Chapter 55.

Shaking Heart (3)

“If you happen to hear stories about me, never believe them, no matter what happens. I’ll tell you everything.”

Retina recalled the words of the Crown Prince, which he earnestly conveyed before he left. Whether he foresaw this situation and spoke those words, she didn’t know, but they helped her regain composure amid the news of the Crown Prince’s potential bride.

“Just being mentioned as a candidate means recognition from the royal family, so there should be no problem marrying into a prestigious family. Oh, envy them.”

“Even if the names of the Crystal Gatekeepers are not mentioned as candidates, they will marry into good families. In the end, it’s all about the power struggle among adults.”

“After nearly 10 years since Herald became the Crown Prince, the joyous news that came was buzzing not only in the social circles but also in the neighborhoods. Articles comparing the families, characters, and influence of the eligible ladies flooded in daily.

Despite the chatter about the confirmed candidates, Retina waited patiently. She waited for the Crown Prince. Even though the names of the mentioned ladies were enthusiastically circulating, she patiently waited. She believed that soon the Crown Prince would clarify everything. She didn’t doubt it.

“Hysting, Lady, already acts like she’s become the Crown Princess.”

“I heard the competition will start soon, and the outstanding lady there will have the opportunity to have a private dinner with the Crown Prince.”

“If things go well there, she might even become his partner at the last royal ball.”

However, even after several days had passed since the articles were published, there was not a single contact from the Crown Prince. Despite his promise to tell her everything, she couldn’t meet him and had to endure the daily, increasing rumors.

“Where can you find a lover who hears news of marriage to someone else before even starting a relationship?”

Retina set down a fork she hadn’t used several times. Being alone in the mansion, her head felt like it would explode with various thoughts, and leaving only made her feel more disoriented.

“Lena.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Let’s go back to the mansion now.”

Having ordered an afternoon tea set at a dessert cafe recommended by Cecil, Retina pretended to take a few bites, then wiped her mouth with a napkin. The cake looked as delicious and sweet as its appearance suggested, but her tongue, as dry as it was, couldn’t taste anything.

“Don’t force yourself to eat more, Miss. I’m worried because you haven’t been eating well lately. How about having one more lemon madeleine?”

“It’s okay. I just don’t have a sweet tooth. Pack the remaining ones and share them with the people at the mansion.”

Whoever said that eating sweet things makes you feel better was outright lying. Retina had tried various attempts to shake off her melancholy, but it was all in vain.

“Am I going to be told about a breakup at this rate?”

Retina’s steps abruptly stopped as she walked back to the carriage.

“No, no. We haven’t even dated. A breakup notice? That’s absurd.”

Shaking her head, she resumed her halted steps.

“But I’ve done everything. At this rate, aren’t we progressing faster than other couples?”

Retina stopped again after a few steps. Later, she stood still, repeating the pattern of stopping and walking. Lena, who followed behind her, worriedly asked if everything was okay. Retina’s mind was somewhere else, distracted.

“Is it just me who wants to see him?”

As Retina took a long time to reach where the carriage was parked, she sighed as she looked out of the window. Even though he wasn’t far away, it felt difficult to meet.

“Whether he read the letter or not, there’s no reply.”

She should ask Sat, her brother, if he delivered the letter properly. Retina glanced at the landscape of Leblem passing by with a vacant expression. Upon arriving at the Duke’s residence, she noticed someone, just like the Crown Prince, who was hard to approach.

“Oh, Lady Cecilia.”

Illiyan, who noticed Retina entering the Duke’s residence, greeted her with a hat and cane in his right hand, bowing his head.

“Long time no see.”

“Yes, I heard you were soon returning to your estate, so I thought I wouldn’t have the chance to see you. I’m glad we can part with this last meeting.”

“Yes, the workload for the swordsmanship competition exceeded expectations, and I hesitated to go down alone, but due to my father urgently calling me, it turned out this way. I originally came up because of Mari’s debutante ball, so I should have gone back sooner. I heard my younger sister has incurred a debt to the young lady; nevertheless, I can leave after expressing my gratitude.”

