Prince Aslan was startled when he heard I wanted to go to the Second Prince's Palace. However, his expression quickly softened, and I realized he was indeed the Emperor's own son.
"It wouldn't be difficult to accompany you. However, even if it's early, I'd like to hear your answer. What do you think of the Empress's proposal?"
I smiled brightly at Prince Aslan's question.
“I haven’t been offered anything yet.”
You haven't given me anything yet?
It was as if he were saying that. At my calm words, Prince Aslan chuckled softly. He was a man with a charming, soft laugh. Suddenly, I thought of a man whose laugh resonated even more deeply.
What would Julian think if he saw me like this?
Wouldn't you be disgusted by me, calling me a clever woman?
It was truly absurd that a woman who had taken the initiative to pursue a political marriage would think such things. When I shook my head, Prince Aslan looked puzzled.
“Is there anything that feels uncomfortable?”
"No."
"If there's anything that feels uncomfortable, please let me know. Only then will I know what the Grand Duchess wants."
Prince Aslan smiled, his beautiful eyes wide. I looked straight ahead, escorted by him, and spoke.
“Everything is something to be thought about slowly.”
I tilted my head slightly towards Prince Aslan and whispered:
“Your Highness, you don’t know what I can do.”
As I spoke in a confident voice, Prince Aslan smiled again. He seemed to like my answer.
It wasn't that I was going to side with Prince Aslan right away. I didn't know what he could do, and he didn't know what I could do. Nevertheless, we had a common enemy, so we could join forces at any time.
From then on, we only had light conversation. Prince Aslan gave me a brief tour of the buildings I saw on my way to the Second Prince's palace, and I, like a respectable lady, nodded along.
After a while, we arrived at the Second Prince's Palace. The Second Prince's Palace, even at first glance, felt splendid. Perhaps just this morning, it stood there, dazzling with its peacock-like decorations.
But now, things were very different. Palace guards stood guard at the palace entrance, and everyone entering and exiting was armed. It was obvious to everyone that this was not a good thing, so the passing attendants watched, some bewildered, others with faces as if they were dying of curiosity.
Prince Aslan brought me to stand in front of the Second Prince's palace. The captain of the guard, recognizing Prince Aslan, rushed over and greeted me with a firm bow.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
Prince Aslan received the greeting with a respectful yet not rude attitude.
"I heard that two victims were found in the Second Prince's palace, so I came to investigate. How is this situation progressing?"
When Prince Aslan asked the captain of the guard that question, the captain thought about it for a moment and then immediately reported.
“More victims have come forward since then.”
“Does this mean that the Second Prince’s government has come out again?”
“Yes. Of course, we are checking, but it’s a bit messy inside, so it might be uncomfortable to walk around.”
“His Majesty cannot be concerned with such trivial matters, so it is right for me to step forward.”
The captain of the guard opened the door, as if he believed that was true. He didn't even ask who I was, accompanying Prince Aslan.
I clapped softly. Prince Aslan's power seemed immense. He smiled skillfully at me.
“Why do you want to go to the Second Prince’s palace?”
“My ex-fiancé is here.”
Prince Aslan's eyes widened in surprise at my words. It was so startling that he didn't bother to hide it.
“If you say the Grand Duchess’s former fiancé, are you referring to the Marquis of Amber?”
“Oh, you know.”
“You have no idea how hot a topic that was.”
I didn't know. I knew very well. I had hoped for that to happen. I smiled shyly, but looked around.
“If the Second Prince hadn’t gone mad, there’s no way he would have locked the Marquis in the palace...”
And that was when it happened.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince! There is an urgent matter.”
The captain of the guard approached, his face frozen in shock. Prince Aslan, seemingly aware of the situation, maintained a composed demeanor.
“Tell me.”
“The Marquis of Amber was found in the basement.”
I had to cover my mouth to avoid being caught laughing. Even Prince Aslan, who was adept at hiding his expressions, couldn't completely hide his bewilderment.
Prince Aslan headed straight for the cellar, not even bothering to stop me. As we stood before the cellar, I spoke to him first.
“Your Highness, would you allow me to go in alone?”
Prince Aslan asked with great seriousness.
“Is this what you want?”
“It’s just one of many, but yes, that’s right. I want it.”
Even though I knew my attitude might be provocative, I did it. I desperately wanted to meet Kaiser in this moment.
At this very moment, I could already imagine how much Kaiser felt betrayed by the Second Prince. If it were Kaiser now, he would surely be able to keep his mouth shut.
