Chapter 2 – 【 Misunderstanding 】 (Part 3)

“What brings you here?”

Cedric, who had quickly descended from the second-floor railing, turned Yuria around.

“I just…”

She couldn’t bring herself to say she came to greet him. Cedric couldn’t understand why the Princess was here or why she was looking at him so tearfully.

With a stern face, Cedric looked down at Yuria, who appeared anxious, causing the lively atmosphere to gradually calm. This made Yuria even more restless, feeling like she had ruined the festive mood.

“The Princess seems nervous because it’s her first time on such a big ship.”

Charlotte laughed heartily, waving her lace-gloved hand as if it were nothing.

“Count, please help the Princess relax.”

Charlotte subtly pushed Yuria towards Cedric, gesturing for him to take her somewhere quiet.

“This way.”

Cedric, looking puzzled, wrapped his arm around Yuria’s shoulders and led her to the second-floor deck where the steering wheel was. He sent the people lingering on the second floor away and stood Yuria facing the sea.

“Are you scared because it’s your first time on a ship like this?”

“No.”

“Then?”

Then why do you look so distressed?

“How did you know to come here? Did Lady Mowbray tell you?”

Cedric found it endearing that Yuria had come all the way to the harbor to greet him. From the handkerchief to coming to greet him, she was doing all sorts of lovely things. His worries that she might have become distant or found another man during his fifteen-day absence were all unfounded.

If Yuria publicly displayed their good relationship like this, it would be quite beneficial for him. He couldn’t name names, but there were people sent by the Duke and the Crown Prince scattered throughout Ritano. Although their intentions varied, their goal was the same: to find out the state of the Count and Princess’s relationship.

Though aware of their presence, he hadn’t actively rooted out the spies, but today’s event would serve as perfect fodder. They would report today’s events, and their superiors would be puzzled. Even causing some confusion in their intelligence was beneficial.

Why does she look so distressed after doing something so endearing? No, she’s really about to cry. 

Cedric was bewildered by the tears forming in Yuria’s eyes. If it wasn’t the ship that scared her, was it those burly men?

“I’m sorry.”

“…What?”

Sorry? What was she talking about? Did she have something to apologize for? Had she caused some irreparable trouble? Had she killed someone? 

Though she seemed incapable of harming even a bug, her sudden apology led to all sorts of speculations.

“…For coming here, where you work.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand. Are you apologizing for coming here? Why?”

This is a gathering where anyone and everyone comes. Even uninvited Lady Mowbray comes, and so do the laborers carrying goods. There’s no reason the Princess couldn’t come.

“I’ll leave right away.”

Cedric couldn’t follow the conversation at all. It felt like they were speaking the same language but having a conversation in a foreign tongue.

“You just got here. Why leave right away?”

“I’m embarrassed in front of your subordinates.”

“You’re embarrassed to see those bastards?”

“No, I mean me. You’re embarrassed by me.”

As she spoke, a wave of sorrow washed over her. She had only stood at the pier for a moment, but she saw a soldier running to greet a woman. Whether they were married or lovers, the soldier was overjoyed to see his beloved.

She didn’t expect that much, but did he really need to frown?

“Who said that? Who said I’m embarrassed by you?”

“You frowned as soon as you saw me.”

“That’s not why I frowned.”

“Ah, so you weren’t embarrassed, just disappointed?”

She didn’t want to act like this, but she kept recalling that day. The day the royal family decided on the marriage and they met formally for the first time. The meeting was scheduled for late afternoon, but Yuria had been up since morning getting ready. The maids helping her dress were dissatisfied with his birth, but Yuria still wanted to look pretty for Cedric.

The marriage was already decided, and she wanted to get along with the person she would spend the rest of her life with. She thought maybe they would have good conversations. Maybe they would have similar tastes. They might not fall in love at first sight, but affection could grow over time.

Yuria imagined a normal, happy married life. Even if everyone in the world loved Cristal, if only Cedric stood by her side, she would have the will to fight those who insulted and attacked his birth. That will was crushed the moment she entered the Crown Prince’s reception room by her future husband.

“Disappointed? Disappointed about what? I frowned because this isn’t a place you should be.”

