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Ran walked away, deliberately avoiding the Marquis’ Young Lady. She only calmed down when they reached the hallway, yet her fingers still trembled.
She appears to have been taken aback by the unexpected situation.
Seeing this, Yustaf lightly clenched Ran’s hand.
“Are you all right?”
“Uh, yeah. I guess I’m a little surprised……”
Ran muttered as she looked at him. Yustaf’s blue eyes locked on her.
“Yus, are you okay?”
“What?”
“I mean…”
“Murderer!”
She shivered when she heard the Young Lady’s cries, but what about Yustaf? Was he all right after hearing that?
“The Young Lady’s insults. Are you…”
Yustaf smiled at her words.
“I don’t recall hearing any insults, but I understand what you’re talking about. And it’s okay. Because it’s true.”
“What do you mean it’s true…” Ran whispered.
Yustaf realized Ran had stopped trembling and released her hands.
“It is true that I murdered a man. That is not anything I am ashamed of. It’s not something I brag about, but it’s the truth.” He answered.
Ran was speechless when he said it, so she shut her mouth. She delicately licked her lips before opening her mouth again.
“If Yus is okay with it, so am I.”
“Really?”
“Huh?”
“You don’t mind if I’m a murderer?”
“That’s it-”
Ran decided to cautiously choose her words.
“It’s not as if you wanted to do it. The opponent attacked first. You also had to keep the Duchy safe. So, if you’re okay with it, I’m okay with it.”
Ran said confidently, and Yustaf paused for a moment.
If he had killed it was because that was absolutely necessary, he killed only because it was inevitable; and if he could have stopped the war without killing, he would have.
He did, however, enjoy the war and what he did. But he didn’t want to tell Ran that, and he didn’t have to.
“I’m glad you don’t mind.”
Yustaf responded and opened the door of the carriage, which had arrived just in time. Ran was the first to board the carriage, and he turned to Blaine just as he was about to enter.
“I’ll talk to you later.”
Blaine bowed his head softly.
*****
For a long time, the incident at the Crystal Hall has been the subject of rumor.
Some thought the Marquis’ Young Lady was to blame for her insulting behavior, while others thought she was pitiful.
Everyone agreed, however, that Yustaf Raban de Lachia is cold-hearted, but still cares for his sister.
And everyone couldn’t help but wonder how sweet he would be to his future fiancée.
Surprisingly, public sentiment shifted in that direction, and the number of women gathered in front of the Crystal Hall grew.
Yustaf’s position was widely supported by the public. Not just the ladies, but also the men, shared similar opinions on the Marquis of Cameron’s behavior.
‘It’s unfortunate, but it’s a duel, and there’s nothing I can do.’ Furthermore, the Marquis’ claims are ridiculous.’
In the end, the Emperor eventually ruled in favor of Lachia after considering public opinion and sentiment.
The Marquis of Cameron was forced to pay large war reparations to the Duke of Lachia despite the loss of his eldest son.
And Yustaf had arrived in the capital on the fifteenth day.
*****
“If I hadn’t married the Marquis, I would have fallen in love with Lord Yustaf.” Marchioness Cyrix said with a grin.
“The Marquis will be disappointed to hear that.” Ran replied and laughed.
“Do you think so?”
The Marchioness of Cyrix burst out laughing.
Ran invited the Marchioness to the Viridescent Arch as a friend, and she is now quite close to her.
It’s tough to find a friend in High Society with whom you can truly open up to.
That’s why Ran really cherished the Marchioness of Cyrix.
“How much longer are you going to call me Marchioness? Just call me Lizie.”
Elise, the Marchioness of Cyrix, was affectionate and had asked Ran to address her by her nickname.
“Then, please call me Ran.”
“All right, Ran.”
Ran and Elise exchanged glances before bursting out laughing.
“To be honest, being a Marchioness is too much of a burden for me. But Ca- I mean, Marquis Cyrix assures me not to worry”. Elise said, her cheek slightly flushed.
“I agree with the Marquis. You don’t have to worry too much. And besides, the Empress has taken a liking to you, hasn’t she??”
