“…What did she say?”
“She hated you so much.”
“It’s the same with me, but it was the first time we were in agreement.”
“Haha… It’s because you’re so beautiful and smart. Since you are a commoner and the Duke is not one who settles for women, she said she thought you would just remain as a mistress for a period of time.”
Most people thought so.
“By the way, it seems that she has received information that the Duke is bringing you to the Capital.”
Even the existence of a hidden informant was exposed. How far was he planning to shift the blame? Selina raised her eyebrows and waited for the next words.
“When you come to the capital with the Duke, it’s like a formal introduction, so she thought she’d have to deal with you before that. Did you meet an assassin on the way?”
“….!”
…Even until this point?
She was surprised that the information the Crown Prince had revealed was deeper than she expected.
“Yeah, it was from Rosalyn.”
“Huh…”
How should she react? She couldn’t say that he was the one who actually ordered Rosalyn to go. Still, in the corner of her mind, another thought occurred.
‘It really could have been Rosalyn’s plan.’
“After that, she didn’t have time to aim for a second. You have already entered the Capital, so it seems that whenever she sees you in the social world, she gets tormented.”
“….”
“Gossiping behind the scenes, spreading gossip. I never dreamed that such a thing would happen. How could you have been able to smile without any fuss over something like that?”
“Ah… I didn’t know it was all because of Miss Rosalyn. It’s just that I’m a commoner, and that’s why everyone hates me…”
“Oh, dear… You are so pure, it seems that even malice could not hurt you.”
Saying so, the Crown Prince’s eyes, who sighed and looked at her fondly, were burdensome.
Selina covered her cheeks and bowed her head, pretending to be overwhelmed by his exaggerated praise. Now, her mental strength was exhausted. She wanted to quickly purify it with Kalcion’s serenity.
“So, you’re saying because she couldn’t stand me, she targeted me during the hunting contest?”
Selina urged him to quickly state the conclusions.
“Yes. Isn’t that a good place for accidents? Originally, she was aiming for you, but the Count must’ve been polished through the battlefield. He instinctively blocked you.”
“I heard that the Duke also had an accident.”
He passed over the Duke’s matter as if it wasn’t a big deal, but maybe, it was related.
“Yes, I forgot that. I don’t have to take care of the Duke’s well-being.”
The Crown Prince frowned bitterly. Even in the midst of this serious talk, he was relentless when it came to Kalcion.
“That’s also Rosalyn’s work.”
“….Why is the Duke?”
“I only found out later, but the relationship between the two families was not good. Had I known that, I wouldn’t have recommended it in the first place. When she failed to separate you, she thought that the order to marry would be revoked if the Duke was gone as well.”
Indeed, it was a radical solution befitting Rosalyn. It was the reason why she nodded her head.
At first, when the Crown Prince spoke out, she thought how amazing the nonsense he spoke would be, but as she listened, it became more and more plausible. She doubted herself for a moment like she was caught up in his splendid speech, though there was no hole in his words except for the lies in the beginning.
At least the Crown Prince was an accomplice in the matter. He knew all of this and admitted that he was connected to Rosalyn.
However, at the end of the story, she was acquitted.
“I don’t want you to be too upset with what I said. Still, as long as you are the party involved, I thought you should know.”
“The Duke is also the party involved. Why won’t you talk about it?”
“Aren’t you going to deliver it to him anyway? I had the opportunity to meet you face to face like this, so I don’t want to put the Duke in.”
“….”
She admired his tenacity to even squeeze in when he saw a gap. When Selina didn’t say anything out of absurdity, he quickly erased the playfulness from his face.
The Crown Prince was a sharp person.
“And, there is something I would like to ask you separately.”
“Yes?”
She hoped it was not something like a date. However, the words that came out of the Crown Prince’s mouth were completely unexpected.
“Can you wait for Rosalyn’s punishment?”
“…Punishment.”
They had such a causal relationship that was too obvious, so Selina couldn’t comprehend it well in her head. The idea that the Crown Prince and Rosalyn were already united with illegality and slander had solidified.
She thought that even if people died one by one, they would disappear quietly in the Crown Prince’s power. As for what Rosalyn had done, she thought a few words of apology would be enough.
Nonetheless, when the word “punishment” came out of his mouth, it sounded inappropriate.
