Kasion jumped down from his horse and stood in front of me. Seeing his broad, sturdy back made me feel at ease.
“H-How did you…?”
“If you wish to die, I’ll grant you that.” Kasion’s voice was low and calm, but even in that quiet tone, he exuded a terrifying intent to kill.
“Uaaaargh!”
Right before my eyes, Viscount’s arm twisted unnaturally. I squeezed my eyes shut at the sight, as it was too strange. Amid the continued screams, I could hear Viscount Kainum’s desperate pleas.
“I-I was wrong.”
“You’re banned from entering the marquisate, aren’t you?”
“B-But…”
“Tell me why you came to see Ariel.”
More horrifying screams echoed. It seemed that Viscount Kainum couldn’t even answer properly due to the pain caused by Kasion’s grip.
I had no sympathy for him. Honestly, I wanted to see this uncle of mine dead. After all, anyone who tormented and tried to kill their own family for greed is no family at all.
“Why are you keeping your mouth shut?”
“That’s…”
“Not giving a reason means you came to harm Ariel again. Since Marquis Mellin is too soft-hearted, I’ll punish you instead.”
The sound of a sword being drawn rang out. I quickly opened my eyes at the sound. Should I stop him? Part of me wanted to just let the scoundrel die, but… Shouldn’t I stop Kasion from becoming a murderer?
Even if Kasion was a duke, he couldn’t just kill a subject of the empire without a trial. Even for a vassal of Mellin, only the emperor or a judge appointed by the emperor had the right to decide life and death.
“Ka-Kasion…”
At that moment, I squinted my eyes at the familiar figure walking through the wide-open gate. I even almost blurted out ‘disgusting’ at the sight.
What on earth is that person wearing? Even with his handsome and well-built muscles, Kasion wouldn’t dress like that. Well, there was one time when he wore something similar, but that was in the privacy of his own home. Definitely not something to wear outside.
“Hey, Duke.”
The crown prince had deliberately left the front of his shirt completely undone, looking as if he had rushed out after doing something inappropriate in a carriage. Now that I looked closer, it even seemed like there were traces of makeup on his shirt…
“Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Even in this situation, the fact that I had to greet him was annoying.
“Oh, Lady Mellin. Still a beautiful canary, I see.”
It was nauseating. I wanted to scratch my arms.
“Did you dress up for a date today? Ah, is it a date with the duke?”
Kasion didn’t even greet the crown prince, only glaring at him. Despite Kasion’s murderous aura, the crown prince casually strolled through the gate.
Seriously, does being the crown prince mean you can do anything? Even entering someone’s house without the owner’s permission?
“Relax your gaze. I know she’s the woman Duke has set your sights on.”
“I believe His Majesty always emphasizes the importance of dignified conduct.”
“Why? Wouldn’t it be better for you if you served a more friendly and approachable emperor rather than an authoritative one? It’ll make communication easier.”
Kasion’s eyes narrowed. Mine did too.
A crown prince who can’t distinguish between being approachable and being cheap… It made me feel pessimistic about the empire’s future.
Kasion’s future seemed equally bleak. With Aenix’s capabilities, he would be incapable of governing the nation properly. But like most incompetent rulers, he would likely shift the public’s dissatisfaction outward, perhaps through… war.
Now that I think about it… there were mentions of Kasion frequently being summoned to the battlefield.
“I believe what you refer to as ‘approachable’ has a different meaning from being ‘cheap.’”
For a moment, the crown prince flinched.
Was Kasion reading my mind? He scolded Aenix with words that perfectly echoed my thoughts.
While Kasion and Aenix were locked in a silent battle, I moved to the puppy’s side. The little creature was curled up, whimpering.
“Kkiiing—”
How could anyone do such a thing to this small life? I cradled the puppy in my arms and gently patted it.
“Cheap? Surely you’re not referring to me, right?” Aenix protested.
Kasion remained expressionless but continued to emanate an intimidating aura that even made Aenix tremble. “Were you the one who sent this man to Ariel?”
Aenix was clearly no match for Kasion. To be so shaken by such a small confrontation—it was pathetic. I almost laughed, but I managed to stifle it in time. Still, Aenix glanced at me briefly, his face flushed red. So, he did have the capacity to feel shame.
