/
Yves shook his head like a dog and let out an annoyed sigh.
“If she came, then she would have said something, right? So I guess she didn’t come?”
Well, even if Radis did come here, he’d have been asleep at that time. But anyway, he’s still blaming Radis.
Looking at the light streaming through the curtains, Yves estimated the time.
The amount of light outside told him that it’s perhaps just around daybreak.
It would only be a waste of time to get out of bed now.
“Ugh… hiic…”
Nevertheless, Yves dragged himself out of bed, holding back his tears.
If he were to compare resisting the temptation of a beautiful woman and getting out of bed when the sheets were so warm… He’d definitely say that the latter was, by far, a lot more painful. Still, he had no choice.
Hit by the cold winter air, he put on his thick robe and left his bedroom, hunching his shoulders all the way down.
It was usually quiet around the mansion at this time, but strangely enough, it was lively right now.
The candles were fully lit everywhere, and all the employees were moving in perfect order.
Puzzled, Yves went downstairs for now.
He saw several handmaids, including Lina, lined up near the front door. It seemed like they were seeing someone off.
Yves approached Lina and asked.
“Hey, is it nighttime right now?”
The very question made Lina jump, as if she had seen a ghost.
“Oh my, oh my. Milord! Why are you here?”
“You’re asking me…? Isn’t this my house though…?”
“You said that you’ll be resting for a few days, right, sir?”
“Y-Yeah, well…”
“But my goodness, look at you! Milord, if you’re going to stay here, please hurry and change your clothes first!”
“Clothes? Why?”
“Because we have a guest! And he’s about to come out now!”
“Guest? What guest? Radis?”
Then, a gentle voice could be heard from the stairs.
“She’s sleeping right now. I carried her to her bedroom.”
Before they knew it, the dressed up Olivier was languidly descending the stairs.
In his absolute confusion, Yves’ mouth gaped widely.
‘The Third Prince? Why’s the Third Prince coming down from there? And what did he say? Carried who to her bedroom? Whaaat? What? What? No way, does that mean that he’s been together with her until now? With R-R-R-Radis?”
There were so many things he wanted to point out right now.
However, after seeing Olivier’s face, Yves had no choice but to keep silent.
Not only was Olivier dressed in formal clothes, but his demeanor had also reverted back to the perfect mask he’s been showing to others until now—the mask that was the Third Prince of the Empire.
As Olivier went down the stairs and now stood in front of Yves Russell, there was no longer any trace of yesterday’s tender smile, bright expression, or eyes full of sadness.
Now, there was no smile, his expression instead looked dark, and his eyes revealed nothing, as though they were gemstones. After staring hard at Yves Russell, Olivier soon opened his lips to speak.
“There must be something that you want.”
Hearing this, Yves felt his simmering emotions cool down at once.
Right.
He had a plan.
Wasn’t that the plan from the very beginning?
An underhanded plan to use Radis so that he could get closer to Olivier.
Bluntly speaking, what he’s doing right now was to use the heart of a young woman as she was in a bad situation herself. However, be that as it may, he’s doing this because there’s something he wished to achieve.
A sardonic smile slowly made itself known on Yves Russell’s lips.
“Your Highness, there is nothing that I wish to have. All I pray for is the well being of our beautiful Empire and the Imperial Family.”
Then, Yves Russell lowered his voice and whispered.
“And as long as my ‘special’ loyalty towards Your Highness is recognized, what more could I want?”
Olivier looked at Yves Russell with unfeeling eyes.
He knew that Yves Russell was hoping to reclaim the stature of a duke that House Russell had before.
It was highly likely that he’s approaching Olivier for that very reason.
And that’s exactly why Olivier couldn’t trust Yves Russell even more.
If he really wished to be reinstated as a duke, then all he had to do was approach Charles, the first prince.
But here he was, so blatantly trying to curry Olivier’s favor.
As if he knew what Olivier’s objective was.
‘What does this person know, and how far has he found out?’
Olivier was originally the kind of man who would not allow this kind of approach.
Anyone who walked on a wide road had many options available to them.
They would be able to join hands with many people, plan ahead together, attract more allies, and move forward seamlessly.
However, from the moment that he was born, he had been on just a singular, narrow path.
Coming to a grinding halt meant death for him. He could not let his guard down for a moment.
Even a mere feather falling upon his shoulder could prove fatal to him.
He lived for twenty years without even breathing.
Except for yesterday.
So… he could not refuse Yves Russell’s hand.
Olivier finally answered.
“Marquis Russell.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“There is something that you do not know about me.”
Olivier took a step closer to Yves.
In turn, Yves pricked up his ears as if he could not miss out on even a single word.
Olivier’s exquisite lips moved.
“I dislike the color black.”
“……?”
“The mere sight of black clothes that look like mourning clothes appalls me. To be more precise, perhaps it’s a feeling closer to repugnance.”
“……!”