TNCTR 17

Chapter 17

It had been about twenty nights since I stayed in the Imperial Palace.

“We’re going to summon the Crown Prince.”

“It’s about time. Haven’t you left him under that spell for too long?”

“He’s like Pandora’s box. I don’t really want to open it quickly.”

At that time, the palace was in chaos, bustling with preparations for a grand party that hadn’t been held in a long while.

And just as soon as someone was sent for him, he came to me as though he had been waiting for the chance.

“I’ve been patiently waiting for your call.”

The man, his voice like silk, leaned his chin on his hand and softly curved his eyes.

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve been holding back, waiting for you to call me. For quite a while.”

He sank deep into the chair and crossed his long legs.

‘I’m sorry. For casting that spell.’

I quietly apologized in my heart as I gazed at his perfection, like a sculpture.

“Thanks for making time.”

“There’s no need to thank me, Ineria. My time is entirely yours.”

As I lifted my teacup, Ashduah followed suit.

I chose my words carefully as I looked at him.

When our eyes met, he smiled as if he’d been waiting for it.

‘…Oh no.’

That smile—no sentient being could look away from it.

“Ashduah.”

He gently tapped my fingertip and smiled.

“Call me Ash.”

“Ash.”

“I never imagined my name could sound this sweet when spoken by someone.”

The tall man rose and came closer to me.

As he approached, I leaned back into the sofa, stretching my neck upward to meet his eyes.

“I actually called you here because there’s something I want to say.”

He sat on the edge of the table in front of me, resting his arms on his thighs.

Then he leaned in, meeting my gaze.

“Whatever you have to say, I’m ready to hear it.”

“…”

The same hand that had traced my fingertips just moments before now touched my cheek.

His fingers danced along my skin, and I flinched slightly.

“What is it that you desire?”

His fingers slid down, curling into my hair.

I moistened my dry lips.

“Alright, then I’ll ask.”

I spoke softly to him.

The reason I had summoned Ashduah.

“Be my lover.”

A woman with every scandal in the world, and a man embodying every beauty—what kind of result would such a combination bring?

The outcome was all too obvious.

✦ ✦ ✦

The first thing that caught my ear was a whisper.

“That’s the Lady Mertiel?”

“What’s her relationship with the Crown Prince?”

“Oh my gosh!”

Even among the shocked crowd, Ineria Mertiel remained calm, which made her stand out even more. She held the Crown Prince’s hand as if it were the most natural thing.

“Count, didn’t you say the lady was a lunatic?”

“What? When did I ever…! I only said there were rumors!”

“So it’s true the Duke favors his daughter.”

“Huh… You can see the Duke in her face.”

“Let’s get it straight. She’s not just a lady anymore.”

No one could take their eyes off the woman with long black hair dancing with the Crown Prince.

She didn’t feel like a duke, but like a cherished youngest princess.

“Ha…”

Even Henya Giselle couldn’t tear her eyes away.

“She’s so beautiful. No wonder the Duke kept her hidden away.”

“And to think the hero of the empire was Lady Mertiel… No, the Duke.”

“Truly… absolutely perfect.”

The Hero of the Empire.

Scratch, scratch—the title echoed in Henya Giselle’s ears.

The one who quelled the plague that swept across the continent was Lady Mertiel?

“How could this happen…?”

Her suppressed breath came out filled with anger. The people around her, who had been expressing awe, flinched and finally noticed her presence.

“Love requires hardship, sure, but this is too much.”

Her lovely pink eyes turned cold.

Ineria Mertiel’s deep black hair swayed calmly like a winter ocean.

Henya burned the image into her eyes.

“A lady who crawled out of nowhere…”

Henya muttered the words in an icy voice no one had ever heard, then began walking.

Her steps were bold and direct.

And from the highest place, the Emperor watched her.

✦ ✦ ✦

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m honored to finally greet you.”

“Duke, your dance was beautiful. May I have the honor of an introduction?”

“Nice to meet you! I’m Eshla Molten!”

As the dance ended, people rushed in as if they’d been waiting. I took a subtle deep breath.

‘Right, I expected this.’

“Duke, so….”

“Duke Mertiel…”

I smiled as calmly as I could, continuing the conversations.

It wasn’t as hard as I thought—thanks to the curiosity people had about me and the presence of Ashduah beside me.

[“You memorized the noble family tree, right? Just remember who to befriend.”]

Kischel’s words flashed through my mind.

[“I’ll be by your side, so don’t worry. They’ll be too busy flattering you to care what you say.”]

I also recalled what Ashduah had told me.

And it was true—dealing with people wasn’t difficult at all.

That is, until Ashduah wrapped an arm around my waist and let out a warm breath over my head.

And until the room, once filled with chattering, fell silent, everyone turning to look in one direction.

‘Why is everyone staring?’

I followed their gazes.

“Good evening, Duke. I’m Henya Giselle.”

But of course, the subject of their stares came and introduced herself directly to me.

‘Henya Giselle?’

The daughter of the Giselle family?

The woman the Emperor had reportedly selected as a candidate for Crown Princess?

‘I didn’t expect to meet her like this.’

Her pink eyes looked like delicate petals—but somehow reminded me of a beast.

“May I introduce myself?”

She stood straight after bowing with a smile.

Her movement was clean and graceful.

“Of course, Lady Giselle. It’s a pleasure.”

“I’m honored. Who could have imagined the new Duke would be this beautiful?”

Her words flowed effortlessly.

I squeezed Ashduah’s hand tightly, silently telling him not to respond.

The eyes around us were sharp.

‘I didn’t expect to run into her today.’

I had known we’d meet eventually, given her status as the former Crown Princess candidate…

“But you’re nothing like the rumors. I was quite surprised.”

…but I didn’t expect her to come at me this antagonistically.

In that moment, I realized.

How I end this conversation will determine whether my succession ceremony concludes gloriously—or ends with bitter whispers.

‘The hall has gone quiet.’

Everyone was enjoying this confrontation more than they cared to admit.

My thoughts were deep, but the decision was quick.

I let out a clear, pleasant laugh.

“What kind of rumor could shock you so much upon seeing me, Lady Giselle?”

“Are you curious?”

“Well, not really. I’m not one for idle gossip.”

I buried the rumors with my own words.

“Oh, that’s a shame. Still, the problem is… one out of ten rumors usually turns out to be true.”

It was so cold it might as well have been frost in summer.

She smiled.

No, I can’t let this escalate.

I took a step toward her, leaving Ashduah behind.

I reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Her body stiffened at the touch.

‘If I respond sharply to her sharpness, it’ll turn into a brawl.’

I heard people gasp around us.

“Well, you seem to enjoy socializing. I hope we’ll have a chance to talk again sometime.”

As someone of higher status and age, I had to be gentle here.

“I’m sure it’ll be delightful. Shall we set a date?”

“Yes, please do.”

With that, I turned my body away entirely.

“Speaking of which, you said one of the poets earlier had a lovely voice, didn’t you? I should invite him too sometime.”

As I started talking to someone else, Henya Giselle parted her lips as if to speak, but then turned and walked away.

As she vanished, people filled in the space she’d left and gathered around me again.

I continued to chat calmly, but I noticed something.

‘Just now… was the Emperor watching Henya Giselle?’