‘…Why is the Third Prince here?!’
That woman, her nickname was Demon!
Lord Gash looked around in disbelief.
But there wasn't a single strand of brown hair to be seen anywhere...
He has been deceived.
With the sudden realization, Lord Gash couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed in place, his eyes wide open.
The Empress was the first to regain her composure
“How, how did you get here?”
This was a place no one should be.
Why did her precious son go out for a night walk in a place that could be called an abandoned shrine..?
“What do you mean by “how?” Because my mother was interfering between me and Alec!
We came here looking for a cozy date spot!!”
The Third Prince shouted at the Empress, full of injustice.
“But how can you tell your son that!
For me, I, who should have a happy, sweet, and joyful life after marriage!!
Accept someone like him?!”
The third prince, overwhelmed with anger, headed towards the empress.
He was hitting his feet on the ground as he spoke.
"I can't do it!
I can't do it!!
How can I share my love!
I'll ask Alec to just look at me!"
Then he continued to make amazing statements.
“Mom too!!
You said you didn’t want to share my father with other wives, oh!”
"Please be quiet, Prince!
Are we the only people in this place?"
“Oh!”
The Empress covered his mouth tightly, preventing him from speaking, but the Third Prince expressed his sadness and injustice with his entire body.
In her attempt to curb the actions of her son, who almost exacerbated the situation, the Empress lost the veil that had elegantly enveloped her, and her dress and hair quickly became a mess.
Alexis Ferrander waited until the chaos had subsided and then approached Lord Gash, who was half-conscious, before he tried to stop the Third Prince.
“What a pity, I used to find you to be a very likable person.”
“Her Highness...”
“But what good is a nobleman who harms his country?”
With an indifferent smile, Alexis quietly retrieved the recording device from Lord Gash's possession.
He was completely at a loss, unable to stop Alexis, and soon it was the Empress's turn to turn pale.
“Princess!”
The Empress screamed desperately, her eyes fixed on the tape recorder in Alexis' hand.
She clung to the hope that since the person in question was destined to marry the Third Prince, there might be a chance for an understanding instead of it falling into someone else's hands.
However, even in this moment, Alexis remained resolutely focused on her priorities.
“Come here baby, I know your heart.”
In a voice so sweet and gentle that it was hard to believe it was coming from Alexis, the Third Prince was summoned...
The Third Prince, who had been acting like a wild pony, finally calmed down and slowly separated from the Empress, returning to Alexis' side..
Lord Gash was watching this and became overcome with jealousy, and the Empress felt the need to control her anger at her son's ingratitude.
But Alexis, who was able to prove her boldness, calmly collected the tape recorder and spoke confidently to the Empress.
"Can we talk then?
Who is my soon-to-be new mom?"
At that moment, the Empress's negotiating partner turned from a small person to a big person.
As the turmoil in the abandoned shrine subsided and Lord Gash was taken away by Knight Alexis, I was finally able to rise from where I had hidden in the deepest shadows.
“It's a bit unfortunate.”
Cassian, who was supporting my unstable body, spoke while I mumbled in a low voice.
“Considering what we got, that's not so bad.”
He slowly removed the hood that was pressing him tightly, and met my eyes.
With every step he took forward, the moonlight intensified, and his features became clearly visible to me.
“Rose, you are really greedy.”
“Please say I value competence.”
I felt a little wronged by Cassian's sarcastic remark.
It would have been nice if the Third Prince had revealed all the things the Empress had done to the other concubines.
Perhaps it was a clue to uncover what happened to Cassian's mother.
As I clenched my jaw, he held my hand tightly and shook it gently.
“That's why I'm telling you, Rose, if you're too hasty, you might ruin everything.”
Slowly bend down...
His violet eyes met mine at the same level, and spoke softly.
“Haven't you said something similar before?”
I was at a loss for words due to the sudden attack on my face.
Did you say something like that?
when…?
Was it at a time when you were very busy?
While I was trying to recall the memories, Cassian laughed softly.
“It's sad, my fiancée doesn't even remember our shared memories.”
“…Your Highness.”
"For now, I'm satisfied.
We haven't suffered any losses, and Princess Alexis will take care of everything, right?"
Cassian said as he placed a light kiss on the back of my hand.
I looked at him with a frown, but in the end I nodded in understanding.
The cunning and intelligent Cassian Artiz had already received compensation from Alexis in advance.
