Chapter 08
“You don’t mean… to kill him…”
Rubelia asked, her eyes trembling as she looked at Hasedian’s hand on his sword.
She worried she might end up being accused of manipulating Hasedian to kill the crown prince.
“If you wish, milady, it would be a difficult choice, but I would gladly… kill him…”
“No! Absolutely not! That’s not allowed! Murder is wrong!”
Rubelia spoke urgently.
“I thought a kind-hearted lady would say that.”
‘Kind-hearted? No, it’s just common sense,’ Rubelia thought, her expression calm.
“Exactly. So instead, I’ll just… break his limbs so he can’t attend the ball.”
Aria said this elegantly, smiling.
Rubelia was speechless.
Was the crown prince’s position really one you could just break limbs for?
No matter how close Hasedian was to the crown prince, or that Aria was a duchess’ daughter, hurting the crown prince wasn’t something they could get away with.
“Then, milady, please wait a moment.”
Hasedian said resolutely.
“No, no! Please don’t do that.”
Rubelia’s panic was genuine. They looked ready to storm the royal palace and break the crown prince’s limbs.
“But milady…”
“Violence is bad.”
Her tone was firm.
“Tch, so naive. Don’t worry, milady. I’ll just poison him for a few days so he can’t think straight.”
‘Weren’t you just about to break his limbs?’ Rubelia’s expression said everything. But she quickly thought further:
“That’s also bad! Absolutely not!”
How many times had she already said “No, don’t do that” to Aria and Hasedian?
Training a dog would probably be easier.
“Then… what should we do?”
“I…”
“Yes, milady?”
Aria and Hasedian focused on her.
“…I’m… a celibate. Yes, I’m committed to celibacy.”
Rubelia couldn’t think of a better reason to persuade them. Since the crown prince had already fallen for her, even if she said it wasn’t true, it wouldn’t convince them.
It was best to make them believe she would never accept the crown prince’s proposal.
“Huh?”
“Even if he proposes, I would never marry him.”
She nervously watched Aria and Hasedian, hoping they would understand.
“Ah, I see then.”
Aria finally seemed to understand.
“Still, if His Highness proposes to you, tell us immediately. I will—”
Hasedian’s gaze darkened.
“Yes, I will.”
Since the crown prince would never actually propose to her, Rubelia could nod lightly and feel at ease.
“Then, have you two finished your business?”
Rubelia asked, hoping they were done.
“No, we haven’t fully admired your precious self yet.”
“How pathetic.”
Aria said, and Hasedian added,
“Do you think our humble eyes can behold Miss Stein’s precious form?”
“…I suppose I overstepped,” Aria admitted, though reluctantly.
Rubelia stared off into the distance. How could anyone get such strange ideas?
“I have things to do, so I’ll be off!”
She couldn’t bear to hear more of their nonsense. She noticed them trying to say something, but ignored it and walked away.
“Child.”
“Yes?”
Soon, she met the marquis, who called to her with a joyful expression.
“I support your commitment to celibacy, my child.”
He had been worried about letting his beloved daughter go to anyone. Rubelia couldn’t even reply. At this rate, forced celibacy seemed imminent. But for now, she had no time to think about that. She ignored the marquis’ words and walked on diligently.
Zerden was surprised by Rubelia’s unexpected visit. He hadn’t thought she would come to a grand duke’s house herself.
“What’s the matter?”
Aside from her uncle, Rubelia might be the first guest to enter the grand ducal house. Other visitors were often sent away; Zerden rarely allowed anyone in. But her visit gave him a mix of surprise and slight pleasure.
“I came to repay the money!”
Rubelia boldly stated, feeling the coins safely in her pocket.
“I didn’t expect you to come here directly.”
“I never break my promises. And I said yesterday I would repay you.”
Trust was essential between friends, no matter how small the matter. Rubelia made sure to keep her promise, even if they weren’t yet friends. She wanted to establish trust first.
“Is that so?”
“Of course. Trust me, Rubelia, isn’t that right?”
She nodded strongly, appealing to him.
“I’ll take it.”
The two silver coins were like sand to Zerden, but he didn’t refuse.
“Here you go.”
Rubelia handed the coins proudly.
“Do I have to leave immediately?”
Zerden just stared at her.
“Even though I came to repay the money, isn’t it a bit cold to leave right after receiving it?”
Her big, pleading eyes seemed to ask if she could stay a little longer.
“I happen to have a bit of free time, so tea should be fine.”
Although a duke was rarely free, Zerden thought it acceptable to spend some time with her. He called a maid to prepare tea.
Shortly after, the maid brought tea. She was briefly shocked to see Rubelia in Zerden’s office but quickly composed herself.
“Be careful, it’s hot.”
“Yes.”
Rubelia blew gently on the tea before taking a cautious sip.
Her face twisted in shock.
“…Tea… tea!”
“What’s wrong?”
Zerden, puzzled, tasted his own tea—it was fine. Why did only Rubelia react like that?
“Why is it so bitter?”
Her face seemed as if the sky had fallen. The tea was extremely bitter, even for someone who knew tea’s natural bitterness.
Zerden remained silent, surprised she reacted so strongly.
“Bitter things aren’t good for you. You know, sweet things you swallow, bitter things you spit.”
“I’ve never heard that before.”
“Now you know.”
“Would you like a new cup?”
Zerden understood she disliked bitterness.
“I’ll drink it as it is.”
Rubelia gawked. How could anyone drink that?
“This is just right.”
For Zerden, accustomed to strong flavors, the bitter tea was only slightly astringent. For Rubelia, it was extreme.
“Wow, Your Grace, that’s amazing.”
She admired his ability to drink such bitter tea. Zerden looked a bit stunned; no one had ever praised him for handling bitterness.
“Not really.”
“No, it’s an incredible talent. You could take medicine easily too, right?”
Rubelia thought back to her childhood, when she couldn’t swallow powdered medicine because it was too bitter.
“I hardly ever need medicine anyway.”
“A blessed body, indeed.”
Rubelia shook her head in admiration again.
‘Such an extraordinary woman,’ Zerden thought quietly as he watched her.
Always smiling, always bright, she seemed made of light—a light that saved him from the nightmares that tormented him.
“Ah, right.”
Rubelia suddenly remembered something while sipping her new cup of tea.
“Since I came to repay the money, there’s something I’d really like to say.”
“What is it?”
Zerden’s expression stiffened. She seemed to want something from him, as all the nobles he had met had.
“Shall we… be friends?”
Her eyes shone, pleading for him to agree. For her life, and his, this was a win-win strategy.
“…Friends?”
Zerden looked somewhat surprised.
“Yes, friends.”
Rubelia nodded eagerly, silently begging him.
“Is that really necessary?”
Zerden said indifferently. He was unfamiliar with the concept of friends and had no particular need for them.
“Listen carefully.”
Rubelia’s expression turned serious. This was crucial—how she spoke now would decide whether they could become friends.
“First, if you become my friend, you can be friends with Rubelia.”
