Chapter 17

“Rohana, are you seriously angry with me?”

Her empty violet eyes refocused at Bardi’s words.

“Is it because of Aurelia?”

Bardi emptied his glass and set it down on the table with a loud clink. His voice was incredulous, as if to say, “For this petty reason?”

Rohana looked at her long-time lover with unfamiliarity. Bardi, noticing the look, blinked slowly, clearly displeased.

Her gaze briefly fell on the delicate white nightgown, draped over the back of the red velvet sofa, then returned to him.

‘Don’t change your expression.’

With all her might, she forced a smile. Without it, her face would surely betray her emotions.

Just as she was about to speak, Bardi abruptly stood up. He began to slowly and leisurely circle her, his pace quickening with each pass.

After downing his drink in one go, he finally stopped behind the sofa where Rohana sat, his steps halting with an unsettling rapidity.

“Your Highness.”

Just as Rohana was about to speak, Bardi interrupted her, his voice harsh and unfamiliar.

“Calm down and think carefully, Rohana, before you open that pretty mouth of yours again.”

He forced her back into the seat, his grip on her shoulder firm. Her violet eyes looked up at him, full of defiance, but he seemed unfazed.

“Let go of me.”

“Where did that concern for me go, the one you had without any reason?”

From behind, Bardi whispered in her ear, his breath hot against her skin.

“You seem to be good at shifting your thoughts, Rohana.”

Shifting? Her clenched fists turned white at the knuckles, but fear took precedence over anger.

She needed to get out of there. But the cold hand on her neck showed no signs of letting go.

A shiver ran through her body.

“If you don’t want to…”

Rohana slowly lowered her gaze. The tea she had poured earlier was brimming at the edge of the cup, threatening to spill over.

“Don’t marry him.”

There are moments when one must speak their instinctual truth, regardless of the consequences. The Crown Prince’s eyes, reminiscent of the light on Tobaka Lake, made her certain that this was one of those moments.

Now.

“Crown Prince Bardi.”

Rohana spoke with a trembling but resolute voice.

“Rohana Marcia Hanover.”

It was something she should have said long ago. But at that moment, a high-pitched scream echoed not far away. The sharp sound cut through the cold air, the words unclear.

Bardi’s attention wavered for a moment, giving Rohana the chance to quickly escape from his grasp and stand up, stepping back.

The scream, a woman’s voice, cried out again, this time sounding angry and tearful.

“What is it?”

Bardi’s voice boomed as he questioned, and the servant, opening the door, bowed and answered.

“It appears to be coming from Lady Aurelia’s room.”

Hearing that, Rohana suddenly remembered the rumors that Bardi had given Aurelia a room right next to his. So, it was just next door.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Bardi’s voice grew louder.

“She has dismissed all the attendants since earlier.”

The servant replied, clearly nervous. Bardi and Rohana exchanged a glance.

A sense of dread filled Rohana’s heart. It had only been a few days since the unprecedented kidnapping incident orchestrated by her father.

No way.

Without a word, they both moved quickly. Rohana followed Bardi, whose shoes echoed sharply against the marble floor.

***

“Duke, how is it? Delicious, right?”

Aurelia sang in a childlike tone. Kaiden chewed his steak without much reaction.

Thanks to Aurelia’s insistence on dismissing all the guards, they were alone in her spacious drawing-room.

Aurelia, wearing a lace house dress far too thin for the season, smiled as she poured wine.

“I’m glad you look healthy.”

Kaiden replied curtly. Aurelia paused momentarily, then smiled again.

“Where did you go? Handling Nopthal’s affairs here must be busy enough.”

“I had business in the city.”

“Heath was here.”

Kaiden continued eating in silence.

“It looked like he was on a date with Countess Eliena in the central garden.”

Kaiden stared at Aurelia without a word, his eyes coldly demanding she get to the point.

“Were you with Lady Rohana?”

Kaiden put down his knife.

“Oh my, really? I wanted to visit the Lady today, but she wasn’t there. Neither of you were, but Heath was here… I just guessed.”

Aurelia feigned indifference, spearing a small tomato from her appetizer with a fork.

“Were you really with Lady Rohana?”

