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The gaze of the man called X felt uncomfortable as if it was clinging to my body. I firmly grasped Theodore’s arm.
When I looked at Theodore, his expression was also not good.
As I moved my gaze from Theodore to Cameron, I noticed that the man named X, whose gaze had been so intense, was now looking elsewhere.
Cameron was still recounting what had happened to him as X helped him up and dusted him off.
“That Theodore attacked me!”
“Didn’t you scratch his inside first?”
“What?”
“I told you to keep your temper in check.”
No matter how much Cameron vented to X, X never sided with Cameron; instead, he subtly placed the blame on Cameron.
Is he his new aide?
However, to be referred to as an aide. The two seemed to have an unusual relationship.
I could see the power advantage tilting toward that man, X, despite the fact that Cameron is treating him poorly and he is treating Cameron with respect.
Who is he?
The name X was openly suspicious, to be honest. Who names a person X?
Others didn’t seem to think much of his name, but in math, the letter X is used to denote the unknown.
“I’m going to lock him up right away.”
“Oh, what do you mean?”
Never ones to be intimidated by Cameron’s ferocity, X stretched out his hands to stop Cameron’s hauling order.
Even though Theodore and I had already confronted Cameron, we knew that we shouldn’t undervalue him because he wasn’t someone who would be easily defeated. But X was openly disobeying Cameron’s orders without any concern for the consequences.
Even stranger was the fact that X openly disobeyed Cameron’s orders, yet Cameron took no action against him.
Is he the god of the underworld? Or his confidante?
Looking at X, who was openly suspicious, I had a bad feeling.
It’s possible that the underworld god assumed the form of that X, or it could be a subordinate that he attached to Cameron.
I had an uneasy feeling about this one. I stayed close to Theodore, wary of X.
X’s eerie gaze shifted from Cameron to Theodore and me, and he approached us with a creepy grin. Perhaps Theodore felt ominous about X, he hid me behind him.
He had an odd appearance, and it was not easy to tell how old he was. While his sharp eyes made him appear older, his innocent smile made him appear younger.
Though innocent-looking, his smile wasn’t endearing.
“You’re scared, aren’t you?”
His tone was friendly. Or, more accurately, it sounded like he was attempting to sound friendly. Theodore and I did not respond. X continued to smile, seemingly unconcerned by our silence.
“There are times when I want to give a punch, too. That’s all right.”
“What the heck are you doing, X!”
In a loud, clear voice, Cameron yelled. Meanwhile, Theodore and I remained silent, just watching the scene unfold.
“Child, please stay still for a moment.”
Like a seasoned trainer, X handled Cameron. After making an odd noise, Cameron stopped talking. He really didn’t say anything and didn’t move.
Demimore doesn’t often talk about Cameron in front of me, but he once said that Cameron can’t stand being ordered by anyone other than the emperor.
When Demimore said that, he had a very irate expression on his face.
How is Cameron so obedient to X? Who or what is X to be able to control Cameron so effectively? I wanted to learn his secret techniques if possible.
“But since they attacked a member of the imperial family, we can’t just let it go, can we?”
After saying that, X crossed his arms and thought.
After pondering for a while, the man clapped his hands together as if he had thought of an idea.
“How about this? Let’s reminisce about the old times and have a hunting bet!”
“A hunting bet?”
A nostalgic story.
Despite the fact that I had won, I did not have a pleasant memory of the hunting competition. It was impossible to condense it into a pleasant memory.
But how did this guy find out about the hunting bet?
“The prince kept talking about what happened at the time, as if it was etched in his mind.”
“…….”
“Can you give him the opportunity to avenge himself?”
Hiding behind Theodore, X reached out to me as if he were requesting a dance.
I firmly shook my head as I alternately scanned his face and his outstretched hand.
It bothered me that X and the god of the underworld might be connected, and I didn’t want to make a bet with Cameron once more.
“Well, how about this then?”
“…….”
“What about calling off Astina and the First Prince’s engagement?”
X pulled out another card as if anticipating my rejection. It was very alluring.
I can therefore save Theodore and prevent Astina’s engagement if I win the hunting bet.
“Is it that easy…… to break off an engagement?”
“Of course!”
When I expressed interest, X’s face brightened. I needed to be sure because it appeared that he had a secret agenda.
“The Emperor doesn’t even know that the First Prince wants to be engaged with Astina.”
“What?”
You haven’t received permission yet. What’s going on?
It could still be reversed if the Emperor still hadn’t given his approval. I was shocked as I stared at Cameron. Cameron was just watching from the sidelines.
It can still be retracted if it hasn’t even reached the Emperor’s ear yet. But would the Emperor really consent to Astina becoming a princess?
Although I was relieved to hear that, I must still exercise caution.
Now that I think about it, the Emperor was reportedly deeply concerned about pairing Cameron with the best possible match, which was why he hadn’t found a fiancé for him until now.
“I can tell what you’re thinking. It’s easy to convince the Emperor to make Astina a princess.”
X spoke more seriously than before, as if he could read my mind.
“You ruined everything Miss Mary, and now you’re going to make it right.”
“What did I ruin?”
In response to my query, he remained silent and only made a gesture in the direction of Astina and Theodore. Yes, all of this occurred as a result of me.
“And the things you will ruin in the future.”
I fell into deep thought. Naturally, I refused to accept it. It was too suspicious. At the same time, I couldn’t avoid the fight.
Then again, it’s too suspicious to accept, but if I object, I have no idea what kind of ruse Cameron will come up with. X opened his mouth once more as I remained silent, lost in thought.
“If you want, we can choose a place in the Grand Duke’s estate.”
“I don’t want to hunt.”
“Why?”
“Because back then…….”
I glared at Cameron.
“I was so traumatized that I no longer wanted to hunt animals because the first prince sent me a dead rabbit after he lost the hunting bet.”
When I finished speaking, X clapped again.
“Oh, then what about this? Beast hunting!”
“……what?”
“I know a forest where the beasts gather. We can make the bet there. Hunting beasts will also be good for the empire…”
“No way.”
Theodore, who had been listening, stepped between me and X.
“That’s a lot of BS.”
Theodore stood in front of me again, looking at X and barring his teeth, but X was unperturbed by Theodore.
“Why are you blaming her? That bast… no, it’s me who beat the prince, and that bast… no, the prince forced Lady Astina to be engaged to him.”
“Hmm…”
“I’m going to prison. I can’t let my only sister suffer because of me.”
I couldn’t see Theodore’s expression as he said that, but his back seemed so big. However, it only appears to be big.
Even though he is my older brother, Theodore was only two years older than me. I can’t let him go to jail.
“Just let me…”
“Oh, so what about this?”
X spoke in a covert manner.
“Siblings compete with siblings!”
“Siblings?”
“Mary and Theodore are on your side, and Cameron is bringing his sibling.”
“Princess Lausanne…”
His plan didn’t sound so bad, but would Princess Lausanne go hunting? She wouldn’t be able to leave easily because she is a princess.
“No, it’s Prince Demimore who will be with Cameron.”
“Are you aware that Demimore is engaged to Mary?”
I was taken aback by the unexpected name, but Theodore spoke up for me, pointing out what I wanted to say.
“Of course. Isn’t that better for you?”
“But why?”
“I really want Miss Mary to join the bet because I really want to exact revenge for Prince Cameron’s humiliation, even if it means going to this extent.”