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Chapter 2.6 - To Open One's Eyes




Chapter 2.6: To Open One’s Eyes
As usual, Kuhn donned the knights’ uniform and went to go meet Dian . The location, however, was different . This time, they met in a small palace . As soon as he saw Dian, Kuhn thought about Sienna . Even though they were half-siblings, they weren’t alike at all .
Kuhn felt uncomfortable whenever he remembered how he had escaped Sienna . Every time the wound on his left hand twitched, it came to mind .
“Have you run into any trouble?”
“What trouble?”
It looked like Dian really didn’t know . Kuhn was relieved but felt a bit disappointed .
“Nothing . Just wondering . ”
“Fine, don’t tell me . We met yesterday, so what could have happened since then?”
“Where are we?”
“I spent some time here when I first entered the Imperial Palace . It’s empty now . ”
 
“Why did you call for me?”
“Do I need a reason to call you? Aren’t we friends?”
The ladies-in-waiting set the tea on the table and withdrew . Kuhn didn’t touch the tea that was placed in front of him and continued to stare at Dian .
“Dian, I’m a busy man . I don’t have time for chitchat . ”
Kuhn’s eyes looked cold on his blank face . Dian felt a bit intimidated but didn’t want to let it show in front of Kuhn, so he became even more lighthearted and shrugged his shoulders .
“You’re not even letting me joke around . I finished talking with Duke Grosi . ”
“Good work catching that giant snake . ”
For a moment, Kuhn’s face showed relief before it disappeared . He had been worried because the negotiations were taking longer than expected .
“I’m sure he also weighed the pros and cons and decided he had nothing to lose . It also means someone from his family would become the Red King . ”
Dian had suggested to Duke Grosi that they should form an alliance through marriage . They had agreed to have Dian take Duke Grosi’s granddaughter as his wife .
They had been discussing this for a long time . The duke had dragged it out by not giving Dian a definite answer . This was because those associated with Dian would be investigated .
One wouldn’t call off a marriage just because the man had a couple of lovers he was enjoying, but no one would want to marry their granddaughter off to a promiscuous man, even if it was a contract marriage . If it came to a clean image, Dian had no issues . This wasn’t because he hid his indiscretions well . He really didn’t have any dirt on his character . He was a man who only dreamed of the future . Therefore, he made sure to take care of himself .
 
“Have you seen her yet?”
“Who?”
“The duke’s granddaughter . ”
“Nope . It doesn’t matter . Even if she was the ugliest woman on earth, I’d still marry her in the end . I mean, I’m sure she’s not ugly since she is a descendant of the duke . ”
The six ducal families, who were at the top of the aristocracy, were all related through marriage to the Imperial family . While they did not carry the main trait of the Imperial family, two-colored hair, they still had an impressive physique and beauty .
” . . . Are you sure about that?”
Dian face stiffened .
“Why? Is there something you’ve heard?”
“No . I mean, are sure about getting married like that?”
Dian looked at Kuhn with confusion . Suddenly, he burst into laughter .
“Kuhn Raad, are you crazy? Why are you being so sentimental? It’s so unlike you . For people like us, marriage is a contract and a business . ”
“Don’t lump me in with you . I’m going to pick my own woman . ”
 
“Do you think that’s realistic?”
Dian was dumbfounded . Did this guy eat something funny? However, Kuhn was serious .
“It’s my right, and it’s kind of a tradition in my family . ”
” . . . Seriously?”
“You marry for love . . . ”
“Aaaaahh!”
Dian shrieked .
“Shut up . Stop talking . I can’t believe those words are coming out of your mouth . It’s giving me chills . ”
Dian’s gestures were exaggerated as he pretended to scratch his body all over .
“Anyways, I just wanted to let you know what’s been going on . The engagement announcement will be going out soon . ”
“Aren’t you rushing things?”
“Duke Grosi wanted it that way . ”
 
“That’s strange . He was dragging his feet earlier, so why now?”
“Probably because of the Red King . There’s gossip that she’s diligently picking candidates for the Blue King . ”
“By ‘Blue King’, you’re talking about . . . ”
“Princess Sienna’s husband . ”
Kuhn’s hand that was holding the teacup flinched .
“Duke Grosi doesn’t have anyone to offer as a candidate . I guess that worked out for me . Or else he would never have been able to make a decision between me and Sienna . ”
“Isn’t it a bit early? Princess Sienna is still young . ”
“It isn’t unheard of to become engaged before the coming-of-age ceremony . Princess Sienna doesn’t seem to care much about finding a husband, so that’s why the Red King is in even more of a hurry . Before the Princess takes an interest, the Red King is trying to find a son-in-law that will obey her orders like a dog . ”
” . . . ”
Princess Sienna’s marriage .
The arrogant princess that looked down on the world was going to become the wife of one man? He couldn’t even picture it . That woman was like a sharp sword . She was fierce and strong . If you handled her incorrectly, your hand would bleed .
 
Kuhn suddenly recalled her golden eyes as she tried to strike him with her sword . He then proceeded to drink the remainder of his cooled tea in one shot . For some reason, his throat was burning .\n