It Feels Like I’m About to be Divorced, But my Husband is My Favorite

Chapter 13

Just as we were talking about the Crown Prince, he decided to visit.

He wasn’t a noble but a member of the royal family, though it seemed that didn’t elevate him to a noble status.

Suppressing a chuckle, I coldly asked, “There was no prior message about his visit, was there?”

Seeing Anne nod, I swallowed a sigh and looked away.

“Melissa, it seems he found out that you declined his proposal, so you’d best go and meet him.”

At this point, there was no other reason for the Crown Prince to visit the Duke’s mansion.

Melissa, with a troubled look, rose slowly from her seat.

But then…

“Um, miss?”

Anne interrupted hesitantly.

“His Highness the Crown Prince isn’t here to see Lady Melissa.”

“…What?”

A chilling sense of foreboding ran down my spine.

“He wishes to see you, my lady…”

Oh, damn it!

A curse slipped from my mouth before I could stop it.

Seeing my obvious discomfort, both Anne and Melissa flinched and looked at each other nervously.

I quickly relaxed my expression for their sake, forcing myself to think positively.

Honestly, he was someone I’d rather avoid, but since it had come to this, maybe it would be best to meet him once directly, as I did with Richard, and settle things clearly.

After all, it was obvious that he wanted to see me because Melissa had rejected his marriage proposal.

“Oh, sister! Shall I meet His Highness the Crown Prince with you? I can tell him directly that it was my decision, and it has nothing to do with you.”

Melissa spoke cautiously, perhaps thinking along the same lines as I was.

She must feel uncomfortable meeting the Crown Prince herself, but it seemed she was willing to put up with it to keep me from being troubled.

I gave her a thankful smile and shook my head.

“No, I think it’s best if I go alone.”

I headed straight to the parlor where the Crown Prince was waiting.

Anne, noticing the stains on my dress, subtly asked if I wanted to change clothes, but I didn’t feel the need to go to such trouble just to meet him.

I did briefly consider making him wait, as he had come without any prior notice, but my desire to meet him as soon as possible and get him out of the mansion was stronger.

So I entered the parlor without hesitation, but I regretted my choice the moment I stepped inside.

“I didn’t expect you to come so quickly. You must have really wanted to see me.”

I didn’t expect such an infuriating comment!

Seeing the Crown Prince sprawled casually on the Duke’s parlor sofa, as if it were his own room, left me speechless.

“He may be the male lead, but he’s still just a man.”

Crown Prince Kaiden Elios, renowned as a war hero, had a strong and solid physique that complemented his reputation. His well-groomed red hair was slicked back, revealing a broad forehead and sharp features, giving him a refreshing yet intense look that fit the typical handsome man.

However…

‘Did Evgenia really like this man?’

I had anticipated feeling Evgenia’s emotions flooding over me as I walked into the room.

And indeed, facing the Crown Prince, I was overwhelmed by intense emotions.

But they weren’t the feelings of a racing heart or a heated body that one would expect from being in love.

Rather, a chill seeped into my bones, and a severe pain filled my heart as if it were about to burst.

It was closer to the hatred and resentment I felt when I met Richard and his family — or even greater.

‘Perhaps her love had turned into bitter resentment.’

It made sense if someone as proud as Evgenia had been continuously rejected.

If her actions toward Richard were on the same level, it was easy to understand. Seeing the Crown Prince’s red eyes, similar to Richard’s, would have ignited her anger like nothing else.

Thankfully, I had prepared myself to think calmly and control my emotions.

Fortunately, I could now act without the slightest emotional turbulence.

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

My mouth felt as if I were chewing on sand, but I forced myself to lower my eyes and offer a polite greeting. Kaiden raised an eyebrow, letting out a slight sneer.

“I thought you’d changed a little, but you’re the same as ever. Not a single thing has changed.”

…Though the core inside is entirely different now.

I wanted to throw in a biting retort, but I held back, fearing it would mess up my life.

