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Episode 31: Someone Is Back (IX)
Six years ago…
A hunting picnic with the crown prince and his five closest associates.
It was then that the crown prince helplessly fell off a cliff and had not returned to this day. And the person who benefited the most from the disappearance was Heaton.
Couldn’t the accident have been caused by the associates, who might be actually behind Heaton?
But there was no evidence. It was not like Heaton was there.
“Anyway, Orca is crazy, he just keeps saying that the crown prince has returned…”
Joshua spoke with sunken eyes.
“It’s said Prince Heaton will keep an eye on Orca for a while. If there is any clue, he will do his best to find it.”
I did not reply.
Anyway, it was a very different development from the original. And if it’s the future related to the crown prince that I changed…
Are you alive? Call me at 3125.
It was only that letter.
‘Are you letting me know that you are alive and well like this? That’s quite violent? I just need one reply…’
I searched my memory.
“…How did this happen?”
“I was betrayed. That’s all.”
“Oh my god…”
“Since I survived, I can take revenge. Don’t worry too much.”
If it was me, I would never kill Orca either. Doing so would drive him crazy, which did happen, and terrify the rest of them.
For the crown prince to return after six years… the people involved must have felt like they were suddenly struck by lightning while sleeping with their feet stretched out.
(TL/N: the last bit of this sentence, it’s something like ‘receiving a rude awakening’.)
‘It was my plan from the beginning to hasten that revenge, but I can’t believe it was pulled up with just one greeting like this.’
In any case, from Melissa’s memory, it was not revealed why the crown prince did not immediately appear and announce his identity, but secretly began to take such cruel revenge.
‘If Peep comes back with an answer, maybe there’s room for more reasoning.’
I decided not to tell my family about this.
In any case, getting involved with the imperial family was dangerous. At that time, the boy asked me to ‘never get entangled with him’, so yes, it was good to keep this out of his mouth until it was clear.
I was lost in my thoughts when Joshua said,
“Let’s stop talking about something that has nothing to do with us.”
‘No, it’s very relevant…’
Joshua went on sarcastically as he lifted his teacup.
“With this, Prince Heaton won’t be interested in Prelai. You think he is going to watch over Rodrigo and your marriage right now?”
“Ah.”
I blinked and replied,
“I solved that anyway.”
“How?”
“I have a boyfriend. So, it can be said that arranged marriage is an issue that cannot be forced.”
“Euk!”
“Keuk, euk, euk, euk, euk!”
Grandpa and Joshua sipped the tea at the same time, and coughed at the same time.
“What? Boyfriend? Who the hell, which freaking bastard…”
“Could it be Avian Lisinis?”
When the name ‘Avian’ came out of Joshua’s mouth, I was very surprised.
“…Why is his name brought up?”
“I heard he flirted with you at the clubhouse? Did that bastard have a swollen eye?”
‘No, no matter how much we can look down on each other because we are related by blood, isn’t it too much to say his eyes are swollen?’
It was when I was about to make a formal protest.
Joshua added grimly.
“Those swollen eyes will be useless, we need to get it out right away.”
At that, Grandpa slammed the table.
“No, that model student sort of child who is known for having a great personality is messing with our headstrong, dog-like Kiana? Damn it!”
Something was a little strange, but… Anyway, I quickly waved my hand and clarified.
“He didn’t mess with me, he just wanted to thank me, Grandpa. Because I caught the criminal. And Avian is the captain of the guard. He is someone who can’t get married.”
“He can just give it up.”
Joshua smiled and shrugged.
“He has now caught the bounty he was chasing. Is there any reason to continue to be the captain of the guard?”
“…Is it?”
Oh, now that I heard it, it was like that.
“What…”
Joshua’s eyes narrowed.
“As far as Avian Lisinis is concerned… It’s nothing compared to that despicable Rodrigo. Avian is unnecessarily upright and quite naive. But still…”
“In the first place, the Duchy of Lisinis is not comparable with the Duchy of Purves. Even if the second one has been kind since he was young…”
Grandpa muttered reluctantly. Scratching my chin, I said,
“Well, it did seem so. He is straight and good-looking, but he smells like a pushover even when I’m just next to him. It’s like Melissa, so it’s very bad.”
Whatever Grandpa and Joshua might say, Avian Lisinis was a figure outside of my interest.