As the chandelier shattered and fell, his movements came to mind. The man, who rarely blinked at anything, moved meticulously and flawlessly.

Why was he so sensitive about the Arin tribe, even to the point of being overly concerned about Lady Hanover getting hurt?

“What will you do if you provoke the Prince’s jealousy?”

Kaiden’s already cold black eyes turned icy. Both of them knew the weight of her words.

“Aren’t you the Prince’s lover now?”

“With Lady Rohana as his fiancée, how could that be?”

Aurelia lowered her amber eyes sullenly. Kaiden stared at her coldly.

“Lady Rohana is no ordinary person. How could I compare to her?”

“……”

“And you’ve been too harsh. Don’t you care about how I’m doing?”

Seizing the moment when Kaiden’s cold gaze slightly softened, Aurelia slowly stood up and placed her small hand on his.

“How could you not visit me even once?”

As her hand touched him, Kaiden pushed his chair back and stood.

“Thank you for the meal. Don’t do such things again. There are limits to my patience.”

Aurelia’s face darkened rapidly.

“Why are you protecting the Hanover family?”

At her words, Kaiden stopped dead in his tracks.

“Why are you shielding them?”

Her amber eyes were now filled with intense emotion.

“They kidnapped me and almost killed me. No one but the Hanover family had the means or the motive.”

Kaiden looked back at Aurelia with a heavy gaze.

“Why are you wasting a perfect opportunity to strike at ‘Hanover’?”

His firmly shut lips remained silent. Aurelia bit her lower lip, looking up at him.

She was frustrated. He was always like this, never showing her anything.

“Gregory’s side has been sufficiently warned. There will be more incidents. ‘Hanover’ is still needed.”

As Aurelia began to speak again, Kaiden interrupted her.

“Things won’t move hastily now. I apologize for not explaining in advance.”

“Don’t you worry about me?”

Their eyes met in the air.

“He’s just a disposable pawn. That’s why he’s not being sacrificed yet.”

“Lies. In the end, you’re on Hanover’s side, aren’t you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I thought we were friends… but to you, I’m just a lowly noble. You’ve forgotten everything as time passed.”

Aurelia shouted in a voice filled with indignation.

“Aurelia, be careful.”

Despite Kaiden’s warning, she didn’t seem to want to stop. She was unusually agitated.

“Do you think Karks deserve such treatment? Do you know the anxiety I’ve felt every day, worrying that I might be exposed?”

Her raised voice echoed in the drawing room. Though her emotions often swung wildly, this sudden outburst was unexpected.

Kaiden furrowed his brows. Something felt off.

“That’s not what I mean…”

“Do you know how long we’ve known each other? I am Kar—”

In an instant, Kaiden clamped his hand over her mouth. Aurelia took the chance, embracing him with all her might. Weak, but she seemed to be giving it her all.

“If I weren’t a Karkan, or if I were mixed-blood like you… you wouldn’t protect Hanover in situations like this.”

Whispering with a lonely voice, she looked up at Kaiden with cold eyes.

“You came to Rentworth Palace as the Prince’s lover. Of course, to Hanover, you’re a thorn in the side.”

Her thin arms trembled as if they might break. Kaiden slowly removed her arms.

“The palace is cruel.”

A cruel memory flashed through Kaiden’s mind, causing a small shudder. Aurelia, noticing this, looked up at him with her large golden eyes.

“Surely, you know this well. Why act surprised now?”

Aurelia gritted her teeth.

“And as I’ve said many times, I don’t care about your origins.”

Kaiden tilted his head, wearing his usual nonchalant expression, oblivious to her feelings.

“If you’re so worried, ask Crown Prince to strengthen your security.”

“No.”

Aurelia approached and hugged Kaiden’s waist tightly.

“I prefer that you protect me personally.”

Looking down at her tear-filled eyes, Kaiden sighed.

If he pushed her away too hard, she might break. Just as he grabbed her elbow to pull her away, she clasped his hand.

Then it happened.

The door opened with a click. It was the Prince and her.

Rohana Hanover.

At that moment, a sly smile flickered across Aurelia’s lips, visible only to those who knew.

Impressive.

A sardonic smile crossed Kaiden’s lips. He had never seen such a shallow trick, so he couldn’t have noticed it.