PRKE 32

CHAPTER 32………………………………….

“I’ve said this before, but that’s difficult. He’s worked for our family since your father’s generation… If we fire him, people will call us heartless.”

“…….”

“Let’s talk about that later.”

In the past, I would have felt frustrated even while understanding him, but now I no longer cared whether the family’s investment manager took bribes or played tricks.

I merely nodded in response.

“Anyway, what was so interesting today?”

The sudden question snapped me back to attention.

Looking at his gentle, smiling face, my elbows stiffened like a frog encountering a snake.

It was a reflex.

Honestly, I felt uneasy around him.

Dislike, fear, contempt, disgust, and a bit of confusion. I felt all the negative emotions at once.

It meant the roots of these feelings ran deep.

It was as if, despite once being deeply fascinated, I still couldn’t escape from him.

“Interesting, huh.”

I forced a smile.

“You know what the king expects of me. He insisted that I guide the prince well. If I treat him poorly, I’d be scolded.”

“Yes. I know that very well….”

Hubert rested his temple on the back of his hand.

When his gaze started to feel overwhelming, he spoke again.

“Just curious.”

“……About what?”

“That you, who usually feel awkward around other men, get along well with such a barbarian.”

“It’s because it’s my duty.”

Hubert laughed playfully.

“Do you enjoy it more than being with me?”

I couldn’t take it as a joke.

“What are you trying to hear? You already know.”

“…….”

When I replied a little irritably, the smile disappeared from his lips.

“Hmm. I thought I knew.”

“…….”

“Now I’m not so sure.”

My mind got tangled.

What did he mean by that?

‘Is he doubting me?’

He casually asked.

“What kind of conversations did you have with the prince?”

“What?”

“I saw you talking nonstop at the banquet. The prince seems so cold on the outside. I was curious why you two were having such lively conversation.”

I quickly recalled that day. Fortunately, there was nothing that would arouse Hubert’s suspicion.

I had just danced with Giovanni throughout the banquet, shared food, drunk, and exchanged lighthearted small talk.

Worried I might have slipped up, I carefully chose my words as I went over the memories.

“He was curious about the kingdom’s culture, so I answered as best I could. After all, it’s been a while since the delegation came from the desert; I guess he was curious about the kingdom’s affairs.”

I gave the simple truth, as if knowing nothing.

Hubert squinted one eye, as if gauging something.

“The kingdom’s culture?”

“Yes. We even stopped by the temple today. I was planning to go to the opera. A date at the temple—fun, isn’t it?”

I said this to relieve some tension, but Hubert only raised the corners of his lips.

“He seems really interested in the kingdom’s culture.”

That was it.

‘I only told the truth.’

It’s dangerous to lie to someone as perceptive and suspicious as Hubert, especially when the lie would be obvious.

“Is there a problem? Something about the prince…?”

“No. I’m just worried.”

“Worried?”

“Do you really need to be so kind to him?”

I was confused.

That’s exactly what the king wanted—acting kindly toward Giovanni to gain his favor.

“Are you asking because you don’t know? Of course, you should be kind. You have to get close to him. Didn’t you want that too?”

“If that’s what you feel, then you’re mistaken. Have you forgotten, Igg? He is a prince of the empire. The empire has long been the kingdom’s plunderer.”

Our eyes met. His green eyes, seemingly clear but actually sticky and cold, stared at me relentlessly.

Through his gaze alone, he conveyed his intentions.

“Don’t get close to the prince.”

‘Yet he pushed me in instead of Aris.’

“Understood.”

“Do you understand?”

“I understand perfectly.”

At last, he smiled faintly, calm and gentle as if he had never looked frightening in the first place.

My chest tightened. The relaxed, even pleasant feeling I had before entering the mansion vanished.

He whispered softly, as if consoling me.

“I just hope you’ll be more careful. For your own sake. You know how to behave.”

In the end, he meant I shouldn’t do anything that could damage the family’s reputation.

I was slightly tired and exasperated, so I replied briefly.

“I understand.”

But something felt off.

Hubert studied me closely.

“Do you like him?”

