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Chapter : 8
Dangerous.
I couldn’t believe how shaken he looked.
Better to end this conversation fast.
So I forced myself to lift my head and smile.
“So, what’s your next business with me?”
“Next business?”
“You said you had a lot to discuss, didn’t you?”
But the Crown Prince’s expression only grew stranger, sending a chill down my spine.
Why is he staring like that again?!
No one could stay calm under that uniquely imperial gaze of his—like he was dismantling a person piece by piece.
And I was no exception.
But I couldn’t back down now.
Why should I be the one backing down?!
Wasn’t I the one who had been enjoying a quiet tea with the Grand Duke of the North—only to be rudely interrupted?
He said it was because he had things to say.
So keep it short!
“You didn’t forget I have an important guest waiting, did you? If it’s not urgent—”
“No business.”
“…Pardon?”
“You and I—do we need such formalities?”
For a second I froze, unable to understand what he meant as his eyes sharpened.
So—
He kicked out the Grand Duke with nothing to say?
That was MY guest…
I could only stare blankly as the Crown Prince leaned back in his chair.
“You were happily chatting with some outsider until this hour, yet you ask your husband what business he has? How cold of you. Since we’re already here, let’s enjoy a pleasant chat.”
So he really has NOTHING to say!
Was this man bored?!
Impossible.
He was a Crown Prince blessed with imperial divine power—always traveling the empire with the priests.
And lately he’d even had time for romance.
So why ME?!
My fists trembled under the table before I finally spoke.
“This is unpleasant.”
“Unpleasant?”
His face hardened at my blunt words, and I stared right back at him.
“You do know why I invite high nobles like Grand Duke Riquesis here, don’t you?”
“Lutier. I’m warning you—overworking yourself—”
“That’s—!”
I was ready to fire back but the words died in my throat.
It was for us.
At least… before I discovered he was cheating.
Not only for me—but for you too.
Because we were husband and wife.
Sure, my marriage proposal had been calculated—from House Haim, desperate to survive.
A political marriage from the start.
Yet somewhere along the way… I started thinking of him as a husband.
So I worked harder. Endured more.
Because one day, I thought I’d be able to share all my burdens.
But…
My husband was stolen from me—so what meaning does any of that have now?
My chest tightened, but I pushed the feelings down.
No—not resentment. Revenge.
“Anyway, I’m busy. I have mountains of work. If you have nothing to say, please leave.”
“Is that so?”
“I’m leaving the palace tomorrow for the South, so—”
“Yes. That plan of yours is the problem, isn’t it.”
I snapped.
“What is THAT supposed to mean? I have no problem! The one who barged in here and chased away my guest is YOU, Your High—”
“You’re angry because your plan fell apart, aren’t you?”
“—!”
His words halted me mid‑tirade.
My plan.
Yes.
I was planning revenge.
Against the very man standing before me.
But…
…What am I doing right now?
Just then, he opened his mouth.
“If you’re up to something foolish—stop.”
“Foo—foolish?”
“All of it.”
A chill raced down my spine.
Did he figure something out?
Could he be saying he KNOWS what I intend to do?
Every plan—every piece of my revenge?
My throat closed up.
“……”
I grabbed the teapot to fill the silence—pouring tea would make this feel normal.
But then—
“—!”
My hand shook like it belonged to someone else. My vision blurred.
“Ack.”
The Crown Prince snatched the pot from my trembling grasp.
“Serious, aren’t you.”
Through my blurry sight, those stark blue eyes bore into me—but I couldn’t make out his full face anymore.
No… this can’t happen.
If he had discovered my plans, revenge was impossible.
The Crown Prince could crush the Crown Princess easily if he chose to.
No matter how I resisted, my retaliation would be nothing but child’s play to him.
And if he wanted—he could make even that impossible.
No!
I felt utterly powerless.
I endured even when I found out I’d lost my husband!
But helplessness turned to something hot that finally burst upward.
“Hic…”
A drop fell.
“—!”
But the moment I felt it fall, I saw his face.
“Lutier?”
His widened blue eyes—staring at my tears—carried not a hint of malice.
None.
“……”
“……”
Silence settled across the table.
I had no idea how long it lasted.
Then—
His fingers twitched against the tabletop. He dug into his jacket pocket and held out a handkerchief.
“—!”
I took it automatically.
Still frozen, I watched as he tapped the table three times and declared:
“For the time being, all documents that do NOT require the Crown Princess’s seal will be handled at the Crown Prince’s residence.”
“No—”
I was ready to refuse but suddenly froze.
Guest ceremony paperwork requires MY seal.
Meaning—
He wasn’t trying to interfere with my political events.
More precisely—
He has no idea I intend to commit adultery with Duke Riquesis.
My revenge wasn’t over!
Light pierced the fog in my brain.
By ‘stop your foolishness,’ he meant stop overworking.
“I believe I owe you an apology.”
I forced my lips into a trembling, melancholy smile.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with current affairs and unfairly took it out on you.”
But even after I apologized, he kept tapping the table, eyes studying me.
And then—
“Heir.”
“…What?”
“One of the Crown Princess’s duties is to stay healthy in body and mind. You know that, don’t you?”
This…
Crisis.
Go make an heir with your lover!!
…The words reached the back of my throat.
Endure.
Smiling sweetly, I swallowed them down.
“Thank you for your concern.”
“No need to thank me. It’s a husband’s duty to worry about his wife.”
Second crisis.
Just one hit.
I longed to slam the teapot into his face—swift and righteous.
But—
Never giving up!
Until that handsome face twisted in despair—I would walk the path of revenge.
And…
There’s something I still need from him.
“I have… a personal request.”
I said, glancing upward before hurriedly rummaging through my briefcase.
“…?”
The Crown Prince’s brows furrowed in confusion.
Of course.
I’d just told him to leave—and now I had a request. But—!
I need to be as brazen as he is!
“What is it?”
Luckily, curiosity won, and he didn’t call me out.
I nodded and slid a document across the table.
“……”
He stared at it for a long moment before finally speaking.
“…What is this?”
