Episode 67. We are inseparable
On the floor, Kalin Ankart looked at Grayon with sparkling eyes.
Grayon stared at the strange light for a moment.
Her eyes did not contain the subtle seduction of a woman. The gaze of longing and seduction that Tagar was familiar with was absent, which rather made him focus more.
Instead, guns and greed were mixed together as if they had been one from the beginning.
Many men would mistake that danger for charm.
Grayon did not dislike that danger.
Isn’t fire originally extremely useful as long as you keep a proper distance?
Kalin opened her mouth with a leisurely smile, not disliking Grayon’s gaze that was examining her.
“Does it snow in the Tunbar Mountains even at this time? I heard that it is a place where snow kills spring flowers that are in full bloom.”
There was a young lady in the imperial society who knew about the Tunbar Mountains. She was said to be the second-ranking student of the Academy, so she must have researched it in advance.
Grayon inwardly clicked his tongue at her thoroughness.
“The flowers that fill the place are pale in color, but when the snow melts, the flowers open their closed buds and bloom again. Perhaps that’s why the soldiers didn’t watch closely.”
“I admire your wisdom in examining even the smallest things.”
Grayon led Kalin with a gentle smile.
She said.
“The ‘Red Tears’ are back.”
The way Kalin Ankart challenged him to a fight piqued his interest.
Grayon answered calmly.
“Really? Congratulations. I remember seeing the article about the theft, but I didn’t see it.”
“Because it wasn’t in the papers.”
Kalin dared to look up at Tagar and smile.
Grayon only made a cold expression at her gaze that tried to catch even the slightest change in his expression.
But she was not the first to be discouraged.
“It wouldn’t be fun if someone delivered it back to the mansion. Especially after the pirate’s self-destruction story was so big.”
“...”
“It was my pleasure to learn that a thief had such a noble conscience.”
The two exchanged meaningful glances, and Kalin smiled.
Grayon recognized in those gazes that she was a special creature.
He had what she wanted.
However, a hungry beast like this wouldn’t be tamed by giving it food. Locard knew that, and that’s why he kept her at a distance.
However, it was also true that he was fascinated by the great wealth of Ankart.
Although he hesitated to keep her by his side because of her lowly status, didn’t a noble person already have the first lion’s child by his side?
Grayon looked at her and muttered softly.
“Well, you said you bought the jewel to raise the reputation of the Ankart family.”
“I’m going to keep the news of the jewel’s return quiet until I think of a more dramatic story.”
“It’s a dramatic story...”
“I’m thinking of making one. Will Your Highness help me?”
“Perhaps it is possible. In the future.”
“In the future, yes.”
“Right now is the time to keep our distance.”
Outwardly.
Kalin stared intently into Grayon’s eyes, searching for the true meaning of his words.
There was nothing more she could learn from his silence, but she knew that now was not the time to be angry.
She won the bid for the ‘Red Tears’ over Prince Grayon. She also declined the Prince’s offer to sell it for a higher price.
The stolen ‘Red Tears’ then served as bait to lure pirates and miraculously returned to her home.
It would be foolish to think that Prince Grayon was not involved in this.
Of course, there was no way to prove it. But Kalin had no doubt that she was holding a pretty good card in her hand.
Wasn’t the Second Prince himself proving that fact right now?
The sudden request to dance, that smile, the concentration on her, everything.
When the music ended, Grayon led Kalin off the floor and said,
“Do you like parties, Ankart?”
“If you want, I will.”
“Then, I will see you often.”
She bowed deeply to see the Prince off, her face flushed and her heart beating fast.
The feeling of being close to power took on this form of excitement.
She was aware of her condition and accepted it as a pleasure.
She returned to her seat and drank the cold champagne to cool off. An inexplicable smile appeared on her lips.
And there was a quiet gaze that seemed to admire such a Kalin.
I waited behind Her Highness’s seat after Her Highness Miliora went back to the floor.
In the meantime, Prince Kydel danced with two or three people and returned to the table. That’s what I thought.
He suddenly turned and came toward me.
Don’t pretend to know me outside!
“What’s wrong?”
Even though I said it in a sullen tone, he barely moved his lips and whispered quickly.
“Pretend to have a serious conversation with me.”
“Why?...Ah.”
I glanced around and immediately understood the reason.
Behind the numerous fans, the young ladies’ gazes were all directed at his back. With their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
He was trying to use me as a refuge. Whether he hated dancing or women was none of my business.
I said, pouting,
“I understand what you mean, but why should I help you?”
“Don’t you owe me anything?”
How fatal!
Of course, I thought that the day would come when I would pay the price, but I felt a little uneasy about this.
I blurted out without realizing it.
“Are you going to accept it so pettily?”
“Really?”
“If I want to repay the Prince’s debt, I’ll have to risk my life.”
I blurted out, but when I saw Prince Kydel’s pleased eyes, I thought,
“Oh no. That’s touching. You were thinking of giving up your life for me. Hmm.”
“No, that’s not it...”
I shut my mouth.
The smile on his lips seemed genuinely happy, but it was also clear that he was teasing me. That’s why I didn’t want to talk to him.
But a debt is a debt, and he can’t use that as an excuse to manipulate me at any time.
I suddenly pretended to hear something and said,
“I think the Princess called me, so I’ll leave...”
Then Prince Kydel made a slight face and said firmly.
“No. She didn’t call you. I heard it clearly.”
“Just stay still!”
He blocked my path a little, as if he was getting a little irritated. His tone of voice seemed to have returned to the past, which made me laugh a little. It was the brief period when the splendid prince and the wandering illegitimate child shared secrets.
