Chapter 12
“No… right?”
Kaylen didn’t answer. On his tightly pressed red lips, the image of the irritable Duke Hernia from before came to mind again.
My goodness.
Dylan covered his mouth with both hands.
The woman who had shamelessly stuffed trash into her bag.
“Who was that? Do you have any guesses?”
Caspian whispered quietly, glancing between Kaylen and Dylan. Dylan shook his head vigorously.
The information Caspian had brought was reliable. The situation was dangerous enough for Kaylen to intervene personally.
At the time, none of them had anticipated this outcome.
It had been such a small mistake. It was pure coincidence that Eliana Ludd, lost and wandering, happened to cross paths with her master.
When Kaylen had instructed her to investigate the young lady with whom he had danced on the final night of the banquet, she had only been surprised that her master had danced with a noblewoman—nothing more.
Kaylen always smiled to charm the nobles. He was popular, handsome, and kind-hearted, easily winning the hearts of noble young ladies.
That was it.
Though kind and courteous, Kaylen never gave noble young ladies any chance. He never initiated a dance.
His private life remained impeccable. Even as the son of a consort with uncertain origins, many marriage proposals had come his way.
All had been rejected.
When the discussion of marriage with Princess Florence Hernia arose, Dylan had thought it was a reasonable arrangement. But now, things had turned out completely differently.
Biting his lower lip, Dylan looked at his boss, who was casually reading papers.
“Did the Emperor… command this?”
“No. I brought it up first.”
Dylan’s jaw dropped just like Caspian’s had earlier. He also knew the scandalous rumors circulating about Kaylen and Eliana Ludd.
Eliana had been at the capital train station with Kaylen when she was arrested as a suspect in the arson.
She had danced with him in front of many people the day after the fire, on the final night of the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.
People had begun whispering and spreading rumors about the two of them.
“Even if she testified that she saw His Highness that night, we still have a way out.”
That had been the argument made to him.
But Kaylen had said:
“We may have a way out, but she does not.”
In the end, Kaylen had gone to the Crown Prince, bowed, and proved her alibi.
Rumors quickly spread through the capital’s social circles that Eliana had left the imperial interrogation room hand-in-hand with Kaylen.
It had seemed like a temporary scandal, but apparently, the Emperor had even heard about it.
The boisterous Emperor had laughed heartily at the romance rumors of his indifferent second son and gladly approved of it. Meanwhile, the half-brother began digging into Eliana Ludd’s past.
“Why… how does one even get married like this…?”
“Don’t worry. Both of you handle your own matters and personal business while you can.”
Kaylen pointed toward the door with his chin. It was a decree.
Before Dylan could protest, Caspian tugged him out of the office.
“This is Kaylen’s decision. Once he decides something, it will proceed no matter what—don’t you know that?”
Dylan’s eyes widened.
“So… he’s going through with that ridiculous marriage? What about all the plans we had?”
“You’re the smart one—you know better than I do.”
Dylan opened his mouth to argue but closed it, running his hands roughly over his head.
“I’ll check if the Crown Prince’s side is involved in this matter, so you handle your own tasks.”
Caspian lightly tapped the fragile Dylan on the shoulder and walked quickly down the hallway.
Watching Caspian’s retreating figure, Dylan removed his glasses and wiped them with his clothes.
Frustrating as it was, Caspian was right.
Dylan glanced briefly at Kaylen’s office and began walking. Every step felt heavy.
Five days had passed since she had been locked in the room.
Mia had discovered her letter and informed her parents, turning the Ludd household upside down. But that was short-lived. When news came that she had been taken by the Imperial Guard, her mother collapsed, clutching the back of her neck.
On the way home, leaving the Imperial Guard with Kaylen, he hadn’t said a word. She had kept her mouth tightly shut as well, unsure what to say.
Back at home, her mother jumped up from the bed, running over and furiously striking her back before telling Mia:
“Make sure she never goes outside!”
And so she was confined to her room.
She often asked Mia about their parents’ mood. Mia would just smile awkwardly and shake her head.
While so many things had happened, the short spring had passed and summer approached.
Opening the window, she sighed at the humid air and piercing sunlight.
Looking down from her second-floor room, the garden bloomed with summer flowers, carefully tended by the gardener.
Her thoughts drifted to Kaylen’s face.
“Ha.”
A deeper sigh escaped her lips.
Then, in the distance, a carriage approached.
A visitor for her mother or father, perhaps?
She craned her neck to see. The carriage, bearing the imperial emblem, drew closer and closer.
It slowed in front of the Ludd estate. The carriage came to a complete stop, and the door opened.
Kaylen stepped out.
Why was he here…?
As he entered the estate, he looked up just as a gust of wind swept between them.
She hastily tidied her disheveled hair and realized something was seriously wrong.
She opened the door and stretched her neck as far out as possible.
The corridor was silent.
Listening closely for sounds from downstairs, she could only faintly hear murmuring.
“Why are you here…?”
Frustrated, she grabbed the doorknob and leaned forward. Then she heard the thudding sound of someone running up the stairs.
Startled, she slammed the door shut, threw herself onto the bed, and was just about to pull the covers in when the door burst open.
“Ah, miss.”
Gasping for breath, Mia rushed in.
She sat up, straightening her messy hair.
“What is it?”
Feigning ignorance, she asked Mia.
Mia, catching her breath with a hand on her chest, hurried over.
“A visitor came unexpectedly. Prince Kaylen is here… ah, anyway, there’s no time to waste. First, you need to… no, maybe you should take a bath?”
Rambling, Mia sniffed her hair, then decided it was fine and pulled her by the arm.
She was spun around, her face made up. Once she looked presentable enough to meet someone, there was a knock at the door.
“Mia, once you’re ready, escort the lady to the reception room immediately.”
It was the butler, Xian. Mia nodded while brushing out her tangled hair. Her hurried footsteps faded away at the door.
Since it was a royal visit, not only the servants but her mother and father were frozen in place.
Her thoughts raced, wondering why Kaylen had rescued her at the Imperial Guard interrogation room.
She recalled his stiff expression throughout the carriage ride, his eyes never once turning to her, lips pressed tightly together. She couldn’t even ask how he had managed to get her out.
She simply bowed her head slightly, expressing her thanks in her own way.
For someone who seemed as if he would never return, he suddenly appeared at the estate. Her instincts warned her danger was near.
Once Mia finished arranging her hair, she headed to the door.
Her heart raced, her breathing became shallow. She walked slowly, taking twice as long as usual to reach the first floor.
She met the butler bringing tea with her gaze.
“Miss, you’re here. Prince has been waiting for some time.”
When visiting a lady’s home, prior written notice was customary. Although it was Kaylen’s sudden fault, since their family was of baronial rank and he was royalty, the blame was theirs.
She gave Xian a bitter smile. Understanding her meaning, he smiled faintly, showing the traces of his age.
Knock, knock.
“Miss Eliana has arrived.”
From inside the reception room, a voice called her in. Xian nodded at her and carefully opened the door.
