“Did something happen between you and Prince Kayden? The atmosphere seemed a bit odd.”
Diana was startled and stopped in her tracks without realizing it. She looked at Fleur with a slightly panicked expression. How did she know…? Has she been that obvious? Diana was quite flustered because she thought she had done a good job hiding her awkwardness with Kayden.
Fleur smiled softly and patted her shoulder reassuringly. “You don’t need to look so surprised. Probably no one else noticed. Not Her Majesty, nor Elliot.”
“Ah…”
“It’s just because I like you a lot, Diana, and I look at you often, so I noticed. Relax now.”
Fleur winked playfully. Despite her embarrassment, Diana felt touched by Fleur’s words of affection. However, aside from that, it was a big problem that someone noticed the awkwardness between her and Kayden. Fleur didn’t know that Diana and Kayden were in a contract marriage and were planning to divorce in about half a year.
Of course, it’s not like a couple can go through their entire marriage without fighting at least once… but I don’t have an excuse right now. I can’t just say we got awkward because he confessed to me.
Diana nervously rolled her eyes, thinking of an excuse. Meanwhile, Fleur had stopped walking, waiting for her answer. As the time of contemplation grew longer, a hint of curiosity appeared on Fleur’s face. Diana felt a cold sweat running down her back and parted her lips.
“That…”
But at that moment, an unexpected person came to her rescue.
“Millard Sudsfield greets the First Princess Consort and the Third Princess Consort.”
“Ah… We meet again, Lord Sudsfield.”
Millard had approached them at some point and greeted them politely. Fleur awkwardly accepted his greeting.
After greeting them, Millard straightened his upper body. He looked at Diana with an exceptionally gentle smile and spoke. “I have something to discuss with the Third Princess Consort regarding family matters… Could we talk privately?”
What’s he up to…? Diana instinctively felt suspicious of his words. A slight hint of wariness appeared in her violet-blue eyes. It was only natural since Millard despised Diana, the illegitimate child. Ever since Kayden started making serious moves to ascend to the position of crown prince, Millard’s disdain had only intensified. It would be strange not to feel suspicious of Millard’s kind and respectful greeting.
After Kayden began moving seriously toward the position of Crown Prince, this disdain had only intensified.
Seeing he’s alone, could it be that Rebecca sent him or something like that?
…Well, whatever the case, to get out of this situation, it was best to follow him, even if it was a summons from Rebecca.
“Alright, Brother.”
Diana quickly put on an innocent smile and placed her hand on Millard’s offered arm. She felt a slight shiver when she uttered the word’ brother,’ but she had to continue acting like the obedient half-sister in front of Millard.
Standing beside Millard, Diana glanced back at Fleur with an apologetic look. “Sorry, Fleur. I’ll be right back.”
“…Are you sure you’ll be okay? Should I come with you?” Fleur whispered, looking at Millard with a disapproving expression. She knew that Diana, who had grown up with poor treatment as an illegitimate child, would face difficulties.
Even though Diana had grabbed Millard’s arm to escape from Fleur, she felt sorry for her concern and shook her head. “No, it’s fine. Thank you for worrying.”
“Alright. But come back soon, okay?” Fleur whispered her request and stepped back, clasping Diana’s hands tightly.
Millard, who had been glaring at Fleur, smiled smoothly as if nothing had happened. “Shall we go, Third Princess Consort? We could take a light stroll nearby while we talk.”
“Good idea.”
Diana walked away from Fleur with Millard. After walking along a path for a while, the sound of people faded away. Only after confirming that no one was watching did Millard stop abruptly. After checking their surroundings, he roughly let go of Diana’s hand. The gentlemanly smile vanished from his face, replaced by a look of contempt.
Millard brushed off his clothes that Diana had touched and muttered irritably. “Seriously, what bad luck. As expected of the first princess consort, she’s great at looking down on people and belittling them.”
Diana realized that his words were directed at Fleur and looked at him in disbelief. Of course, Fleur had glanced at Millard, but it was out of cautiousness, fearing he might harm her, not to mock or belittle him.
“So, what did you want to talk about, Milord?” Diana quickly threw out the question with a smiling face, not wanting to hear any more insults about Fleur or Elliot.
Millard, seemingly remembering his original intention, responded with an ‘Ah’ and suddenly grabbed Diana’s shoulders.
“Ugh.”
Diana winced at the pain in her shoulders and frowned. But Millard, ignoring her reaction, leaned in close and spoke. “Has the Third Prince shown any suspicious behavior?”
“…What?”
“I mean… Isn’t he planning something like treason? I’m asking if he’s plotting something outrageous.” Millard questioned her with eyes filled with a hint of expectation.
Diana, initially taken aback, soon realized that he wanted her to say that the Third Prince was plotting treason. She frowned slightly, trying not to show it. It doesn’t seem like something Rebecca would have ordered. If it were Rebecca or Ludwig, they would have subtly guided the conversation to make her confess the treason herself, not act so blatantly.
Suppressing her irritation, Diana widened her eyes, pretending not to know anything. “Treason? There’s no way the third prince would do such a thing.”
“No, think carefully. Surely, he must have revealed such intentions to you at least once?”
“That has never happened…”
“Everything is for the glory of Sudsfield.”
“…”
“Shouldn’t you keep your word, Diana?” Millard whispered threateningly.
That wasn’t what she meant when she said that. His ability to twist her words to his advantage was impressive. Clicking her tongue briefly in her mind, Diana smiled innocently. “I really don’t understand what you’re saying, Brother. The third prince has always been loyal to the empire and the imperial family.”
“Damn it.” Millard cursed under his breath as Diana showed no sign of complying, whether intentionally or not, and he roughly shoved her shoulder away.
Diana staggered slightly but managed to regain her balance. Her shoulders, gripped by Millard, throbbed painfully.
Without any hint of remorse, Millard demanded, “Then, from now on, don’t take your eyes off the third prince. Shouldn’t you at least be helpful to the family, as you said?”
Diana almost let out a bitter laugh, forgetting her ‘obedient illegitimate child’ act for a moment. But her face stiffened at his next words.
“Even if the Third Prince whispers eternal love to you now, who knows how long that feeling will last? Don’t let yourself be swayed by empty promises and end up ruining the family’s affairs.”
“…”
“You’re not pregnant, are you?” Millard glared at Diana with suspicion.
At that question, Diana felt a sudden, sinking sensation in her chest.
Millard’s suspicious gaze made Diana’s heart drop.
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