The Person I Loved Hated Me - Chapter 35

Eivard and Rhys, hidden in the shadows of a building, secretly observed the exchange between Isaac and Crown Prince Dian.

“Did you see that just now?”

Rhys widened his dark eyes, watching the Crown Prince and Flurey quickly depart while keeping an eye on their surroundings. Eivard, who had clearly witnessed it all, intended to pretend he hadn’t seen anything, thinking “This is disrespectful.”

But…

“He was completely smitten. Don’t you think he’d probably just laugh and forgive it even if Isaac punched him?”

Without any hesitation or restraint, he casually said something that would surely displease the Crown Prince if he heard it.

Well, Eivard had to admit he thought the same, but he would never say it out loud.

As someone who had come to monitor the Crown Prince alongside Rhys, Eivard understood what Rhys meant and responded with appropriate words.

“His Highness probably shouldn’t meet with those two. He can’t hide his attitude at all. There’s more risk of damaging the Crown Prince’s dignity than revealing secrets.”

“I agree. I really have to report this to Father I mean, to the Prime Minister.”

To be blunt, the Crown Prince had been completely disarmed when facing Isaac. No, he had been overly disarmed in his approach to Isaac. It wasn’t quite condescending, but there was no trace of royal dignity to be seen – it felt like seeing his true, unguarded self.

His language was appropriate for addressing a subordinate, but he was smiling happily the entire time. The atmosphere was soft, as if enveloped in a pink aura, his giddiness was painfully obvious.

Most of all, the moment Isaac accepted the paper bag, his worried furrowed brows completely transformed – he started smiling and simultaneously seemed to shine brightly while wagging an invisible tail.

His cheerful departure was like a child who had finally obtained a toy they desperately wanted.

Eivard felt like he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

Even Isaac, who had responded to the summons, had initially been wary but seemed to be drawn in by the Crown Prince’s almost innocent excitement. He must have thought that if he refused the offered bag, the Prince would cry.

“Alright, work’s done. Well, I’ll contact you if anything comes up.”

As Rhys waved with an attitude suggesting he might skip away lightly, Eivard stopped him with “Wait a moment.” (As an aside – unnecessary information – the clumsy Rhys couldn’t actually skip.)

“About the Notoria Viscount household.”

Just saying that changed Rhys’ atmosphere.

“What?”

“Do they have connections to the Winslet Ducal family?”

He wasn’t asking about blood relations or political connections. They knew Viscount Notoria was a rural noble who didn’t involve himself in politics and had no blood connection to the Winslet Ducal family.

“None,” answered Rhys, raising the corners of his mouth. That “none” was a reply meaning “yes, there are.”

“You’re really scary. Did I give that many hints?”

He’d given plenty. Even though Eivard had been slow to notice, Rhys showed his high evaluation of him.

“So, what will you do? I can’t help with this matter, though?”

“I want to know Viscount Notoria’s daughter’s true intentions. I’ll speak with her – that won’t be a problem, right?”

“Go ahead. She’s your fiancée. I won’t interfere.”

“Thank you.”

Rhys gave Eivard the answer he wanted.

Viscount Notoria had contacted the Trulin Marquis household on Sebastian’s orders. What could the Viscount household want so badly that they’d even tarnish their daughter’s reputation?

Was it just the technology for mining the gold mine, or did they owe some great debt or loyalty to the Winslet Ducal family? Perhaps Viscount Notoria had once been something like a spy or intelligence agent.

“Even if the engagement matter gets resolved somehow, I don’t think the Trulin Marquis household will let you go, you know?”

“If that happens, I’ll take my chances.”

“Don’t tell me you plan to ask His Highness?”

“Wouldn’t that person probably just laugh and forgive it even if Isaac punched him?”

If it became necessary to act, it would require forceful methods. Rhys seemed to understand correctly as he exclaimed “Hah!?”

“If it were Isaac, maybe! But not you!?”

Though he responded with astonishment, involving the Crown Prince was a last resort. Even Eivard didn’t want to be punished for disrespect, for the sake of his future with Clara.

“Besides, the Trulin Marquis household wants you to succeed them, don’t they?”

“By betraying my grandfather and father?”

“You wouldn’t be the one betraying them.”

“Pretending not to know is the same thing. And I don’t want to bind Clara to that household where I suffered so much myself.”

It was completely different from the environment Clara was born and raised in. Dressing up, eating lavish meals, and living in luxury wasn’t something simple. It wasn’t a position one could maintain through mere admiration.

“Aren’t you in love with each other? Then she’ll become the Marquess for you.”

“I have no intention of dragging her into the rigid world of nobility.”

There was no way Eivard would want to drag his beloved into the world that had exhausted him.

“Besides, she takes pride in her work as an engraver. I love that about her too.”

For women in noble society, work meant bearing heirs and socializing. Wives who couldn’t bear sons faced divorce or were sometimes forced to adopt their husband’s illegitimate children.

They had to dress beautifully to display their family’s power, constantly mind their appearance and conversation to stay fashionable, and prioritize acting as their fathers or husbands desired.

Eivard didn’t want to make Clara do such things. He wanted her to keep shining as she was now.

“Heh. You really cherish her, don’t you? But if something happens, you can rest assured and leave her to me. I’ll do my utmost to help her adapt to ducal life and treasure her.”

“You rest assured too. I have no intention of handing her over.”

He firmly countered the light remark that didn’t feel like a joke.

Anyway, he had to hurry. While the problem with Dian was resolved, new enemies would appear. And it wasn’t just Rhys. The risk of other men surrounding her was probably greater than Rhys.

He wanted to stand in the same place as soon as possible. His feelings rushed ahead, wanting to take Clara’s hand and confess his feelings.