I pretended to talk about business with the royal family’s attendants, nodding my head and counting my fingers for no reason.
“But isn’t it good to be popular?”
Then he made a pose that seemed to be seriously contemplating, and said.
“Most of the time.”
“What about when it’s not most of the time?”
“Right now. I was already overly popular, but since I haven’t attended any parties since the victory party, I'm especially hot today.”
Now that I think about it, he was a war hero of the empire. I had forgotten because he was acting so calm.
“You should go to more parties. You’ll feel less popular if they see you often.”
“I’m busy. I have to make His Highness Grayon the Crown Prince, and I have to graduate from the academy early.”
“...”
What kind of confidence is this?
He was so sure of his victory. I envied and was amazed by his self-confidence, and I was also a little jealous.
I stared at him with my mouth wide open in surprise, then quickly returned to the play.
“Is it okay for you to say something like that?”
“Are you going to spread rumors?”
I shook my head.
“Thank goodness. Our lives are inseparable.”
He promised His Highness Grayon that he would take responsibility for my mistakes and betrayals when we were fighting the pirates, and he spared me. If I made such a fatal mistake, his head would be cut off along with mine.
But why did he have to express it so strangely...
“That... Do you know that sounds really strange? Please refrain from causing any misunderstandings.”
The feeling of being close to power took on this form of excitement.
She was aware of her condition and accepted it as a pleasure.
She returned to her seat and drank the cold champagne to cool off. An inexplicable smile appeared on her lips.
And there was a quiet gaze that seemed to admire such a Kalin.
***
I waited behind Her Highness’s seat after Her Highness Miliora went back to the floor.
In the meantime, Prince Kydel danced with two or three people and returned to the table. That’s what I thought.
He suddenly turned and came toward me.
Don’t pretend to know me outside!
“What’s wrong?”
Even though I said it in a sullen tone, he barely moved his lips and whispered quickly.
“Pretend to have a serious conversation with me.”
“Why?...Ah.”
I glanced around and immediately understood the reason.
Behind the numerous fans, the young ladies’ gazes were all directed at his back. With their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
He was trying to use me as a refuge. Whether he hated dancing or women was none of my business.
I said, pouting,
“I understand what you mean, but why should I help you?”
“Don’t you owe me anything?”
How fatal!
Of course, I thought that the day would come when I would pay the price, but I felt a little uneasy about this.
I blurted out without realizing it.
“Are you going to accept it so pettily?”
“Really?”
“If I want to repay the Prince’s debt, I’ll have to risk my life.”
I blurted out, but when I saw Prince Kydel’s pleased eyes, I thought,
“Oh no. That’s touching. You were thinking of giving up your life for me. Hmm.”
“No, that’s not it...”
I shut my mouth.
The smile on his lips seemed genuinely happy, but it was also clear that he was teasing me. That’s why I didn’t want to talk to him.
But a debt is a debt, and he can’t use that as an excuse to manipulate me at any time.
I suddenly pretended to hear something and said,
“I think the Princess called me, so I’ll leave...”
Then Prince Kydel made a slight face and said firmly.
“No. She didn’t call you. I heard it clearly.”
“How could I hear you if you didn't call me? You called me, so I must have heard you? I have to go...”
He blocked my path a little, as if he was getting a little irritated. His tone of voice seemed to have returned to the past, which made me laugh a little. It was the brief period when the splendid prince and the wandering illegitimate child shared secrets.
I pretended to talk about business with the royal family’s attendants, nodding my head and counting my fingers for no reason.
“But isn’t it good to be popular?”
Then he made a pose that seemed to be seriously contemplating, and said.
“Most of the time.”
“What about when it’s not most of the time?”
“Right now. I was already overly popular, but since I haven’t attended any parties since the victory party, I'm especially hot today.”
Now that I think about it, he was a war hero of the empire. I had forgotten because he was acting so calm.
“You should go to more parties. You’ll feel less popular if they see you often.”
“I’m busy. I have to make His Highness Grayon the Crown Prince, and I have to graduate from the academy early.”
“...”
What kind of confidence is this?
He was so sure of his victory. I envied and was amazed by his self-confidence, and I was also a little jealous.
I stared at him with my mouth wide open in surprise, then quickly returned to the play.
“Is it okay for you to say something like that?”
“Are you going to spread rumors?”
I shook my head.
“Thank goodness. Our lives are inseparable.”
He promised His Highness Grayon that he would take responsibility for my mistakes and betrayals when we were fighting the pirates, and he spared me. If I made such a fatal mistake, his head would be cut off along with mine.
But why did he have to express it so strangely...
“That... Do you know that sounds really strange? Please refrain from causing any misunderstandings.”
“...”
He looked at me with another incomprehensible and subtle expression.
“Then tell me how you want me to talk to you.”
“Ha...”
No, I don’t really want you to talk to me. Rather, it seems like you’re desperate to talk to me right now!
I shook my head, realizing that I was being dragged into it by him.
He was having fun teasing me while he was running away from the girls.
I was wrong to think I could have a conversation with this man.
But after confirming our debt relationship, I felt like doing whatever I wanted. That must be why he brought it up.
I said in vain.
“Thank you for the gift. That pillow is really great for sleeping face down on the desk.”
“Of course. The Academy is a trendsetter.”
I snickered at the sudden pride.
“Shouldn’t you go now?”
“Yes. Let’s go to the floor.”
He held out his hand as if it was natural for me to dance with him, and I instinctively took a step back.
“...!”
“Yes. Your Highness!”
I quickly returned to her side as if the Princess had called me.
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