Now was the time to start untangling these twisted connections one by one.

I took a silent breath, waiting for Kaiden to invite me to sit.

Though I was technically the host, I couldn’t take a seat without his permission since he was royalty.

What a miserable situation. Just as I was thinking this, the Crown Prince suddenly got up from the sofa.

The large, imposing man cast a shadow in front of me.

“You’re aware I sent a proposal to your cousin, aren’t you?”

How could I not know? I even know she rejected you.

I nodded with an oddly rebellious and competitive spirit, and Kaiden gave a cynical laugh as he asked,

“So, did you hit your head against a wall out of ignorance?”

“….”

Wait, what’s going on with the security here at the Duke’s mansion? Has the entire town heard rumors of the young lady harming herself?

Embarrassed, I touched my forehead. The bandages had been removed days ago, and the wound had healed cleanly without any scars.

“Perhaps…”

“Sir Alexis told me.”

I knew it! He was the one who spilled the beans!

Why on earth does Alexis, despite his size, have such a loose tongue?

I clenched my trembling fists and responded,

“It’s not something Your Highness should be concerned about.”

“Considering it happened because of me, shouldn’t I be?”

“….”

“Moreover, I heard your condition hasn’t been quite right since you collapsed.”

While I had kept silent because I had no retort before, this time I had plenty to say.

“Not quite right? I’m perfectly fine. In fact, I’ve snapped to my senses.”

Kaiden’s eyebrow twitched.

“Snapped to your senses?”

“Yes, I’ve snapped to my senses, and decided to clear my heart of any feelings for His Highness the Crown Prince. So you needn’t worry — I won’t be a bother to you anymore.”

I gave Kaiden the response I’d been wanting to say all along, smiling with satisfaction as I watched his reaction.

Given that this was something Evgenia would never have said, I expected him to look surprised, as if caught off guard.

Maybe I was being petty, but from the moment I stepped into the parlor, his relaxed demeanor and assumption that I’d run eagerly to see him had irritated me—I wanted to land a blow.

However, contrary to my expectations, there was no sign of dismay on the Crown Prince’s face, only a mocking smile.

“You’re going to give up on your feelings for me?”

Not only did he seem disbelieving, but he reacted as if he’d heard an absurd lie, which made me feel even more irritated.

As I glared at him, annoyed by his smugly lifted lips, I responded in a serious tone.

“Yes. And I plan to marry someone else.”

In that instant, the smile disappeared from Kaiden’s face.

Before I could fully enjoy the satisfaction of seeing his expression stiffen, he suddenly leaned forward, gripping my shoulders firmly.

“You’re going to leave me? And marry someone else?”

The air in the room turned icy, as though the temperature had dropped below freezing.

The killing intent radiating from the Sword Master made my whole body feel as though it had been sliced by a sharp blade, but I forced myself to respond stoically.

“Yes.”

“Evgenia. You’re giving up the position at my side… the role of Crown Princess? Do you think I’d believe that?”

Well, if he doesn’t want to believe it, that’s his problem! Why does he have to be so forceful about it?

I glared fiercely at Kaiden, but ultimately couldn’t help frowning.

I hadn’t wanted to show any weakness, but my body was trembling under the pressure, and the area where he held me hurt unbearably.

Noticing my discomfort, Kaiden hesitated and finally released my shoulders.

No sooner had I felt relieved than he spoke up again.

“Well, I suppose this is refreshing—better than you screaming and pretending to die like before. But if you’re going to lie, couldn’t you put a little more effort into it?”

And there it was, another infuriating remark from the Crown Prince.

“It’s true. I’ve already sent the proposal…”

Annoyed, I looked him squarely in the face as I replied. Then, suddenly, my eyes widened.

“Huh? A bug?”

Had it followed me all the way from the greenhouse?

There was a tiny creature that definitely shouldn’t have been in the parlor, buzzing persistently around the Crown Prince’s head.