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Chapter 75
I Slept with the Villain Holding My Hand Chapter 75
Translated by Niks
Edited by
✿
Dominique Bill Tristan.
He was the son of Emperor Afrion and his lover, Queen Helena, and the second prince of the Tristan Empire.
Dominique was a handsome man with bright blue hair and deep eyes.
He was a great playboy as he had noble lineage, neat appearance, and free spirit.
But no one blamed him or scolded him for that.
Rather, only those who wanted to use the night to profit from him filled Dominique’s surroundings.
Dominique’s ever-increasing number of women was now famous throughout the Empire beyond the capital.
Perhaps because of his free-spirited nature, he still didn’t even have a fiance.
I thought he would be lucky if he didn’t get hit by his mistresses one after another, having them impregnated while he still enjoyed as much as he wanted.
‘A sudden search for a fiance?‘
Merria nodded and tried to understand the reason behind, but she couldn’t understand it that easily.
No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think he’s the type of person to be bound by the rules of marriage for the sake of the royal family’s duties.
Lilith nodded as if she understood the situation for the sudden announcement.
“He must have decided in a hurry upon hearing the news of Karina and His Majesty the crown prince’s engagement.”
“It would be more convincing to say that His Highness Dominique has a woman who he wants to devote himself to for the rest of his life.”
Merria responded with a light shrug. As with his light gestures, Dominique wasn’t interested in politics or competing for the throne.
Then does he feel threatened by Altheon’s engagement and sets out to find his own fiancĂ©e?
I don’t know the details, but it’s probably not 300% of Dominique’s will.
‘Perhaps, it’s the rumors circulated by Empress Helena or the second prince’s faction.’
Merria frowned as she quenched her throat.
If it were Helena, who knew all the cleverness of Dominique, she would want to put the daughter from her prestigious family next to Dominique.
As long as the marriage between the Crown Prince and Karina has been decided, those who want to become members of the Imperial Family would naturally become interested in Dominique.
Even though he caused a lot of problems with women, a prince is still a prince.
It was perfect as a means for the revival of a family, not for a husband.
Karina, who was quietly listening to the story, gently added.
“But, what’s bothering me is that those who claim to have recently spent the night with the prince are all nobles from neutral families.”
“It wasn’t from the second prince faction?” Merria asked in surprise.
Karina nodded and continued to talk.
“It seems that there are quite a few people who are aiming for the Crown Prince, even in the Crown Prince faction and the Neutral faction.”
In the capital, the number of nobles of the Second Prince faction was still overwhelmingly large.
No matter how much the Grand Duke of the Empire supported Altheon, the absolute number would be less than that of Dominique’s support.
As a result, there were already many families seeking Dominique’s position as a prince.
Whether it was his own opinion or that of the family, most of the nobles of the Second Princes would do the same.
Therefore, Dominique had no reason to reach out to neutralists.
It was the same when choosing a partner for the night, and the same was true for choosing an engagement partner.
It was more beneficial to choose one of the strong families within the second prince faction and solidify the relationship.
And there was no way the other nobles were unaware of this situation.
But, all of a sudden, these rumors are circulating.
“So it’s agitation?” Merria said in a low voice.
Lilith and Karina also did not refute as if they were on the same page.
Although the position of the Crown Prince who returned from war seems to be growing day by day, the power of the second prince faction formed during his absence and won’t easily break down.
There was no way for the second prince to just let the excellent crown prince embrace the nobles.
That’s why they’re spreading rumors like this.
If those who were wary of it passed over to the second prince side, even those who stayed still would likely be agitated.
This incident would also have been aimed at such a gap in the second prince’s side.
‘I hope it won’t happen.’
Coming-of-Age Night was a large and commemorative banquet, so many people would attend.
It would be best if it ended with a small incident, but it was too early to let go unless I knew how far Helena’s plan was.
Merria emptied the glass, unable to erase the troubling thoughts off of her mind.
✿
In the middle of the garden of the Philotes Palace, where various flowers are in full bloom.
Helena was staring at the tea with rose petals on it, with an indifferent expression.
When the entrance to the garden suddenly became noisy, Helena squinted at the maid standing behind with a cold face.
The maid, lest added to Helena’s wrath, walked silently and she headed to the source of the sound.
Shortly after moving, the maid found Dominique walking with a feverish face.
The maid spoke to Dominique with a mournful face, not knowing what to do.
“Iㅡ Your Majesty. The Queen’s having tea time now
”
“Get out of my way!”
Dominique passed by without even paying attention to the maid.
He strode inward, sweeping roughly over his disheveled blue hair.
“Mother.”
Dominique, who came close to her, slumped into the seat roughly opposite Helena.
Helena took a sip of tea leisurely.
Then, as she looked at Dominique with sunken eyes for a moment, Helena smiled softly.
“Welcome. Would you like a cup of tea?”
“I can’t believe you’re looking for my fiance. What’s going on?” Dominique scrambled across the cravat and asked.
Helena spoke in a stern voice and glanced down for a moment.
“It’s all for your sake.”