I looked at Prince Aslan with eyes full of determination.
Prince Aslan, after a moment of hesitation, nodded. I expressed my gratitude and picked up the lamp.
“Grand Duchess.”
At Prince Aslan's call, I turned my head very slowly. How did my expression appear to him then? Prince Aslan spoke with eyes as dark as a basement.
“Don’t kill him.”
I didn't answer. I just smiled.
After bowing to Prince Aslan, I entered the basement. True to its name, it was pitch-black. I lit a lamp on the wall and slowly descended the stairs. A faint groan could be heard from inside. I moved the lamp and illuminated the inside of the iron bars.
“Kaiser. Is that you?”
"Who..."
The groaning sound was definitely Kaiser's. My marriage to him was both short and long. There's no way I could forget his voice. I smiled and whispered.
“It’s me. Laila.”
“La, ila? Winsley, La...”
"That's right. Laila Winsley. Have you forgotten my name?"
Kaiser's face contorted. He had no memory of marrying me, so he probably couldn't understand what I was saying.
But I couldn't understand Kaiser. How could he do such things to me and then forget me? Even if he were to be reborn a thousand, ten thousand times, and then go back a thousand, ten thousand times, he couldn't forget me.
“What the hell...”
Kaiser muttered a curse, but I shook my head. It was telling him not to say anything more. If Kaiser had been in my previous life, he would have slapped me the moment he saw my actions. But now, Kaiser couldn't even lay a finger on me.
“That’s enough. I have a question.”
I crouched down in front of Kaiser. I also placed the lamp on the floor. Then I saw Kaiser's face, haggard and sunken from a long period of lack of light and proper food. The Marquis of Amber, who had captivated the hearts of so many young ladies, was nowhere to be found.
"You knew the Winsley family wouldn't support the Second Prince, right? Then why did you marry me?"
“What... I didn’t marry you... Ugh!”
I grabbed Kaiser's hand, which was gripping the iron bars, and brought the torch closer to his forearm. Kaiser began to scream, eyes filled with terror. Nothing had even begun yet.
“Don’t spit on every word I say. Why did you get engaged to me?”
“That, that was ordered by the Second Prince...”
I knew that name would come up. But hearing it directly like this was even more shocking. I tried to keep my hands steady. Why did the Second Prince want to push for my marriage to Kaiser? What would he gain from it?
“Why the Second Prince?”
Kaiser hesitated for a moment, but as I held the torch close to his arm, he let out a painful scream and began to flick his tongue.
"False accusation! To frame your family! He told me to marry you because if you become my wife, the Winsley family will let their guard down and trust me."
“What is the accusation?”
My hands were trembling. I already knew the answer he was going to give me.
"Treason... He said he'd make you commit treason. Please let me go, Winsley... No, Laila. Didn't you love me once? Why on earth would you do this...?"
But I didn't let him go.
“Why did he try to frame the Winsley family for treason?”
“I, I don’t know...”
There was no way he didn't know. He must know what I knew. Combining all these factors—my marriage with Kaiser, the Second Prince's instructions, my father's status as a Margrave—the answer emerged.
The Count of Winsley was a prominent family of margraves who had served the Emperor for generations in a crucial border region. They had always been loyal to the Crown Prince and maintained neutrality, and those with similar views regarded my father and my family as leaders of the neutral faction. It was only natural that the Count of Winsley would support the Crown Prince, and they would have been wary of him.
I pulled Kaiser's arm harder and held the torch to the back of his neck. I saw Kaiser's eyes roll back in pain. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling.
“I really don’t know...!”
"Don't lie. The Second Prince isn't smart enough to think of a plan. If it wasn't yours, then whose?"
“Please! It’s really not me!”
Kaiser was begging desperately. I cried out with bloodshot eyes.
“Then who is it!”
Kaiser rolled his head, his face twisted under the pressure of the situation. He seemed determined to come up with something, anything. He would sell any information if it meant getting rid of the madwoman who was burning his neck with savage fire. Kaiser finally figured it out.
“That, that woman. It’s been like that since she came.”
“Who are you talking about?”
“Ah, Ari, that’s right! Ever since that woman came, the Second Prince has been lusting after the throne.”
The strength slowly drained from my hand holding the torch. As if waiting for that moment, Kaiset lunged at my hand.
But I sighed and threw the torch at his body. Kaiser began to roll around the dirty prison, squealing pitifully.
But I didn't even watch the scene and just blankly stared outside the basement.
