Chapter 15
Betty’s mouth hung open in shock at my words. Then, with a solemn expression, she slowly nodded.
Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but after a moment, she must have decided it wasn’t her place to interfere. Instead, she simply smiled awkwardly and let it go.
After finishing my business with Betty, I stepped out of the general store.
But then, I noticed something strange.
Someone wearing a deep hood followed me out.
There was no one else inside the store, so how…?
I turned around to check, but the street was empty, with only the wind blowing through.
Weird. I could’ve sworn someone was there…
Tilting my head in confusion, I shook off the thought and quickened my pace.
Humming happily, I carried my precious herbs home.
Meanwhile…
“Your Highness, it’s Alvin.”
The dimly lit study room door opened, and Alvin stepped inside.
He stood before Prince Claude, who was seated on the sofa, and respectfully handed over a report.
“I assigned a skilled informant to observe Lady Aselin as per your command. Here is a report of her activities for the day.”
Claude took the report and scanned the densely written text.
As he read, Alvin hesitated before asking,
“But, Your Highness… Lady Aselin is the one who took care of you all night when you were unwell. Why would you investigate someone like that? Do you suspect something?”
“I was just curious.”
“…Pardon?”
“She’s the first person to be such a nuisance to me since my dog.”
Claude answered indifferently, still reading through the report.
According to the report, Aselin had only visited one place that day.
‘All-in-One General Store.’
What a tacky name.
That was the only place she had gone.
The report detailed her conversation inside the store and the items she had purchased.
Claude’s crimson eyes moved lazily across the page—until suddenly, they froze on one particular line.
His brows furrowed instantly.
“…Your Highness? Is something wrong?”
Alvin, sensing trouble, tensed up.
But Claude remained silent, his gaze locked onto the report.
[Actually, my fiancé is… impotent.]
A short laugh escaped Claude’s lips.
Leaning back, he gazed up at the ceiling.
After a long silence, he spoke.
“Alvin.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“…Why does this woman think I’m impotent?”
Meanwhile, at the Dining Hall…
Late in the afternoon, Rachel was reading the newspaper when her expression twisted in fury.
“What the hell?! Prince Claude Vial de Vertha… secretly engaged?”
Shocked, Rachel lost control and threw the newspaper onto the floor.
“Who is she?! Who dares to seduce my Prince Claude?!”
Her eyes burned as she glared at the crumpled newspaper.
The publication had never once spread false rumors before.
There was no way this was a mistake.
“This is ridiculous. The noble and untouchable Prince Claude… engaged to another woman?”
To Rachel, Prince Claude was like the prince in every girl’s fairytale—the ultimate dream.
She had always wished he would remain her untouchable unicorn forever.
Now, it felt like a cunning fox had stolen the precious chocolate she had been saving for herself.
Shaking with rage, Rachel picked up the newspaper again, praying she had misread it.
But no.
The word ‘engagement’ was written in bold, clear letters.
Her grip tightened, crumpling the newspaper.
“If this was going to happen… then why did he ignore me?”
[Please attend my tea party. I’ll be waiting.]
After her debutante ball, Rachel had once invited Prince Claude to her estate for tea.
But, of course, he never showed up.
He didn’t even send a response.
He had rejected her without a word.
The humiliation of that day burned fresh in her memory, making her blood boil all over again.
Fanning her flushed face, she muttered bitterly,
“Ugh, so annoying! This is so damn annoying!”
“What’s got you so worked up?”
A calm voice interrupted her.
Turning, Rachel saw Aselin entering the dining hall.
Rachel scanned her sister’s appearance from head to toe and sighed dramatically.
Dark circles under her eyes. Hollow cheeks. Skin so pale she looked like a ghost.
“Oh my god, what’s with you? Did you stay up all night again?”
Rachel covered her mouth as if horrified, sighing in exaggerated pity.
She always thought Aselin was foolish for wasting her life on research instead of living like a proper lady.
Even ambition should have its limits.
With a smirk, Rachel said,
“You work so hard on your research, but couldn’t you at least spare some time to help our brother’s business? I heard he stopped developing new medicines, and now the factory might have to shut down.”
“That was his decision, not mine. I saw no reason to continue our partnership.”
“Oh my, isn’t that a bit heartless? Shouldn’t you help for the sake of our family?”
Rachel whined dramatically, but Aselin simply smiled.