After a sigh, I continued.
“My lover is definitely not Avian. It’s actually Marquis Cesare Levin.”
“…Ah.”
Joshua replied insincerely, leaning back on the couch. It looked like he wasn’t very interested.
While Grandpa tilted his head, mumbling, ‘Marquis Cesare Levin?’, Joshua seemed rather relieved.
“It’s okay. It’s just a gimmick. Is that why you went to the gambling house yesterday? You were looking for Marquis Levin?”
“…Huh? Why did you conclude this?”
“Why on earth would you seriously date a rascal who hangs out at the clubhouse?”
It was an irrefutable statement.
With delight, Grandpa placed the teacup down.
“Ah, he is a crazy bastard? Even though Kiana is a bit odd, she’s not stupid enough to seriously date a guy like that. Is it just a gimmick?”
Finally, I nodded and answered.
“Yes. We’re going to break up when it’s appropriate. To be honest, it’s a fake relationship to deceive people.”
Joshua sniffed loudly and said,
“Okay. He’s very suitable for fooling people’s eyes for a while. As long as you two don’t see eye to eye, you’ve chosen a good partner.”
“I’m getting compliments from Brother for choosing Cesare?”
“First, since he was a commoner, you can split cleanly whenever you want and he can’t be clingy.”
Joshua explained, folding his fingers.
“Second, even if he is clingy, it is easy for our grandfather to suppress him with power because he is a marquis from the borders.”
“Hoo…”
“Third, since he doesn’t have any unnecessary ties with the imperial family, it won’t be messy like Rodrigo.”
In conclusion, he was a high-ranking aristocrat with the rank of marquis, but his background was insignificant, so he was evaluated as a person I could use to my heart’s content.
‘What, is Joshua smarter than I thought?’
Grandpa started to go, ‘Ah, so…’ He looked at me, maintaining the earlier delighted expression, and smiled happily.
Actually, I didn’t think it that deeply, but after hearing what Joshua said, it seemed reasonable.
Joshua asked, rolling his eyes.
“But I want to check one thing. It’s just a contract, did you say ‘I’d never love you’?”
“I didn’t say anything like that.”
There was no way I could have said such a thing, as I was planning to secretly develop into a real lover if it was okay and there was a chance.
“How about if he finds another girl he likes, you will leave immediately, or will you two break up cleanly after a year?”
“Of course I won’t. In this life, there is no such thing as ‘clean’. I will never let him go until he is no longer needed.”
“Good.”
Joshua smiled gleefully. Judging by his expression, he seemed to be comparing it to the romance novels he had read.
“Then, you won’t get hit in the eye with the love of the century. Shall I write an article for <Lorelei>?”
“Just briefly mention it. There is no need for a headline.”
I thoughtfully answered.
“As Brother said, the crown prince suddenly reappeared, so Prince Heaton won’t be interested in Rodrigo and me.”
Wait. Just a moment.
Come to think of it, it seemed there was no need to pretend to be in love with Cesare in such a hurry yesterday. I wished I had known that the crown prince would suddenly appear and cause such an uproar.
‘I thought pressure would come from today…’
But from what I had been told, Heaton didn’t seem to have time to bother with me. Then obviously, the talks of marriage between Rodrigo and I would fizzle out like this.
Oh well…
Fortunately, it was not a losing business because I would gain a secret laboratory.
Apparently, both Grandpa and Joshua were very determined to get rid of coffee, candy, and stomach medicine from the ducal residence. I even made a promise with Cesare that I wouldn’t back down.
I stretched and casually said,
“Soon, it’ll be the imperial banquet. There’s plenty of opportunity to let others know publicly.”
It was then.
At the same time as the sudden knock, the butler entered with urgency.
“Duke!”
It was the first time since I abruptly came to the capital that the butler had such a surprised expression.
Seukali was stunned, frowning disapprovingly at the butler.
“This is an urgent call.”
The butler continued.
“His Majesty the Emperor has woken up, and is said to be on his way to the Prelai residence right now.”
Ame: Bruh, this whole family actually likes one another a lot? They’re just emotionally stunted and overly sarcastic! And wow… I definitely didn’t expect that last sentence.
Dea: I love the dynamic in this family and I can’t wait to see more of them….also more of our couple hehe