As he recalled the events of his childhood, he hated the person in front of him even more. Randall looked straight into David's eyes and chewed on his words.
“Where is the lunatic who calls that kind of relationship a friendship?”
David's eyebrows quirked in discomfort at the word lunatic. But he soon seemed to have lost interest and passed Randall with a blank expression on his face.
“Well, there’s no reason to waste time like this. Get out of the way.”
To be exact, he tried to brush past. Randall instinctively grabbed David's arm tightly as he tried to walk towards the reception room again.
“Where are you going?”
Words and actions came out faster than expected. Randall unconsciously let out a hard voice and bit his lips a step later. It was because he had clearly revealed the fact that he was uncomfortable with David approaching Sylvia. David was the one who tried to get his hands on any weakness of Randall and destroy it, and Sylvia was currently Randall’s biggest weakness. Randall knew that David would explode with joy if he confirmed that his weakness was Sylvia.
“..."
But David just looked at Randall with an unexpectedly strange expression. After a moment of silence, he smiled slightly as if a good idea had occurred to him and approached Randall. David, who had come close to Randall, whispered an ominous word in his ear.
“Come to think of it, it’s been almost half a year since the Duke got married.”
“...”
“By then, your body should be cooling down. Isn’t your wife keeping secrets from you?”
Secret.
Secret.
Philia ground her teeth in anger. Thinking back to that time, it was still absurd. Clearly, he was worried about her, so he came running with such a blank expression! He even half-cried while hugging her!
“Where is the lunatic who calls that kind of relationship a friendship?”
David's eyebrows quirked in discomfort at the word lunatic. But he soon seemed to have lost interest and passed Randall with a blank expression on his face.
“Well, there’s no reason to waste time like this. Get out of the way.”
To be exact, he tried to brush past. Randall instinctively grabbed David's arm tightly as he tried to walk towards the reception room again.
“Where are you going?”
Words and actions came out faster than expected. Randall unconsciously let out a hard voice and bit his lips a step later. It was because he had clearly revealed the fact that he was uncomfortable with David approaching Sylvia. David was the one who tried to get his hands on any weakness of Randall and destroy it, and Sylvia was currently Randall’s biggest weakness. Randall knew that David would explode with joy if he confirmed that his weakness was Sylvia.
“..."
But David just looked at Randall with an unexpectedly strange expression. After a moment of silence, he smiled slightly as if a good idea had occurred to him and approached Randall. David, who had come close to Randall, whispered an ominous word in his ear.
“Come to think of it, it’s been almost half a year since the Duke got married.”
“...”
“By then, your body should be cooling down. Isn’t your wife keeping secrets from you?”
Secret.
Randall flinched at the word. But he couldn't let it show because he wasn't letting his guard down. Randall looked at him with a stern face and replied.
“It is very regrettable that someone who is the Crown Prince of a country can only speak in such a vulgar manner.”
It was even more insulting because there were no ups and downs in the words. Eventually, David ground his teeth and grabbed Randall by the collar.
“This kid...”
David ground his teeth with a sharp look in his eyes as if he was going to punch Randall in the face at any moment. Randall looked down at him coldly without moving an inch. Eventually, David couldn't bear the gaze that was like looking at an insect and raised his hand.
“What’s all this noise!”
A thunderous voice was heard as the King, Sylvia, and the servants appeared out of the drawing room. Sylvia looked surprised to see Randall with David. Randall quickly relaxed his expression and lowered his head when he saw her.
“Your Majesty.”
“...I greet you, Your Majesty.”
David took his hand off Randall's collar a little too late and reluctantly bowed to the King. The King, perhaps aware of the situation, saw the servants bowing in panic and Randall blocking David, and he shouted at his son.
“I clearly told you to reflect on yourself, so why are you out there! Why are you doing that with the Duke again!”
“...Upon hearing that the Duchess of Belfort was meeting with Your Majesty, I had to leave the room to personally apologize for my wrongdoing. It has been a long time since I last saw the Duke, so please do not worry, my pranks have only gotten more intense.”
"That is..!"
David quickly explained in an incredibly calm voice, unlike before. The King, still angry, tried to open his mouth again. However, the moment David, who had been lowering his head, glanced up and met the King’s eyes, the King hesitated and slowly withdrew his anger.
“...Okay. I understand.”
Randall and Sylvia furrowed their brows for a moment, wondering why the proud King, even though he was his son, was so angry at the disobedience of his orders. David added in a rather humble voice.
“Of course, I will be punished separately for disobeying His Majesty’s orders.”
“What kind of punishment is this? Just make sure to apologize after you’ve reflected on your actions.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
David lowered his head further, the corners of his lips tugging at him in satisfaction.
'But is it true that my son is different?'