“It was revealed belatedly. But she tried to kill you twice, and one person was injured. Once I know this, I can’t just bury it and move on.”
“It is…”
She didn’t think he would say that.
“Still, there is no evidence other than Rosalyn’s confession, and there is also the matter of courtesy for Marquis Tiolan. Of course, it’s not going to be taken lightly since it’s a matter of human life. However, on the other hand, as it is the work of a great noble, the punishment may be less than expected.”
She was confused. So, was it a warning for Selina not to bite Rosalyn, or was it a consolation to give Selina peace of mind as Rosalyn would be thrown away?
“The reason Rosalyn confessed to me was because she had faith in me as a human being. Just by telling you this way, I had betrayed it.”
If Selina had not known that the two were a good match, she would have moved and pressured them at the same time. How soft it was to be treated like ‘only you are special.’ If the person gave her the ‘special treatment’ like the Crown Prince, no matter how hard they may be, their heart would be swayed in an instant.
“…I-is this a secret even to the Count?”
“I didn’t tell him because it was a real accident for the Count. Though if you want to tell him, I won’t stop you.”
Unconsciously, the Crown Prince slightly tilted the scales of responsibility towards her.
Selina was only looking at the scales, so she knew that this was also the Crown Prince’s trick. But now was not the time for an exposé. She was fighting in the dark, wielding a sword. She had to check later to find out whether the sword she wielded went to her leg or hit the opponent’s heart.
“I won’t tell him either. If I tell him, won’t you be in trouble?”
“That is probably going to happen.”
“Then, I won’t tell him anymore.”
Was it his ultimate goal to get these words out of Selina’s mouth? His face brightened as if he had let go of all the congestion in him.
“We have a secret between the two of us.”
A secret whisper fluttered in her ears. A secret between the two of them… How thrilling and romantic. Could he have captured Rosalyn with such sweet and dizzying words?
“So, am I safe now?”
“Of course, in my name, you are safe.”
Selina smiled like a paralyzed hostage. She didn’t even know which hand she was in right now.
“Since the secret story is over, it’s a pity, but I must return you to the Duke’s arms.”
The Crown Prince escorted Selina back as he would the first time, turning to the side where Kalcion was.
She was so focused on the story that she didn’t even look at him. Kalcion turned around and stared at this side with tremendous momentum. Was the Crown Prince taking the time naturally while she was feeling that way?
He was truly a scoundrel.
Unlike Selina, who shuddered when she had done nothing wrong, the Crown Prince was even more excited.
“Now that the Count has regained his consciousness, the party will begin again. I would like to invite you to my personal, very small gathering.”
He had been anxious to call Selina to the Palace from the last time. What the hell is he trying to do? At least, It seemed that he had no intention of killing her in a place where no one had been summoned.
If it’s a personal, very small gathering, it’s tempting to do something secretly just for the two of them.
“It is an honor.”
Okay, let’s see where it goes.
Selina gladly made eye contact with him and curved her lips. It was when she almost reached in front of Kalcion…
“Did the talk go well?”
…He growled and grabbed Selina’s wrist and dragged it towards him. As if to hide her behind his body, Kalcion dragged Selina down and then released her wrist.
“When the Duke was not present, we could talk intimately, and we could communicate very well.”
“That’s a relief.”
Even though Kalcion said that, she wondered if there was any meaning in him exhaling energy from his whole body.
A woman moved away a mountain by carrying small stones… The person who was like an old tree grew younger and younger, and now, like a five-year-old, he couldn’t hide his emotions.
She wondered if this would be okay to act like this in front of the Crown Prince, but he seemed satisfied. That one was also five-year-old. He rejoiced in seeing the people he hated getting annoyed because of him.
Selina, who was caught between the two five-year-olds, sighed alone.
“Then, I’ll leave you.”
“Be careful on your way back.”
“See you next time, Lady Selina.”
The Crown Prince did not forget the courtesy of pressing his lips on the back of her hand until the very end. If only it had been a second longer, Kalcion would have responded with action again, but he released Selina at the right time and climbed into the carriage.
As soon as the Crown Prince’s carriage had left, Kalcion grabbed Selina’s hand.
“What are you doing?”
“Disinfection.”
Kalcion took out a handkerchief and rubbed Selina’s hands, and then he threw the handkerchief away without picking it up again.
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