Chapter 10
I’m the One Who Threw Him Away
The quiet Haven villa was as noisy as if a war had broken out.
Serge’s way of offering congratulations was so aggressive and senseless that it was almost entertaining to watch.
‘Applin is a very wise woman.’
That was Lucent’s brief and clear impression as he observed Serge’s behavior.
He looked at the Crown Prince, who was shouting wildly in front of him, without a trace of emotion.
It was as if all the sounds of the world had vanished, leaving only Serge’s furious expression and moving lips visible, while his words themselves failed to register.
Perhaps Lucent had secretly wished for things to turn out this way.
At the same time, he found himself genuinely curious about what choice Applin would make.
“Bring me my Applin at once.”
Serge shouted at the villa’s staff.
However, they only looked troubled, and not a single person moved to obey his order.
“A filthy money-grubbing brute like you dares to covet the Crown Prince’s fiancée.
I will never forgive this.
You must have threatened her by exploiting her desperation.
Or was it the scheme of some vile gang that put Count von Hafen in Senebaron in danger?”
All kinds of verbal filth poured out of the noble Crown Prince’s mouth.
Even so, Lucent did not feel particularly angry.
Perhaps it was because he had expected the Crown Prince to act this way, but more than anything, the insults themselves felt stale.
‘How predictable.’
Lucent barely suppressed a yawn.
If only he had aimed for something sharper, something that truly tore into the human heart and ground nerves to dust.
Seeing Serge rage alone within such an expected range was almost pitiful.
Enraged by Lucent’s continued lack of response, Serge gradually lost all reason.
“Your Highness, the tea has been prepared.
Please proceed to the drawing room.”
Lucent paid no heed to Serge’s frenzy.
On the contrary, he addressed him with courtesy.
“I have no intention of facing a sewer rat like you.”
Serge glared at Lucent with open disgust and spat out every cruel word he could think of.
Applin felt her chest turn cold at the noise reaching even the bedroom.
Just then, hurried knocking sounded, and the door flew open.
“My lady, something terrible has happened!”
Laurel rushed into the bedroom, her face pale and on the verge of tears.
“What is it?
Has something happened to Father?”
Applin’s heart sank, and a chill ran across her scalp.
Had something finally happened to her father in Senebaron…?
“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
“What?”
Thankfully, it was not about her father, but the shock remained just as strong.
Why would Crown Prince Serge come all the way to Haven?
Only then did she understand who Lucent meant by ‘the guest who could not congratulate our wedding in time.’
That unwelcome visitor was none other than Crown Prince Serge.
“He’s causing a huge scene in the lobby.”
“A scene?”
“He’s saying your marriage is invalid and demanding to take you back to the palace immediately.”
“Ha……”
A sigh escaped Applin at the utterly absurd situation.
“Laurel, I need to change my clothes.”
“Yes, my lady.”
She had never imagined Serge would be this unreasonable.
At that moment, she realized just how unnecessary her lingering expectations, disappointments, and even the few remaining good memories truly were.
Since there was no one else who could possibly resolve this chaos, Applin adjusted her attire and prepared to head downstairs.
Just then, Laurel stopped her.
“My lady, will you be all right?”
“All right with what?”
“Well, it’s just……”
Seeing Laurel hesitate made Applin realize that even she seemed to doubt her.
Since the wedding night had not yet been consummated, perhaps she thought Applin might follow the Crown Prince.
After all, no matter how despicable Serge was, he was still the Crown Prince of the Empire.
For Applin, this could have been her final chance to reclaim the glory of becoming Crown Princess.
“You misunderstand me.”
“What?”
Standing in a corner of the staircase between the second and first floors, Applin felt disgusted as she listened to the filth the Crown Prince hurled at Lucent.
“I wasn’t the one who was abandoned.
I’m the one who threw His Highness away.”
When he had spoken of parting, she realized then that she had never truly known Serge.
It might sound arrogant, but if she had wanted to hold onto him, she could have done so easily.
Yet seeing his current behavior made her think she had made the right choice in discarding him.
A person’s dignity and character are revealed in the way they speak.
From the beginning, Serge had been someone wearing clothes that never truly fit him.
Applin smoothed her expression and descended the stairs to face Serge.
The moment she appeared, the noisy lobby fell silent.
All eyes turned toward her, and the gazes of two men in particular burned intensely.
“Applin!”
Serge rushed forward and wrapped her in a tight embrace, acting as though they had reunited after a long separation.
At that moment, Applin caught sight of Lucent standing some distance away with his arms crossed.
The look in his eyes as he watched her and the Crown Prince was strangely ambiguous.
It felt as though she had been placed on trial.
Applin gently pushed Serge away from her.
“I didn’t expect Your Highness to come all the way to Haven.
You could have offered your congratulations another time.”
“I came to take you back.
This absurd marriage can simply be undone.
Come with me to Rount.”
“Excuse me?
Who exactly is claiming this marriage is absurd?”
“Applin, if Count von Hafen was in trouble, you should have come to me immediately.
Why would you do something so foolish?
Ah……!
You were hurt by what I said at the party that day, weren’t you?
So this was a childish prank to provoke my jealousy?
If that’s the case, we can fix everything one step at a time from now on.
I love no woman but you.”
Did Serge truly believe himself to be the creator of this world?
Or did he see other people’s lives as mere chess pieces on a board he could move at will?
If this wasn’t a misunderstanding but a genuine conviction, it was nothing short of chilling.
Applin smiled calmly at Serge, then walked toward Lucent.
“Darling, let’s properly greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”
She held out her hand to Lucent.
He looked at her in surprise.
He had expected her to grab the Crown Prince’s hand and flee without hesitation.
After all, any noblewoman would naturally choose the Crown Prince.
He certainly would have, if he were in her place.
Yet there she was, calling him ‘darling’ and offering him her hand.
“Very well.”
Lucent smiled as though it meant nothing and took Applin’s hand, though a faint twitch appeared at the corner of his lips.
Applin firmly grasped his hand and led him back to the Crown Prince.
“We married because we love each other.
It’s true that Lucent helped resolve several matters involving my family, but……
This marriage is love.”
Her calm tone was convincing enough to deceive not only Serge, but even Lucent himself.
There was not a trace of falsehood in her composed words.
“Th……that’s a lie.
That can’t be true of you, Applin.
From childhood until now, the only man you’ve ever known is me!”
Serge’s face turned pale as he desperately denied her words.
He could not hide his confusion, having never seen such an unfamiliar side of Applin.
She had always smiled at him like the morning sun.
Applin watched as Serge’s pupils shook restlessly.
Until now, he must have believed the entire world moved according to his will.
She could only hope that he would finally face reality.
“Your Highness, I love my husband…….”