Sylvia tilted her head behind the King, feeling suspicious of something. Then the King turned around and spoke to Sylvia.
“I had a great time today, Duchess. I’ll invite you again next time.”
"It is an honor."
Sylvia bowed her head politely, smiling coldly to hide her suspicions. Suddenly, a white-gloved hand came forward.
“Then I’ll see you next time, Duchess.”
“...”
David silently asked Sylvia for her hand as if he was going to kiss the back of her hand. Sylvia looked at him quietly and slowly raised her hand. Randall’s face hardened, and a smile appeared on David’s face. However, Sylvia did not give David the back of her hand but grabbed his hand, shook it gently, and then immediately took it away.
“Take care, Your Highness.”
Sylvia cleverly avoided answering his request to meet him later and brushed past him. A crooked smile seemed to play on David's lips as she passed him.
“Let's go, honey.”
“...Yes, ma’am.”
Sylvia linked arms with Randall and spoke affectionately. Only then did Randall loosen his stiff expression and walk with her. When they were far enough away from the Crown Prince, Sylvia opened her mouth.
“What happened?”
Randall stopped walking at that question. Sylvia, who was linking arms with him, also stopped walking naturally.
“...”
Randall looked at Sylvia for a moment in silence. His face had a more complicated expression than ever before.
"Isn’t your wife keeping secrets from you?”
“It is very regrettable that someone who is the Crown Prince of a country can only speak in such a vulgar manner.”
It was even more insulting because there were no ups and downs in the words. Eventually, David ground his teeth and grabbed Randall by the collar.
“This kid...”
David ground his teeth with a sharp look in his eyes as if he was going to punch Randall in the face at any moment. Randall looked down at him coldly without moving an inch. Eventually, David couldn't bear the gaze that was like looking at an insect and raised his hand.
“What’s all this noise!”
A thunderous voice was heard as the King, Sylvia, and the servants appeared out of the drawing room. Sylvia looked surprised to see Randall with David. Randall quickly relaxed his expression and lowered his head when he saw her.
“Your Majesty.”
“...I greet you, Your Majesty.”
David took his hand off Randall's collar a little too late and reluctantly bowed to the King. The King, perhaps aware of the situation, saw the servants bowing in panic and Randall blocking David, and he shouted at his son.
“I clearly told you to reflect on yourself, so why are you out there! Why are you doing that with the Duke again!”
“...Upon hearing that the Duchess of Belfort was meeting with Your Majesty, I had to leave the room to personally apologize for my wrongdoing. It has been a long time since I last saw the Duke, so please do not worry, my pranks have only gotten more intense.”
"That is..!"
David quickly explained in an incredibly calm voice, unlike before. The King, still angry, tried to open his mouth again. However, the moment David, who had been lowering his head, glanced up and met the King’s eyes, the King hesitated and slowly withdrew his anger.
“...Okay. I understand.”
Randall and Sylvia furrowed their brows for a moment, wondering why the proud King, even though he was his son, was so angry at the disobedience of his orders. David added in a rather humble voice.
“Of course, I will be punished separately for disobeying His Majesty’s orders.”
“What kind of punishment is this? Just make sure to apologize after you’ve reflected on your actions.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
David lowered his head further, the corners of his lips tugging at him in satisfaction.
'But is it true that my son is different?'
Sylvia tilted her head behind the King, feeling suspicious of something. Then the King turned around and spoke to Sylvia.
“I had a great time today, Duchess. I’ll invite you again next time.”
"It is an honor."
Sylvia bowed her head politely, smiling coldly to hide her suspicions. Suddenly, a white-gloved hand came forward.
“Then I’ll see you next time, Duchess.”
“...”
David silently asked Sylvia for her hand as if he was going to kiss the back of her hand. Sylvia looked at him quietly and slowly raised her hand. Randall’s face hardened, and a smile appeared on David’s face. However, Sylvia did not give David the back of her hand but grabbed his hand, shook it gently, and then immediately took it away.
“Take care, Your Highness.”
Sylvia cleverly avoided answering his request to meet him later and brushed past him. A crooked smile seemed to play on David's lips as she passed him.
“Let's go, honey.”
“...Yes, ma’am.”
Sylvia linked arms with Randall and spoke affectionately. Only then did Randall loosen his stiff expression and walk with her. When they were far enough away from the Crown Prince, Sylvia opened her mouth.
“What happened?”
Randall stopped walking at that question. Sylvia, who was linking arms with him, also stopped walking naturally.
“...”
Randall looked at Sylvia for a moment in silence. His face had a more complicated expression than ever before.
"Isn’t your wife keeping secrets from you?”
Secret.
Even though he tried to shake it off, David's question kept lingering in his head like poison. He wishes he could just dismiss it as nonsense and ignore it. Sometimes, he felt sick because David seemed to have seen through the discomfort he felt from Sylvia. On the other hand, Sylvia blinked in confusion as Randall just stared at her without saying anything.