“Why shouldn’t I come here?”

“It’s not that you shouldn’t come, it’s that it’s not a place for you. Do you know how filthy those guys’ mouths are?”

They exchanged curses and vulgar jokes, and some even exposed their genitals when drunk. They might restrain themselves in front of the Princess, but Yuria, who had lived her whole life surrounded by people who valued etiquette and decorum, wouldn’t find it pleasant.

“Charlotte comes just fine.”

“Are you the same as that woman? Lady Mowbray punches anyone who bothers her.”

“No way.”

“There are plenty of witnesses. Go ask them.”

It was hard to believe, but Cedric seemed so certain that she wavered.

“Now explain. What do you mean by disappointment?”

Cedric held onto Yuria’s arm to stop her from running away. Misunderstanding that he was embarrassed, well, she might feel guilty because of her own mistakes. But disappointment? That he couldn’t understand.

If he had been disappointed by her running around with other men, he would have been disappointed back then, not now.

“Speak. Before I lift your skirt and ask your c*nt.”

The Princess becomes honest when she has a c**k in her c*nt. It was half a threat. Having brought up the topic herself, Yuria hesitated to speak. The trauma of their first meeting resurfaced, and she started babbling. Once she calmed down a bit, embarrassment washed over her.

Their relationship was improving, so there was no need to bring up the past. Could she still embrace him like usual after hearing something like, “Actually, I wanted to marry Princess Cristal, but I married you. But now it’s not so bad”? It was a mistake to try to dig into his feelings without being prepared for that.

The opportunity to naturally change the subject had disappeared. She couldn’t think of anything to say. Cedric showed no intention of letting the matter drop, leaving her with no escape. In the end, Yuria hesitated and mumbled in a voice as small as a mosquito’s.

“…The first day we met formally.”

“Yes, that day.”

“You frowned as soon as you saw me. My brother asked if you liked me, but you didn’t answer.”

The first day they met formally. Yes, he remembered. It was a day when the Crown Prince was particularly annoying. Yuria’s eldest brother, Lahen, was a pragmatic person for a royal. To preserve the royal family, he would ally with anyone, regardless of their birth or status. Sacrificing a sister was nothing to him.

In that sense, Lahen was a pretty good business partner. He wasn’t a bad trade partner if he didn’t waste time with unnecessary wordplay. But that day, the day they formally introduced Yuria, Lahen’s pranks crossed the line.

Lahen dressed up maids who looked like Yuria and introduced them as Yuria. Cedric, who had only seen Yuria from a distance, mistook a maid for Yuria based on her eye color and hair.

‘Here is my sister Yuria. Greet her.’

‘I am Cedric.’

‘I-I-I’m Yuria…’

‘Haha, our Yuria is quite shy. So, how does she look up close? Do you like her?’

Feeling something was off, Cedric didn’t answer and just stared. Lahen laughed, holding his belly. It was a prank only Lahen found funny. Had he not been the Crown Prince, Cedric would have kicked him.

The real Yuria appeared third. Not knowing whether she was the real Yuria or another prank, his expression naturally soured. Annoyed, he didn’t bother to answer if he liked her.

He didn’t realize Yuria had misunderstood. It was understandable, but he thought Lahen would have explained later.

“You didn’t hear any explanation?”

“No. My brother, really, pulled such a prank…”

Yuria’s fists, clutching her skirt, trembled. Cedric didn’t seem to be lying. Why would he make up a story when it could be easily verified by asking Lahen? Moreover, Lahen was the type of person who would definitely pull such a prank.

But how could he not give me any hint about it?

“But I don’t see how that relates to disappointment.”

Watching Yuria seethe with belated anger, Cedric’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“Why did you think I was disappointed in you? In such a situation, wouldn’t displeasure be the more common reaction?”

How dare you think you can decide whether you like me or not, I don’t like illegitimate children either, this marriage can’t happen, and so on.

The usual reaction would be to oppose the marriage. Even if she weren’t a princess but a young lady from a modest family, she would first get angry. 

Disappointment? Where did that come from?

“T-that’s because…”

“Because?”

Yuria avoided his gaze and wrinkled the hem of her dress.