The question, finally spoken after a long pause, was completely unexpected.

I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t know what to say.

“I know you would never entertain other feelings.”

“…….”

“You’re not the type to upset me.”

His words wrapped around me like a rope—unpleasant and suffocating.

As my expression stiffened, he rose. Only after he disappeared from sight did I exhale.

Hubert walked lightly around the room, whispering.

“Everyone knows the king’s intentions. He wants the prince to be affectionate toward you. That’s not bad. But, Igg…”

He came behind me and rested his hand on my shoulder. His long, cold fingers made a chill seep in.

“You must not give your heart to him. That would be the worst.”

The hand on my knee trembled.

He bowed slightly, his soft lips brushing my ear.

“Have your thoughts about a royal marriage changed?”

“…….”

“Do you want to marry him?”

I turned my head. His deep green eyes seemed to pierce my soul, dazzling and brilliant.

I thought of Giovanni’s black eyes, too dark and deep to liken to gemstones. More like coal than obsidian, an endless, weighty abyss.

Compared to him, Hubert’s eyes were dazzling and pretty, but shallow.

My wavering feelings calmed.

“No, of course not.”

“…….”

“The only one wanting a royal marriage would be the Crown Prince of Doberacan.”

“…….”

“The king wants me to get close to the prince, but only to prevent him and the empire from coveting Princess Laratou. He doesn’t actually want me to marry the prince. I know that much.”

“…….”

“And the prince himself has no such intention.”

“…….”

“Above all, I dislike him.”

Hubert and I locked eyes in midair.

“Igg.”

He held my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine.

“I don’t like that our relationship isn’t what it used to be lately.”

“…….”

“My unreasonable request must have troubled you, so that makes sense.”

His voice grew sweeter, but strangely, my heart felt calm, like still water.

“It’s fine.”

It was insufficient. He wouldn’t take the words at face value.

“Of course, I was a little sad.”

“…….”

“But I know your heart well. You said it yourself, didn’t you? I’m the only one who can help you.”

I cast my eyes down appropriately.

My mind raced.

How does he see me like this?

‘He must see me as the devoted woman who trusts him completely.’

Good.

I would still play the part of the foolishly loyal Igrain Lorenst, devoted to him. The Igrain Lorenst who spent her childhood with him, harboring affection for the young master who protected her from her fearsome mother.

Hubert gripped my hand firmly.

“That’s a relief. You understand well.”

“…….”

“I trust only you. You know that, right?”

Seeing his earnest gaze, I felt a silent relief. I didn’t care at all about his claim that he trusted me.

‘There’s no time. The closer I get to Giovanni, the deeper his suspicions will inevitably grow.’

Securing a foundation became urgent.

I had to make sure that even if I stormed out now, he couldn’t harm me.

In the kingdom, everyone knows the royal family’s cherished one.

Laratou Laxio Luiosana, commonly called Princess Laratou.

Born of the most noble blood in the kingdom, and with the ability to manipulate water, she was unquestionably the kingdom’s first lady.

Her room, untouched by even a drop of water—though priests were exempt—was decorated entirely in pink.

Courtiers affectionately called her the “Pink Princess.”

This reflected both her taste and half the wishes of her father, King Hermanon.

The king’s love for his only daughter was somewhat peculiar.

All in the kingdom agreed he adored his daughter, but Princess Laratou sometimes found it suffocating.

He only wanted her to grow up beautifully, speaking softly, gently, and prettily.

Fortunately, the princess grew exactly as he wished.

With her cute appearance and the attention she received from the royal adults since childhood, she had no wrinkles in her character—though she could be a bit stubborn.

Having obtained everything she wanted, there was no room for greed.

For her, the current situation felt strange.

She was now in a situation wondering what to say to a man to convey her feelings.

‘The sky is beautiful…’

Princess Laratou rested her chin in her hands, gazing out the window.

As she thought the clouds looked like a doodle pad, a bronzed face appeared among them.

So vivid, as if the man she had imagined countless times were right in front of her.

“Would it be wrong to send a letter?”

Her remark startled the maid who had been picking up a snack.