Chapter 54.

Shaking Heart (2)

‘Believe in and wait for the person you like.’

Since that day, Retina has followed Clara’s advice and waited. She made an effort to understand the Prince’s situation, hoping that there was a valid reason for his being distant. She wanted to confess her feelings sincerely as soon as possible.

However, the prince did not provide any response. Retina, with a pout on her chubby face, was frustrated. No matter how busy he was, there should be time to reply to a letter. She didn’t know how to interpret the Prince’s attitude of not even responding to the letters sent through her brother Sat.

‘I wish he would come quickly and hug me, saying he wanted to see me.’

When Retina thought of him, she hid her pouting lips by lowering her head. Just thinking of him made her smile. Even if worries crept in, recalling the time spent with him at the mansion made all anxieties disappear.

‘If only I could see him once…’

“Miss, the newsletter for this week has arrived.”

Retina, who had her fists pressed against her chest with closed eyes, slowly opened them at the sound of Lena’s voice. Lena, a maid organizing the mail that arrived at the mansion, handed a bunch of papers to Retina.

In the previous newsletter, there was a story about Mari and the Prince on the front page. The rest was filled with news about the martial arts competition starting and updates on the results, along with emerging articles.

As Retina received the newsletter, her face hardened as soon as she looked at the first page. The symbol of the Zenferno family and a large portrait of the Prince, side by side, now occupied an entire page.

“Lena…”

With both hands unfolding the newsletter, Retina, who had become stiff, raised her head to look at Lena. Lena’s expression also froze as she looked at Retina’s unusual reaction.

The candidate for the Prince’s future consort, who has been carefully considered in the royal court for a long time, has been announced. With the embarrassment caused by Mari Zenferno’s scandalous incident, who will take the position next to the Prince? The official candidates announced by the royal court are a total of six…

After deciding to stay in the capital, Herald, who had not visited the royal palace since then, walked briskly towards his residence. His rigid facial expression and the anger emanating from his tightly closed lips revealed his emotions clearly.

Clutching a crumpled newspaper in his hand, he entered the Empress’s chamber, ignoring the attempts of the maids to stop him, and forcefully swung open the door to the audience room.

“So, after going down to Leblaem, you don’t even bother to show your face and greet me properly.”

The Empress, as if expecting Herald to come, calmly sipped her tea without any reaction to his abrupt entrance.

“Mother.”

“Well, did you see? I was just about to call you. What’s wrong with your face? It looks awful. It can’t be helped if you’re engrossed in the tasks given to you by your father, who resembles you so much.”

Ignoring Herald’s placing the crumpled newspaper in front of her, she covered his face with her hands. The rough skin clearly indicated how much he had been sleep-deprived and immersed in his work.

“The face of the groom, who should soon have an engagement ceremony, looks like this.”

“What is this? Candidate for the Prince’s future consort? Engagement ceremony? Who decided to bring in a Prince’s consort?”

Herald pushed away the Empress’s hand, expressing his frustration. Though he had never raised his voice in front of the Empress before, this time he couldn’t contain his anger, and his body trembled.

“Don’t get too upset. Deciding the affairs of the imperial family is also the Empress’s duty. It’s natural to be involved in your son’s engagement. He has also approved it. It’s something he allowed. You’ve long passed the suitable age for marriage. Before handing over the throne to you, I should at least see you getting engaged.”

Even in the face of her son’s anger, the Empress remained unfazed. Herald, who had never dared to oppose the Emperor, seemed to reach his limit this time as he erupted in frustration.

“I will handle it myself. Did you not say so? Why is my mother deciding my engagement? Without informing me of such news!”

“If I had informed you, would it have changed anything? You would have surely objected, sticking to your title and sulking. I’ve been quiet, wondering if things were going well with Mari. Since disappointment keeps piling up, I had no choice but to step in.”

“Now, speak.”

Continuing the conversation with the Empress, who completely disregarded his opinions, Herald let out a frustrated sigh. His tired complexion and the way he swept his hair back indicated a deteriorating physical condition, worsening since the separation from Retina.