“”You really think so? But everything seems so difficult.”” Elise said with a sigh.
‘You’re going to be incredible at those things.’
“No, you’re doing great.” Ran replied.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Elise said and held Ran’s hands tightly.
“Ran, as well. I wasn’t expecting Lachia’s housekeeper to approach me and ask me to be your friend. Of course, I didn’t even consider it. So, now that we’ve become friends, I have to ask: Are ice walls really that high? Is it true that there are monsters? What about the door?”
“The wall is really high. There are monsters as well. Of course, the door is real.”
“That is impressive! It’s amazing to know that all of the legends are true.” Elise’s amber eyes twinkled with excitement.
“What about the Sky Castle? Is it really built seamlessly out of marble?” Elise continued.
“I haven’t checked to see if there are any seams, but it is built of pure white marble.”
Elise sighed.
“It must be really beautiful.”
“Yes. It’s really beautiful.” Ran replied passionately, recalling the Sky mansion.
The Sky Mansion, made of pure white marble, glistened under the sunlight.
“Please invite me next time.”
“If the Marquis allows it.” Ran smiled in response to Elise’s words.
Ran’s words made Elise’s face blush. The couple seemed to have a good relationship.
Ran grinned as she filled Elise’s teacup. Then Elise abruptly lowered her voice, as if she remembered something.
“Come to think of it, I’ve heard you’ve recently had issues with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Yes”, Ran answered, her shoulders automatically drooping.
Elise scowled since Ran’s quick response conveyed everything.
“I don’t really know what’s wrong with him. Why bother Ran when he can easily find a girl who likes him?”
“That’s right.”
Furthermore, the Empress is annoyed that she has been refusing him.
Of course, the Crown Prince is married, but Ran should not bluntly reject him, who is clinging to her.
It was obvious that they had that mindset.
Now that the issue with Marquis Cameron is resolved, I intend to request an audience with His Majesty and ask for a favor.
“I see. I think you should also watch out for the Crown Princess.” Elise tilted her head and nodded.
“Yes, I know.” Ran agreed.
Elise’s face brightened.
“That makes me happy. By the way, I know this is rather off-topic, but…”
“Yes?”
“Would you like to join me and my husband for a picnic next time?”
“I would love to.” Ran happily nodded.
*****
Yustaf narrowed his eyes as he studied the documents. The encrypted documents written by Nocturne were not read in the traditional left-to-right order.
Yustaf read the brief text and quickly burned the paper.
‘It’s contraception.’
It was a note that the Crown Princess continued to use contraception even after marriage.
‘Is that so?’
The most simplest way for the Crown Princess to gain power is to give birth to a son – the next heir.
This would allow the Crown Princess to seize a solid position and power.
‘But she’s using birth control.’
Yustaf leaned back against the backrest and tapped his fingers on the armrest. The Crown Princess must have an ulterior motive. The fact that she hadn’t had a child in three years made no sense, and there was nothing to suggest that the crown princess’s body was flawed. What about the stress?
‘But she ignored everything and discreetly used contraception.’
Although Nocturne spent a lot of money and people getting this information, it was worth it.
‘What are you thinking? Do you have someone else you love?’
Surprisingly, people would sometimes make ridiculous conclusions as a result of their emotions. But, I do not believe this is the case.
One thing was certain: the Crown Princess had only bitter feelings for the Crown Prince.
Once he had that information in his head, Yustaf opened a second document – a document about the second prince.
Then he heard a soft knock on the door, and Yustaf turned the papers aside.
“Come in.”
The old butler opened the door and came in with an unusual troubled expression.
“My Lord…”
“What’s going on? Did something happen to my sister?” Yustaf stood up and asked.
“No, it’s not that. Someone has come to see you, My Lord.”
“A guest? For me?”
“Yes.”
“It’s His Highness the Crown Prince.” Rolf approached Yustaf quickly and whispered.
“Now? The Crown Prince is in the mansion?” Yustaf eyes’ widened.
“Yes.”
“Where is he?”
“I’ve brought him to the fourth living room.”
