Lost.
Even though he was a deputy, it was impossible to defeat the one known externally as the Khan of Kaluta solely through physical combat without the Abyss.
After all, the Kaluta were a people said to have the Abyss dwelling in everyone who was born.
After being defeated in a fight with Hatan without even lasting five minutes, Arma, unable to even dare to go outside the tent, buried his face in the pillow.
Even after pounding his head with his fist, the fact that he was pathetic did not change.
He realized only after his defeat why Roselyn had looked at him with such pity.
'I was arrogant.'
It was arrogant.
Hatan, Khan's deputy, was not an easy opponent for Arma to defeat while concealing his true abilities.
He should have realized that even though Hatan looked young, he was old.
The man was seasoned and had much more combat experience, while Arma was still young.
In fact, if Arma had given his all, he would have been a better match than he is now.
However, Arma was tied up with both hands and feet.
He could not reveal his full power while Yuldian and Roselyn were watching, and the Abyss could not be used according to the rules.
"Shit..."
He grimaced while muttering softly.
There could be no confession more uncool than this.
'Why on earth did I say that back then?'
He merely found something suitable when asked to talk about his aspirations.
Arma merely followed suit because Hatan dedicated it to his lover.
He swore he had no intention of saying anything strange.
He only intended to postpone the broken engagement for a little while.
It really was just like that.
After postponing the broken engagement again and again...
'What was I planning to do after putting it off?'
Arma lay sprawled on the bed, lost in thought.
Roselyn told him it was okay, but she didn't say she would reconsider breaking off the engagement.
Her heart remained unchanged.
Perhaps Roselyn suspected that he would be defeated.
"If Roselyn says she dislikes me because I am weak, I will change."
"So, if I win here, please reconsider breaking off the engagement."
"Please allow me to like Roselyn."
"I like you, Roselyn."
“I like you.”
Arma let out a sigh and repeatedly slammed her face against the pillow.
It was the most foolish and stupid thing he had ever done in his life.
'What on earth do you like...'
He just intended to pretend to be dead.
After pretending to be dead, all he wanted was to escape the imperial palace and live comfortably.
"Roselyn, Roselyn..."
Arma muttered softly.
'What on earth could it be?'
In fact, Arma had been having recurring dreams for some time about a world where Roselyn had died.
Arma of that world would go silently to the grave where she was buried every day and sit there, then return around sunset.
Even though he knew it was a dream, it felt strangely vivid, so he didn't want to let go of Roselyn.
It seemed like he shouldn't let go.
Perhaps due to such anxiety, words preceded actions.
To resolve what he had said, he even blurted out the ridiculous claim that he liked her.
'Who do you think I like?'
Arma ruminated on what he had said and burst into laughter.
He slowly exhaled.
'That's funny.'
The blue eyes sank dark, dark.
A dangerous aura surged over the vibrant eyes.
He slowly swept his hair back.
'Why would I become an Emperor for anyone's sake?'
He will wear pitch-black clothes instead of a golden crown.
He will obstruct the Emperor at every turn and pray for the downfall of the Empire.
"..."
He slowly got up.
Due to the Emperor's greed, his entire life was like an abyss.
Everyone ignored him, and everyone treated him lightly.
Growing up with the stigma of being an illegitimate child, all he had was a mask to hide his true feelings and pitch-black darkness.
The more outstanding it became, the greater the threat, and it even developed resistance to the poison consumed day by day.
And the Emperor condoned all of that.
Solely for the sake of the one woman he gave his heart to.
To prove to the world that he has no interest or concern for that woman.
So Arma hated his father the most in the world.
A despicable man who hides his woman deep in a place only he knows, preventing her from even meeting her child.
"But there's no way I'd do something like a human."
Arma burst out laughing at himself.
Yes, it was clear that his stubbornness about losing to Roselyn, who was pushing him away for no reason, had burst out.
'Yeah, since he says he wants to break off the engagement so badly, I guess it's better to go ahead.'
Arma realized that uncharacteristic behavior had erupted from Roselyn and firmly reached a conclusion.
'Because if I get swayed by such petty emotions, I won't be able to achieve my goal.'
Arma stood in place, clearing his mind and lightly stretching his body.
He had been lying down for a few days because he wasn't feeling well, but it was time to go out and say that he was fine.
He was also planning to leave for the Empire again in a few days.
It seemed like he could just tell Roselyn that they should proceed with breaking off the engagement once the situation was settled.
'I was planning to leave the Imperial City sooner or later anyway...'
There was no need to insist on continuing the engagement with her.
It was then.
Knock knock.
A small knock was heard.
"Your Highness, the Third Prince, it is Roselyn."
Arma flinched once at the familiar voice.
"May I come in if you happen to be here?"
At those words, Arma's eyes widened.
He glanced around once, then hurriedly jumped back into bed.
After placing a completely dry towel on his forehead, he pulled the blanket over his head.
"...Yes. Please come in, Roselyn."
His cold voice was gone, and he was speaking in a hoarse, subdued voice, as if he had been sick all night.
Arma squeezed his eyes shut at his stupid behavior, then opened them again.
'I can't describe it other than as stupid.'
He wondered why he decided to pretend to be sick of all things.
He thought he wanted to bite his tongue as he watched the firmly closed door open.
Arma saw Roselyn come inside and tried to carefully get up.
If Roselyn hadn't raised her hand to stop it.
"No, you don't have to get up. I heard you aren't feeling well."
"...No. My fiancée has come; how could I do that?"
Arma spoke weakly, yet slowly rose to his feet.
"No, not at all. I only stopped by briefly because I have something to tell you. I won't be staying long."
Roselyn wet a dry towel with water and placed it on Arma's forehead.
"It is good to get plenty of sleep when you are sick. I know because I have been very sick myself."
Roselyn, who had spoken dryly, opened her mouth.
"Your Highness, the Third Prince."
"Yes."
“Do you like me?”
"..."
Arma gaped.
Of course, it was because, even though he was the one who said it, he never imagined she would ask it so bluntly.
"...If so, am I putting Roselyn in a difficult position?"
However, what came out of his mouth were his uncool inner thoughts.
Roselyn nodded briefly at that.
"Yes."
"..."
It was an incredibly heartless answer.
Arma looked at her with an even more bewildered expression.
"Why did you ask? If you intend to tease me..."
"I like you too, Your Highness, but I wanted to tell you that we cannot be together."
"... Yes?"
Arma was left speechless by Roselyn's bombshell remark, having so much to say instead.
"So, shall we try dating for just half a year?"
At the words that followed, Arma quietly raised his hand and pinched his cheek hard.
'...It hurts.'
It also hurt quite a bit.
Arma involuntarily opened her mouth at the clear evidence that it was not a dream.
"Half a year...? No, more than that, do you like me...? Me...? But why..."
He had so much to say that he couldn't organize his thoughts, and there were also too many words he disliked.
His heart ached.
'Why is this happening?'
He blankly raised his hand and brought it to his chest.
"Do you dislike half a year?"
He quickly bowed his head, feeling that if he said no, the answer would immediately be, "Then never mind."
So, it means that Arma was deliberately swayed by the small emotion he himself had treated as insignificant just moments ago.
"...No. It's fine."
It was a bold decision by the Third Prince, who would absolutely never fall in love.
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