Chapter 36
Aiden and the Crown Prince knew each other well from fighting side by side on the battlefield.
That didn’t mean they were friendly.
The Crown Prince’s true thoughts were unknown, but at least Aiden didn’t trust him much.
Because his cold, rational nature might make a good leader but not a good person.
“By the way, I saw Selena nearby yesterday.”
“Selena Estarion?”
“Yes. She seems to be staying nearby, so if we narrow the area, we should find her.”
After Selena disappeared following the Inquisition, the Crown Prince quietly ordered Aiden to find her.
But Aiden lied, claiming he couldn’t track her whereabouts.
The reason was simple: he disliked the idea of Selena still being connected to his ex-fiancé, the Crown Prince.
“I see. But what do you intend to do if you find her?”
“There’s no need to say that.”
“Just personal curiosity. Isn’t she a woman His Highness is interested in?”
“That makes me curious too.”
The Crown Prince asked casually, as if in passing.
“Why did you hide her whereabouts even though you knew them?”
Aiden’s mood darkened. Their eyes met in midair.
The Crown Prince looked uncomfortable, but Aiden didn’t care.
He calmly met his gaze and even shrugged.
“After I met her, I had Peterson watch her. I heard Selena was staying at your place.”
“Well, that’s all out in the open now.”
Aiden wasn’t scared or sorry for lying to the Crown Prince.
That had been his way since his slave days.
With no fear, he never felt ashamed of his shortcomings or intimidated.
A slave with only his body, yet he carried himself like a lord.
Perhaps that cocky look in his eyes was what irritated the Crown Prince.
“Isn’t it natural for a healthy man with all limbs intact to take interest in a pretty woman?”
“I’ve listened to stories of Selena, a woman I never even saw, since the battlefield.”
“I was curious because she was Your Highness’s fiancée. Then why are you curious about her whereabouts? Do you still think she’s Your Highness’s fiancée?”
The Crown Prince’s face grew cold and dry.
Aiden was no different.
The jovial side he showed to Selena vanished, replaced by raw, untamed fierceness.
“That’s none of your business. It’s good she’s at your place. As for her—”
Aiden cut off the Crown Prince and said what he wanted.
“Selena is a free woman, not a slave. Wherever she stays, that’s her choice. Unless commanded by the crown, she owes no obedience.”
“…Why did you approach Selena?”
“What reason does a grown man have to approach a woman?”
The Crown Prince clenched his jaw, about to say something when—
Knock knock.
Peterson appeared.
“Your Highness, it’s time for dinner. Shall we go?”
“Go ahead. I’ll follow shortly.”
“Yes.”
After Peterson left, a subtle tension filled the room.
“Did you know?”
“Know what?”
“You’ve never once taught me to read or write during the war. Even when I was ignored or put in difficult situations because I couldn’t read.”
“Was that so?”
“Yes. You never even asked if I could write my name.”
“I see.”
The Crown Prince sounded utterly indifferent, as if not caring at all.
Aiden was sick of his cold, arrogant attitude.
He had seen arrogant nobles many times, but the Crown Prince’s was exceptional.
“Sorry I didn’t care enough before.”
Though not sounding sorry at all, Aiden smiled faintly and dismissed it lightly.
“It’s fine. Those days when I needed help with writing are over.”
They stood and left the reception room.
As Aiden led the way and opened the dining room door, the Crown Prince spoke.
“But Aiden.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“You’ve never once asked me for a favor.”
It implied he never trusted him from the start.
Of course, Aiden believed the Crown Prince knew he didn’t trust him.
Still, he feigned surprise and replied slyly.
“How could I dare to ask Your Highness for anything?”
He swallowed the most important words in his heart.
To Inette—or rather, to Selena’s fiancé—he had some pride.
And so, he hosted the dinner.
After dinner, the Crown Prince went to bed early.
Aiden, Peterson, and others all took personal time.
Shion spent his time chatting with Fred, sharing old stories.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Seeing you grown so fine makes me happy.”
“Thanks. Glad to hear you’re doing well, Fred.”
“By the way, how is the young lady? I often heard you speak proudly of her, so I wonder if she’s doing well.”
Shion forced a smile.
“Seems you haven’t heard the rumors in the capital. She’s been excommunicated.”