“How’s that for me? I’m not going to settle for just one woman. So, I don’t need anyone to bother me and grab my ankle!”
At the insistence of her immature son, Helena struggled to hide the smirk that was leaking out.
She answered with a still soft smile.
“Yeah. So, wouldn’t you need more shields? If you put a scarecrow-like figure next to you, idiots won’t stick to you. Didn’t you say you’re tired of ‘women’s pillow hair’ lawsuits too?”
“That’s
”
Helena was definitely right.
Dominique often changed the women he would spend the night with every day, but none of them could be called lovers.
But when he hugged the one he liked a couple more times, they all acted like it was something.
There were others who dared to ask Dominique to be their lover, or to be reckless in holding another woman.
After all, it was nothing more than a means of quenching lust for Dominique.
Therefore, those who had such vain dreams were not bothered at all.
“You just have to pretend that you’re somehow interested in the Neutral Nobility and keep the child I chose for you later. It doesn’t matter if you continue to stay the same.”
“
?”
Dominique didn’t seem to understand why he had to do such a bothersome thing.
It’s okay to get rid of things that bother you.
Helena, who’s warping Dominique’s way of thinking, continued to talk, touching a teacup.
“If there’s a person who would become a princess publicly, no one could claim the position of the princess from you. That’s the same as being against the prospective royal family. But I would not choose a plausible person.”
“
”
“Don’t you hate it when neutralists, not on your side, take the position and act proud?”
“A simple shield’s fine, but please don’t interfere with my personal affairs anymore.”
Growing up in the love of his father, who’s the Emperor, and the affection of his mother, the Empress throughout his life, Dominique was carefree and flirted with many women’s problems.
He was born and was all about choosing breakfast as if it was complicated.
Helena, who urged her son to grow up foolish throughout, smiled satisfactorily at the sight of him.
“Of course. Go back now.”
Dominique got up from his seat without regret finishing what he had to say.
His son, who had nothing to show except for his handsome appearance and the status of a prince, was brought up very well as Helena’s doll.
Helena looked far away and captured the landscape of the garden emotionlessly again.
✿
That evening, when Helena heard the news of an unwelcome visitor, her brows furrowed.
“The Count?”
“Yes. Count Magner has something to tell you
”
Lepeta, who had accompanied her since the days when Helena was the Countess of her periphery, spoke to the best of her ability so as not to offend her.
Cold sweat was already raging on Lepeta’s neck, but she was accustomed to hiding it since she had worked as Helena’s servant for many years.
“The Count
”
Helena groaned as she looked out her window as the sun was setting.
Helena already knew that the Count’s daughter had caused trouble with the Grand Duke last time.
She’s been holding her breath ever since, so she didn’t care.
The Count seemed to have run from the rumor that she was looking for Dominique’s fiancĂ©e.
His intentions were so much that it almost made me laugh.
Helena didn’t know the secret of the Count, as he was as clear as a shallow spring, but she asked Lepeta just in case.
“Did he come alone?”
“No. He entered the palace with his daughter.”
“Ahhh
”
As expected. Was his purpose to show his daughter’s face?
Helena sighed softly and beckoned roughly.
“Tell him to come in.”
“Okay.”
Moments later, Count Magner entered the room confidently.
After that, she saw a slender young lady with her head bowed down.
‘Fortunately, it’s not of Dominic’s taste.’
Helena knew who Dominique was interested in.
Such a pitiful and innocent type was not his cup of tea.
It looks like he brought her here to attach it next to Dominique, but it was out of the question.
Nevertheless, Helena greeted the two with a benevolent smile.
“Welcome. Count.”
“How have you been, the Great Queen?”
It was a greeting full of desire from the tone of voice.
When Helena nodded lightly, the Count pulled his daughter standing behind him and put her next to him.
“Say hello. It’s Queen Helena.”
“Ah.”
The count’s daughter seemed hesitant, but she bowed her head deeper, which was already facing down.
“
Nice to meet you. Great Queen. My name’s Shannon of Count Magner.”
“Shannon? I don’t think the name of Lady Magner I know was that name.”
Helena asked, pretending to be innocent and tilting her head.
Count Magner lowered his voice with both hands together.
“Are you talking about Riley?”
“Ah, yes.”
After all, it was such a stupid name.
Since Countess Fabro’s commotion, whenever Helena held a tea party, the name has been talked about regardless of whether it’s a noble or a noble woman.
And most of them were disregard and gossip.
Count Magner hurriedly continued to speak at Helena’s bland answer.
“Shannon’s Riley’s younger sibling, but she’s been in the mansion since childhood, so at this victory banquet was like her debutant.”
It was an insincere excuse, but it was enough to recognize his true intentions.
Being weak was mostly an excuse, and it was like admitting that there was something unpleasant.
Helena didn’t want to know about his petty affairs, so she didn’t ask any more.
She decided to be satisfied that she didn’t have to talk to the stupid Lady Magner she heard about.
It was when Helena turned her gaze away, hiding her boredom.
Since some time ago, Shannon has been staring at her with her head up straight.
Helena’s expression hardened when she made eye contact with Shannon helplessly.