The Only Way to Break the Curse is Through Contact with You - Chapter 25
Somehow, it was a familiar voice to my ears. I slowly lifted my gaze from the hand wrapped around my shoulder. Even though his face was partially covered by a cute rabbit mask, I could tell who he was through his splendid blond hair, sharp jawline, and a black dot faintly visible under his lips.
‘No, why are you here?’
Unlike me, who was embarrassed, the rabbit mask, no, Crown Prince Jarvis looked down at me with a smirk on his lips.
“Oh, my little canary seems to be very frightened. Seeing you trembling like this.”
I’m shaking because of your creepiness!
While I was frozen in place after an unexpected encounter in an unexpected place, Crown Prince Jarvis pitied me as he combed his fingers through my hair.
“I’m afraid he’s too ugly for those jewel-like eyes of yours.”
“What, what!”
The face of the man who was openly attacked in front of him turned red and blue. Crown Prince Jarvis, who turned his gaze to him, smiled brightly.
“Oh, were you still there?”
“This, this…!”
“You don’t even realize if you’re being rude to the lady.”
The man, trembling and unable to muster the courage to confront someone much taller than him, turned his body around.
“Are you okay?”
As I stared at the back of the man’s head as he stalked away from me in a huff, I snapped back to my senses at the voice above my head.
“I’m fine.”
I said, breaking free from his hand still wrapped around my shoulder.
“He has a reputation for being a prick on this floor.”
He certainly looked like it.
“Thank you for your help.”
Honestly, I wasn’t very grateful since I could handle the situation on my own. Wanting to escape from this place as soon as possible, I bowed my head in thanks and quickly moved away.
No, I tried to avoid it. If only my legs didn’t give out and my body didn’t sink down in an instant.
“You always stumble in front of me.”
Crown Prince Jarvis, who grabbed my waist and lifted me up, chuckled playfully.
“Did you hurt your wings?”
“Ah…”
His words were more than my brain could take, and I couldn’t help but groan out loud.
Suddenly, I remembered the time when I tried to break the ice during my first dinner with Diart and wondered if he felt the same way I did now. …Damn it, I should never do that again.
After a brief moment of self-reflection, I quickly stepped away from Crown Prince Jarvis.
“Thank you. And goodbye.”
“You know who I am, but you’re pretending you don’t. Do you not have any time for me today?”
Damn it. I tried to ignore him until the end to get rid of him, but this Crown Prince was not going to let me off the hook.
What kind of manners is this at a masked ball that guarantees anonymity, you asshole!
Crown Prince Jarvis nodded his chin as he picked up two wine glasses from a tray that was passing by.
“Let’s go out to the terrace to get some fresh air.”
Crown Prince Jarvis was not going to leave easily. If he kept pushing me away, I would be the only one at a loss. I thought I should just try to get along with him a little and then run away, so I followed him with a sigh.
As we stepped out onto the terrace, the humid heat of a summer night rushed in, in contrast to the cold interior which had been kept cold using mana stones.
But strangely enough, I liked it here. I took in deep breaths of the air mixed with the scent of grass, and Crown Prince Jarvis offered me a wine glass.
“Drink it.”
“Thank you.”
I took the glass and sipped the wine, pretending not to notice his gaze fixed on me. I drank it quickly and tried to run away.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.”
‘I never imagined I would see you here either. I can’t believe how I got this invitation. Luck really has no sense of justice.’
“How did you know it was me?”
I could tell from his arrogant tone that he was the crown prince, but how did he recognize me?
“By the unique fragrance you possess.”
“Urk.”
A groan escaped involuntarily. Unable to contain my disgust, I must have shown a grimace, which made the crown prince burst into laughter.
“Such a funny expression.”
The crown prince laughed out loud for a while, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was in his right mind. Should I make a run for it now, while he seemed distracted? I glanced behind me.
“You’re the first woman to treat me like this.”
Are you filming a drama? ‘You’re the first woman to treat me like this.’
“You’re the only one who goes to a ball like this and doesn’t even change the color of your hair.”
“What?”
Changing hair color? What is he talking about? Well, it’s a fantasy world, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.
