IBMILRFL | Chapter 86

Episode 86

A short time if short, and a long time if long, had passed.

Contrary to my worries, I spent the time without any major trouble.

That was because, surprisingly, neither the Crown Prince nor my homeland made any overt moves to target me.

‘It’s actually more nerve-wracking because of that…’

If they openly targeted me, I could just block them.

But now, with only a suspicious air hanging around and no real action being taken… Lately, I couldn’t help but worry that they might be preparing a big move.

‘But even if I dwell on that, nothing will change.’

So, while remaining cautious of my surroundings, I continued to do my best in my own work.

The perfume business was still going smoothly, and the affairs of the family were also progressing well.

However, there was still one unresolved issue…

‘Since I’ve made an enemy of the Crown Prince, my course of action is set.’

That was the matter of Prince Dais, whom I met for the first and last time on the day of the victory banquet.

Lately, I had been trying to approach Dais to get a proper opportunity to talk to him, but I was failing every time.

I had sent discreet letters to the Imperial Palace and even tried to visit him myself, but nothing worked.

Perhaps because he’s such an elusive prince, I couldn’t find him anywhere.

‘Even in the original work, there was no information about him.’

No matter how hard I investigated, I couldn’t figure out where he spent his time.

Was he going around in disguise?

Unless that was the case, it was strange that there was absolutely no information about his whereabouts.

‘But I can’t afford to waste time like this forever.’

It seemed better to ask someone who knew him well.

So, I personally went to see Tristan, whom I had done my best to avoid all this time.

The drawing room of the Duke of Locke.

Inside the spacious room, only Tristan and I were present.

That was because I had requested the servants to withdraw in order to talk about something confidential.

Thanks to that, I could get straight to the point without beating around the bush.

“What kind of person is His Highness Prince Dais?”

Tristan, who had been smiling as if he would gladly listen to anything I said, looked slightly disappointed.

“Hm, I was happy you came to see me first for once, but so this is what you came for. Honestly, I’m a little hurt.”

There he goes again.

Uncomfortable with his attitude, which made no attempt to hide his interest in me, I gave him a sideways glance. Tristan just smiled with his eyes as always.

“His Highness, huh… Come to think of it, you two talked on the day of the banquet, didn’t you?”

I almost nodded unconsciously but was startled and asked back.

“How did you… Ah.”

Then I quickly realized.

‘I knew something felt off.’

Even though I had intentionally hidden on the balcony to avoid Tristan that day, he still found me. Turns out, it must’ve been Dais who told him.

‘Could it be that he even has a vague idea about my relationship with Tristan?’

When I first met Dais, I thought he was unusually kind for someone meeting a notorious villain. Maybe Tristan was the reason.

Now that the secret of that day had been unraveled, I shook my head slowly.

“Well, it’s already in the past. More importantly, please answer my question. You, of all people, should know well.”

Tristan put down the teacup he had been holding and began to speak slowly.

“…His Highness is an admirable person. Though we’ve been close friends for a long time, I’ve always respected him deeply in my heart.”

To the public, Tristan and Dais were known as comrades, but their relationship went back further than that.

Thanks to that, I was able to hear a little about Dais from him.

“He’s a hard person to read. Vanessa, you met him too, so you must’ve felt it.”

I certainly agreed. From the brief conversation we had, it was hard to grasp what kind of person he truly was.

Moreover, he didn’t show himself publicly or carry out activities, so it was difficult to follow his actions.

He wasn’t called a man shrouded in mystery before the war for nothing.

“There are many rumors about him among the public. It’s hard to say which are true and which are false. But…”

After a brief pause, Tristan continued.

“There is one thing I can say for certain as a longtime friend: he genuinely loves the people of the empire. Beyond that… it’s his private life, so I can’t say more.”

“Hm.”

“Talking about another man in front of Vanessa isn’t a very pleasant experience either.”

I deliberately ignored his jealous-sounding remark.

I simply mulled over what he said.

‘Loves the people of the empire… Well, if I can be sure of that, there’s no reason for me not to support him.’

Of course, regardless of what kind of person the prince was, I had to support him anyway. If I did nothing, Leo would take the throne like in the original work.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

Watching that arrogant man commit tyranny and do as he pleased didn’t sit well with me.

‘I have to support Dais anyway…’

Since I was hoping he would be a good person, Tristan’s assessment was a big help.

But the biggest problem remained unsolved. I still hadn’t met him.

‘Soon, the Imperial family will hold a hunting festival. And Dais will be killed there.’

Of course, it wasn’t time to relax yet. Now that the original storyline had changed, there was no guarantee that event would happen at the same time.

So, I wanted to have a proper conversation with him and help him as soon as possible… but I hadn’t even had a chance to meet him.

Hah. I let out a long breath.

I glanced at Tristan just in case, and he shrugged his shoulders.

“…I understand how you feel, Vanessa, but he’s not the type to say where he’s going. Even if I want to help, it’s difficult right now.”

“That’s unfortunate news.”

Still, it felt worth coming here today.

‘I got what I came for. Time to head back.’

Just as I wrapped up the conversation and approached the door to leave—

Tristan, who I thought would let me go quietly, spoke as if to stop me.

“…I’m glad you’re wearing the watch.”

“…”

“I started preparing that watch as soon as I learned you were planning to start a business.”

Come to think of it, most pocket watches available recently were designed for men.

Since men’s clothes had generous pockets, pocket watches were generally not small in size.

But the one Tristan gifted was small and aesthetically pleasing.

‘It was just my style. I wondered where he got something so nice… So it was custom-made.’

The fact that he went to such lengths just for me somehow made me happy… but I decided to feign ignorance.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Tristan didn’t seem discouraged at all, smiling faintly as if he expected that.

“I already heard from Liliana. That Vanessa wears a certain watch. And that its appearance matches the one I gave you.”

…Come to think of it, I did wear that watch in front of Liliana.

I wondered how he found out—turns out it was all my own fault.

“Don’t misunderstand. It was just there, so I used it.”

Even with my cold tone, Tristan calmly responded without backing down.

“It doesn’t matter. If it helped you even a little, I’m happy with just that.”

“…”

“You probably have no idea how much I wanted to fulfill all the promises I couldn’t keep.”

A faint, sorrowful voice.

I couldn’t understand why he was the one feeling hurt.

‘I’m the one who should be sad. I looked forward to those promises we made through letters so much.’

In the end, he was the one who didn’t choose me. And now he had the audacity to say things like that. It was infuriating.

My throat tightened. I couldn’t find the words to respond, so I just turned to leave.

Then, Tristan added one last thing.

“News just came. The trading ship we sent to the East will be returning soon.”

I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks.

Once the ship returns, the contract between him and me will be over.

Our agreement was only valid until the Eastern spice imports were complete.

‘Then, we won’t have any more excuses to see each other like this.’

It was something I had been waiting for…

But now that I had realized my feelings for him, the thought of not being able to see him without an excuse made me upset.

Still, thinking rationally, it was for the best.

Like sand on the shore swept by the waves, I didn’t want to be shaken by him anymore.

“I hope it arrives soon.”

Sensing the thorn in my words, Tristan gave a bitter look.