MIDV: Chapter 93

It was none other than the First Prince Jacques.

‘Why on earth is he here……?’

Even as countless question marks filled my mind, I instinctively rose to my feet and greeted him with proper courtesy.

Prince Jacques smiled warmly, his blue eyes narrowing slightly.

“It’s been a while, Sir Clara.”

“Yes, it has, Your Highness.”

I replied, swallowing my curiosity.

If I could, I would have asked why he was here instead of Commander Geloic. Perhaps he was merely passing by and happened to see me so he decided to greet me. But of course, I couldn’t bring myself to question a royal.

So, I simply observed him quietly as he spoke.

“Please, have a seat, Sir Clara.”

“Thank you, Your Highness…..”

“You must be wondering why I showed up here, right? Your face says it all.”

“…I apologize if I seemed rude.”

“There’s no need for formality. As I mentioned before, I wanted to set aside that stubborn mule Ludger and have a talk with just the two of us. Today seemed like a good chance to do that.”

I blinked.

“I actually came here today to see Sir Geloic, but……”

“Ah, I know. I heard about that, and I borrowed you from Sir Geloic for a moment.”

“A bit more notice would have been appreciated, so that I could show proper courtesy…..”

“It’s okay, I kept it a secret to surprise you.”

“……”

This prince has a quite… mischievous streak……

While I was reflecting on Prince Jacques’s sharp personality in my mind, he continued.

“It would have been better if we could have met during the day. It’s a shame you came after sunset. The Glass Palace looks more beautiful in the daylight.”

“It looks wonderful even now.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

At this point, I couldn’t help but wonder, why had he called me here? If there was something he wanted to say, I wished he would just get to the point. I still needed to see Sir Geloic and was not looking forward to his likely reprimand.

Just as I was thinking that, Prince Jacques seemed to catch my restless thoughts immediately and spoke up.

“Actually, I heard from Ludger. He told me that the two of you are engaged.”

“Ah…”

Of course, it had to be because of this.

Since Ludger was the only connection between us, it was only natural when I thought about it.

“…Yes. I’m aware of my lower status compared to Young Duke Kassen, and I can only apologize, but that is how it came to be.”

“Haha, it’s quite a significant matter. Nobles may have their dalliances every once in a while, but it’s rare for someone of Ludger’s standing to choose a commoner as his official partner.”

“……”

That was something I was prepared for, so I remained silent. Though, I didn’t expect to be pointed out about it directly by First Prince Jacques.

“Of course, Ludger is the kind of guy who doesn’t care about things like that. He is, how should I put it… somewhat detached in a way. There’s a quirky side to him that doesn’t worry about others’ opinions.”

I found myself agreeing with Prince Jacques’s assessment.

Ludger did have many unconventional traits for a high-ranking noble.

His secret identity as a Phantom Thief, and the way he treated me, a lowly knight Captain of commoner birth……

“So, I believe Ludger must have chosen you with a pure heart.”

‘That’s not true.’

Our relationship was, above all, a transaction and a contract. Perhaps Ludger’s eccentricities had led him to this arrangement, but that was all.

“So truly… I want to sincerely congratulate the two of you on your engagement.”

The gentle spring breeze-like expression suddenly vanished from Jacques’s face.

“However, if you’re merely using Ludger… I cannot support this.”

“…What?”

Taken aback by his unexpected words, I found myself opening my mouth.

Jacques’s expression was serious, without a trace of amusement.

“Hmm~ I’d like to have a more pleasant conversation, but since it doesn’t seem like the right mood, I shall get straight to the point.”

“……”

“Your connection traces back to the Viscount Rudleman family. Though it seems you had your family registry reissued in the meantime… I heard the Viscount’s house is preparing a blood relation recognition lawsuit.”

“……Yes.”

“But then comes this sudden engagement. Considering the dire circumstances of the Viscount family, and the marriage talks they’ve been sending out, the situation is pretty obvious.”

I clasped my hands tightly and lifted my head.

I understood why he had called me and what he was worried about.

Prince Jacques was thinking that Ludger… might be getting seduced and used by me.

“Young Duke is aware of my background as well. And… yes, it’s true that the engagement was rushed because of that.”

“……”

“But I would never… deceive the Young Duke.”

Of course, our relationship wasn’t built on romance. But I had never thought of using Ludger for my own gain.