Having built a friendship with Illiyan through their connection at Mari’s debutante ball, Retina conversed effortlessly with him. He mentioned that he came to the Duke’s residence for the swordsmanship competition’s business before leaving and was waiting for Sat, her brother, who was receiving guests.

While waiting for Sat, they decided to sit in the adjacent waiting room.

“How is Lady Zenferno? After writing a letter to the newspaper, I heard she hasn’t come out of the Viscount’s residence. Is she not feeling gloomy?”

“She’s doing better than I expected. Strangely, she looks much better than when she was tormented by the obsession not to get caught in a lie. After unburdening herself, she seems quite relieved.”

Illiyan, who vehemently opposed Mari when she tried to deceive the Crown Prince with lies, also had a noticeably improved expression. How wonderful it must be for him to see Mari with the Crown Prince, knowing that she isn’t deceiving him.

Translators: Stardust. Read on moonlight novels only

Thinking of Mari’s efforts to deceive the Crown Prince and the nervous Sat gripping a knife whenever he saw the Crown Prince at the restaurant, Retina was reminded of Sat’s joy when the Crown Prince left the Duke’s residence. Sat had been pleased to see the Crown Prince leave the mansion, even more than anyone else.

“Having worried alone and gone through difficult times, you must feel relieved now. You’ve experienced some unpleasant things, especially with the list of candidates for the Crown Princess being announced. Fortunately, it ended as a mere incident, but it might be challenging to move around alone in the future. If Mari is okay, how about having her accompany you? Can you ask her about it?”

Retina vocalized what she had been contemplating. Everyone in the group readily agreed to accompany Mari, who had separated from the group, and when they asked Mari about her intentions, they were all eager to accompany her. However, Retina hadn’t been able to ask Mari for her opinion as they hadn’t met during that time.

“Your words are appreciated, but actually, my mother collapsed and recovered not long ago, and she decided to take a health trip to the west. Mari decided to accompany her. It seems Mari wants to explore a broader world.”

The conversation continued as Retina shared her long-held concerns. Mari, who had parted ways with the group, had been on her mind, and seeing Mari’s isolation from the group, Retina was worried about how she was faring with the other ladies.

“Had the Viscountess collapsed? Is she all right now?”

“Yes. She collapsed when she heard the news that Mari had spent a night with the Crown Prince. Since she had always strongly opposed such a thing, it was a significant shock. After collapsing, she couldn’t get out of bed, worrying us, but when Mari confessed that it was a lie, she got up as if nothing had happened and has been living as usual.”

Illiyan scratched the back of his head, speaking with a nonchalant tone. Even when discussing his mother’s health, he didn’t hide the cheerful demeanor. Upon hearing that the Viscountess had collapsed, Retina, who had been concerned, quickly felt relieved.

‘By the way, is it so shocking that Mari spent a night with the Crown Prince?’

If one’s cherished daughter lost her purity to a guy like a wolf, it would indeed be shocking. However, Mari had stated that she did it of her own volition. It was a well-known fact among the people of the Viscount’s residence that Mari had harbored unrequited love for the Crown Prince for a long time.

Both Illiyan and the Viscountess had strong negative reactions against the influence of the Imperial Family, the nobel faction. Retina wondered what Herald and the others might have done to be so disliked by them.

‘Surely it’s something unfavorable to the Crown Prince; let’s not pry.’

Already familiar with the countless rumors about the eventful teenage Herald, Retina decided not to delve too deeply. It’s not that her feelings have cooled, and the buried truth should remain buried.

Shaking off such thoughts, Retina tried to think of other topics to discuss with Illiyan. As the conversation lengthened, there was no sign of the door to Sat’s waiting room opening.

“Seems like the Crown Prince is quite busy these days.”

Retina lifted the trembling teacup to her lips. With only wetting her lips with tea, she rested the teacup on her hands, placed on her lap.

“That’s an understatement. I don’t know what’s twisted in his mind lately, but he works and spends the remaining time only on training. I understand he’s busy managing both the organization and participation in the swordsmanship competition, but even when told to take care of himself and do things in moderation, he just won’t listen.”

When the topic shifted to Herald, Illiyan complained as if he had been waiting for this moment. His dissatisfaction was not just personal but also about the Crown Prince’s tendency to overwork without taking care of himself.