I had seen a lot of this in parenting-themed novels. How the young protagonists wield power. I’m not scared, but Cerden probably is.
I bit my lip and ran.
Fortunately, by some coincidence, Cerden was not too far away. In my eyes, only Cerden was visible.
“Husband!!!!”
I could see Cerden turning to me with a surprised expression. He caught me in his arms. I clung to him, gasping for breath.
Cerden’s unique cold yet heavy scent enveloped me. I nestled into him like a sloth.
In that moment, nothing else mattered.
I felt Cerden instinctively pull me closer. His large, firm hand, which I had often admired, supported my back. Just that was enough to bring me comfort.
Feeling relief in the arms of the dark figure, what a state I was in. I sniffled and clung to Cerden.
“Evelyn……?”
“I, husband……. I’m scared. Please protect me!”
Cerden lifted his head to gaze at those who had chased after me. I could see Augustine with his disheveled hair.
Augustine swallowed hard, looking flustered. He probably hadn’t expected things to turn out this way.
I pinched the back of my hand and squeezed out tears.
“He hit Cherryna and Rosie……. Cherryna and Rosie are my friends……. We were supposed to play hide and seek and treasure hunt today…….”
“P-please listen to me, Your Highness!”
Augustine said, panting. I caught a glimpse of Cherryna and Rosie quickly bowing their heads.
“Ah.”
Cerden narrowed his eyes and smiled.
At that moment, chills ran down my spine.
I tried to pull away slightly, but Cerden tightened his grip around my waist. His strength was so strong that I couldn’t move at all.
I leaned my head against his solid chest, which felt like it could withstand a needle. Right now, it was warmer than anything else.
“So you came to find me because you were scared?”
“Uh-huh……. Cerden gave me candy…… and bought me books…… because he’s a good person……. Please scold them!”
I recited the lines I had prepared.
I swallowed hard. Was this a wrong choice? Somehow…… it felt like I had jumped from a tiger’s den into a dragon’s lair.
It wasn’t just Augustine who would be in trouble; I felt like I was in for it too.
Contrary to my expectations, Cerden gently patted my back. His touch was soft, like soothing a child. There was a hint of laughter in his low voice.
“Is that so, Lord Spelman?”
“O-oh, that’s a misunderstanding, Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
“What misunderstanding could I have?”
“W-well, it’s just that……. Ah, the maidens were lacking in their duties to serve Your Highness, the Crown Princess, and I was merely disciplining them.”
Augustine spoke without even moistening his lips with the truth. Look at that wretched thing.
“Well, you’re right. How dare they let their master walk around barefoot.”
“Gah! I-I have committed a grave sin! I-I will bring shoes at once!”
Cherryna and Rosie lay flat on the ground.
Cerden chuckled. But he didn’t look the least bit pleased; rather, he seemed cold. That’s a real talent. How can someone look so frightening even while smiling?
I thought it would be better not to look, so I buried my face deeper into Cerden’s embrace, occasionally sniffling.
“No, that’s enough. Now? The maids were lacking, and the young lord was rude.”
“Y-your Highness, the Crown Prince……! I was just doing it for my sister……!”
“Well, that’s my fault too. But let me ask. I believe those maids were sent from Spelman. Did you let them in without proper training? How dare you? If that’s the case, then Spelman must be at fault. The rudeness of the young lord and the shortcomings of the maids should be blamed on Duke Spelman.”
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince! That’s not it!”
Wow, look at how he’s pushing it.
His ability to exaggerate and escalate the situation was impressive.
Cerden curled his lips into a smile.
“I will discuss this matter directly with Duke Spelman, so you may leave now. I hope I won’t have to see that face for a while.”
“Y-your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
Augustine called out desperately to the Crown Prince, but with a single gesture from Cerden, he was dragged away by the attendants. I sniffled while watching that.
“Best…….”
“Hmm?”
“Best husband.”
“Cough.”
It seemed my unguarded thoughts brought joy to Cerden. He chuckled and lifted me up effortlessly.
“Eek!”
Cerden locked eyes with me. In his swirling gaze, I was reflected. I unconsciously swallowed.
I quickly gathered my thoughts while resting my hand on Cerden’s shoulder. He often acted as if he was determined to enchant me. He knew he was handsome.
Sunlight poured down like a waterfall. Sparkling lights surrounded Cerden, adding to his smile.
I found myself closing my mouth without realizing it.
Despite being a dark figure, he suited spring remarkably well. He was still as beautiful as a masterpiece. So beautiful that I couldn’t dare to approach.
My heart raced uncontrollably.
Cerden turned his head and gave orders to his entourage.
“It seems I must have lunch with my wife today. You all should return.”
“Yes, Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
Only then did I come to my senses.
W-what? Why me!
I’m the only one eating well! My face turned pale as I leaned on Cerden’s shoulder. This wasn’t part of my plan!
