The Prince Seduces Me with His Body

And finally, the moment she saw him once again enduring his pain silently and alone.

 

“Why are you always like this…”

 

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. 

 

She’s here by his side now. She came to help him, to be with him. But why did he still try to bear everything alone and endure it all? Why does he always have to look so pitiful and lonely…?

 

Kayden is the kindest and strongest person she knows. He deserved to be treated as such.

 

The sorrow that had built up from watching Kayden avoid her, and the anger at the pain he was suffering all turned into tears. His words brought those feelings back.

 

Diana, feeling like she was about to cry, wrapped one hand around her tightening throat and admitted.

 

“Yes.”

 

“…”

 

“You’re right. It was me.”

 

 

Of course, Kayden had suspected it. But hearing it directly made it impossible to stop his face from contorting.

 

Kayden, still somewhat short of breath, asked. “Why… did you pretend not to know?”

 

“Because it seemed like that’s what Your Highness wanted.”

 

“Why, exactly?”

 

“…”

 

“What am I to you… that you would go to such lengths?”

 

His words sounded like harsh interrogation or scolding, but they were actually pleas. A plea to push him away because he couldn’t help but hold her in his heart. But Diana, defying his expectations, laughed softly with teary eyes.

 

“I told you.”

 

“…”

 

“I don’t want you to endure the pain alone. I don’t want you to be in danger.”

 

“…”

 

“I want you to be happier than anyone else.”

 

Diana’s eyes reddened, and she bit her lip to hold back her tears.

 

“So.”

 

“…”

 

“Please, don’t push me away…” Diana whispered with a sigh, gently holding Kayden’s hand.

 

“You…”

 

Hearing that, Kayden could no longer hold back. He gripped Diana’s hand tightly, then brought their clasped hands close to his lips and sighed.

 

“You keep making me into a pathetic and shameless man.”

 

Diana involuntarily let out a small laugh at his words. “What nonsen—”

 

But before she could finish, Kayden interlaced his fingers with hers and pulled her close. His strong arms wrapped around her waist. In an instant, she found herself pressed against him, her breath catching in surprise. Her heart raced rapidly, and their bare skin brushed against each other with every breath.

 

“You.”

 

“…”

 

“Diana.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Diana barely managed to respond, feeling a tight knot in her stomach. In contrast, Kayden, looking unusually serene, smiled softly. His gentle voice caressed her ear.

 

“I tried my best to do as you wished.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“But you were the one who held me back first, telling me not to push you away.”

 

Diana, puzzled by his cryptic words, asked, but Kayden didn’t answer. Instead, he pressed his lips firmly against the back of her hand. A meaningful smile spread across his face beyond their clasped hands.

 

“So, don’t push me away either.”

 

What Diana wanted from him was a divorce in a year. But Kayden had no intention of divorcing Diana. In that case,

 

I just need to make sure Diana doesn’t want a divorce.

 

His eyes, dark as midnight, curved mischievously. It was the smile of a predator who had found its prey.

 

* * *

Meanwhile, around the time Kayden was avoiding Diana, Ferand boarded a carriage with a scowl, heading outside the imperial palace.

 

“…You have an appointment outside the imperial palace?”

 

“Yes, Mother.”

 

Before leaving the palace, Ferand visited the second concubine to inform her that he had an appointment outside the imperial palace and would return afterward. The second Empress, displeased, closed her book with a snap. She straightened her posture and asked.

 

“Who are you meeting?”

 

“Just a young lord I happened to know. You wouldn’t know even if I told you.”

 

Ferand’s evasive answer made the second concubine narrow her eyes. She sighed and sternly warned him.

 

“…Since the atmosphere has been unsettled after the defensive battle, you should avoid doing anything that could be criticized. Every action you take could bring trouble to the first princess. Remember that, Rand.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

 

Ferand clenched his fists in shame at the second concubine’s tone, which seemed to be certain that he would cause some incident.  Thus, his mood was quite low when he arrived at the meeting place.

 

“…?”

 

Getting off the carriage and about to enter the building, Ferand sensed eyes on him and turned curiously. People whispering and looking at him from a distance quickly averted their gaze when he looked their way.

 

What is it?

 

Whatever it was, it soured his mood further. Ferand, with a more menacing expression, strode into the building.

 

“Hey, you’re here.”

 

In a high-end bar known for its soundproof and secure rooms, Joseph Findlay, lying indulgently with his head on a woman’s lap, greeted Ferand with a nod.

 

Ferand ignored the greeting and slumped into a sofa, grabbing a glass of liquor. Just as he was about to drink, he stopped, glaring at the woman stroking Joseph’s hair.

 

“Aren’t you leaving?”

 

“…Ah, yes.” Frightened by Ferand’s harsh gaze, the woman quickly got up and left.

 

Joseph muttered curses under his breath and stood up unsteadily. He threw a grape at Ferand. “Why are you so irritable as soon as you get here? Did something happen?”

 

Ferand dodged the grape with a tilt of his head and scowled. He blurted out what had been on his mind recently and during the journey here.

 

“Hey.”

 

“What?”

 

“Do I look like an idiot to you?”

 

“Pfft.” Joseph laughed incredulously, sprawling back on the sofa, chuckling. “Of course, you’re an idiot. You just realized that?”

 

“Stop joking and answer seriously.”

 

“Yep—total idiot—.”

 

“Shut up, you jerk.”

 

“You asked for an answer, didn’t you?”

 

When Ferand, infuriated, threw a whole bunch of grapes at Joseph, he blocked them with his arms, looking bewildered. Regardless, Ferand’s mood hit rock bottom. He clenched his teeth and slammed the table.

 

Damn it…

 

“So, the second prince has been nothing more than a tool for the first princess since birth?”

 

“I’m worried that the first princess is unfairly taking away the second prince’s opportunity to achieve glory…”

 

The conversation he overheard a while ago resurfaced in his mind.  Ferand anxiously bit his lip. If the second concubine had seen him like this, she would have scolded him for being undignified, but he was too distracted to care now.

 

Could it be… Do I seem pathetic to others too? Do they see me as a spineless puppet, living like a slave despite being a member of the imperial family? Are they all laughing at me behind my back?

 

“Hey, I don’t know why you’re freaking out, but just drink. I barely escaped my father’s eyes to be here, so if you ruin the mood, I’ll kill you.” Joseph rang a bell to order more drinks and snacks, warning Ferand.

 

Muttering curses, Ferand raised his glass.

 

Clink—! The clear sound of glasses clinking slightly relieved his anger.

 

Ferand brought the glass to his lips and made a resolution. I can’t live as my sister’s sl*ve forever. More accurately, he didn’t want to live that way anymore. He had no obligation to follow Rebecca.

 

This social season is my chance.

 

It was an opportunity to find those who would support him, not Rebecca. Once he built his own power base, even the second concubine would acknowledge him. After all, wouldn’t she prefer her biological son to ascend to the throne over Rebecca, who wasn’t even related by blood?

 

With that thought, Ferand downed his drink in one gulp. He found the burning sensation in his throat surprisingly satisfying.

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