Apparently, the outspoken princess didn't realize that.
This abandoned shrine was also a place where the Empress hid her possessions.
But there wasn't enough justification or impact to reveal it all at once, so we just collected the information for now.
“But if you asked that we meet and set up an appointment here, it would be a different story.”
There was no way she wouldn't get out.
That is why the Empress, who rarely left the palace, responded to Lord Gash's invitation.
Neither Lord Gash nor Princess Alexis, a foreign princess, were told that this was where the Empress was hiding her wealth.
However, since she is quick-witted, it is likely that Alexis sensed something here and would take advantage of it in her dealings with the Empress.
This would increase the likelihood that the terrified Empress would take some action.
“Indeed, indeed.
Princess Alexis has become a great shield for us.
Thanks to her, we have dealt a blow to the Empress, and created an opportunity for her to make future mistakes.”
While I was talking, feeling somewhat sad, I leaned towards Cassian.
“Even though Your Highness used me as bait.”
I wasn't angry at all, I thought it was good, but it was a little annoying..
“How could you tell me about a plan like this just before it was implemented?”
I've been bringing all kinds of information to Cassian, thinking it would be useful.
Unlike the original version, the unfair and unrighteous hero has been planning this ever since she became Alexis's temporary assistant.
If anything happens to me while I'm under her command, it will become Alexis' responsibility.
So he thought it would be a good idea to use that as a shield to engage the Empress.
“Are you upset, Rose?”
“Of course not.
How could I dare?”
I denied it verbally without hiding my feelings at all.
Of course, I knew Cassian wouldn't take my safety carelessly, but I felt a little bit of a grudge...
Because he doesn't seem to trust me..
I felt like he thought I might give a hint to Her Highness Alexis.
I had worked so hard over the past year, yet he had no confidence in my ability to handle things.
At that moment, I felt a warm sensation envelop my back
Cassian wrapped his arms around my waist and whispered softly in my ear.
“…I wanted to give you some peace of mind, if only for a moment.”
“You seem to have loved Princess Alexis very much?
Unlike me, Rose, you are sensitive.”
I felt his grip tightening on my waist.
His heartbeat was gently transmitted across my shoulder.
“Of course, you would have done well, but I didn't want you to worry.”
“…Your Highness.”
“Although I still lack the ability to give you sweet comfort or a comfortable place… even for a moment.”
Normally, he would have made a joke by now..
But his very honest attitude made me unable to find the words to respond to him.
So he thought it would be a good idea to use that as a shield to engage the Empress.
If you asked me if I was really upset, I wasn't
I just wanted to show a little of my feelings..
Because the friendship she felt for Cassian was real.
Time passes slowly..
Cassian, who was resting his forehead on my shoulder, didn't seem to have any intention of leaving me.
I reached out my hand and stroked Cassian's hair.
“…I won’t say thank you.”
"Good."
He answered immediately..
He understood that his interest in me made me feel like he didn't trust me.
“And don't talk as if nothing matters, Your Highness.”
Even if you are in pain too..
No matter how much his personality had changed from the original, his heart could not possibly be armored with steel..
As rude as he has become, there must be superficial scars somewhere.
So at least while I'm helping Cassian...
“You hired me to be by your side because I'm not weak enough to fail at handling missions.”
“…Rose.”
"Let me deal with it too.
I'm not one to run away from this."
Perhaps this was Cassian's shock in this changing world.
Because he lost a series of assistants due to arduous tasks and the interference of the Empress.
At that moment, Cassian hugged me tightly and raised his head to meet my gaze cloy.
“Does this mean...”
“Yes?”
His moonlit eyes curved into a crescent shape.
“...that you will be responsible for me for the rest of my life?”
What is this ridiculous change in the atmosphere?
As I looked puzzled, Cassian's face smiled wider.
“A-You're kidding me, aren't you?”
“No, I'm serious.
There's no way I could be.”
“You're kidding me!”
Feeling wronged, I tried to move away from him, but Cassian grabbed me tightly with his dramatically strong arms
Ironically...
This bad man...
I was treating him honestly!
I really shouldn't trust Cassian Artiz..
Annoyed, I pursed my lips and turned my head away defiantly.
“Haha.”
It was supposed to be a serious protest.
What was so funny?
Cassian's laugh, which sounded annoyingly satisfied, rang in my ears.