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Chapter : 16
“Is the Imperial Palace really the only place tempting enough to lure the Duke of Rikesis?”
Of course, if I moved him, I would be physically farther away, since I reside in the Crown Princess’s palace…
At that moment, the Duke of Rikesis asked me,
“House Haim…?”
“Yes, my family estate. The Imperial Palace has too many watchful eyes. It would be difficult to accommodate you here…”
I bowed politely to the Duke.
“I’m terribly sorry for making such a troublesome proposal. My authority is limited.”
As expected, the Duke flailed his arms in panic.
“No, no! You’ve already been taking such good care of us, and now you’re even preparing a new residence!”
“No, Your Grace, this is my shortcoming. I will make sure everything is prepared so that you can stay at the ducal mansion comfortably.”
Thus, with both of us apologizing, it seemed the little commotion would end with the Duke relocating.
If no one ruined the moment.
“There are still suspicions remaining.”
I looked to where the voice came from—Sir Aidel was standing there.
“I have witnessed everything. From the very beginning.”
Saying so, Aidel glared fiercely at the Duke of Rikesis.
And then he began his story…
“His Highness Crown Prince Abel ordered me to stay back. But because one cannot eliminate the escort entirely, I guarded alone. Then the Duke of Rikesis appeared—half-naked, sweating—and said everything was ready. And that we should bathe together.”
Aidel exploded.
“How dare you say such a thing in the sacred Imperial Palace?!”
The Duke blinked, baffled.
Then muttered, “Bathe together…” and suddenly shouted,
“What?! When did I ever say bathe together?! I said we should all go bathe!”
He leapt up in outrage.
“Obviously I meant that I finished chopping the firewood for today, so the hot bathwater was ready!”
Then he jabbed a trembling finger at Aidel.
“And you—what vile, disgusting thoughts are rattling around in that head of yours, Sir Imperial Guard?! You devil! Pervert! Filth! Away with you!!”
“…Are you speaking of me?”
Aidel pointed at himself, looking utterly dumbfounded.
I clutched my head.
Bathing together with the Duke?!
Sure, befriending the Duke was part of my plan… but we were nothing like that yet. Absolutely not!
As crazed for revenge as I might be, I would never do such a thing to that pure man.
…Unless the Duke fell to corruption like me someday!
A prickling sensation burned hotter and hotter at the back of my head.
I turned stiffly.
“Ah—!”
My breath caught.
Sapphire royal-blue eyes, with black pupils as deep as a void, were staring straight at me.
It felt like being pierced by a bullet.
Has he been staring like that the whole time?
Was he… suspecting me?
That I would bathe with the Duke?
“Ha.”
I was speechless.
Right—you’re the one who sneaks around doing that!
“I prefer… concubines… secret… discreet…”
“Anywhere in the palace is fine… for a tryst…”
This is the Crown Prince who prowled the palace at night searching for a place to secretly meet his mistress.
It had only been a few days since I witnessed it—surely he must think I’d shared a bath with someone as well.
Bastard.
My fists clenched.
Fine! Why not?
Defiance surged within me.
Go ahead—suspect me. Suffer at the thought your wife might be with another man!
In truth, if the Crown Prince started doubting me, my revenge would all but be complete. But I was too consumed by fury to care.
So I lifted my chin boldly and addressed him.
“It seems the matter is resolved. Then, Your Highness, I shall escort the Duke of Rikesis to House Haim. If you have no further business, I’ll begin preparations. May we go?”
“……”
Despite my attempt to close the situation, the Crown Prince remained silent.
Say something!
As I waited for his response—
“Oh radiant blue sun who shall one day rule the Empire! Please grant your command! I shall obey whatever it may be!”
Kneeling and slamming his scabbarded sword to the ground was Sir Aidel.
This fool!
I nearly fainted.
Such gestures belonged on a battlefield—when begging victory, for example.
Why do that inside the palace?!
Maybe Aidel’s theatrics were the spark.
“Huu…”
The Crown Prince wiped a hand down his face.
The sound of his breath made me flinch.
He doesn’t feel murderous…
So why did it feel so chilling?
Like he might order, “Kill them all.”
Of course, I couldn’t read Abel’s mind.
The air is too dangerous. This is not the moment for vengeance!
“Your Highness, please, no more—”
Just as I stepped forward—
“No.”
Abel froze mid-motion, hand covering his eyes, then lowered it.
He’s not angry?
I’d almost hoped to see his face twist, but his expression was eerily calm.
“You are dismissed.”
“But, Your Highness—!”
“You are dismissed.”
Then he strode toward the Duke.
“I apologize for troubling my wife’s guest.”
He… apologized.
He’s acting completely composed?
I froze, but the Duke smiled warmly.
“Not at all, I’m perfectly fine!”
“Ah, yes. I hear from my wife that you exhausted your funds on the journey and were residing in the Crown Princess’s palace.”
“Yes, that’s correct! We are extremely grateful that Her Highness took us in!”
The Duke’s black eyes sparkled with delight simply to converse with the Crown Prince.
“No matter the heat, if the Duke’s… unclothed state were seen outside, the Imperial dignity would suffer. So I ask your understanding for Sir Aidel’s action.”
“O-of course! Your Highness thinks of the Empire even in your sleep!”
“Excellent. I’m glad the Duke is so reasonable.”
Watching him smiling kindly, I stepped back.
Why was it scarier when he smiled?
At that moment, a royal guard whispered to him.
“Your Highness, since a shot was fired earlier, attention is gathering. We request a swift dispersal order.”
“Ah.”
The Crown Prince nodded.
Then he addressed us.
“My wife suggested House Haim, did she not? Then I shall see you off personally. You should depart at once—more discussion will only draw unnecessary attention.”
Yes! Exactly!
But then something struck me as odd.
Wait—see them off?
“Escort the Duke of Rikesis to House Haim.”
His command fell, and guards surrounded the Duke’s party.
“Wait! I—”
Just as I hurried to step forward—
Thud.
“—!”
A large hand grabbed my arm. I turned mechanically.
And froze.
“I will see them off.”
The Crown Prince smiled brightly as he said it.