“Randall?”
Only when she called him again did he answer.
“...No, it’s nothing.”
Randall let out a snicker and led Sylvia back to her room. Sylvia felt that laughter somehow resembled ashes scattered across the ruins that had been completely burned down, so she couldn’t take her eyes off Randall for a while.
“Randall?”
Only when she called him again did he answer.
“...No, it’s nothing.”
Randall let out a snicker and led Sylvia back to her room. Sylvia felt that laughter somehow resembled ashes scattered across the ruins that had been completely burned down, so she couldn’t take her eyes off Randall for a while.
***
As soon as David’s period of self-reflection was over, he sent servants several times a day to ask Sylvia to meet him. However, Sylvia made excuses every time and refused to meet him.
'It's better not to receive an apology than to face that person again to receive an apology.'
The day Sylvia met the King. Randall said nothing happened, but they were clearly arguing. She had clearly seen David try to put his hand on Randall, which made her look even more uneasy. As she thought about David, she naturally thought about the King.
'It's better not to receive an apology than to face that person again to receive an apology.'
The day Sylvia met the King. Randall said nothing happened, but they were clearly arguing. She had clearly seen David try to put his hand on Randall, which made her look even more uneasy. As she thought about David, she naturally thought about the King.
Sylvia rested her chin on the arm of her chair and tapped her index finger on the table.
"Come to think of it. There have been unpleasant rumors circulating in the North recently."
At that time, the face of the king who spoke those words was filled with anticipation. It was clear that he wanted Sylvia to say something unfavorable to Randall. However, Sylvia had no such intention.
"If you are talking about the rumors about my husband and I..."
Sylvia deliberately trailed off as she picked up her teacup. She smiled with the utmost elegance.
"Thank you for your concern, but there is nothing to worry about".
"...Are you serious, Ma’am?"
"Because my husband and I are on such good terms, it seems like such strange rumors are circulating. My husband and I are doing well without any problems. I am sincerely grateful to Your Majesty".
The last words were somewhat sincere. Because the King had arranged her marriage to Randall, Sylvia had at least some hope of dying.
"..."
The King looked at Sylvia with a subtle expression for a moment. Just as she was about to bring the teacup to her lips, he suddenly asked.
"Do you love the Duke?"
At those words, Sylvia stopped moving. After freezing for a few seconds, she slowly put down her teacup, trying to look natural. However, even after buying time like that, she still didn’t know how to respond, so she just moved her lips.
"Come to think of it. There have been unpleasant rumors circulating in the North recently."
At that time, the face of the king who spoke those words was filled with anticipation. It was clear that he wanted Sylvia to say something unfavorable to Randall. However, Sylvia had no such intention.
"If you are talking about the rumors about my husband and I..."
Sylvia deliberately trailed off as she picked up her teacup. She smiled with the utmost elegance.
"Thank you for your concern, but there is nothing to worry about".
"...Are you serious, Ma’am?"
"Because my husband and I are on such good terms, it seems like such strange rumors are circulating. My husband and I are doing well without any problems. I am sincerely grateful to Your Majesty".
The last words were somewhat sincere. Because the King had arranged her marriage to Randall, Sylvia had at least some hope of dying.
"..."
The King looked at Sylvia with a subtle expression for a moment. Just as she was about to bring the teacup to her lips, he suddenly asked.
"Do you love the Duke?"
At those words, Sylvia stopped moving. After freezing for a few seconds, she slowly put down her teacup, trying to look natural. However, even after buying time like that, she still didn’t know how to respond, so she just moved her lips.
"I..."
Just like she always did right after getting married, all she had to do was smile calmly and say that she loved Randall. It wasn't hard. It definitely wasn't hard. But now that she realized that she 'liked' Randall, she couldn't easily lie.
"I am..."
As Sylvia hesitated without giving an answer, suspicion began to creep into the King's eyes. Fortunately, however, at that very moment, a knock was heard and a servant with a puzzled look entered the reception room.
"I apologize for the inconvenience! His Highness the Crown Prince is outside right now..."
If the King hadn't gotten up after hearing those words, he would have certainly been suspicious. Sylvia felt heavy-hearted as she realized that her feelings for Randall had not diminished but rather had grown deeper beyond her control. At that moment, the maid in charge of Sylvia in the capital opened the door and came in.
“Madam, what’s wrong? I’ve knocked several times, but there’s been no answer...”
“Oh, I see. What happened?”
“The Lady Seicrine has come to see you. She has invited you to the reception room for now.”
“Philia?”
Sylvia sat up in surprise.
“Can you bring her here?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
The maid bowed politely and went out. Not even a minute later, Philia burst through the door and rushed into Sylvia's arms.
