ILMCHAMB Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Those who inherit the blood of the royal family often possess golden eyes.
Although each shade varies slightly, the Third Prince was notable for his murky golden eyes, making it easy to identify him.
A person with murky golden eyes capable of causing such trouble—there was no one else but the Third Prince.
As Beloni quickly regained her composure, the Third Prince narrowed his eyes.
“You’re not very surprised.”
“…What brings you here in such a manner?”
“Just thought I’d show some concern. After all, it’s only right for a nephew to care when his uncle plans to marry.”
The Third Prince spoke in an arrogant tone.
His attitude was similar to Shanur’s but lacked his commanding aura.
Shanur carried a natural confidence that stemmed from being born into a position of power.
The Third Prince’s arrogance, on the other hand, was merely irritating.
Despite his royal status—or perhaps due to the sword he carried—Beloni felt tense, her palms damp with nervous sweat.
“You’re showing your ‘concern’ like this, I see.”
Deciding it was best not to provoke the Third Prince, Beloni resolved to handle the situation carefully.
She couldn’t afford to endanger herself or Marina, not when Nosel could arrive at any moment.
“The Grand Duke isn’t exactly fond of me,” the Third Prince said smugly. “Even when I approach with good intentions, he rejects me.
So I thought, why not show my concern in this way?”
His tone and expression betrayed his disdain for Shanur.
“Anyway, I heard the great Grand Duke has fallen in love. Naturally, I was curious about the woman.”
The Third Prince’s gaze swept over Beloni.
She was, as rumored, stunning. Despite her slightly pale complexion, perhaps due to tension, her beauty wasn’t diminished. Her delicate, pale appearance only drew more attention.
Her composed demeanor added to her charm.
The Third Prince quickly realized that Beloni was not the frivolous, money-wasting woman the rumors had described.
“Since you’re sharp, I’ll get to the point. Become my spy.”
“Spy? You’re asking me to be your spy while still becoming the Grand Duchess?”
He nodded.
“The Grand Duke couldn’t truly be in love—it must be some kind of act. So what’s the difficulty?”
Beloni swallowed nervously at his absurd proposal.
Just as Shanur had told her about the Third Prince, the reverse was also true—the Third Prince understood Shanur just as well. He knew Shanur wasn’t the type to lose himself over love.
“Whatever he promised you, I’ll offer at least double. It’s a good deal, isn’t it?”
Beloni tried to think of a way to safely navigate the situation.
A flat-out rejection might provoke the Third Prince into killing her on impulse.
Knowing that Shanur didn’t truly love her and could easily replace her, the Third Prince might act rashly.
Accepting his offer as a pretense, however, was an equally dangerous gamble.
“…You should give me time to think. After all, Your Highness doesn’t know what he promised me,” Beloni said, feigning boldness.
Stalling for a time was her best option.
“…Fair point.”
Her gamble paid off.
“You’re right; I don’t know what he promised. I’ll give you time.”
Watching his arrogant expression, Beloni vowed to imitate it someday.
Just then, the Third Prince grabbed her face. Instinctively, she tried to turn away, but his grip was too strong.
“If you accept my proposal, I’ll take you as my mistress when this is over.”
Beloni’s mouth opened in shock.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—she didn’t get a chance to retort before the Third Prince left with his entourage.
Click.
The door closed, leaving silence behind.
Marina opened her mouth to speak, but Nosel appeared from a nearby alley before she could.
“Apologies for the delay. I’ll take you straight to the Grand Duke’s estate.”
Without exchanging a word, Beloni and Marina nodded in unison.
Beloni turned her gaze to the window. The throbbing pain in her jaw was the only proof the Third Prince had truly been there.
By the time Shanur glanced out the window for the twenty-second time, Elness finally spoke up.
“Grand Duke, did you attach a magnet to the window? Watching you go back and forth is dizzying.”
Rubbing his temples, Elness closed his eyes.
“You might as well just stare at it the whole time.”
Shanur, clearly tempted, shifted toward the window again.
Elness observed him with narrowed eyes.
Shanur’s usually smiling face was expressionless today, making him seem colder than ever.
In truth, Elness’s natural expression was neutral. The warmth and care he displayed were merely habits. Around Shanur, he dropped the facade.
Watching Shanur, Elness could sense the changes that had occurred in his absence over the past few weeks.
“You’ve grown quite close to Lady Beloni, haven’t you?”
“…Seems so.”
Shanur didn’t deny it. Meeting and speaking with Beloni every other day had naturally brought them closer.
Which is why Elness’s plan irked him so much.
“Is this necessary?”
When Shanur finally asked, Elness sighed.
“You’ve thoroughly investigated Lady Beloni, haven’t you?”
After learning of Beloni, Elness had done his research. He found nothing suspicious about her.
“She’s clean—that’s why we’re giving her this final test.”
“You know what kind of person the Third Prince is.”
“He’s not foolish enough to harm her.”
To confirm the Third Prince’s interest in Beloni, Elness had deliberately leaked details of her whereabouts.
Only after Beloni had left did he inform Shanur of the plan:
The Third Prince would likely try to recruit Beloni.
If she confessed this within a week, she’d be fully accepted. If not, she’d be dealt with later.
Shanur understood Elness’s reasoning but didn’t like the idea of putting Beloni in danger.
“Elness.”
Hearing his name, Elness hesitated before responding.
“…Yes, Uncle?”
“Regardless of the outcome, I’ll handle her myself.”
“But, Uncle—”
“She is my person.”
The contract between Beloni and Shanur was his to manage.
Elness had no right to interfere.
“Let me test her in my way. Don’t do anything like this again.”
Their gazes locked.
Shanur’s icy look made it clear Elness had overstepped his bounds.
After a tense pause, Elness sighed and relented.
“…Let’s make a bet. If Lady Beloni confesses within a week, I’ll never interfere again.
I’ll even admit this was all my doing and apologize.”
The idea of the proud crown prince apologizing softened Shanur’s stance.
Though rationality told him this was enough, a part of Shanur still wanted to reward Beloni somehow. But his priority was her safety.
When a black carriage appeared in the distance, his thoughts turned to her.
Soon after, the door to his office burst open.
“Beloni, welcome ba—”
“Your Grace!” Beloni shouted, storming in.
Shanur froze.
Had she already discovered the test and become furious?
Heart pounding, he braced himself.
Beloni stomped her foot and yelled,
“That lunatic Third Prince!”
The bet ended the moment it began