The Unemployed Prince Covets My Nephew - Chapter 9
Haileyβs ears turned red with embarrassment.
She had somewhat expected that the prince would be at the royal ball.
However, as the ball began and the first song passed without his appearance, Hailey had started to think, βI should leave quickly before I run into him.β
She had no idea when he had arrived or why he was asking her to dance as soon as he did. Hailey was utterly flustered.
Everyone in the ballroom was staring at Hailey.
βWhat kind of madman asks a wallflower to dance!β
Even for Hailey, it was too burdensome to refuse the princeβs invitation to dance in such a place. In fact, after cursing at Axel and running away last time, she had been anxious about being caught.
β…Why me?β
βI told you. You are my ideal type.β
Axel leaned in close to Haileyβs ear and whispered so only she could hear.
Hailey bit her lip, her expression showing how much she didnβt want to dance, but she placed her hand on the princeβs outstretched hand.
βIf it werenβt for this guy, Iβd be heading home by now.β
Hailey was really bad at dancing. When Marianne received one-on-one etiquette lessons, Hailey had only ever watched from the sidelines.
Moreover, the baron and baroness hadnβt even properly hosted her debutante, so this was her first ball despite being a noble lady.
βYouβll regret this. I might step on your feet.β
βAs much as you like.β
Axel said lazily.
Axel, who had never shown interest in such events, had requested the guest list from the administration office for the first time in his life. There was only one name he was looking for.
βLangston. Hailey Langston.β
Her name was on the last page of the list.
He had to win this womanβs heart somehow that day.
βThe Langston barony has too much debt. Miss Haileyβs reputation isnβt great either. Think about it, Your Highness. How much will the Langston barony exploit you?β
Khalid had expressed his concerns about considering Hailey Langston as a marriage partner.
But Axel didnβt care. He wasnβt concerned about the Langston baronyβs debt.
From what he saw that day, she wasnβt an obedient or sociable woman, so it was no wonder her reputation wasnβt good.
And today, she didnβt disappoint him again.
βWho is she dancing with now?β
βWell… Miss Hailey is rejecting the menβs requests, saying she has a child.β
Axel burst into laughter. She was truly unpredictable.
βTo deal with the picky Grand Duke of Winchester, she needs to be at least that bold.β
Axel found himself liking her more and more.
As Axel held Haileyβs waist and skillfully led the steps, her body naturally moved closer to him.
It was the first time she had been held by a man, and Haileyβs face turned red with embarrassment.
βYou really canβt dance.β
βI-I told you I couldnβt.β
Despite his appearance, Axel was indeed a prince. He was skillful and perfect.
He was so skilled that even the stiff Hailey seemed graceful as he led her flawlessly.
Axel moved close to her neck and then drew back.
Hailey flinched in surprise. Axel looked down into her eyes and spoke.
βWhy did you run away that day?β
βWouldnβt you?β
β…It doesnβt matter. Marry me. Just for a year.β
βWhat kind of conversation is this?β
With so many eyes watching, Hailey responded as politely as possible instead of saying, βAre you crazy?β
βThink about it again. Iβll divorce you after a year.β
βThere are plenty of women here who would love to marry you, Your Highness.β
βI want you and your son.β
Hailey glared at him.
Axel smiled slightly at her honest expression.
βTell me if you change your mind.β
βNever.β
As Hailey maneuvered to avoid him, the song ended.
Hailey quickly let go of his hand, bowed politely, and turned away briskly.
She hoped never to see him again.
βWhat happened? Is it true you have a romance with the prince?β
βItβs nothing like that. He told me never to see him again.β
βBut it looked like you were getting along well?β
βI told you, no. Letβs go back. I donβt want to stay here any longer.β
Ignoring the baronessβs urgent calls from behind, Hailey swiftly exited the ballroom.
The baroness, with her short legs, struggled to keep up with Haileyβs long strides.
As Hailey descended the stairs leading to the central hall, the baroness, exhausted from chasing her, shouted in a voice filled with anger.
βHailey Langston!β
Hailey stopped and turned around with an annoyed expression.
The furious baroness, panting, came down the stairs and grabbed Haileyβs hand.
βLetβs go back. Itβs not over yet.β
βI said no. This is enough.β
They had come to find an investor, but the baroness had been busy introducing Hailey to unmarried noblemen instead of looking for an investor.
Hailey had felt something was off since the banquet.
βJust two more dances, no, three, and then weβll leave.β
βWhy are you doing this? Youβre not even looking for an investor.β
βThink about the princeβs dignity. Donβt you realize how rude it is to leave like this?β
β…β
βHurry up.β
Hailey suddenly felt a chill down her spine.
The uneasiness and discomfort she had been feeling for the past few days suddenly hit her all at once.
After the incident with Count Roman, rumors had spread in the social circles that the unmarried Lady Langston had a child, causing the baroness great embarrassment.
Yet, Hailey wasnβt scolded.
The baron and baroness, who had insisted they wouldnβt give her a penny, suddenly changed their attitude and offered her money.
And today, despite claiming they needed an investor, they were busy introducing Hailey around instead of looking for one.
The baronessβs secret meeting with Count Romanβs servant in the hallway earlier. Most of all, the baronessβs anxious expression.
Hailey roughly shook off her hand and looked down at the much smaller baroness, even though she was standing a step higher.
Hailey grabbed her shoulder firmly with one hand.
β…Do I need to be here?β
βW-What are you talking about? Letβs go back inside quickly.β
βItβs not that I need to be here… I shouldnβt go home now, right? Isnβt that it?β
βI told you, thatβs not it!β
At that moment, the shawl draped over Haileyβs shoulder fell to the floor.
She had felt uneasy for days, but she thought it was just her parentsβ desperate attempt to marry her off.
She had always thought the baron and baroness were bad people and had decided never to associate with them again, but she thought that was it.
She believed they couldnβt be that evil.
But now she realized she had been wrong, that she had been naive. She felt beyond devastated, filled with self-loathing.
β…What have you done? What did you do to my Theo… Theo…β
β…β
βTell me! Where is Theo? What did you do to him?β
βStop talking nonsense and come inside. Considering all the trouble youβve caused, you should be grateful itβs just this!β
The baroness, who couldnβt even make eye contact with Hailey before, now spoke coldly.
The baroness had just been buying time.
The investor was a lie. It was just a perfect excuse to separate Hailey from Theo.
Hailey turned around. She looked half-dazed.
She needed to get out of here and run to Theo immediately.
βItβs already too late. If you donβt want to see something worse, youβd better practice smiling prettily for the man who will buy you at a high price.β
β…β
βIt was my mistake to be soft-hearted. I should have abandoned that child long ago. Why did you have to be so protective of him?β
The baronessβs sharp words pierced Hailey like thorns.
Hailey clenched her fists tightly. Her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood.
βAnyway, I was going to get rid of him after marrying you off. How could I keep a child whose origins are unknown?β
β…β
βIsnβt that right? You didnβt think youβd live with him forever, did you?β
Hailey felt a chilling sensation.
βHow could I keep a child whose origins are unknown?β
It was something Hailey had always suspected. She wondered if she wasnβt their real daughter.
Her hair and eye color were similar to Baron Langstonβs, but unlike the baron, baroness, and her sister Marianne, Hailey was tall, almost as tall as a man. She was clearly different from them.
βIf you had cooperated, I would have allowed you a final goodbye. Foolish girl.β
β…β
βEventually, youβll be grateful to us. So stop making a fuss over nothing and come inside quickly!β
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