Even if I couldn’t reveal the nature of our contractual relationship, one thing was certain; it was built on mutual trust.

Jacques studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable.

“…I see. That seems to be.”

“Yes.”

“You know, Sir Clara. Ludger cherishes you deeply. He’s basically stoic and rarely shows what he’s thinking, but I’ve known him long enough to see through his walls.”

‘That’s… probably a misunderstanding.’

“So please, I sincerely hope you won’t betray his feelings.”

“Of course. You truly don’t have to worry, Your Highness.”

“I hope you won’t take this the wrong way. You see, when people are cornered, they tend to let go of the most beautiful values, like dignity, trust, and conscience.”

“……”

“You might be promising now, but… who knows if, when more hardship comes your way, you might be tempted to use Ludger as a convenient tool?”

I bit the inside of my cheek. I couldn’t strongly deny what he was saying.

After all, I was the kind of person who hadn’t reported the Phantom Thief Heilbronner for the sake of my own safety.

Prince Jacques picked up a sugar cube with a gentle movement. Soon, that sugar cube… was dropped into my teacup without me even touching it.

With tiny bubbles, the sugar cube dissolved and vanished into the liquid without a trace.

As if poison were dissolving.

“I worry that one day, Ludger will find a blade at his throat because of his misplaced trust.”

Though he smiled, his gaze was sharp enough to pierce right through me.

He was warning me.

Towards the unknown variable of a commoner-born knight captain who appeared in Ludger Kassen’s life.

He showed a surprisingly lenient attitude toward obstacles on the path he must walk as a ruler.

“…If you were so concerned, Your Highness, you could have taken a more discreet approach instead of speaking to me directly.”

“Hahaha, I told you, Ludger cares about you. It would be a shame to intervene unnecessarily.”

‘What a brilliant actor.’

“So the best thing would be… for the two of you to see through and uphold that pure love, without caring about the opinions of others.”

“……”

“Even if that’s not the case, I sincerely hope that neither you nor he ends badly. In other words… you can use me as your way out.”

He was speaking very diplomatically and indirectly, but in the end……

‘Whether now or later, he was basically warning me to abandon any thoughts of betraying Ludger or him by mingling with another faction. Or better yet, just tell him and become a double agent.’

Well, if I were him, I’d find it pretty suspicious too. Suddenly latching onto a high-ranking noble and even getting engaged, especially when the woman comes from a troubled background.

So I didn’t particularly feel offended. I hadn’t deceived Ludger, but it wasn’t as if I truly loved him, either. It was only natural for suspicion to arise.

“Yes. I understand Your Highness’s words and your intentions.”

I lifted the now completely cold teacup and drank it in one go. The taste of the sugar cube lingered on my tongue, leaving a cloying aftertaste.

“But the thing you’re worried about will never happen. I will uphold the trust between me and the Young Duke.”

“Hmm. I’ll choose to believe that, for now. And, Sir Clara.”

“Yes?”

“Well, it seems like I’m the one who needs to beg you for mercy right now, Sir Clara.”

“What do you…..”

Before I could even finish the sentence, a thunderous sound erupted behind me as the glasshouse door swung open.

I turned around and saw…

“…What exactly were you thinking, summoning my fiancée to a place like this, Your Highness Prince Jacques?”

“Ah, Ludger. You’re here?”

Ludger approached with a terrifyingly grim expression. His footsteps were graceful, yet somehow carried such intensity it felt like they should be echoing with a thunderous thud.

“Nothing much, I was just having tea with your fiancée and gossiping about a mutual acquaintance. Isn’t that right, Sir Clara?”

“Ha, haha……”

As I gave a vague, awkward laugh and avoided his gaze, Ludger stood right beside me. He took my hand and gently pulled me up from my seat.

“Wow, stealing a Prince’s guest right out from under him. How rude, Ludger.”

“Enough, Jacques. I know this area is under your control, so don’t overstep.”

He even snapped at a Prince, he must be really furious.

“I’ve already explained it enough. But did you really have to bring her here?”

“You know I can’t resist a bit of meddling.”

Prince Jacques playfully dragged out the end of his words and winked, but Ludger, without hesitation, suddenly grabbed Jacques by the collar and lifted him up.

“There won’t be a next time. Don’t do this ever again.”