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Chapter : 30
“Trying it on, huh…?”
The Crown Prince looked as if he were thinking it over.
And in that short moment, my mouth went dry.
‘Was I too unnatural?’
…Absolutely not.
What could possibly be strange about an ordinary married couple shopping and asking each other to try on clothes?
‘I have a perfectly good excuse.’
Just when my nerves felt like they were being wrung out to the very last drop—
The Crown Prince answered.
“Fine. I’ll wear it.”
And with that, he disappeared with the clerk.
“Your Highness, Lady Lutiere!”
The Grand Duke came rushing over the moment the Crown Prince vanished.
I didn’t have time to waste, so wearing a grave expression, I asked right away.
“Your Grace, when you said you’d keep your word… did you mean that you’d keep everything I told you about His Imperial Highness in the glass conservatory a secret?”
“Yes! That’s correct!”
The Grand Duke answered solemnly.
“I’ve been thinking endlessly about what I can do for Your Highness the Crown Princess!”
Then he suddenly seized my hand and declared with absolute conviction,
“When I said I’d take the secret to my grave, I meant every word. His Imperial Highness will never hear of that conversation!”
“Your Grace…!”
I was honestly touched.
Especially because the usually boisterous Grand Duke was speaking so quietly and carefully.
It showed just how seriously he took his promise to me.
“However, I—”
Just as the Grand Duke leaned in to continue—
“I knew it. Suspicious.”
At the voice behind me, I flinched and whipped around.
‘How is he already done changing?!’
“What are you two hiding?”
Somehow, the Crown Prince had already changed into a deep navy suit and was walking toward us.
His steps felt so heavy that I instinctively held my breath.
‘No way he heard us.’
If he changed clothes, he had to have been in the fitting room for at least a moment.
Which meant the plan was still alive.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Exactly what I said.” He answered as he fastened his cuffs.
“I asked what kind of relationship you two have.”
‘…So his true colors finally show.’
I shot him a glare and let out a deep sigh.
Then, deliberately, I stepped toward him.
“It seems Your Highness has been curious about my relationship with Grand Duke Rikesis for quite some time.”
The Crown Prince’s face stiffened for a split second—and I didn’t miss it.
‘Bullseye.’
So I calmly continued.
“Which is why you appeared here out of nowhere today, and changed so quickly just to interrupt our conversation. Isn’t that right?”
“I see no reason I shouldn’t.”
“Of course. But it doesn’t feel great to be the one suspected.”
I glanced between the Grand Duke and the Crown Prince.
“Lutiere, what are you getting at?” His voice went cold.
Step by step, I approached him until I stood right in front of him.
And, speaking softly enough that the Grand Duke wouldn’t hear, I whispered:
“But I also understand your suspicion. When you said you wanted to verify the Grand Duke yourself—now I fully get it. However, Grand Duke Rikesis would never indulge in an affair with the Crown Princess.”
“…”
“So, that being said…”
I smiled confidently and made my proposal.
“I heard there’s a club on the third floor of Kajat where men can build camaraderie.”
“…?”
“How about speaking with the Grand Duke there directly? Then Your Highness can ease your mind, can’t you?”
My intention was simple:
Last time, I made the Crown Prince trust me.
This time, I need him to trust the Grand Duke.
Besides—Hadn’t he said it earlier?
“Lutiere, you may leave, but the Grand Duke stays here.”
Exactly.
“Then, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll return to the palace.”
I stepped back and curtsied.
“I wish the two of you a pleasant evening together…”
But strangely—
“….”
The Crown Prince just stared at me in silence.
For quite a long time.
Hee-hing!
After sending Lutiere away in the carriage—
“Your Highness!”
The Grand Duke excitedly waved as soon as the Crown Prince entered the club and rushed to guide him to a table.
“I’ve ordered food already. Her Highness the Crown Princess is paying, of course—ha ha!”
“You’re awfully proud of living off my wife’s purse.”
“Naturally! I am forever grateful to Her Highness!”
“…”
Ignoring him, the Crown Prince sat down with an air of royalty.
“Isn’t the food incredible, Your Highness? I’ve eaten the most delicious dishes since coming to the capital!”
And as soon as the Grand Duke plopped into the seat opposite him—
He spoke bluntly.
“Grand Duke Rikesis. As you may have guessed, I suspect you of being my wife’s lover.”
“L–Lover…?”
Shock flashed across the Grand Duke’s face.
But the Crown Prince continued unmoved.
“Though forbidden, liaisons between knights and noble ladies have always existed. Given that, I—”
“A–A liaison?!”
The Grand Duke slammed the table with both hands.
Then, clenching his fists, he met the Crown Prince’s eyes with absolute seriousness.
“I understand Your Highness’s feelings! Truly! But I swear upon my life, I have never viewed Her Highness Lutiere as a woman of interest! Because—she is not my type!”
“…What is that supposed to mean?”
The Crown Prince snapped back immediately.
The Grand Duke gazed dreamily out the window.
“My mother—the late Duchess—always told me… That there is such a thing as a destined one. Someone so remarkable that you’d recognize them at first sight…”
His story went on.
From childhood to adulthood.
“…”
“As Your Highness knows… The Rikesis family incurred a great deal of debt to neighboring lords… I either had to marry myself off to repay it, or take dangerous commissions slaying beasts in the North…”
As the Grand Duke’s tragic tale continued, only one thought remained in the Crown Prince’s mind:
‘What the hell am I doing here?’
He looked around.
Men’s clothing shop.
Club.
Food.
And this Grand Duke.
“If Your Highness and I were just ordinary married men—not the future of the empire—
I think we would have behaved quite differently here today.”
Just minutes ago, he’d been with Lutiere.
“…”
“And my preferences are—! Someone who catches the eye instantly! Someone who stands out anywhere! Oh! And fantastic martial skill would be wonderful—so we could spar! As a knight who values combat—ah! And also—”
The Crown Prince felt time slipping away—and irritation growing.
Lutiere would have an affair with this man?
“…”
Suddenly, his thoughts just stopped.
Everything started to feel absurd.
Lutiere would never do that.
He felt pathetic for ever considering it.
“I’ll be taking my leave.”
“W–What? Already?”
The Crown Prince replied flatly,
“It’s time.”
Despite the curt answer, the Grand Duke nodded, pumping a fist in determination.
And launched into a final speech.
“At any rate, Your Highness, I only wish for the Empire’s two bright futures to enjoy a century of—”
But then he froze.
He stared wide-eyed past the Crown Prince, toward the club entrance.
Someone came in.
The aura was familiar.
If the imperial guards let them through…
The Crown Prince closed his eyes, already guessing the identity.
This is exhausting. I need to get back to the palace.
But unlike the Crown Prince, whose patience had evaporated—
The Grand Duke’s eyes widened as though beholding something radiant.
And then—
“Your Highness! There you are!”
A syrupy voice rang out as lace-gloved arms suddenly wrapped tightly around the Crown Prince.
“Move your hands.”
He brushed her off without hesitation.
The woman giggled nasally.
“Oh, darling, you’re always so cold in public, aren’t you… hee-hee…”
She gritted her teeth—fangs showing as she smiled.
