TSPCOB Chapter 24

Chapter 24 

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“Isn’t that man… maybe Prince Claude?”

“No way. He’s been hiding in the palace for years. Why would he be here?”

“No, look at that black hair and red eyes. Only someone from the royal family could look like that. And really, is there anyone that handsome in the empire?”

“Now that you mention it… you’re right! So, Prince Claude saved that lady?”

People nearby started whispering among themselves.

Soon, a crowd gathered like a swarm of clouds and respectfully bowed in front of Claude.

“We greet Prince Claude, the Little Sun of the Empire.”

Ladies who saw the famously handsome prince in person had stars in their eyes.

They quietly whispered to each other:

“He’s even more handsome than the rumors say.”

“Did you see how he stopped that wild horse in one move?”

“With that face and sword skills, he’s the perfect man. I guess the rumors about his weak health weren’t true.”

The noblewomen peeked at Claude and Aselin, who was leaning on his arm, with jealous eyes.

Meanwhile, Alex, still lying on the ground after falling, clenched his teeth and stood up.

That damned prince had completely ruined him.

Where did he even come from, suddenly showing up and saving his fiancée like some hero?

It made Alex’s insides churn with frustration.

“Oh, Aselin. My love. Are you hurt?”

Alex rushed over and suddenly pulled Aselin’s wrist toward him.

Claude frowned instantly.

His cold red eyes stared directly at Alex’s hand, which was grabbing Aselin tightly enough to leave a mark.

“Are you the fiancé of Lady Rondinella?” Claude asked calmly, but there was a quiet intensity in his voice.

Alex flinched and quickly let go of Aselin’s hand, then bowed politely.

“Yes, Your Highness. I’m Alex from the Baron Wade family. As you said, I’m engaged to Lady Aselin.”

“I heard you care for her so much that you give her expensive gifts every day?”

Claude smirked as he stepped in front of Aselin, as if to shield her.

His gesture felt strangely offensive to Alex.

While Alex squinted slightly in irritation, Claude took a step closer to him.

Though Alex was fairly tall, Claude was still a head taller.

Alex found himself looking up—something he wasn’t used to—and felt strangely uncomfortable.

Claude’s icy gaze made it hard for him to breathe.

“But in reality, you’re the kind of trash who throws his fiancée in front of danger to save yourself.”

Claude’s mocking smile was chilling.

Alex’s face turned pale from the prince’s sharp and scornful stare.

“With all due respect, I think you misunderstood. Throw her in front of danger? Never! I would die for my fiancée if needed,” Alex said loudly.

He turned to Aselin, trying to explain himself.

“Aselin, I was running to save you too. If His Highness hadn’t arrived first, I would’ve saved you!”

“Sure, I’m sure you would have,” Aselin said calmly while fixing her dress.

“But are you okay after falling like that? My shoulder still hurts from when you pushed me, so I imagine you’re in even more pain.”

At her words, Claude smirked slightly.

Alex, now furious, started babbling more excuses.

“I slipped while trying to save you. That’s all! My love, are you hurt anywhere?”

He looked over her body with concern, and then saw that the expensive dress was torn at the bottom.

Worse, the pearl bracelet had broken, and the pearls were scattered everywhere.

Alex’s face turned ghostly pale.

Seeing the pearls scattered like that made his heart ache.

Damn it. How much did all this cost again?

Shouldn’t a woman be graceful and light on her feet? Why is she so clumsy?

He silently cursed as he bent down to pick up each pearl.

Then, forcing a calm face, he spoke in a gentle but shaky voice.

“…The dress and bracelet… we can just buy new ones. What matters is that you’re not hurt.”

He tried to sound caring, but his expression showed how upset he really was.

Aselin, seeing his reaction, let out a quiet laugh.

“There’s no need to do that.”

‘Just disappear from my life, and that’ll be enough.’

As she thought to herself, someone came running from the distance.

“Baron! You need to come quickly. The baroness is urgently calling for you!”

“What? My mother?”

Alex’s face clearly showed his embarrassment.

And it made sense—he was a complete mama’s boy, the type who’d jump out of bed at the mention of his mother.

Aselin watched him fidget like a nervous puppy and said,

“You can go. We can have our date another time.”

“Are you sure?” Alex hesitated.

“Yes, I’m fine. Go ahead,” she replied cheerfully.

Even with her permission, Alex hesitated and looked torn.

Then, glancing at Claude like he was sizing him up, he spoke again.

“Aselin, why don’t you come back with me in the carriage?”

“No, I have somewhere else to stop by. You go ahead, Baron.”

“Where do you think you’re going with your dress torn like that? You should just come to the Baron’s estate, take a bath, and stay the night. Doesn’t that sound nice?”

As Alex reached to grab Aselin’s wrist—

Claude suddenly stepped in front of her.

His voice turned cold, like ice.

“Baron, it’s time for you to leave. I’ve already prepared a new dress for Lady Rondinella.”

“With all due respect, Your Highness… why would you be giving a dress to my fiancée?”

“Do I need your permission to give a gift to my personal apothecary?”

Claude looked down at Alex with a chilling gaze.

Alex’s expression darkened.

As a fellow man, he understood exactly what Claude’s actions meant.

What the hell? Is this prince trying to flirt with my woman?

Rage flared in Alex’s eyes.

Just as he was about to protest again—

“It’s an order. Lady Rondinella will return to the palace immediately, change into the new dress, and treat me.”

Claude’s commanding voice rang out above their heads.

Grinding his teeth, Alex had no choice but to climb into his carriage.

According to imperial law, disobeying a royal order could mean execution.

Just you wait, Prince Claude.

When Prince Brefni becomes emperor, your head will be the first to roll.

As his carriage pulled away, Alex glared out the window at Claude with a twisted smile.

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Once Alex and the crowd were gone, the street fell quiet with no wind at all.

The gas lamps along the darkening road flickered to life, casting a warm glow that turned Claude’s black hair golden.

He looked like a figure in a painting, and Aselin found herself staring.

“Let’s go,” Claude said calmly.

Following behind him, she asked in confusion,

“Your Highness… are we really going to the palace?”

“Of course. What, do you plan on standing around here all night?”

He climbed into the carriage and answered flatly.

With no other choice, Aselin sat across from him.

Then, she cautiously brought it up.

“I sent the new medicine with your butler this morning. Did something happen…? Was there a problem with it?”

Claude didn’t respond. His sharp eyebrows twitched slightly.

Oh no. Maybe the new formula didn’t suit him after all.

Aselin nervously fiddled with her fingers and glanced at his face as the carriage began to move.

Breaking the silence, she carefully asked again,

“Your Highness, if the medicine didn’t work well, could you tell me what symptoms you had? That way I can adjust it next time.”

“The medicine worked well. In fact, it’s better than before.”

“Oh, that’s a relief! So it’s not that something’s wrong—you just happened to run into me and wanted a quick check-up, right?”

She let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Then Claude, leaning back casually in his seat, said in an indifferent tone,

“It wasn’t a coincidence.”

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• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •

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Advance chapters of this novel are available of my kofi channel

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