I had indeed jumped into the dragon’s lair.
All the nobles left behind witnessed Cerden gently holding Evelyn in his arms.
The red hair of the Spelman daughter shimmered transparently in the sunlight. It was a lovely hue. Regardless of the Crown Princess’s state or whose daughter she was, they looked like a perfect couple.
It was mesmerizing to watch.
The light flickered in the pale green eyes of the Crown Princess.
The nobles only regained their senses after the Crown Prince couple had disappeared.
They had been discussing the Merchant Union launch ceremony that was to take place the day after tomorrow while moving to have a meal.
But suddenly, a cheerful voice was heard, and Evelyn and Lord Spelman appeared.
It was a marriage arranged by Spelman, the Empress, and the Emperor while Cerden was away. It was a marriage without a husband, and moreover, Evelyn had some issues.
They thought Cerden and Evelyn’s relationship was heading towards a catastrophe.
But what was that?
“……Ahem. Is it true that Your Highness, the Crown Prince, has a special relationship with Your Highness?”
“Perhaps he is caring for her like a pet cat.”
“Isn’t it nice that Duke Spelman can officially issue a reprimand now?”
“Still, seeing him carry her so tenderly…….”
The gazes of the nobles turned to Mortega. He had been sticking to Cerden since childhood. He was the only one Cerden kept around despite finding him bothersome.
Mortega took a step back, looking flustered.
“Why is everyone looking at me?”
“If you know anything, speak up. What exactly did we just see?”
“I don’t know anything. You know that Your Highness, the Crown Prince doesn’t share his thoughts with me either.”
Mortega quickly denied it. Even if he knew something, he couldn’t say it. There was nothing more dangerous than guessing the Crown Prince’s intentions.
“No. I’m asking how your relationship is.”
An elderly noble looked around and lowered his voice.
“From what I see of Your Highness’s actions, it seems there’s definitely something off. But is your relationship still intact? Are you two getting along like a normal couple?”
Realizing what the elderly noble was implying, Mortega let out a hollow laugh.
Everyone was looking at him with eyes filled with their own desires. Tension hung in the air. It felt like I could guess what kind of answer they were hoping for.
Mortega recalled Evelyn, who had been drooling on Cerden’s hand. He shook his head.
“I have nothing to say about your relationship. So please stop probing and move on. You need to eat, don’t you?”
The nobles glanced back with regret after the Crown Prince couple had disappeared. There was a chill that didn’t match the spring breeze Evelyn had brought.
I bit my lip and ran.
Fortunately, by some coincidence, Cerden was not too far away. In my eyes, only Cerden was visible.
“Husband!!!!”
I could see Cerden turning to me with a surprised expression. He caught me in his arms. I clung to him, gasping for breath.
Cerden’s unique cold yet heavy scent enveloped me. I nestled into him like a sloth.
In that moment, nothing else mattered.
I felt Cerden instinctively pull me closer. His large, firm hand, which I had often admired, supported my back. Just that was enough to bring me comfort.
Feeling relief in the arms of the dark figure, what a state I was in. I sniffled and clung to Cerden.
“Evelyn……?”
“I, husband……. I’m scared. Please protect me!”
Cerden lifted his head to gaze at those who had chased after me. I could see Augustine with his disheveled hair.
Augustine swallowed hard, looking flustered. He probably hadn’t expected things to turn out this way.
I pinched the back of my hand and squeezed out tears.
“He hit Cherryna and Rosie……. Cherryna and Rosie are my friends……. We were supposed to play hide and seek and treasure hunt today…….”
“P-please listen to me, Your Highness!”
Augustine said, panting. I caught a glimpse of Cherryna and Rosie quickly bowing their heads.
“Ah.”
Cerden narrowed his eyes and smiled.
At that moment, chills ran down my spine.
I tried to pull away slightly, but Cerden tightened his grip around my waist. His strength was so strong that I couldn’t move at all.
I leaned my head against his solid chest, which felt like it could withstand a needle. Right now, it was warmer than anything else.
“So you came to find me because you were scared?”
“Uh-huh……. Cerden gave me candy…… and bought me books…… because he’s a good person……. Please scold them!”
I recited the lines I had prepared.
I swallowed hard. Was this a wrong choice? Somehow…… it felt like I had jumped from a tiger’s den into a dragon’s lair.
It wasn’t just Augustine who would be in trouble; I felt like I was in for it too.
Contrary to my expectations, Cerden gently patted my back. His touch was soft, like soothing a child. There was a hint of laughter in his low voice.
“Is that so, Lord Spelman?”
“O-oh, that’s a misunderstanding, Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
“What misunderstanding could I have?”
“W-well, it’s just that……. Ah, the maidens were lacking in their duties to serve Your Highness, the Crown Princess, and I was merely disciplining them.”
Augustine spoke without even moistening his lips with the truth. Look at that wretched thing.