“There’s a difference between your natural hair color and the hair color you magically change it to. It’s a subtle difference that most people wouldn’t notice, but I’m not most people.”
“Ah, I see…”
It seems like he wanted to boast about himself. The crown prince smiled, revealing his teeth, as he watched me respond in a flustered manner.
“But Your Highness did the same.”
“Would you mind calling me Duke Rabbit?”
“But Your. High. Ness. didn’t change the color of your hair either?”
Blonde hair was a symbol of the imperial family. The crown prince would need more magic than me, with my common hair color.
“I have no intention of hiding myself.”
As the crown prince removed his rabbit mask, he casually swept his bangs aside with one hand.
Honestly, he looked like he could have jumped right out of a magazine, but that stubborn personality ruins everything. If only his mouth was a little more refined, I would actively support his love for the heroine.
“More importantly, it seems that the rumor of your divorce with the duke is true.”
“Have you heard the rumors?”
Well, as someone who has numerous encounters with noble ladies, such rumors would have quickly reached his ears. Moreover, Roeni’s obsession with Diart was a famous gossip in high society. I wonder how many people would gossip about how she ended up getting divorced after clinging to him for dear life.
“I can’t believe rumors. I only believe what I see with my own eyes.”
The crown prince’s firm response was unexpected. I had thought he was the type to enjoy scandals with his frivolous behavior.
“I heard from my father.”
“Oh.”
“The duke asked for a quick divorce.”
That Diart, he must be very excited. I feel a little cheated, but this will speed up the divorce process. I covered my drooping mouth with a wine glass, trying to hide my smile upon hearing the news I had been waiting for.
“As expected… the reality is different from the rumors.”
“What were the rumors?”
“I don’t have a habit of gossiping in front of others.”
“I can tell even without you saying it.”
There’s no point in listening to insults. It’s just noisy inside. I shrugged my shoulders and turned my head towards the garden below the terrace. I could feel a sharp gaze staring at me from the side.
“So, have you decided to go on night outings from now on?”
“Night outings?”
“I mean, going to social gatherings.”
The social gatherings the crown prince mentioned wouldn’t be the usual ones people talk about. ‘Night outing’ was an uncharacteristically romantic word. I was about to refuse, but then I changed my mind.
Since he already knew I was getting a divorce and his actions seemed carefree, I didn’t think he would go around blabbering about me wherever he went. And what’s wrong with a little gossip? After all, if we get divorced, I’ll be leaving this country anyway.
I thought it would be better to gather information from the crown prince now that we had met like this.
“I want to broaden my horizons.”
“It’s a welcome sound to my ears.”
“By the way, Your Highness, where do you usually meet women?”
The crown prince’s eyes widened, as though surprised by my unexpected question, then quickly turned into crescent shapes.
“I didn’t know you were interested in me.”
“No, I’m not.”
Why did the flow of the conversation suddenly turn awkward?
“I’m glad.”
“No. I really don’t have any interest in you, Your Highness…”
“Shh. You don’t have to be embarrassed.”
He seemed to have a talent for only hearing what he wanted to hear. I felt like punching myself in the chest out of frustration. If not, could I at least punch this madman in the face? So that when he wakes up from his fainting spell, he’ll forget I hit him?
I stared at the crown prince’s chest with that thought in mind. The crown prince blushed as if embarrassed and slightly leaned forward.
“I’m willing to show you a closer look.”
“I’ll pass.”
I didn’t want to deal with him anymore, whether it was about information or anything else. I turned my head sharply, but the crown prince reached out one hand and bowed his head.
“It would be an honor to have the opportunity to take the first step with you towards a dazzling future.”
He had the same silly smile as before, but his eyes were serious as if all the nonsense he had been spouting until now was just a joke.
“Since the music has changed, if you dance with me, I’ll answer anything you want.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
The crown prince smiled brightly. I placed my hand on his palm, looking at his smile that looked like that of a celebrity in a magazine. Then, a strange energy flowed into my fingertips. Before I could feel it properly, the crown prince pulled me closer with his large hand on my waist.