HBTF 34

HBTF

Posted by Richard, Released on April 6, 2026

Chapter: 34

Jealousy of Kishin

Two days later.

Karen, who had gone out saying she had something to do, came back in less than thirty minutes and made a big fuss.

“Miss, Miss! I found out about Lord Dernick and Lord Kishin!”

Just then, Merran was looking out the window.

As Karen approached, she noticed another guard standing at the front gate with flowers. No doubt they were flowers Kishin had sent to Classie again.

“Lord Kishin only ever sends flowers and letters. He has no sense at all.”

Karen grumbled for Merran’s sake, sounding pouty for no reason.

“Must be that he has a flower field and printing shop at home or something!”

Merran closed the curtains with a loud whoosh and turned around.

“Enough of that. Tell me—what did you find out? You got back really fast. You didn’t just get the gist of things, right?”

“Of course not. I found out quickly because those two are already quite famous, Miss.”

“Famous?”

“Maybe not their faces, but people know their names well enough.”

Curious, Merran quickly sat down on the sofa.

Karen set down the basket still hooked over her arm and sat opposite her, ready to share her findings.

“Lord Kishin is a prodigy who received his family title directly from His Majesty at the youngest age ever.”

“Come to think of it, I think I heard something like that back in my hometown.”

“Yes, his father holds a marquis title tied to his territory. So eventually, Lord Kishin will have two titles. His prospects are quite good.”

“Then how come someone like him doesn’t have a fiancée yet? Don’t tell me there’s something wrong with him?”

“He’s so obsessed with work that he apparently has no interest in social life. Because of his looks and position, a fair number of people showed interest, but whatever he did, they all ended up backing off, trembling. They say he has a really awful personality.”

Merran recalled Kishin’s cold, lifeless eyes as he looked down at her and nodded in agreement.

“He did seem unpleasant. Aunt’s taste is weird.”

“But he’s good-looking.”

“What about Lord Dernick? What’s he like?”

“Oh, that goes without saying. He’s the most eligible bachelor in the Empire. He’s the only son of the Grand Duke of Siwil, and also the only unmarried man in the Imperial family.

Apparently, His Majesty cherishes him greatly ever since one of his two nephews passed away. On top of that, if Duke Grail ends up without an heir, Lord Dernick might inherit that estate too. It’s huge!”

Merran smiled smugly, as if she were being praised herself.

But her expression stiffened at Karen’s next words.

“But in terms of personal character, people seem to prefer Lord Kishin, Miss. I mean… not that he’s said to be nice or anything, but there are far worse rumors about Lord Dernick…”

Merran cut her off sharply.

“What people say doesn’t matter. The Lord Dernick I met was a good person. That’s all that matters. Who cares what people who don’t even know him personally say?”

Since Merran defended Dernick, Karen didn’t bring up anything worse.

Still, she was reluctant to let Kishin go unappreciated, and glanced over at the curtain-covered window.

“It would be nice if you could have both, Miss.”

* * *

Merran and Karen weren’t the only ones who disliked the letters exchanged between Classie and Kishin.

“Tch… so annoying.”

Dernick also shuddered when he entered Kishin’s office and saw his friend smiling as he read yet another letter.

Roughly rubbing his own arm, he asked,

“Just how many letters do you and the Miss Weapons Dealer exchange in a day? Why is it that every time I see you, you’re reading a letter from Miss Classie?”

Kishin didn’t answer. He merely glanced at Dernick before continuing to read the letter.

“What does it say? Let me see too.”

When Dernick lunged like a bull, Kishin finally folded the letter and tucked it inside his coat.

“This is really unpleasant to watch!”

Dernick snapped irritably and sat on the edge of Kishin’s desk.

Kishin frowned and pushed Dernick away.

“If you just didn’t care, it wouldn’t even bother you whether I’m reading a letter from Lady Classie or not.”

Dernick pointed a finger at him in disbelief.

“I’m not choosing to care, it just gets on my nerves. The stationery she uses is all bubblegum pink or chick yellow!”

“……”

“If it’s not from Lady Classie, you wouldn’t be walking around with pastel pink and bright yellow envelopes in your front pocket!”

This time, Kishin had no response and just fidgeted with his cold coffee cup.

Dernick crossed his arms and turned his head as if sulking.

“If those letters are so precious, you could at least let me read one.”

“They are precious.”

“How ridiculous. Letters you exchange multiple times a day? They must be as common as dirt!”

“We exchange them once a day.”

Kishin’s calm reply made Dernick’s expression twist even more.

“So you just carry the same letter around all day and read it over and over again?”

As Kishin silently took a sip of his coffee, Dernick looked visibly hurt.

“This is why they say there’s no point in raising a friend. The moment they get a lover, they just toss their friend aside.”

