“I don’t think you should be too close to Sir Antar. He might bring you harm.”
At those words, Fiona’s eyes widened. She thought Cedric’s words were a joke and gave a small laugh. “What?”
“Of course, I also regret that Sir Antar was tied to Vitas by a bad contract. But… they say that the environment shapes people. Someone who spends every day in such a bloody place can’t be normal….”
“Lord Haieren.” Fiona suddenly stopped in her tracks, sensing something off in Cedric’s words.
Cedric stopped too, looking at her with a bewildered expression. He stared at her with innocent eyes. “Lady?”
“…”
Fiona stared intently into Cedric’s eyes for a moment. He was still the same pure, kind, and gentle ‘Cedric Haieren’ she knew. Am I mistaken…?
Surely, Cedric wouldn’t deliberately belittle Antar. He must have simply been repeating words he’d heard since he was very young.
Fiona tried to rationalize this and began to dance again. She spoke in a gentle tone to correct Cedric’s misunderstanding. “I think you shouldn’t say such things carelessly. Whether commoner or noble, we’re all the same people, and Sir Antar is exceptionally kind and honest. He’s my friend. If you talk to Sir Antar properly—”
At that moment, Cedric, overcome with emotion, tightened his grip and pulled Fiona close. Fiona found herself face to face with Cedric, holding her breath.
With a fierce expression, Cedric spoke harshly. “I am your partner. I am your partner, Lady. Cedric Haieren, not some lowly knight…!”
You have to love me. You have to love me to death. You must. This obsessive thought dominated his mind. Just as Cedric was about to shout in a voice filled with anger, Fiona let out a small groan from the pain of his grip.
“Ugh….”
The sound brought Cedric back to his senses. His face turned pale as he quickly loosened his grip and checked on Fiona.
“La-Lady.”
“Ouch…”
“M-My lady.”
“Ouch….”
“I’m truly sorry. That was… a mistake on my part. Are you okay?” Cedric reached out to check the hand he had squeezed too hard.
Smack—!
“…Ah.” Fiona instinctively shook off his hand and was startled by her own action. She forced an awkward smile at the stunned Cedric. “…Sorry. I’m not feeling well, so I think I need to go back early today.”
“Then let me escort you. I’ll get the carriage….”
“No.”
“…”
“I’ll go back alone. So, you should return soon as well.”
“…”
“Understood?”
“…Yes.” Cedric forced a smile while clenching his fists tightly beside his thighs.
Fiona bowed her head slightly to him and left the dance floor, disappearing out the door. Cedric couldn’t bear to watch her leave and closed his eyes tightly.
Ah… Cold sweat ran down his back. He felt like he could see Rebecca and Ludwig’s cold faces before his eyes.
Cedric bit his lip in frustration. Damn it. If they find out I’ve aroused suspicion, they’ll get rid of me immediately.
Rebecca and Ludwig were more than capable of doing so. Replacing the heir of Duke Yelling had to be done thoroughly and naturally. So, if they heard that Cedric had made Fiona suspicious, they would quickly move to dispose of him.
How hard did I work to get here? He couldn’t lose her like this.
A chilling light appeared in Cedric’s eyes. He slowly made his way through the crowd and out of the party. He had to come up with a plan.
* * *
Here it is again. Kayden looked at the box of gold coins on his desk with a now somewhat accustomed expression. Beneath the box, as always, was a thick stack of documents. A quick glance showed that it was a list of investment opportunities this time.
Kayden reached out and opened the box. Atop the pile of gold coins was the usual note.
[Please work towards making our empire a better place.
—D. Obscure]
“…What a joke.” Kayden finally let out a scoff.
Obscure was a person who intrigued him in many ways. Obscure always sent money and information along with a perfunctory note, as if saying, ‘Do this if you want to inherit the throne.’ It was clear that Obscure supported Kayden’s bid for the throne. But despite this, Obscure never showed their face or said anything substantial.
The notes always read, ‘Please work towards making our empire a better place.’ This peculiarity irritated him. The fact that the other party knew everything he needed while he knew nothing about them.
Lost in thought, staring at the note, Kayden turned his head. “Pat.”
“Yes?”
“This… No, more importantly, what are you eating?” Kayden frowned in surprise at the sight of Patrasche chewing something with a full mouth.
Patrasche, unconcerned, popped another cookie into his mouth and spoke indistinctly. “Her Highness gave these to the people of the third prince’s palace, saying everyone has been working hard lately. Didn’t you get any, Your Highness?”
“…What? Diana did?”
“Yes.” Patrasche nodded nonchalantly as if he didn’t see the issue.
Kayden glared at the cookies that looked homemade. With a disgruntled expression, he reached out and grabbed Patrasche’s plate. “Give me that.”
“Ah, why! These were given to me!”
“I’m her husband, and I didn’t get any, so why should you?”
“Well, in a year, you won’t be her husband either…. Gasp.” Patrasche, trying to protect his cookies, blurted out his thoughts and then clamped his mouth shut.
Kayden didn’t move, still holding the plate. Patrasche slowly released the edge of the plate and stood up, quietly heading toward the door. Behind him, he heard a chillingly sweet voice call out.
“Pat.”
“I apologize!”
Patrasche, feeling a chill down his spine, bolted out of the office without looking back. He disappeared from sight in the blink of an eye, having become faster at escaping with each passing day.
Kayden sighed deeply and placed the plate back on Patrasche’s desk. He looked at the cookies with a troubled expression. I know it’s petty, but still… Why didn’t she give me any? After all… I’m her husband.
“Ah… I feel so pathetic.” Kayden lamented his own pettiness, crouching with his face in his hands.
His feelings for Diana only grew stronger day by day. He began to suspect Antar had feelings for Diana, and now he was even jealous of the cookies Diana had given to Patrasche and the servants. At this rate, he would soon be jealous of the ground Diana walked on and the clothes she wore.
Whenever I make a move, she doesn’t seem completely indifferent…
Last time, when he found that mysterious lingerie in Diana’s room, Kayden seized the opportunity to seduce Diana. Honestly, he thought it was a pretty good attempt. Diana couldn’t take her eyes off his body. But in the end, Diana had closed her eyes tightly and avoided his gaze. That action reminded him once again that their feelings weren’t yet mutual, making him a bit sad.
“Kayden? Why are you doing that?”
Suddenly, a voice interrupted his thoughts. Kayden reflexively lifted his head.
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