“Well, you’re right. How dare they let their master walk around barefoot.”
“Gah! I-I have committed a grave sin! I-I will bring shoes at once!”
Cherryna and Rosie lay flat on the ground.
Cerden chuckled. But he didn’t look the least bit pleased; rather, he seemed cold. That’s a real talent. How can someone look so frightening even while smiling?
I thought it would be better not to look, so I buried my face deeper into Cerden’s embrace, occasionally sniffling.
“No, that’s enough. Now? The maids were lacking, and the young lord was rude.”
“Y-your Highness, the Crown Prince……! I was just doing it for my sister……!”
“Well, that’s my fault too. But let me ask. I believe those maids were sent from Spelman. Did you let them in without proper training? How dare you? If that’s the case, then Spelman must be at fault. The rudeness of the young lord and the shortcomings of the maids should be blamed on Duke Spelman.”
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince! That’s not it!”
Wow, look at how he’s pushing it.
His ability to exaggerate and escalate the situation was impressive.
Cerden curled his lips into a smile.
“I will discuss this matter directly with Duke Spelman, so you may leave now. I hope I won’t have to see that face for a while.”
“Y-your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
Augustine called out desperately to the Crown Prince, but with a single gesture from Cerden, he was dragged away by the attendants. I sniffled while watching that.
“Best…….”
“Hmm?”
“Best husband.”
“Cough.”
It seemed my unguarded thoughts brought joy to Cerden. He chuckled and lifted me up effortlessly.
“Eek!”
Cerden locked eyes with me. In his swirling gaze, I was reflected. I unconsciously swallowed.
I quickly gathered my thoughts while resting my hand on Cerden’s shoulder. He often acted as if he was determined to enchant me. He knew he was handsome.
Sunlight poured down like a waterfall. Sparkling lights surrounded Cerden, adding to his smile.
I found myself closing my mouth without realizing it.
Despite being a dark figure, he suited spring remarkably well. He was still as beautiful as a masterpiece. So beautiful that I couldn’t dare to approach.
My heart raced uncontrollably.
Cerden turned his head and gave orders to his entourage.
“It seems I must have lunch with my wife today. You all should return.”
“Yes, Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
Only then did I come to my senses.
W-what? Why me!
I’m the only one eating well! My face turned pale as I leaned on Cerden’s shoulder. This wasn’t part of my plan!
I had indeed jumped into the dragon’s lair.
All the nobles left behind witnessed Cerden gently holding Evelyn in his arms.
The red hair of the Spelman daughter shimmered transparently in the sunlight. It was a lovely hue. Regardless of the Crown Princess’s state or whose daughter she was, they looked like a perfect couple.
It was mesmerizing to watch.
The light flickered in the pale green eyes of the Crown Princess.
The nobles only regained their senses after the Crown Prince couple had disappeared.
They had been discussing the Merchant Union launch ceremony that was to take place the day after tomorrow while moving to have a meal.
But suddenly, a cheerful voice was heard, and Evelyn and Lord Spelman appeared.
It was a marriage arranged by Spelman, the Empress, and the Emperor while Cerden was away. It was a marriage without a husband, and moreover, Evelyn had some issues.
They thought Cerden and Evelyn’s relationship was heading towards a catastrophe.
But what was that?
“……Ahem. Is it true that Your Highness, the Crown Prince, has a special relationship with Your Highness?”
“Perhaps he is caring for her like a pet cat.”
“Isn’t it nice that Duke Spelman can officially issue a reprimand now?”
“Still, seeing him carry her so tenderly…….”
The gazes of the nobles turned to Mortega. He had been sticking to Cerden since childhood. He was the only one Cerden kept around despite finding him bothersome.
Mortega took a step back, looking flustered.
“Why is everyone looking at me?”
“If you know anything, speak up. What exactly did we just see?”
“I don’t know anything. You know that Your Highness, the Crown Prince doesn’t share his thoughts with me either.”
Mortega quickly denied it. Even if he knew something, he couldn’t say it. There was nothing more dangerous than guessing the Crown Prince’s intentions.
“No. I’m asking how your relationship is.”
An elderly noble looked around and lowered his voice.
“From what I see of Your Highness’s actions, it seems there’s definitely something off. But is your relationship still intact? Are you two getting along like a normal couple?”
Realizing what the elderly noble was implying, Mortega let out a hollow laugh.
Everyone was looking at him with eyes filled with their own desires. Tension hung in the air. It felt like I could guess what kind of answer they were hoping for.
Mortega recalled Evelyn, who had been drooling on Cerden’s hand. He shook his head.
“I have nothing to say about your relationship. So please stop probing and move on. You need to eat, don’t you?”
The nobles glanced back with regret after the Crown Prince couple had disappeared. There was a chill that didn’t match the spring breeze Evelyn had brought.
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