His Highness truly have an affair?
How could he do such a thing to the Crown Princess?
He recalled how well the two had suited each other, standing side by side at the Crown Princess’s palace.
They match so perfectly…
And in the Round Table chamber, the way the Crown Prince looked at the Crown Princess had been overflowing with longing.
A man like that— cheating?
He squeezed his eyes shut, thinking deeply.
Finally, he came to a conclusion.
No—clearly this is a misunderstanding!
And the source surely came from one person.
“There’s a woman claiming to be dating His Highness.
Nevia Kalid— a notorious villainess.”
That villainess must have approached His Highness with wicked intent!
Resolving himself, the duke took out his charms and began to polish them in order to calm his heart— but then…
Filth!
A gaudy moth landed between the charms, and the duke bristled.
“Shoo! Get! Away!”
Thinking of a villainess between the royal couple, it felt like the charms were tainted too.
But as he waved his hands, he suddenly froze.
No— I can’t judge someone I’ve never met.
He quietly put the charms away and clenched his fist.
Good. I must wash away these dark thoughts!
In the three days he’d spent at the Crown Princess’s palace, the duke had found a new habit:
After a day of exertion, immerse himself in a hot bath.
“Whew— refreshing.”
Shower finished, he soaked in the bath, staring at the starlit sky through the skylight.
Yes. I’ll request an audience with His Highness tomorrow!
With the negativity washed away, he felt certain:
There was a terrible misunderstanding between the two.
And he resolved:
He would clear it.
“I— Cardamel Rikesys— shall become the Cupid of Love who repairs a bond nearly broken!”
Feeling invigorated, he stepped out of the bath.
I’d better sleep early to greet a brilliant morning!
Giddy with optimism, he towel-dried himself.
Neck, chest, stomach— warm and clean all over.
Knock, knock, knock.
“…Hmm?”
A knock came from the bedroom door.
The butler?
His face brightened.
Oh! Perhaps a new outfit delivered for tonight!
So, without a hint of suspicion, he opened the door.
But—
“…!”
He rolled to the floor on instinct.
Whoosh!
A cold blade sliced past the tip of his nose.
An attack?!
He scrambled away, grabbed the dagger from his discarded clothes—
Clang!
His dagger met the assassin’s blade, sparks flying.
Seeing the cloaked figure, the duke’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“You—!”
Who?!
He couldn’t tell.
The hood cast the face in unnatural shadow— a magical device.
A magic relic!
The assassin stepped back and barked:
“Get dressed.”
The voice was distorted beyond recognition.
“Rrgh…”
The duke, wary, quickly threw on clothes, then lifted his dagger again.
Clang!
Steel clashed once more.
Is Duke Haim targeting me to get to Her Highness?!
What if the Crown Princess— currently staying in the manor— was the real target?
He will not leave this room alive!
He braced himself to block with his body if needed.
But… something was strange.
Strong—but short. A still-growing frame…
Why did he feel he might know this person?
Clang! Clang!
Right. The butler said the manor is protected by wards— so it’s an insider! Could it be…
“Lord Ruak, is that you?”
And as if the name dispelled the magic—
“Tch.”
The hood tilted up, revealing his face.
“Ah. You caught me.”
Flawless skin, pretty features almost doll-like, wheat-blond bangs tousled.
Less young man— more handsome boy.
“Not that it matters.”
His face was stripped of the gentle politeness he’d had earlier that day— replaced by raw, rebellious hostility.
“So what. Going to tattle to my sister, Your Grace?”
Ruak stared straight at him.
Those violet eyes burned with menace—
Tell her and I’ll kill you was implicit.
“Of course I’ll tell her!”
The duke jabbed a finger at him, voice booming.
“I’m telling Her Highness everything, Lord Ruak!”