“I see.”
Fred hid his surprise well, not pressing for details.
“It was a complicated situation.”
“You must have had a hard time. You cared deeply for her.”
Fred remembered the boy who would brag about his sister all night.
Though fragile and shy, the sparkling-eyed Shion gave the impression she was a lovely young lady.
“It’s alright. It’s all in the past.”
For a moment, Shion’s face looked troubled but quickly returned to normal.
He changed the subject fast.
“It surprised me that you’re working under Duke Calypso now. I thought you wouldn’t be a butler again.”
“That’s true. It’s challenging, but also rewarding.”
“Good to hear.”
“So… I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it? Speak freely.”
“You know Duke Calypso doesn’t have many acquaintances among the nobles. Asking him to raise you like a child would be shameful, but could you at least invite me to a small party once?”
Shion reaffirmed why several noble families wanted Fred as their butler after the death of the Kellymere Count.
Fred served his master with all his heart.
Kind, meticulous, and always giving his best—truly impossible to dislike.
“An invitation…”
“Just once, please.”
“Fred, no need to go that far. It’s not a big deal. I’ll invite you to my upcoming birthday party, so don’t worry.”
Though Aiden and the Crown Prince’s relationship had been tense earlier, anyone could offer an invitation.
Inviting didn’t guarantee Duke Calypso would attend.
Shion smiled warmly, relieved for Fred.
Meanwhile, Sienna was writing a letter to Amelia.
The message was simple: inviting her to visit a nearby fair after the charity party.
[…There are spice merchants there too.
Because Selena prepared the fair, the charity party’s scale shrank a lot.
To make up for it, I think it would be good to visit the fair.
I’ll wait for your reply.]
Sienna smiled as she checked the letter one last time.
Hoping to become the Crown Prince’s fiancée by this time next year.
“Teacher, your face looks very pale since I last saw you.”
Aiden stood crookedly, staring sharply at me as I returned to the Duke’s mansion after a few days.
His predatory gaze made me rub my cheek unconsciously.
“Did you really rest well?”
His tone sounded somewhat displeased, so I nodded without thinking.
“Of course. I rested well.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
Deep wrinkles formed on Aiden’s brow.
Sighing deeply, he said disapprovingly,
“Why didn’t you tell me about the loan shark causing trouble?”
“Uh…”
I tried to keep it secret so as not to worry him but somehow he heard about it.
“It was very dangerous. I was shocked to hear that.”
“I’m sorry to worry you, but it ended without serious damage.”
“That’s only in hindsight. If that bastard had worse intentions, it would’ve been a disaster.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me. It was right to betray him to save yourself. Next time there’s danger, sell me out to escape.”
He was truly kind and gentle.
His concerned look touched my heart.
“Teacher, why no answer?”
“I will. Thanks for always caring.”
“For such a small thing…”
“I’ll put down my things. See you in the study.”
“Wow, sharp as always. Even on the day you return home, lessons never stop.”
I laughed, and he smiled proudly.
“I’ll be in the study first. Take your time.”
“Yes, just wait a bit.”
My heart fluttered from the first lesson in days.
I recalled his refreshing smile but made an excuse and went upstairs.
Throwing my bag carelessly down, I went to the study.
There I saw Aiden sitting at his desk, scribbling something.
It looked like doodling, so I crept closer.
He noticed me, startled, and snapped his book shut.
“Te-teacher, when did you come?”
“Just now. What’s that?”
“Nothing!”
Unlike usual, Aiden looked noticeably flustered.
He fumbled and accidentally knocked over the inkpot.
Black ink spilled, and he jumped up to wipe it off.
When I reached to help clean, Aiden quickly said,
“I’ll handle it! Don’t get your hands dirty, teacher, go over there.”
He grabbed a towel, wiped the desk and floor, washed his hands, then returned.
“Didn’t get on your clothes?”
“It’s fine. What about you?”
“I’m spotless.”
“Good.”
Aiden sighed deeply, seeming very tired.
Without realizing, he pulled the book close to hide it.
I wanted to ask about the doodles but held back.
“By the way, I’m curious. Teacher, do you enjoy studying?”
“Does Aiden find it boring?”
“Is it supposed to be fun?”
Aiden frowned as if he couldn’t understand.
