Raise Me, So That I Can Eat You Up - Chapter 32

“If you want a relationship beyond friendship, I’m afraid that might be difficult.”

“Is it because of the baby?”

“Yes. There are unavoidable circumstances……”

I deliberately trailed off, sounding like someone with a story. It meant not to pry further.

“……”

“……This child only has me. I’m sorry.”

I lowered my gaze, even fluttering my eyelashes, and drove the point home.

Though I didn’t say it directly, with this level of insinuation, he’d probably think it was about a ‘hidden child’.

“I see. I won’t ask for details. Since we agreed to be friends. If you ever want to talk about it later, tell me then.”

Henry unexpectedly acquiesced.

Even if I managed to get through this time, I’d still be the Emperor’s target. I couldn’t keep using Henry as a shield either. Some countermeasure was needed.

For now, I decided to confirm something that had been bothering me.

“Your Highness. I have something to ask.”

“Yes, Noona.”

I handed Henry the tabloid on the table.

“These articles. You planted them all, didn’t you?”

The newspaper was plastered with articles about Henry suffering from the pain of unrequited love.

Taking the newspaper, he remained silent. He just looked at me with an unreadable expression.

“No matter how I think about it, it’s strange. Even for royalty, such blatant articles, not just once but consistently. Moreover, it doesn’t seem like your inner circle is trying to contain it.”

“……”

“And we weren’t even that close to begin with, were we?”

I met his gaze, raising my eyebrows.

“So?”

“It feels like rumors deliberately spread.”

At my accusation, Henry let out a hollow laugh and stuck out his tongue slightly.

“You caught me.”

“Of course, I’m grateful that Your Highness is concerned for my well-being. But neither of us can keep this up forever, can we?”

“Why not?”

“Well, someday Your Highness will have to marry someone you love.”

“Marrying someone I love, huh.”

He trailed off with a slightly complicated expression.

“So, I was wondering if you could release an article about me at an appropriate time.”

“What kind of article?”

“An article saying I have a hidden child.”

“Why?”

Instead of hiding a rumor that would tarnish his reputation, I was asking him to spread it. Henry asked in disbelief.

“I want to create a disqualifying factor for becoming a member of the imperial family. Then Your Highness won’t have to worry unnecessarily in the future, and I’ll feel more at ease too.”

“Well, that might work for the imperial family, but you won’t receive other marriage proposals either.”

“That’s even better for me.”

“Pardon?”

Henry’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

“I’ve decided not to marry in this lifetime. That’s why I broke off the engagement.”

I smiled triumphantly.

‘Why didn’t I think of this great idea before?’

The power of rumors is greater than one might think.

Whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter.

Just like how there was a big fuss because of the scandal, even though Henry and I didn’t actually have any special relationship.

Since it’s a ‘hidden child’, it won’t be strange if I don’t publicly reveal Oscar.

Anyway, as long as we live together, I can’t completely hide Oscar’s existence.

The employees know, and even Benedict and Henry have already found out.

‘Even if someone else finds out, if I say it’s my child, they won’t suspect he’s a dragon.’

After all, humans can’t give birth to dragons.

Although it wasn’t planned, the more I thought about it, the more I liked this excuse.

“Alright. If that’s what Noona wants. I’ll help you.”

After hesitating for a moment, Henry finally accepted my proposal.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“If possible, let’s do it after this selection is over. It might raise unnecessary suspicions due to the timing.”

“Okay.”

That much shouldn’t matter. I nodded readily.

“In return, please be diligent in our meetings until then. Noona.”

Henry smiled, his eyes crinkling.

“Sure.”

With this, I gained a time-limited friend.

***

That evening.

During the Hayworth family dinner.

“Ari. Don’t you have something to tell your father?”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t play dumb. It’s better to be honest.”

Well, this was an unexpected interrogation time.

Viscount Hayworth’s voice had lowered ominously.

It seemed he already knew all about Henry’s visit today.

‘Well, how could he not know after all that commotion.’

Even the maids Jenny and Laura had made such a fuss. It would have been strange if it hadn’t reached the ears of the head of the household, my father.

At this point, it was hard to avoid the topic.

Besides, Henry would be visiting this house once a week from now on, so I had to explain and ask for understanding anyway.

“Just tell him to get lost. Instead, you let him into the house?”

