-25-

“Hahaha. So that’s what it was.”

Breaking the strange atmosphere, Cameron laughed with relief and spoke, looking bewildered.

I looked at Roan, but he was still frozen. As Roan said nothing, I started to feel truly embarrassed.

Would you say something?

Then, Roan finally opened his tightly shut mouth.

“Duchess, could you spare me a moment?”

His voice was extremely low, feigning calmness.

We stepped out of the Crown Prince’s office and stood in a hallway a little distance away.

He just stared at me intensely without saying a word.

But his eyes spoke volumes. Distrust, confusion. Things like that. I hadn’t seen such emotions in Roan lately.

Though I had anticipated this, it still hurt to see it again after such a long time.

“Did you mean what you just said?”

He asked, still fixing his gaze on me.

“Yes, I did.”

Roan didn’t seem to believe me entirely just yet. My actions today seemed to have rekindled a small ember of doubt in his heart.

“Why did you come to the Crown Prince’s palace if you were here to see me?”

His words sounded almost unkind.

Listening to his voice, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

What if you can never completely trust me? What if your heart remains closed despite my efforts?

What would I do then?

Feeling a bit desperate, I spoke.

“I know it’s hard for you to fully trust me yet. All my past actions towards you are probably standing in our way. But.”

I paused to catch my breath.

“If there’s even a tiny part of you that wants to trust me, then please believe in me. Not anyone else, but me.”

Roan’s previously stern face cracked upon hearing my words.

“I thought you might be at the Crown Prince’s palace. That’s why I came here.”

Although Roan’s expression remained neutral, I sensed that the oppressive atmosphere surrounding him had dissipated.

“I didn’t think you’d appreciate me coming to your workplace uninvited, so I used the princess’s visit to the palace as an excuse.”

“…….”

“There was absolutely no other reason.”

I emphasized this to correct any misunderstandings he might have had. I wondered why I didn’t just tell him everything from the beginning.

“…Really.”

He opened and closed his mouth heavily.

“Really.”

I reaffirmed his words.

I could see the chill in Roan’s expression melting away, like winter turning into spring.

“So, will you trust me now?”

Seeing this, I asked in a voice that was both serious and playful.

Roan didn’t answer and just stared at me silently.

“Won’t you trust me?”

This wouldn’t do. Just as I was about to make a pouting face.

“I will.”

“Really?”

He said he would trust me. Feeling both happy and surprised, I asked again to confirm.

“Really? You promise…”

At that moment, my neck was enveloped by his hand. His long eyelashes were right in front of my eyes.

I couldn’t quite grasp what was happening. Right now…

I felt warmth on my lips.

He slightly pulled away and whispered with his lips still touching mine.

“It wouldn’t have made any difference.”

‘Because I still wouldn’t have let go of you.’

With a soft sound, our lips parted. He quickly straightened his bent body. What, what was that?

Did Roan just…

Kiss me? No, it was too brief to even call it a kiss.

But still, my lips touched Roan’s. They touched! Does this count as my first kiss?

In my past life, I didn’t have the luxury to date anyone.

Realistically, dating requires money first and foremost.

Even watching a movie costs money. And I didn’t have that.

Being chased by reality, I didn’t have the leisure to even think about dating. Back then, my boyfriend was just a paper boyfriend, Roan.

Now he’s in 3D. As my husband, too.

Anyway, this means this is my first time. But why did Roan…

Was it a kiss to make up or something?

Being a married couple, of course, it would be natural. But this was not at all natural between us.

I saw Roan staring at me.

His expression was surprisingly not much different from usual.

But I found it hard to meet his gaze directly. Was it just me?

Suddenly, the atmosphere felt unbearably awkward. Was it really just me feeling this way?

“Um, Roan.”

When I finally called out to him, I had nothing to say.

‘Why did you do that?’

No, that sounds too accusatory.

‘What was that? What else could it be? It was a kiss, or something like it.’

“…….”

I was at a loss for words, feeling increasingly flustered. My face felt like it was heating up.

I probably looked like an apple right now.

At that moment, Roan looked at me and let out a small laugh.

It felt annoyingly smug, but his laugh somehow made me feel more at ease.

“Let’s go back in.”

“…Okay.”

I managed to reply with a voice that barely came out. Still avoiding his gaze, we returned to the Crown Prince’s office.

Inside, Grace looked at us with concern, and the Crown Prince with curiosity.

“Did you have a good talk?” the Crown Prince asked Roan.

“Yes, Your Highness. There is nothing for you to worry about.”

That confirmed that what Delis said was true.

Cameron widened his eyes slightly in surprise and looked at Roan. Then he looked at me. I deliberately lifted my chin a bit.

‘I really don’t like you.’

At that moment, Grace spoke up.

“Your Highness, could you recommend another book for me? The last one was quite interesting.”

“Ah, of course. Let me see, what would be good?”

“Could you recommend something in the field of military science?”

“Military science? You have an interest in that too?”

The Crown Prince sounded surprised.

“It’s a new interest of mine.”

“You are truly remarkable. You don’t shy away from any kind of book.”

“You flatter me.”

“By the way, in terms of military science… the Duke might have more extensive resources than the royal family.”

“The Duke?”

Grace glanced slightly at Roan as she spoke.

“Yes. Didn’t I mention it before? The Duke is the Military Commander. So naturally, he has many books on war and military strategy. Even I seek his advice on those matters sometimes.”

Cameron seemed proud to have Roan as his close associate.

“Duke.”

Grace called Roan.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I possibly borrow some books on the subject from you?”

At that moment, I felt something strange.

Was this how she and Roan became close in the original story? I remembered a similar scene from the novel.

I felt a bit uneasy. Was it because I knew that in the original story, Roan would eventually like Grace? Though that’s not the case now. And besides, Grace did not like Roan in that way.

In the original story, Cameron and Grace end up together. I knew it would happen. But still.

I knew it was a silly, childish thought, but I wished he wouldn’t lend her any books.

But would that really happen? Was Roan truly not interested in Grace?

Maybe the original story’s influence meant he was currently drawn to her.

Forgetting my previous embarrassment, I watched him anxiously.

Roan’s expression remained unchanged as he listened to her request. But I knew from experience that his expression didn’t always reveal everything.

“The royal family also has excellent books on military science.”

“But I would love to get recommendations from someone as knowledgeable as you, Duke.”

Grace’s soft, delicate voice seemed to evoke a protective instinct, making one feel compelled to grant her request. Even as a woman, I felt that way.

“I do not know everything either. Please ask His Highness for recommendations.”

Roan declined calmly.

I couldn’t help but be quite surprised. In the original story, Roan had lent books to Grace at some point.

This deviation from the novel’s plot made me feel a bit relieved, as it indicated that his feelings might not align with the original story.

“Duke, is it so difficult to lend just one book?”

Cameron spoke in a disappointed voice, almost as if he were Grace himself.

If Roan doesn’t want to lend the book, why are you pushing it?

“I am not generous enough to lend books to just anyone.”

Anyone? Just anyone?

Roan referred to Grace as ‘just anyone.’

In the old novel, such words would have been unimaginable.

Grace’s face showed a hint of surprise and embarrassment upon hearing Roan’s words.

It was clear she had not anticipated being refused.

“Well, the Duke’s unkindness knows no bounds. Grace, I will lend you the book, so do not be too disheartened.”

“…Yes. Thank you, Your Highness.”

Grace paused for a moment before expressing her gratitude to Cameron.