“Episode 13”
No matter what she said, it seemed it wouldn’t resonate with this man. Above all, Aris was curious about his reasons. There was worth in having a conversation at least once.
“Alright, but don’t get distracted. Remember that I’m the princess of Leon Kingdom and a close friend of the duchess.”
“Don’t worry. The honor of the Duke of the North is of utmost importance to me.”
As Aris took her seat, Ricard promptly sat across from her. His large stature moved gracefully, almost as if weightless, which Aris found remarkable once again.
“And I haven’t given a thought to such minor wounds.”
Suddenly, the teacup in front of Aris was filled.
“Then why wear a mask?”
“Because it would be inconvenient if strange rumors spread.”
The mask wasn’t for Ricard, but for Aris.
Looking back, he did initiate the conversation from the window, but he kept his distance from Aris. If she thought he was rude, he drew a strange line.
“You are truly considerate.”
There was an edge to Aris’s words. Ricard sipped his tea and smiled faintly.
“As I’ve said before, I intend to repay rudeness properly.”
“Even deceiving under the name of the Duchess?”
Since he wrote as the Duchess of Alberthus, she considered only half of it a lie. But admitting such thoughts would only complicate matters further.
“Princess, you must be aware of the many strange rumors surrounding the ducal family.”
“Not all rumors are true. The duchess was honest and kind.”
If she only believed what others said, she’d end up entrusting her life to others. Aris had already lived such a life once.
“You’re wise, Princess.”
Having suffered dire despair by being deceived by the man touted as the kindest and most affectionate in the world, she found others’ words futile.
“Let’s keep it fair.”
“That’s fine with me.”
As Aris sipped her tea, she observed Ricard. The man holding his teacup with crossed legs didn’t seem like a monster. Though if he were rude and shameless…
“I’ve confirmed everything I wanted to know. Except for one thing.”
Ricard spoke as he pleased.
“Do you desire the empress’s crown?”
Instantly, Aris averted her gaze. Just hearing the word “empress” made her uneasy.
“That’s all I need to know.”
“Going forward, it will be the same. There won’t be anyone else who can enter my radius.”
Aris’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. “Didn’t you notice something strange? The toy merchant, the square, or perhaps your chamber?”
Even on a sunny day, wearing a hood and gloves seemed odd. Veronica also felt something suffocating and uncomfortable, but Aris still couldn’t quite grasp what it was.
“Really… Nothing at all?”
Ricard’s low voice carried a hint of desperation.
“Other than the fact that Your Grace is shameless… No. I don’t know.”
Relieved, Ricard let out a soft chuckle. Truly, there was someone who could overcome fate and be unaffected by his side.
“Some of the rumors surrounding Alberthus are unfortunately true.”
“Oh?”
“Haven’t you heard the rumors calling the Duke of the North a monster?”
Even though it was embarrassing to answer in front of him.
“There’s no need to be considerate. I’m used to hearing such things.”
Ricard observed Aris with his dark eyes.
“And to some extent, it’s true.”
“A monster…?”
He didn’t seem like one at all.
“There’s an inexplicable power within me, one that sets me apart from humans… No one can approach me.”
Aris’s blue eyes widened.
“Even in a crowded square, my radius remains empty.”
Looking back, he stood out amidst the crowd.
“I’ve never heard of such an illness.”
“It’s not an illness.”
Ricard replied casually.
“Even if it’s true, why tell me?”
“I need you to understand my earnestness, so you won’t just dismiss me as a strange man.”
He knew his actions were strange too, so how could Aris see him differently?
“The only thing missing in Alberthus is the empress’s crown. So if it comes to me, I’ll give you whatever you desire.”
Ricard spoke with sincere eyes.
“That’s impossible.”
What Aris desired was freedom. It wasn’t to become the wife of a man with an unknown identity, avoiding becoming an empress.
“I said anything.”
Ricard’s unwavering gaze met Aris’s.
There seems to be some text missing since the end of the last chapter and the start of this one.
When we last left, Princess Aris was leaving for teatime with Princess Rosanne but now she is suddenly drinking tea with Ricard with no explanation in between.