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It had been a tedious and frustrating day. The negotiation process with Duke Spelman was the most tiresome.
Duke Spelman took the museum and abandoned his son. He might bring him back someday, but it's very common for nobles to die in foreign lands.
Just as Spelman wouldn't miss an opportunity, neither would Cerden. He wasn't merciful enough to release a rat caught in a trap.
Before Cerden headed to the Crown Princess's palace for his dinner appointment with Evelyn, he gave Mortega an order.
"Strengthen the surveillance system on Grand Duke Augustine and Duke Spelman, and report everything they do to me."
The marriage Spelman promised must take place within a week. On the day of the wedding, the museum will be free.
"Also, select those among the western nobles who would be good for us to use and bring them to me."
There was much implied in the conversation with Duke Spelman. Cerden, not Duke Spelman, would choose the marriage partner.
There were three conditions for the bride.
1. She must be a member of a noble family from a distant region.
2. The family must have a long-standing reputation.
3. She must be the eldest daughter of the family.
Being from a distant region meant that no scandal would be tolerated, and having a long-standing reputation meant that she couldn't be too low in status.
Being the eldest daughter of the family meant that he was considering the possibility of absorbing that family into Spelman.
A sly fox.
That wasn't all.
Duke Spelman had completely handed his son over to him.
"Buy a small villa in the west."
"What size should it be?"
"It should have a suitable level of elegance, as Spelman's grand duke and his wife will be staying there..."
Mortega's eyes gleamed.
"A place that's suitably vulnerable to danger would be good."
"It should also be sparsely populated."
Cerden smiled coldly. He was looking forward to what was to come.
"Contact Marquis Raymond separately and arrange a meeting. It must be so secret that Spelman doesn't notice."
And he intended to scoop up the fish Spelman had missed and put them in his own fish tank.
With this negotiation, Cerden had obtained everything he could.
'He didn't even mention Evelyn, so it seems he still doesn't know anything.'
If so, that meant only Cerden knew Evelyn's secret.
Cerden smiled brightly.
Oh, Rosie, the only person in this world.
A secret only Cerden knew.
Therefore, something only he could enjoy.
He felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
Mortega interpreted that smile differently.
'He must be pleased that he got one over on Duke Spelman.'
To keep that satisfaction going for a long time, it was now his turn to run around until the soles of his feet were sweating.
Mortega steeled himself.
* * *
It was the appointed time.
Cerden would open that door and come in soon. She had learned a few things while exploring the Crown Princess's palace all day.
The knights guarding the Crown Princess's palace had been completely replaced.
They used to be men who strolled around with decorative swords, their faces meticulously groomed like sleek weasels.
Those men had been replaced by those who exuded a truly knightly aura. They wore the same uniforms, but the temperament inside was different.
Ominous, that is.
The second thing was that the whereabouts of the servants who worked here were unknown.
Even when she asked Julia, pretending not to know, she felt like she was avoiding answering.
"Were they taken somewhere?"
She scratched her cheek.
She had also noticed something while playing hide-and-seek with Rodrick and Ria in the garden.
The garden was clean.
It was always full of notes and traps, but it was as if someone had cleaned it up.
Something seemed to be happening.
"Ugh, frustrating!"
This must be what Hong Gil-dong felt like.
Unable to call his father 'father,' unable to ask what he wanted to ask...
With nothing to do, she just wiggled her toes.
Julia had gone to help prepare dinner, and Duke Roger himself had come and taken Rodrick and Ria away.
She really didn't know what attitude to take.
Cerden, whom she had met in the garden earlier, seemed to be in a pretty good mood.
"Ha."
I wish I were a ninja.
No, if you're going to possess me, you should at least give me that level of ability.
Running along walls, swish, swish.
Eavesdropping on conversations, watching other people's suspicious activities.
If not that, shouldn't I at least be a magician? Why don't I have any abilities!
While slumped on the sofa, she heard voices from outside.
One good thing about all the servants being kicked out was that it was so quiet that she could hear almost any sound.
"Dinner isn't ready yet, Your Highness."
It's Julia!
She seemed to be in a bit of trouble.
"It's fine. We can eat slowly. I have something to discuss with Evelyn, so don't let anyone in until I call for you."
"Yes, Your Highness. I will do so."
Wait, something to discuss with me?
The tension in her relaxed body tightened. Focus your brain!
No drooling.
No falling over clumsily!
Whatever he was going to talk about, she absolutely refused to make any more of a fool of herself. She gritted her teeth.
After fussing and straightening the clothes she was wearing, there was a knock and the door opened.
"Husband!"
She waved her hand. Brightly enough to dispel any wariness.
Cerden, who had paused, let out a soft laugh.
Why was he laughing? Had she said something funny?
Cerden came inside without a word and locked the door. With a click, a stone fell heavily in her heart.
Why, why did he lock it?
Her eyes widened.
Not knowing what to say, she just blinked like a cow. Cerden, who had approached her with slow steps, sat down at the table in front of her.
Their knees touched.
Cerden faintly smelled of soap. He had taken a shower.
The casually worn shirt and pants were also different from what she had seen in the garden today. She wiggled her toes.
Was this intentional?
Their legs intertwined.
There was no way to escape.
"It must be hard for you too."
What... is hard?
Living is hard, of course. Enduring is also hard. Not knowing what to say, her lips trembled.
She didn't know what he meant. And she couldn't ask. She felt suffocated with frustration. As if knowing how she felt, Cerden spoke first.
"There are so many things to protect in this world. I think the hardest thing to protect is oneself."
His tone was gentle. He didn't seem angry.
"Especially when you have a secret you can't tell anyone."
Cerden grabbed her wrist. Pulling her close, Cerden met her eyes.
A cold suspicion that he knew her.
The many things that had happened between them. If she revealed herself, what would happen to them?
Cerden's glamorous eyes curved. Was he smiling?
She was angry at his composure.
Every moment for her was a continuous tension. It was the same now.
Before, Duke Spelman, and now Cerden, held the power of life and death over her.
This man, so beautiful he was chilling, could kill her at any time.
He whispered softly.
"Why don't you reveal your true identity now?"
"Huuung?"
She tilted her head as if she didn't know anything.
"I don't know what you're talking about, husband. You're acting strange!"
Cerden pulled on the wrist he was still holding. Naturally, they moved closer together. Her thighs nestled between Cerden's thighs, and their body heat overlapped.
Cerden was scrutinizing her, as if not wanting to miss a single reaction.
His eyes flashed coldly.
Cerden said in a whisper.
"Stop acting. Before I really get angry."
So he wasn't angry now?
She felt like she was falling into the abyss. She stared at Cerden as if captivated.
There was no way to escape from here. Cerden had locked the door to show her.
That she couldn't escape anywhere.
She calmed her rapid breathing.
She whispered in a choked voice.
"...Will you spare me?"
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