Chapter 35
Just when he thought he’d heard it all, Pierre’s irritation exploded.
“A boat? Now, of all times, you’re talking about taking a boat somewhere?”
At Pierre’s sharp response, Alex chuckled silently, hiding a sly smirk in his eyes.
“Not a literal boat. I meant we should be on the same team, you know? If you join me, I can guarantee you’ll never be humiliated like this again. And you can get your factory back, too.”
“Really? You’d actually help me?”
“Of course. But in return, I need a promise from you.”
Alex extended his hand, his smile sharp and foxlike.
Pierre hesitated. The man looked like a scammer, but he had no money left after gambling away everything he got from selling the factory. He was out of options.
So, after a moment’s hesitation, Pierre grabbed Alex’s hand.
***
The setting sun painted the sky in orange hues outside the window.
I sat across from Prince Claude in a quiet, empty restaurant.
Yes, just the two of us—me and the Crown Prince—in a place without a single other customer.
I was completely drained after dealing with Pierre and had meant to return to the mansion right away. But Claude stopped me with a simple, unexpected question:
“Have you eaten?”
When I replied, “No,” I didn’t expect it would lead to this suffocating situation.
As soon as we entered the restaurant, the staff recognized Claude and immediately stopped the music. Then, they cleared out the entire place, taking out every single customer like shooing away flies.
They seemed well-practiced, as if this had happened many times before.
Claude, as calm as a swan on still water, remained completely unfazed. He followed the staff up to the second floor and didn’t even need to order—the menu was being brought out automatically.
Was this his regular spot?
I glanced around the softly lit restaurant. Each table had a white linen cloth, and the windows offered a clear view outside. The decor wasn’t fancy, especially for a Crown Prince’s go-to place. But the warm lighting created a cozy atmosphere.
Now that I thought about it, even Claude’s residence wasn’t very extravagant. When I first visited, it felt more like a ghost house than a palace.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I looked at Claude sitting elegantly, legs crossed, sipping tea. He simply nodded once at a waiter to signal them to serve the food, but otherwise hadn’t said a single word.
The sunset light illuminated his sculpted face, making him look like a living painting.
Every now and then, he just stared at me without speaking.
The silence stretched on, broken only by the clatter of dishes and the ticking clock on the wall.
Eventually, I gave in first.
“I ran into Duke Pierre on the way back from the factory. It was a bit uncomfortable, so… thank you for your help. But, Your Highness, what brings you here?”
“To see you.”
“…Sorry?”
“Do we need a reason to see each other?”
That word—we—caught me off guard.
He casually folded his arms and continued.
“As an engaged couple, isn’t it natural to always know where the other is and what they’re doing? Like a needle and thread, always together.”
I blinked. Was that… a law in this empire?
So far, it made sense. He always showed up whenever I went out—like when I visited the jewelry shop with Alex, or even at the wedding.
As I drifted off in thought, Claude tilted his chin and gave me a sharp look.
“What’s with that face? You look like you’re being followed by a pesky dog.”
His scowl snapped me back to reality. I suddenly imagined those hands that had just grabbed Pierre by the neck doing the same to me.
“No, I was just wondering if there’s an actual law like that in the empire…”
Trying to lighten the mood, I let out an awkward laugh.
“There’s no such law,” Claude said, slowly raising his teacup.
No such law?
Then what was all that about the needle and thread?
Why was he so immersed in a fake engagement?
Just as I was about to fall into confusion, he added,
“So I plan to make a new law.”
Clink. His teacup landed on its saucer.
I stared at him, wide-eyed, fighting the urge to ask if making new laws was some kind of hobby.
His expression turned colder, probably still annoyed from earlier.
It’s better to play it safe.
I quickly shifted gears with a well-timed compliment.
“I read about the new engagement law that Your Highness proposed. I was worried Alex might use the law against me somehow, but thanks to your sharp judgment, I felt so reassured.”
With a bright, sunny smile, I raised the tone of my voice at the end. Claude’s lips twitched into a tiny smirk.
It worked. The mood softened.
While sipping my tea, I tried to plant another seed.
“But Your Highness, you’re still recovering. Isn’t it too soon to be going out so often? You might be overexerting yourself.”
“Funny. You looked annoyed with me just a moment ago, and now you’re worried?”
He looked at me, head tilted.
Of course I’m worried—you need to get better so I can finally be free.
But I didn’t dare say that out loud.
Instead, I answered sweetly, as any good healer would.
“Of course I worry. You are the empire’s little sun, my fiancé, and as precious as the stars in the sky.”
Yes, the star. The one I’m wishing on for a peaceful retirement and sweet revenge.
I was quite proud of that poetic little line and grinned to myself.
But Claude’s gaze suddenly locked onto me.
His once sharp eyes softened ever so slightly.
He reached out—not to touch my lips, but my hair.
With elegant grace, he tucked a loose strand behind my ear and said softly,
“You’re a very good liar.”
His deep voice sent shivers down my spine.
“N-no, that wasn’t a lie… hic.”
Startled, I hiccupped, then choked on my water and spilled it all over myself.
Just great.
As I was wiping off my clothes, a white handkerchief floated down in front of me.
I picked it up and dried my mouth and collar.
Then came his low, offhand comment:
“But it wasn’t bad.”
I looked up, confused.
And then he added in a whisper that brushed against my ears,
“Your lie.”
Eyes wide like a startled rabbit, I stared at him.
He saw right through me—again.
But he didn’t mind? He liked my lie?
What kind of strange vibe was this?
I awkwardly rubbed my arm and looked at his face again.
As always, Claude remained calm and unreadable.
Then, his red eyes slowly drifted downward.