It’s the best living room.
“Let’s go.” Yustaf said, then casually tapping the butler on the shoulder and leaving the room.
The Viridescent Arch has four living rooms, each with a simple and functional name. The living room gets more luxurious as you go further.
The Crown Prince, dressed casually, sat in the fourth living room. That is, rather than dressing discreetly, he wore a suit that would have labeled him as “The Crown Prince who went out in secret.”
“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Yustaf welcomed the other person with respect and courtesy, regardless of how he felt towards him.
The Crown Prince, who was sitting on a chair, laughed and raised his hand.
“Let’s get rid of the formalities. I’m not here as a Crown Prince, but as a regular person.”
“I understand.”
If he had really come as an ordinary person, the guard wouldn’t even have opened the gate. With that in mind, Yustaf asked.
“Do you want a cup of tea?”
“No, let’s do something strong.” Or should I request a cup of tea because the Lord is still young?
“I will do as you wish.” Yustaf said, opened the cabinet in the parlor and took out the liquor.
Yustaf filled a crystal glass about a third and handed it to Ruth as he sat down.
“You may wonder why I came all of a sudden.” Ruth said with a dry smile while drinking alcohol.
“It’s an honor for you to visit the mansion.”
“I’m here to let you know that I’m on the Young Master’s side.”
Ruth chuckled. Yustaf flinched, seemingly perplexed. If Ran saw him with his neutral expression, she would think that Yustaf is a genius in acting.
“You’re on my side?”
“Indeed. Are you aware that the current Duke of Lachia is more well-known than you?”
“That’s because she’s the current head of the house.”
“Yeah. But, how long will it last? I believe it is also time for you to act. We don’t know how long she’ll be in that position, just as we don’t know how long my father will be Emperor.” Ruth whispered quietly, taking a sip of his alcohol and smirking.
Yustaf suppressed a laugh at his words. Those comments were enough to get him arrested for treason.
‘You’re not just perverted, but also stupid.’
Ruth began to chatter without knowing Yustaf’s inner thoughts as he continued to downgrade his Crown Prince’s evaluation.
“So I’ll help you, I mean.”
“How so?”
“Well, no matter how good the Duke of Lachia is, she lacks Lachian blood. Isn’t she just an ordinary girl if she leaves Lachia?” Ruth shrugged his shoulders.
Yustaf felt strange that the Crown Prince could describe Ran as an “ordinary girl.”
But somehow, on the outside, he nodded his head in agreement.
“That’s right.”
“So, with a little help from the Young Master, I’ll take care of the Duke of Lachia.”
“Take care of her….”
“Yes, I’m sure if I keep her busy, she won’t be able to do her duties as head any longer, right?” Ruth said with a sinister smile.
“I suppose so.” Yustaf smiled, but his patience was wearing thin.
Yustaf, as a fellow man, was even taken aback by this way of thinking.
Baron Lindbergh and the Crown Prince believed that simply having Ran in bed would make her theirs.
Yustaf thought of his late cousin. It’s an unsettling idea, but even if Ran was left untouched, he can’t picture her saying something “I see what you mean. So, from now on, you are my husband, and I shall follow your orders.”
‘Well, that’s a stupid piece of shit.’
Yustaf concluded and looked at the Crown Prince.
Although they are not related by blood, they are still siblings in the family register. But the stupid Crown Prince still tells the younger brother that he will rape his sister and get rid of it.
In other words, the Crown Prince himself could do it for the sake of power.
– You can’t trust anyone. Never, never, never, never trust anyone.
It was as if he could hear his mother’s voice again in his ears.
“I will take your suggestion to heart.”
Yustaf said and bowed his head. Ruth smiled contentedly and burst into laughter at his words.
“Excellent! Why don’t I take you to my favorite spot? It’s probably time for you to grow into a man.”
The Crown Prince rose to his feet, spewing dirty words as if he had become friends with Yustaf.
“I’ll see you next time.”
“Please take care.”
The Crown Prince put on his hat tightly and patted Yustaf on the shoulder a few times before exiting the living room.