Chapter 20
Before even sitting down, Beloni continued speaking.
“Whew, sorry for suddenly cursing, but I couldn’t help it. So, here’s what happened.
I got caught up in the third prince’s scheme and ended up meeting him.
Out of nowhere, he got into my carriage and told me to become a spy.
Someone was holding a sword to Marina, so I couldn’t refuse outright—I said I’d think about it instead.”
Beloni frowned deeply.
“And do you know what he said to me?
He said that once everything was done, he’d take me in as his mistress!”
She was outraged just thinking about it again.
“A mistress?
No way! He’s not even better looking than Your Highness.
Why should I become his mistress?”
If she married Shanur, she would be a duchess, but with the third prince, she’d only be a mistress.
Besides, Shanur was taller, more handsome, and had a better build than the third prince, who was nothing but a brute.
Beloni rubbed her aching jaw, which the third prince had grabbed earlier.
She had been terrified, shocked, and full of resentment.
She bit her lip to hold back the tears threatening to spill out.
“Crying now would make it seem like I’m scared.”
She wanted to cry out of anger, not fear.
After finishing her story, Beloni looked at Shanur, who remained silent.
“…Your Highness, you believe me, right?”
This was different from her encounter with Ian.
This was the third prince—the very person who might have cursed Shanur and who stood against him.
Beloni knew Shanur didn’t fully trust her yet. They’d only known each other for a few weeks, so it was natural. She wasn’t hurt by it. She just hoped he wouldn’t think she had ulterior motives while being so honest with him.
“…Beloni.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Pardon?”
Sorry for not trusting her.
Beloni was startled, nearly jumping in surprise.
“It’s my fault.”
“What?”
Beloni blinked, waiting for Shanur to explain his cryptic words.
With a sigh, Shanur lowered his head, then slowly lifted his gaze to meet hers. She could see guilt in his eyes.
“I knew the third prince would approach you. I deliberately leaked information about your whereabouts. I still don’t fully trust you and decided to test you one last time.”
Shanur’s confession was this:
If Beloni told him about her encounter with the third prince within a week, she’d pass the test.
But if she kept it a secret, once the curse was lifted, he’d have restrained her and prevented her from doing anything for the duration of their contract.
“I’m truly sorry.”
Beloni looked at Shanur as he clutched her sleeve and apologized.
To be honest, she felt a little disappointed. But that feeling passed quickly.
She tried to see it from his perspective.
She had suddenly appeared in his life, claiming to know how to lift his curse and insert herself into their conflict. Naturally, he’d want to confirm if she could truly be trusted, especially when she’d gain access to sensitive information.
“If it would ease your feelings, I’ll do anything you ask,” he said earnestly.
His words reminded Beloni of something he’d said before:
“That’s something you would’ve learned eventually. Whether Ian Beckham knows or not, your feelings are more important than that.”
He cared about her feelings.
Looking at Shanur, who couldn’t even meet her gaze properly, Beloni could tell he was sincerely sorry.
Until now, Beloni had always been treated as someone others could disregard. She had been betrayed by her husband and disrespected by her mother-in-law and sister-in-law.
Shanur’s words and actions felt unfamiliar but precious.
If she had found out about the test later, she would’ve felt worse. But Shanur had been honest the moment she confessed, and he genuinely regretted it.
“Your Highness.”
That was enough for her.
“You can deceive or test me all you want. Just don’t betray me.”
Beloni didn’t want to be betrayed again.
She couldn’t bear the pain of betrayal, especially from Shanur.
Shanur, who had expected her to be angry, was surprised by her calm response.
He blinked and quickly replied, “I swear on everything I have: Shanur Reinhardt will neither deceive, test nor betray Beloni Jerem.”
Beloni smiled.
“Not betraying me is enough.”
“No. I won’t even lie to you.”
His tone, stubborn like a child, made her smile grow wider.
Then Shanur, with a slightly uneasy expression, asked, “Is there nothing else you want?”
“Does it bother you?”
When he nodded, Beloni pretended to think.
“Well, it’s a bit annoying, so you can stay uncomfortable about it.”
“Beloni…”
As Shanur frowned, Beloni laughed playfully, though she meant it a little.
She felt just slightly annoyed and wanted him to feel uneasy for a bit.
Refusing to ask for anything was her way of getting back at him—just a little.
“…How about tying my hair again?” Shanur suggested.
Beloni looked at his uncut hair and, smiling, nodded. As she moved behind him, Shanur cleared his throat and handed her something.
It was the same blue hair tie she’d used before.
Elness leaned against the door, blinking in surprise.
When Beloni stormed in earlier, he thought she’d realized his plan.
But instead, she angrily ranted about the third prince and confessed everything.
Elness recalled his impression of Beloni:
She was both naive and shrewd. Her shrewdness came from experience, but her naivety was innate.
In short, she was kind-hearted.
Elness had always underestimated kindness.
Kindness only had value when it could protect both oneself and others. For the weak, it was nothing but a weakness.
His gentleness had been genuine when he was younger.
But as he grew older, his bloodline became a point of contention, and betrayals, especially from the third prince, piled up.
He couldn’t afford to be kind anymore.
Yet Beloni, standing before him, had preserved her kindness.
Her goodness reminded Elness of the softness he had lost long ago, and for a moment, he envied her.
That’s why he had suggested testing her, knowing Shanur would find it strange.
Hearing their conversation, Elness finally opened the door and stepped into the study.
Shanur was tying his hair with a blue ribbon.
Passing him by, Elness approached Beloni and bowed deeply.
Startled like a frightened rabbit, Beloni looked at him in confusion.
In her, Elness saw traces of his old self—the gentle, pure-hearted person he once was.
“I’m sorry, Lady Beloni.”
Now, he understood why Shanur cherished her so much. Her kindness gave them a glimpse of a purer, better version of themselves.
Being near her felt like returning to the innocence they had long lost.
Elness resolved to accept her, just as Shanur had.
She was the only one who could lift Shanur’s curse.
“I see… so that’s what happened.”
After hearing Elness’s explanation, Beloni murmured, looking down.
She had just started to feel better after tying Shanur’s hair when Elness appeared.
He suddenly apologized and admitted he was the one behind the plan.
“Oh, please lift your head,” Beloni said, realizing he was still bowing. Startled, she stood up.
When Elness finally straightened, she sat back down in relief.
“Beloni, you can hit me a few times if it’ll make you feel better,” Shanur offered.
“Excuse me? Hit the crown prince?”
Beloni thought she must have misheard, but Shanur nodded seriously.
“Uncle? I’m the one who should be hit,” Elness interjected, looking just as startled.
“If Lady Beloni hits me, it won’t hurt much anyway. Only her hand will hurt,” Elness reasoned.
Hearing that, Shanur glanced at Beloni’s hand, then at Elness, and nodded in agreement.
“Yes, Beloni would probably end up hurting more.”
Caught between them, Beloni was utterly baffled.
