Chapter 137
Ryan drew a slow breath.
Truthfully, he barely remembered what he’d actually said back then.
All he knew was this: asking a prince of the blood to hold off on an engagement was definitely crossing the line.
Shameless? Yes. But the timing—right when he’d cleared a debt with Nike—had been perfect. So he’d said it.
And to avoid suspicion, he’d been careful with his words, leaving out any subjects or objects that might cause rumors.
After all, Bania was only thirteen.
He couldn’t exactly say, “Please wait until she’s grown up,” or “Don’t marry anyone else until then.”
If anyone overheard, it would ruin Nike far worse.
And yet somehow… it ended up twisted into this kind of misunderstanding?!
Somehow, what he’d said had reached the Crown Prince’s ears as though it were about Ryan and Nike.
Like:
“Your Highness, I love you. Please don’t meet any other women for my sake.”
“I don’t need such a request—of course I would never look at anyone else!”
Yes… something like that.
Now the Crown Prince’s troubled expression made sense. He hadn’t known whether or not to ask about it.
It was a serious matter.
His younger brother—the Third Prince—involved with a man?
No. Not just any man—Nike was royalty.
If such a scandalous misunderstanding spread, it would be disastrous.
“Answer me!” the Crown Prince pressed.
Ryan opened his mouth.
He needed to explain, to clear this up. But what came out was only—
“O…”
A sound of disbelief.
“?!”
The Crown Prince’s eyes widened, instantly suspicious.
What on earth are they talking about?
From a distance, the atmosphere between Ryan and the Crown Prince looked heavy. And every so often, the Crown Prince glanced our way.
And each time—our eyes met.
Why does he keep looking at me?!
***
Prince Bain Valencia remembered a conversation from just days ago.
Nike’s adjutant, Reiner Kruzer, had come to him after much hesitation.
“Your Highness, I speak not only as the Third Prince’s adjutant, but as Nike’s dearest friend. I cannot stay silent about this matter!”
Reiner was trustworthy—Nike’s childhood companion, loyal, discreet.
If he came secretly with news, it had to be serious.
The message?
Nike seemed to like men—and even appeared to be thinking about a future with one.
The man in question: Ryan Belzer.
Bain could see why Reiner worried.
But he assumed it must be a misunderstanding. So he summoned Nike to confirm.
“Do you still have no thoughts of marriage?”
“…Excuse me?”
In Valencia’s royal house, heirs were rare. Pressure for Nike to wed had begun the moment he came of age, though Bain had shielded him from it so far.
But Nike had always refused firmly.
Until now.
“One day, I will.”
“What?!”
Bain was stunned.
Could it be… he’d found someone?
“Do you have someone in mind?”
Nike looked puzzled, then sighed.
“…Did Reiner say something strange to you?”
“No. Of course not.”
“Whatever you heard—it’s a misunderstanding.”
Relieved, Bain had accepted that answer. Yes, of course.
Nike wasn’t the type to keep such things secret from his brother.
And yet—Nike’s vague words, “One day, when I truly love someone…” stuck with him.
So Bain, still uneasy, had pressed Ryan directly.
***
Now, in the courtyard:
“O…” Ryan stammered.
“…!”
The Prince’s suspicions flared—until Ryan quickly added:
“A misunderstanding, Your Highness.”
Bain exhaled in relief. “So it was.”
But he pushed further. “Then why did you say such words to the Third Prince?”
Ryan’s mind went blank.
There was no way out except the truth.
“…Because my daughter is still young. I asked him to wait until she was grown.”
“What?!”
Ryan scrambled. “It was a joke, I swear! She’s only thirteen. She got silly notions in her head, kept insisting she wanted to marry His Highness… I only teased her, ‘Then maybe he’ll meet you when you’re older.’”
Sorry, Bania. Truly sorry!
The Crown Prince’s eyes flicked toward the little girl.
“…I see. At that age, one can have foolish crushes.”
But his relief did not last.
Because Bain remembered clearly the words Nike had once spoken:
“I could never love anyone else.”
Nike never spoke in jest.
So if he had said such a thing…
***
Bain stepped before Bania.
He looked down at the wide-eyed little lady.
So small. So young.
“What exactly do you mean by this? So there is someone you’ve set your heart on? Why not say who?”
“I… it’s not like that. I’ll tell you… in a few years.”
“…A few years?”
“Three years.”
“…Your age?”
“Thirteen, Your Highness.”
Three years from now—adulthood by Imperial law.
“…Ha.”
A headache washed over Bain. He staggered.
“Your Highness!”
The knights rushed to support him. Ryan and Bania looked alarmed.
“I’m fine. Let’s return.”
He forced composure. But in his mind, one thing was clear.
When he returned to the palace, he would summon Nike.
For a very special interview.
I’m dying. Poor Nike. Everyone has the absolute wrong ideas