“Leon. Be quiet.”

As Leon, who had been silent, spoke up in an agitated tone, Viscount Hayworth stopped him.

“Sis isn’t thinking straight. Just because he’s good-looking, she’s all giddy. Seriously, I can’t leave her alone for a moment! Aaargh!”

Whoosh. A knife flew and stuck into the table where Leon was sitting. Simultaneously, Leon, who had been grumbling, let out a shriek of surprise.

“I told you to shut it.”

To think he’d use the skills he honed in the Shadow Knight Order at a moment like this.

Viscount Hayworth seemed outwardly calm, but he was clearly very angry.

“Jenny. Could you bring another knife please?”

“Y-yes! Of course, Miss.”

Jenny brought a new knife, trembling. Seeing Leon turned into a mute, it seemed there wouldn’t be a need to bring another knife, fortunately.

“Father. I’ll tell you everything. Please eat. You must be hungry.”

“Mm. Speak freely.”

Viscount Hayworth smiled faintly with a serene face. Though he was smiling, I could see his hand holding the fork trembling slightly.

‘How can I speak freely after seeing something like that!’

I was nervous and scared too, but I decided not to show it. If I was going to drop a bombshell now, I’d need to be a bit brazen.

“Henry and I have decided to be friends for the time being.”

“Friends, you say. It seems our wise Ari has been momentarily bewitched by something, making a mistaken judgment.”

“For the time being, I said. The imperial family is renovating the Rose Maze, he says.”

At those words, Viscount Hayworth and Leon’s eyes widened.

‘They probably didn’t know.’

It seemed to be high-level information known only to those associated with the imperial family for now.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. So the prince agreed to pretend he couldn’t forget me. He’ll visit weekly and I’ll meet him.”

“Why is that bastard doing such a troublesome thing? He must have some ulterior motive. Royal or not, I’ll kill him right now…!”

“The prince said he doesn’t want his former fiancée to become his aunt.”

When I answered dryly, Viscount Hayworth shut his mouth tightly.

If the Emperor issued a selection order, there was no way to refuse it. Literally, unless one assassinated the Emperor, one had to obey the command.

Viscount Hayworth must have known this too.

“I think it’s understandable since it’s a matter of royal honor. I don’t want to go to the Rose Maze either. That’s all.”

“Isn’t it all just an excuse? He might be using this as a pretext to try and get back together.”

As expected, the distrust towards Henry ran deep. Well, I could sympathize, thinking I’d probably feel the same if I were in my father’s position.

“I clearly drew the line that we’d only meet until this selection is over. The prince agreed too. If you don’t believe me, I’ll even write up a contract.”

“Ari.”

“Please trust me that what you’re worried about won’t happen. Okay?”

I clasped my hands together and gave a pitiful look.

“……”

Viscount Hayworth, who seemed ready to unleash a torrent of words, let out a long sigh, seemingly unable to handle it.

“Fine. But always go with Leon. Never be apart from him. Understand?”

“Of course. Thank you for understanding, Father.”

“I’m assigning Leon because I might kill Henry if I meet him, so remember what your father said.”

After worrying so much, I finally managed to persuade him and felt relieved, smoothing my startled heart.

“Ari. All men are beasts. You must never trust them!”

“……Father, you’re a man too.”

As I retorted with narrowed eyes, Father cleared his throat in embarrassment.

“Let me correct that. All men except your father are thieves. Always be on guard, and then be on guard again. Understand?”

“Father. I’m a man too.”

“I told you to keep that mouth shut.”

Whoosh, another knife flew.

Leon shut his mouth without even making a sound.

“Do you know how vicious and scary the world is, Ari? Your father, you see, hasn’t had a single day of peaceful sleep since you were born. I’m always careful and vigilant. Especially for a beautiful child like you, there’s only one in the whole world. You need to be extra careful. Even being careful won’t be enough. Yes, indeed. So, if you could understand your father’s heart even a little……”

Of course, I had to listen to Father’s bombardment of lectures for quite a while after that.

‘……My ears feel like they’re bleeding.’

I was already experiencing an out-of-body phenomenon. I just wanted to go to my room and lie down, feeling drained.

As I nodded halfheartedly, my eyes met Oscar’s.

Oscar was staring at me blankly with an expressionless face.