“Raising? I’m older than you by a year. And Lady Classie and I aren’t lovers. Not yet.”

“Not yet? So you will be soon, huh!”

Irritated, Dernick glanced over Kishin’s desk, and when even complaining wore him out, he finally got up.

“I came to say goodbye, but now I just feel worse. I’m leaving. Keep reading your precious letter!”

At the word “goodbye,” Kishin finally turned his attention to Dernick.

Of course, they could say goodbye any day, but coming all the way to his office just to say it wasn’t something Dernick normally did.

“Where are you going?”

“I have to go to Greengall City for Princess Saze’s matter. Won’t be seeing you for a while. Could be months.”

Apparently feeling genuinely upset, Dernick gave no further explanation and stormed out — not even bothering to close the door properly.

Kishin stared at the half-shut door and sighed. But then, he frowned when the name of the city caught his attention.

‘Greengall City?’

He pulled out the letter he had been reading earlier and unfolded it again.

As expected, the city was mentioned at the bottom of the letter.

“I’m going back to my family home for the New Year. But since it’s in Greengall City, the carriage ride alone takes almost a month. I’m worried someone might accidentally see the letter if it gets lost in transit, so please don’t send me any until I return. I’ll write first when I’m back.”

Kishin’s mood darkened.

Both Dernick and Classie were heading to Greengall City — and during the same period, no less.

And Dernick had once courted Classie, hadn’t he?

Of course, it wasn’t because he’d fallen in love. It had been a strategic move, thinking she’d be an ideal partner in a political marriage — but courtship was still courtship.

‘…This is bothering me.’

* * *

Meanwhile

Anna was carrying freshly baked, piping hot pumpkin cake when she noticed Classie sitting at the dining table.

Classie was slumped in her seat with an expression as if half her soul had been sucked out.

“My lady? Why do you look so down?”

Anna asked in confusion.

For the past two days, it had been Merran in that kind of state — while Classie had been full of energy.

Every time she opened her mouth, all she did was sing “Kishin, Kishin,” so Anna even dreamed of ghosts.

This morning, after sending a letter to Kishin, how happy Classie had been.

Merran was so upset by the sight that she said she’d eat lunch in her room.

But now, after just a short time cooking, to see Classie looking so drained—it was more puzzling than worrying.

Classie answered in a weak voice.

“It’s because of Lord Kishin…”

“What about Lord Kishin? You were so excited to send the letter this morning! Did you two fight already?”

Classie stared at the steam rising from the yellow cake and finally spoke.

“Things are going too well with Lord Kishin, and it’s making me anxious.”

“What? Why?”

“I’ve never had things go this smoothly with anyone before.”

‘Because of the bad rumors and Merran always getting in the way.’

Anna shook her head, half-disbelieving, half-amused.

“That’s nonsense. If it’s going well, that’s a good thing.”

“Don’t you get food poisoning from eating cake for no reason? I’ve always been single, and now suddenly things are going well with someone as amazing as Lord Kishin—it’s too strange.”

Anna clicked her tongue. Classie usually had high self-esteem, but when it came to marriage, she would become oddly deflated. Such a wonderful lady, too.

“It’s because you’re someone like you that things are going well with Lord Kishin. You two look great together.”

Classie realized Anna misunderstood her. She wasn’t feeling this way because she thought she was inferior to Kishin.

It was just that being dumped so many times had become a habit—now that things were finally going well, she was suddenly scared.

But knowing that Anna probably wouldn’t understand even if she explained it, Classie decided not to say more.

“Yeah. Thanks.”

‘Anna must be worried seeing me like this. I should go mope in my room instead.’

Classie stood from her chair. But as she was about to leave the dining room through the arched doorway, the butler approached quickly.

“Young lady, a guard has brought a reply.”

“Already? I only just sent the letter!”

Anna chimed in from the side.

“Right? You usually only exchange one letter a day.”

Classie and Anna’s expressions hardened simultaneously.

Hadn’t Classie just been complaining about how things were going too well and it scared her? And now Kishin was suddenly sending multiple letters? That couldn’t be good.

“Young lady…”

“Sigh.”

Classie let out a sigh and walked to the door. Negative thoughts flooded her mind.

What if Lord Kishin says he’s glad the misunderstanding was cleared up, but he no longer wants to pursue anything with me?

What if he says exchanging letters every day is tiring and he wants to stop?

What if he heard the rumors about me… and decides we can’t be together?

As she walked, thinking about all the worst possibilities, Classie strangely felt more at ease.

It was familiar, this kind of situation. Even though she hated it, it was oddly comforting. Even if it meant being rejected again.

With her spirits completely down, Classie stepped outside the door—and nearly fainted.

“Lord Kishin!”

Kishin himself was standing at the door.

Frozen in shock, she watched him offer an awkward smile.