IRATBP Chapter 63

Chapter 63

‘This is not the sound a human heart should make.’

I was certain.

It sounded as if something were gnawing at my heart, or perhaps the heart itself had teeth.

Crunch, crack—.

‘It’s like it’s chewing and swallowing flesh… that’s the sound it makes.’

It wasn’t a sound you could call a heartbeat at all. The closer I got, the more it sounded like his heart was baring its teeth and laughing.

Frozen with the thought that I might be devoured by that sound, someone suddenly pushed me aside.

“I wish you’d stop getting in the way.”

It was Russell.

His voice was full of displeasure.

“Ah… I apologize if I startled you.”

The crown prince’s tone was sly, teasing even.

‘Did he look down on me?’

In a moment of uncontrollable irritation, I tried to step ahead of Russell, but he blocked me.

“You’ve grown rude while I wasn’t looking. Since when have you and Piana been on such familiar terms?”

The crown prince, whose heart made that bizarre sound, let out a soft, amused chuckle at Russell’s words before speaking.

“My apologies. I just find it surprising that you, who’ve rejected so many engagements, have a woman by your side who seems beyond your rank.”

Before I arrived, Russell had executed a spy from the Cassus Kingdom. He had also refused other engagements many times.

‘He said that on purpose.’

Crack—.

The sinister sound of bones breaking came from Russell’s hand. I felt an urge to stop him immediately, fearing he might cast a spell.

Seeing this, the crown prince added another comment.

“The Grand Duchess is a very important woman even to me.”

“What nonsense…”

“Do you know why I have come here?”

Russell suppressed his anger and replied with a sharp edge.

“So you intend to give His Majesty an excuse.”

“Half-correct answer.”

This man… he’s mocking Russell to the very end.

While the tense atmosphere prevented anyone else from intervening, he called my name.

“Grand Duchess, I have something to ask you.”

Calling me out of nowhere at this timing?

Caught off guard, I couldn’t say a word when he spoke to me.

“Will you marry me?”

“I refuse.”

The air in the castle froze as if it had turned to ice.

Some people, however, seemed relieved at my sharp refusal.

‘I don’t know about Russell.’

There was no sign of agitation or emotion from him, but it would be hard to say he had any favorable feelings for the crown prince.

“I understand that the crown prince has feelings for me. But I am already pledged in a marriage ceremony. If you require another woman…”

I spoke formally, according to etiquette.

I turned toward Asha.

“I’ll introduce you to the child I cherish most.”

“Me? Me?”

Asha answered in a confused voice.

But this was effectively a polite refusal.

‘The crown prince of a nation wouldn’t fail to understand this form of expression.’

As expected, he replied with a teasingly cheerful voice.

“Thank you for your words. But I would still prefer you.”

Is it okay to behave like this?

I was so bewildered that I couldn’t even understand why he was pointing at me.

“In our kingdom, we do not consider a marriage ceremony to be a true marriage. We see it as something invented by cowards who do not believe in love.”

Ah. Now I understand.

This is a provocation aimed at Russell. I am merely an excuse.

“Seeing that, there’s no need for a separate introduction. Yes… that’s right…”

Thud.

Russell’s foot hit the floor. His voice carried a subtle threat, as if restraining himself from striking the crown prince immediately.

‘I didn’t expect Russell to fall for this provocation.’

As expected, he is wary of the crown prince.

“It’s best to start by showing the underground prison first.”

“Russell.”

I whispered to him. Russell turned his back and pretended not to know the crown prince.

It was my turn to take action.

“Since you must be tired from travel, it would be better to discuss matters inside.”

I let Asha lead the way and nodded toward the crown prince.

“Please come this way. I will guide you through the castle.”

Step, step.

The sound of the crown prince walking along the corridor echoed differently from Russell’s footsteps.

‘He walks by pressing the floor slowly with the heels and soles of his feet. Short and concise, yet there’s a weight to it.’

Every time his leather boots pressed the floor, I recalled the sound of his heart.

I guided him, forcing myself to ignore the recollection, and he finally spoke when the tea prepared in the reception room was served.

“You have mastered etiquette very well, Grand Duchess. Excellent.”

I did not reply.

These were skills I was supposed to have as a Grand Duchess.

“The crown prince’s room is the eastern chamber I introduced earlier. It gets plenty of sunlight, so you should sleep well.”

“That title is too formal. Please call me Kell comfortably.”

“Ugh…!”

“Asha.”

Did he underestimate us because Russell wasn’t here?

Sensing that Asha, standing beside me, was about to intervene, I immediately raised my hand to stop her.

Seeing this, the crown prince spoke with a gentle smile.

“I have matters to discuss with just the two of you. Will you excuse the children?”

If I didn’t send the children away, it would be troublesome. I raised my hand and ordered the attendants.

“…Please step aside.”
“Yes.”

The attendants, including Asha, responded without hesitation. In this situation, letting them stay might make him underestimate my influence, so it was the right choice.

Click.

The door closed, and a brief silence fell.

The crown prince spoke again, calmly.

“I didn’t expect you to dismiss the children so promptly.”
“They trust me, so it’s possible.”
“Indeed.”

Click. The sound of a teacup placed on a coaster.

The crown prince chuckled meaningfully.

“Yet… there seem to be far too many mice.”

I was inwardly surprised, but showed no expression.

‘He noticed that Asha and others are outside.’

My palm gripping the stick began to sweat.

The crown prince, Akher, was as perceptive a man as Russell.

“Since you move with difficulty alone, it seems the children stayed out of concern for me.”
“With me here, why would you worry?”

It’s better to trust my children than a foreigner like him.

I wanted to say that but held my tongue.

“Grand Duchess, do you trust Russell Glacies?”
“What are you implying?”
“Russell hides many things.”

Since that didn’t work, now he’s trying to sow discord.

I had many questions about Russell, but I wanted answers from him, not from a scheming crown prince.

‘Still, maybe I can probe what he’s thinking.’

I asked him.

“What do you think the Duke is hiding?”

Creak.

The couch shifted under his weight.

I heard the sound of his trousers rubbing as he crossed his legs, taking a breath.

‘Strange. He’s just a visitor, yet it feels like he controls this castle like a crown prince.’

I felt as if the initiative had been taken from me.

Just as I regretted asking, he slowly spoke.

“You could say it is the power that Russell possesses.”

“…Power?”

He seized the opportunity, probing the gaps I was unaware of.

“Do you think the person called the Empire’s strongest mage, Lord Fera, simply lost because of incompatibility?”