The Person I Loved Hated Me - Chapter 34

The person he had tried to impregnate to solidify his position as the future king, and for his own selfish desires, turned out to be his half-sister.

This fact struck Dian with immense shock.

His father had passed away when he was young, and his mother had disappeared from the castle before he could form memories. He had no siblings, and his blood relatives, starting with his grandfather the king, were distant figures.

The closest person to him had been the former Duke Winslet, Ortol.

Though he held the position of prime minister, he resigned to support the ailing Rhodias, staying by his side until the very end, which naturally meant he also looked after Dian.

After Rhodias’s death, Ortol served by Dian’s side until about three years ago, when he retired to his territory due to old age.

He was a nagging old man, but he had helped Dian in countless ways. Dian felt so close to and trusted him so deeply that he expected he would cry from sorrow when Ortol died.

Being kept in the dark about such an important fact by Ortol was shocking. He was indignant that he had nearly laid hands on his half-sister because of it.

However, as time passed, he came to understand the reason for the secrecy. As Sebastian said, had it not been hidden, the two would undoubtedly have been dragged into an ugly power struggle.

He was told that Isaac was informed of everything after he came of age and allowed to decide how to live his life. Isaac chose to maintain his current lifestyle, and the two siblings now live supporting each other. They severed ties with their mother’s family and rely only on each other.

For those two, this incident must have been terrifying.

Isaac, who knew everything, must have been beside himself with worry that a taboo might occur, and as for Clara, it seemed she already had a man she liked.

Dian was the crown prince; being desired by him was an honor. He felt incredibly ashamed of himself for having believed that.

Regardless of Isaac, who knew the truth, it seemed Clara was given some strange excuses involving the crown prince’s whims, mischief, and bad habits. Unwillingly, it wouldn’t be surprising if she now thought of him as a weirdo.

He was told that Rhys, Flurey’s younger brother who works under Prime Minister Sebastian, was the one who fabricated that excuse.

This made him seem like an arrogant, insane person in power. “Couldn’t you have come up with a better excuse?!” he shouted, but Flurey advised him, “For the future, it’s better than having her think you seriously intended to impregnate her.” As time passed, he came to see the logic in that.

Because, despite being half-siblings, he was happy to have gained a brother and sister. He had tried to have a child with her, but he hadn’t been sexually aroused by her. He began to think that, even without knowing, he had sensed it instinctively.

It was absolutely not an excuse, he truly hadn’t been aroused. …Well, he did think she was cute and wanted to have her, but that too must have been because “I instinctively knew she was my sister!” he loudly insisted to Flurey.

“Let us leave it at that.”

“You don’t believe me, do you?”

“Not at all.”

Dian snorted at his expressionless aide.

“Fine then. Flurey, I’m thinking of going to the knights’ headquarters now.”

“For what purpose?”

“Isn’t it obvious? To commend the knights for their daily efforts. I want them to know I care about them.”

“Understood. However, I should mention that Isaac is currently on patrol, so he won’t be at the headquarters.”

You should have said that sooner!

“Then I’ll go shopping.”

“Understood. You intend to frighten that girl, I see.”

The workshop where Clara works as an engraver also has an attached shop. The items there were beneath the crown prince’s station, but since learning she was his sister, he had grown fond of the item he purchased that day.

If he went there to shop, their sales would increase. He had thought it might make her happy, but…

“…Is she that shocked?”

“It seems she hasn’t entirely swallowed the excuse my brother came up with. Moreover, the other party is a commoner with no connection to you, Your Highness. I recommend giving it a little more time.”

“I see. That would be best for both of them, I suppose.”

Though unsatisfied as Dian wanted to interact with and dote on them, it couldn’t be helped. For the sake of his adorable siblings, he would have to endure a little longer it seemed.

Yes, the more time passed, the more interested Dian became in the two, desperately wanting to know them.

He had interacted with Clara, but he hadn’t even met Isaac yet. He understood they didn’t want their peaceful lives disturbed, but it wouldn’t be unnatural for the crown prince to interact with a knight who was his subordinate, would it?

Dian adjusted his schedule and began visiting the knights’ headquarters frequently.

He avoided early mornings when he might be unwelcome, targeting evenings when Isaac would likely be there. The knight commander recommended “late morning or early afternoon,” but Dian insisted, “I want to see when everyone is gathered,” adamant about observing many knights.

There, he saw Isaac—a large, muscular man.

His brown hair was the same as Clara’s, and his purple eyes felt like the same shade as their father Rhodias’s.

Learning that Isaac became a knight at fifteen and, despite being common-born, had risen to squad leader at a young age due to his skill, Dian felt proud, thinking, “As expected of my brother,” though he didn’t say it aloud.

Finally, Dian could no longer restrain himself and arranged a secret meeting with Isaac.

Pretending to have left, he slipped back into the knights’ headquarters and waited in an inconspicuous spot. Soon, Isaac appeared, accompanied by Flurey.

Isaac was surprised but, noticing Dian, dropped to one knee.

“At ease, remain as you are.”

“No, but…”

“I said at ease. Rather, come a little closer.”

When he spoke, Isaac hesitated but complied, making Dian happy.

However, he couldn’t cross a certain line. Isaac desired the status quo, and if it became known that Dian was showing him special attention, it risked exposing their secret.

Reluctantly, Dian refrained from mentioning their half-brother relationship. He only hoped Isaac would sense his desire to be on good terms.

“The other day, I caused trouble for your sister. This is an apology; accept it.”

Though he thought, “She’s my sister too,” what he offered was a paper bag from a confectionery shop—somewhat plain for a crown prince to carry, but considered high-end for commoners.

“Your Highness, this is…?”

“I found it while walking through the city. If needed, you may give it to her as if from you, not from me.”

When he had eaten with Clara, she seemed to like desserts made with chocolate, so these were baked confections crafted from chocolate, which Dian had personally selected and purchased.

If he said they were from him, she might dislike it, so if that possibility existed, he wanted Isaac to pass them off as something he bought for Clara.

“I appreciate your consideration.”

It seemed Isaac understood his intent, as he accepted without refusal. Isaac had been tense until now, but his eyes seemed to soften slightly.

“Good. I hear you have an excellent reputation as a knight. As one who will rule this country in the future, I am proud to have a subordinate like you. Continue your efforts.”

Staying too long would draw attention. Though reluctant, Dian quickly turned his back on Isaac.