“If you’re so concerned, why don’t you help him?”
“…What?”
“You spend a fortune on makeup, perfume, jewelry, dresses, and endless tea parties. If you cut back on those, you could save at least 5,000 trangs a month. That would help our brother, wouldn’t it?”
“What nonsense! That’s all part of maintaining my dignity as a noblewoman!”
“That’s exactly the problem. If you weren’t so excessive, I wouldn’t have to say anything. Or, you know, you could always earn money yourself.”
“Me? Earn money? How?”
“Well, given that you only know how to spend it… I suppose it would be difficult for you.”
Aselin smiled sweetly.
Rachel’s face instantly stiffened.
Her eyes darkened as she silently glared at her sister.
“Too extravagant,” huh?
That’s why you look the way you do. You reek of poverty. And yet you think you can become Alex’s wife?
In terms of beauty, elegance, and social grace, Rachel was far superior to Aselin.
If only it weren’t for their damn social status.
If only she had been born as her mother’s legitimate daughter.
If only her father hadn’t been a commoner.
She could have had a proper noble title. And then, she would have been the perfect candidate to marry Alex, one of the richest men in the Berta Empire.
Rachel clenched her jaw, her fists trembling.
Just wait, Aselin.
One day, I’ll rise above you. And when I do, I’ll crush you beneath my feet.
With one final glare at her sister’s back, Rachel stormed out of the dining hall.
Meanwhile, at the Dinner Table…
I stared at the delicious feast laid before me, my mouth watering.
Juicy lamb steak glistening with oil. Fresh, tangy salad.
Happily stabbing my fork into the food, I ate until my stomach was full.
Leaning back in satisfaction, I patted my belly.
Just as I was enjoying a cup of sweet hot chocolate, something on the floor caught my eye.
A crumpled ball of paper.
I picked it up and smoothed it out, revealing the headline.
[Prince Claude Vial de Vertha Secretly Engaged—Who is His Mysterious Fiancée?]
“What the…?”
My eyes widened as I scanned the article.
Wasn’t this supposed to be a secret?!
Sighing, I read the full article. Thankfully, my name wasn’t mentioned.
I needed to figure out what was going on before Alex or Rachel found out.
I jumped up from my seat—
Just as the dining hall door swung open.
“Aselin, here you are.”
Out of nowhere, Alex had come looking for me.
I had specifically told Dana to inform me beforehand if he came, but as expected, he never considered others’ feelings.
I struggled to keep my face from frowning.
Lately, he had been showering me with gifts. It seemed like he had noticed something.
So, I forced a bright smile.
“Baron, how did you know I was here?”
“Rachel told me you’d be in the dining hall.”
His eyes swept over the table setting, as if hoping I would invite him to eat with me.
I had no intention of doing so. Instead, I pushed my chair back under the table and said,
“I was just about to leave after finishing my meal.”
“Then, could you stay with me while I eat?”
What? He wanted me to sit and watch him eat like some kind of decorative object?
Even in my past life, he had been so self-centered.
Why had I ever liked this man?
Suppressing a sigh, I reluctantly sat back down.
If he figured things out too soon and ran away, I’d miss out on a great show.
Alex sat down with ease and took his time eating, savoring every bite.
He ate so slowly that I was practically yawning from boredom.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he placed his empty teacup down.
Seizing the moment, I spoke up right away.
“Since you’re done eating, shall we leave now?”
“Aselin.”
With a full smile, Alex locked eyes with me.
Why was he suddenly acting so serious?
Before I could question it, he continued,
“My love, Aselin. There’s something I really want to hear from you today.”
“Oh, did you enjoy your meal? I hope it suited your taste.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh! I forgot to ask—how is the Baroness? I hope she’s in good health.”
In my past life, Alex had been known for his devotion to his mother.
I smiled sweetly while asking, and he shook his head without breaking eye contact.
“No, that’s not it either. Look into my eyes. Don’t you understand what I’m trying to say?”
Yes, I saw them. Those fish-like, emotionless eyes.
So, what? What was he trying to say?
I clenched my jaw to hold back my irritation, forcing my lips into a shaky smile.
Then—
Grab.
He reached out and held my hand, his eyes flickering with a strange emotion.
-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
If you want to support the translation and the translator, you can buy a coffee~
Advance chapters of this novel are available of my kofi channel
-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-