Ari Eriant...
Only that name occupied my mind.
"It wouldn't be difficult to accompany you. However, even if it's early, I'd like to hear your answer. What do you think of the Empress's proposal?"
I smiled brightly at Prince Aslan's question.
“I haven’t been offered anything yet.”
You haven't given me anything yet?
It was as if he were saying that. At my calm words, Prince Aslan chuckled softly. He was a man with a charming, soft laugh. Suddenly, I thought of a man whose laugh resonated even more deeply.
What would Julian think if he saw me like this?
Wouldn't you be disgusted by me, calling me a clever woman?
It was truly absurd that a woman who had taken the initiative to pursue a political marriage would think such things. When I shook my head, Prince Aslan looked puzzled.
“Is there anything that feels uncomfortable?”
"No."
"If there's anything that feels uncomfortable, please let me know. Only then will I know what the Grand Duchess wants."
Prince Aslan smiled, his beautiful eyes wide. I looked straight ahead, escorted by him, and spoke.
“Everything is something to be thought about slowly.”
I tilted my head slightly towards Prince Aslan and whispered:
“Your Highness, you don’t know what I can do.”
As I spoke in a confident voice, Prince Aslan smiled again. He seemed to like my answer.
It wasn't that I was going to side with Prince Aslan right away. I didn't know what he could do, and he didn't know what I could do. Nevertheless, we had a common enemy, so we could join forces at any time.
From then on, we only had light conversation. Prince Aslan gave me a brief tour of the buildings I saw on my way to the Second Prince's palace, and I, like a respectable lady, nodded along.
After a while, we arrived at the Second Prince's Palace. The Second Prince's Palace, even at first glance, felt splendid. Perhaps just this morning, it stood there, dazzling with its peacock-like decorations.
But now, things were very different. Palace guards stood guard at the palace entrance, and everyone entering and exiting was armed. It was obvious to everyone that this was not a good thing, so the passing attendants watched, some bewildered, others with faces as if they were dying of curiosity.
Prince Aslan brought me to stand in front of the Second Prince's palace. The captain of the guard, recognizing Prince Aslan, rushed over and greeted me with a firm bow.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
Prince Aslan received the greeting with a respectful yet not rude attitude.
"I heard that two victims were found in the Second Prince's palace, so I came to investigate. How is this situation progressing?"
When Prince Aslan asked the captain of the guard that question, the captain thought about it for a moment and then immediately reported.
“More victims have come forward since then.”
“Does this mean that the Second Prince’s government has come out again?”
“Yes. Of course, we are checking, but it’s a bit messy inside, so it might be uncomfortable to walk around.”
“His Majesty cannot be concerned with such trivial matters, so it is right for me to step forward.”
The captain of the guard opened the door, as if he believed that was true. He didn't even ask who I was, accompanying Prince Aslan.
I clapped softly. Prince Aslan's power seemed immense. He smiled skillfully at me.
“Why do you want to go to the Second Prince’s palace?”
“My ex-fiancé is here.”
Prince Aslan's eyes widened in surprise at my words. It was so startling that he didn't bother to hide it.
“If you say the Grand Duchess’s former fiancé, are you referring to the Marquis of Amber?”
“Oh, you know.”
“You have no idea how hot a topic that was.”
I didn't know. I knew very well. I had hoped for that to happen. I smiled shyly, but looked around.
“If the Second Prince hadn’t gone mad, there’s no way he would have locked the Marquis in the palace...”
And that was when it happened.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince! There is an urgent matter.”
The captain of the guard approached, his face frozen in shock. Prince Aslan, seemingly aware of the situation, maintained a composed demeanor.
“Tell me.”
“The Marquis of Amber was found in the basement.”
I had to cover my mouth to avoid being caught laughing. Even Prince Aslan, who was adept at hiding his expressions, couldn't completely hide his bewilderment.
Prince Aslan headed straight for the cellar, not even bothering to stop me. As we stood before the cellar, I spoke to him first.
“Your Highness, would you allow me to go in alone?”
Prince Aslan asked with great seriousness.
“Is this what you want?”
“It’s just one of many, but yes, that’s right. I want it.”
Even though I knew my attitude might be provocative, I did it. I desperately wanted to meet Kaiser in this moment.
At this very moment, I could already imagine how much Kaiser felt betrayed by the Second Prince. If it were Kaiser now, he would surely be able to keep his mouth shut.
I looked at Prince Aslan with eyes full of determination.