“Duchess! I’m here!”
It seemed like a large dog, unaware of its own strength, was rushing to its master, saying that it liked her. Sylvia quickly regained strength from her staggering body and hugged Philia. A faint smile formed on her face as if the serious thought she had been having just a moment ago was meaningless.
“What are you going to do if you fall while running like that?”
“Then my knees will break, right? It’s not like I’ve broken them once or twice anyway.”
Philia said it nonchalantly and laughed. Sylvia smiled helplessly and let Philia go.
“What else is going on?”
“I told you last time, I’ll come by often from now on even if I don’t have any special business! I came because I was bored.”
"Hmm."
Sylvia opened her eyes dimly and looked at Philia.
“Is that really the only reason? I don’t think so.”
“...Oh, I got caught.”
“You should at least try to hide it. Even now, you're still trying to figure out how to ask Lord Cedars to come.”
Sylvia tapped the tip of Philia's nose with her finger. She scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“I’m sorry. Actually, Jeffrey has been avoiding me again since the last birthday party. That annoying bastard...”
Just like she always did right after getting married, all she had to do was smile calmly and say that she loved Randall. It wasn't hard. It definitely wasn't hard. But now that she realized that she 'liked' Randall, she couldn't easily lie.
"I am..."
As Sylvia hesitated without giving an answer, suspicion began to creep into the King's eyes. Fortunately, however, at that very moment, a knock was heard and a servant with a puzzled look entered the reception room.
"I apologize for the inconvenience! His Highness the Crown Prince is outside right now..."
If the King hadn't gotten up after hearing those words, he would have certainly been suspicious. Sylvia felt heavy-hearted as she realized that her feelings for Randall had not diminished but rather had grown deeper beyond her control. At that moment, the maid in charge of Sylvia in the capital opened the door and came in.
“Madam, what’s wrong? I’ve knocked several times, but there’s been no answer...”
“Oh, I see. What happened?”
“The Lady Seicrine has come to see you. She has invited you to the reception room for now.”
“Philia?”
Sylvia sat up in surprise.
“Can you bring her here?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
The maid bowed politely and went out. Not even a minute later, Philia burst through the door and rushed into Sylvia's arms.
“Duchess! I’m here!”
It seemed like a large dog, unaware of its own strength, was rushing to its master, saying that it liked her. Sylvia quickly regained strength from her staggering body and hugged Philia. A faint smile formed on her face as if the serious thought she had been having just a moment ago was meaningless.
“What are you going to do if you fall while running like that?”
“Then my knees will break, right? It’s not like I’ve broken them once or twice anyway.”
Philia said it nonchalantly and laughed. Sylvia smiled helplessly and let Philia go.
“What else is going on?”
“I told you last time, I’ll come by often from now on even if I don’t have any special business! I came because I was bored.”
"Hmm."
Sylvia opened her eyes dimly and looked at Philia.
“Is that really the only reason? I don’t think so.”
“...Oh, I got caught.”
“You should at least try to hide it. Even now, you're still trying to figure out how to ask Lord Cedars to come.”
Sylvia tapped the tip of Philia's nose with her finger. She scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“I’m sorry. Actually, Jeffrey has been avoiding me again since the last birthday party. That annoying bastard...”
Philia ground her teeth in anger. Thinking back to that time, it was still absurd. Clearly, he was worried about her, so he came running with such a blank expression! He even half-cried while hugging her!
After the situation was sorted out, Jeffrey avoided Philia again with a guilty expression, as if he had made a 'mistake'. It was crazy and exciting for Philia. Philia clung to Sylvia with a sullen face and linked arms.
“I’ve already prepared the picnic. Could you call Jeffrey over as an excuse for the picnic? I haven’t seen him in a few days, so I’m feeling weak and have no appetite...”
“Hmm.”
Sylvia let out an awkward groan at the mention of a picnic. That was understandable since she had been secluded for the past few days, refusing to meet the Crown Prince. It would be annoying if she left the room and ran into him. However, it was also difficult to ignore Philia, who was looking at her with such earnest eyes. Sylvia finally swallowed a sigh and made a strong request.
“But not in places where people can see me. Okay?”
“I’ve already prepared the picnic. Could you call Jeffrey over as an excuse for the picnic? I haven’t seen him in a few days, so I’m feeling weak and have no appetite...”
“Hmm.”
Sylvia let out an awkward groan at the mention of a picnic. That was understandable since she had been secluded for the past few days, refusing to meet the Crown Prince. It would be annoying if she left the room and ran into him. However, it was also difficult to ignore Philia, who was looking at her with such earnest eyes. Sylvia finally swallowed a sigh and made a strong request.
“But not in places where people can see me. Okay?”
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