“Were you spying on me?” The crown prince asked in a sarcastic tone. Without waiting for Kasion’s answer, he looked at me. “Or were you spying on Lady Mellin?” he was needlessly dragging me into this.
“I had an appointment with the duke today. He was supposed to visit.”
“Ah, I see. My apologies for the misunderstanding, Duke.”
Of course, he wouldn’t apologize for his rudeness. Without thinking, I found myself comparing him to his younger brother, Dertis.
“Since the misunderstanding has been cleared, I’ll take my leave now.”
Had I successfully driven the crown prince away? The crown prince, who had come in so boldly as if to torment Kasion, was now retreating. Viscount Kainum looked like he had lost all hope.
“Yo-Your Highness, please spare me.”
Viscount Kainum’s voice quivered as he begged the crown prince. The crown prince narrowed his eyes slightly in response.
“Ah, Duke, I’ll handle his punishment myself.”
What a coward.
“Wait a moment, Your Highness.” I stepped forward, and Kasion made a disapproving sound. “Earlier, this man, who claims to be my uncle, said that someone was waiting for me at the end of the alley.”
The crown prince’s eyes twitched slightly. So, was it really the crown prince he had mentioned?
“The end of the alley? I was just there and saw no one. He must have been bluffing.”
“Really…?”
“Indeed…”
This man… he really wasn’t a good actor.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”
“Just a moment.”
I stopped him again. The crown prince furrowed his brows and looked at me with an irritated expression.
Today seemed like a good day to confront him. After all, Kasion was right beside me.
What punishment will the viscount receive?”
“Well…”
“He attempted to kidnap me under the name of the second prince. Is that a crime punishable by death?”
“Impersonating an imperial family member is considered a crime akin to treason,” Kasion added as if he had been waiting for the moment.
Aenix’s face twisted in response. Viscount Kainum turned deathly pale.
“Your Highness! It’s unfair! I was only following orders!”
“Your Highness, please answer.”
“Well…”
Was this the thrill of crushing someone in power? A shiver ran through me as I enjoyed the moment, thanks to Kasion’s support.
But why did Aenix keep glancing toward the gate? Was he smiling at the sound of an approaching carriage?
A carriage came to a stop in front of the marquisate’s gate. Aenix’s expression changed.
“If he truly impersonated the second prince, then yes, it would be punishable by death. Right, Dertis?”
The second prince, Dertis, disembarked from the carriage with a somewhat bewildered expression.
“Your Highness, why are you here…?”
“Dertis, why don’t you explain the nature of your relationship with that so-called viscount over there?”
Dertis glanced between Viscount Kainum with a broken arm, Aenix, and the menacing duke before letting out a small sigh. “I… had asked him to deliver a marriage proposal to Lady Mellin on my behalf.”
What? All of a sudden?
The sound of someone grinding their teeth furiously could be heard beside me.
What is the kind and gentle second prince doing? Is he digging his own grave?
* * *
Aenix and Viscount Kainum had left. Instead, Kasion and Dertis remained.
“Um, please have some.” I poured the milk tea I had made into the cups of both men.
Kasion ignored his cup, glaring only at Dertis’s cup, his face full of displeasure.
“Ahem, Kasion?”
“Were you unaware that Viscount Kainum was an enemy of the Marquis Mellin?” Kasion ignored my words and immediately questioned Dertis.
“I knew.”
“And yet you sent him to lure Ariel, knowing full well what he could do to her, given his past actions?”
Dertis suddenly gulped down his milk tea and grimaced. “It’s far too sweet. The tea is over-steeped, ruining its fragrance.”
“Huh?”
I made it the same way I always had. Kasion and Serhen had always praised it since we were young.
Did I make a mistake while I was distracted? Startled, I took a sip of the tea myself, blinking in confusion. What was wrong with it?
At that moment, Kasion also took a sip of the milk tea. A smile spread across his face. “It’s perfect. I’ve never had milk tea better than this.”
My face flushed at his compliment. For the first time, I understood the true meaning behind all the praise he had given me over the years.
“Is that so? It seems I’m not blinded by affection, so my taste hasn’t changed. I heard Duke doesn’t usually like sweet things either.”
Dertis hit a sore spot. Then he flashed a wide smile at Kasion.
“Is this enough of an answer to Duke’s question?”
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