Prince Aslan, after a moment of hesitation, nodded. I expressed my gratitude and picked up the lamp.
“Grand Duchess.”
At Prince Aslan's call, I turned my head very slowly. How did my expression appear to him then? Prince Aslan spoke with eyes as dark as a basement.
“Don’t kill him.”
I didn't answer. I just smiled.
After bowing to Prince Aslan, I entered the basement. True to its name, it was pitch-black. I lit a lamp on the wall and slowly descended the stairs. A faint groan could be heard from inside. I moved the lamp and illuminated the inside of the iron bars.
“Kaiser. Is that you?”
"Who..."
The groaning sound was definitely Kaiser's. My marriage to him was both short and long. There's no way I could forget his voice. I smiled and whispered.
“It’s me. Laila.”
“La, ila? Winsley, La...”
"That's right. Laila Winsley. Have you forgotten my name?"
Kaiser's face contorted. He had no memory of marrying me, so he probably couldn't understand what I was saying.
But I couldn't understand Kaiser. How could he do such things to me and then forget me? Even if he were to be reborn a thousand, ten thousand times, and then go back a thousand, ten thousand times, he couldn't forget me.
“What the hell...”
Kaiser muttered a curse, but I shook my head. It was telling him not to say anything more. If Kaiser had been in my previous life, he would have slapped me the moment he saw my actions. But now, Kaiser couldn't even lay a finger on me.
“That’s enough. I have a question.”
I crouched down in front of Kaiser. I also placed the lamp on the floor. Then I saw Kaiser's face, haggard and sunken from a long period of lack of light and proper food. The Marquis of Amber, who had captivated the hearts of so many young ladies, was nowhere to be found.
"You knew the Winsley family wouldn't support the Second Prince, right? Then why did you marry me?"
“What... I didn’t marry you... Ugh!”
I grabbed Kaiser's hand, which was gripping the iron bars, and brought the torch closer to his forearm. Kaiser began to scream, eyes filled with terror. Nothing had even begun yet.
“Don’t spit on every word I say. Why did you get engaged to me?”
“That, that was ordered by the Second Prince...”
I knew that name would come up. But hearing it directly like this was even more shocking. I tried to keep my hands steady. Why did the Second Prince want to push for my marriage to Kaiser? What would he gain from it?
“Why the Second Prince?”
Kaiser hesitated for a moment, but as I held the torch close to his arm, he let out a painful scream and began to flick his tongue.
"False accusation! To frame your family! He told me to marry you because if you become my wife, the Winsley family will let their guard down and trust me."
“What is the accusation?”
My hands were trembling. I already knew the answer he was going to give me.
"Treason... He said he'd make you commit treason. Please let me go, Winsley... No, Laila. Didn't you love me once? Why on earth would you do this...?"
But I didn't let him go.
“Why did he try to frame the Winsley family for treason?”
“I, I don’t know...”
There was no way he didn't know. He must know what I knew. Combining all these factors—my marriage with Kaiser, the Second Prince's instructions, my father's status as a Margrave—the answer emerged.
The Count of Winsley was a prominent family of margraves who had served the Emperor for generations in a crucial border region. They had always been loyal to the Crown Prince and maintained neutrality, and those with similar views regarded my father and my family as leaders of the neutral faction. It was only natural that the Count of Winsley would support the Crown Prince, and they would have been wary of him.
I pulled Kaiser's arm harder and held the torch to the back of his neck. I saw Kaiser's eyes roll back in pain. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling.
“I really don’t know...!”
"Don't lie. The Second Prince isn't smart enough to think of a plan. If it wasn't yours, then whose?"
“Please! It’s really not me!”
Kaiser was begging desperately. I cried out with bloodshot eyes.
“Then who is it!”
Kaiser rolled his head, his face twisted under the pressure of the situation. He seemed determined to come up with something, anything. He would sell any information if it meant getting rid of the madwoman who was burning his neck with savage fire. Kaiser finally figured it out.
“That, that woman. It’s been like that since she came.”
“Who are you talking about?”
“Ah, Ari, that’s right! Ever since that woman came, the Second Prince has been lusting after the throne.”
The strength slowly drained from my hand holding the torch. As if waiting for that moment, Kaiset lunged at my hand.
But I sighed and threw the torch at his body. Kaiser began to roll around the dirty prison, squealing pitifully.
But I didn't even watch the scene and just blankly stared outside the basement.
Ari Eriant...
Only that name occupied my mind.
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