After leaving the Duke’s residence and moving to the mansion, he had refrained from hastily visiting the Duke’s estate, fearing that the observant Empress would notice the change. Worried that his subconscious body might seek her every night, he locked his bedroom door and fell asleep.

He hadn’t opened the letters Retina sent, fearing that he might abandon everything and want to hold her. Until he had the chance to ask the Emperor for what he desired by winning the martial arts competition, he cautiously avoided any sparks that could fly between him and Retina.

Translators: Stardust. Read on moonlight novels only

However, one impulsive action by the Empress disrupted all his efforts. He was enduring his emotions with great difficulty, and her actions only made it worse.

“It’s a pity that Mari lied. Even though she’s young, she would have been a child well suited for the Empress’s position if taught properly. But Helen isn’t bad either. She may have a mischievous air, but to put it nicely, she’s sharp and has execution power.”

“I clearly expressed my dislike. I have no intention of accepting the position of the Prince’s consort anytime soon.”

“What can we do now that the news is out? If, while everyone is eagerly awaiting the Prince’s consort, we postpone the selection, there will be significant resistance. As the enthronement approaches, even if we ignore the nobility faction, we need the Emperor’s faction to be on your side.”

Despite a clear refusal, the Empress, persistently pushing the issue, pressed on. Herald gritted his teeth in frustration. He couldn’t fathom how Retina, who had seen the same newspaper, would be feeling.

Did she feel disappointed? Was she cursing him as a betrayer? He wanted to go to her immediately and explain, but it was not yet the right time.

“Stop saying that and at least meet them. You know it well. I’ve selected children who genuinely like you. Do you have someone else in mind? If so, let me know, and I’ll consider it.”

However, Herald couldn’t bring himself to tell the Empress that he loved someone. While he couldn’t touch on the matter concerning his son, he was worried that the unrelenting mother might ruin Retina. She never liked Retina from the beginning, so she would go to any lengths to keep her away.

As the former Duchess’s son, the Empress hated Deneuve for his role in her downfall. To formally welcome Retina, a sturdy plan that no one could easily break had to be woven, ensuring no reason for refusal.

“My wife will handle it on her own. Anyone who dares to interfere, try it. You should choose a woman who is prepared for a tarnished reputation. No matter what it takes, that woman won’t be able to show her face in society again.”

“How can you say such dreadful things! I trusted and entrusted you, but has there been any progress so far? Just spreading baseless rumors. Your father’s patience is also reaching its limit!”

“If she is to become the future empress, she should have that kind of determination, don’t you think? Nevertheless, if she firmly holds her ground, let’s reconsider.”

Herald warned his mother, ignoring her opinion and the actions she took on her own accord. After realizing his feelings for Retina, he didn’t consider any other woman as a candidate for the Crown Princess. He was only concerned about how to place her by his side, as she had already become his everything.

“Herald! Herald!!”

He ignored the voice calling him and strode out of the reception room. He desperately wanted to see Retina. He wanted to hold her close, steal a kiss from her lips, run his hand over her smooth skin, all in her thin nightgown…

Herald, with a reddened face, stood tall in the silent corridor. The burning sensation in his eyes intensified as fatigue set in. His rapidly increasing heartbeat sounded like a tearing roar in his ears.

In the midst of disturbing symptoms disrupting his mind, Herald kicked the statue decorating the corridor. Thud. A large, gilded piece of the statue broke off with a clatter. The sensitivity to the pain felt at the extremity made his senses somewhat dull.

‘If the madness resurfaces…’

Despite enduring it so far, thanks to staying with Retina during his time at the mansion, Herald was anxious about the symptoms that could erupt at any moment. The longer the stable life lasted, the harder it became to endure the pain.

‘I desperately want to see her.’

Shaking off the faint consciousness, Herald vigorously stroked his neck with rough hands. To immerse himself enough to dispel all distracting thoughts, he needed to find something to focus on.

Like a person addicted to work, he swiftly left the imperial palace in search of tasks.