Chapter 46

“I’m sorry.”

I tried to pull my hand out, but Lark held it tight.

“Let go.”

“I’m sorry.”

“All right. Now let go.”

“No. You’re still angry.”

“I’m going to hit you two times, so let go now.”

“Uh, okay.”

Lark hurriedly let go of my hand, and I gave him, Puck! Puck! a couple more blows to his chest.

“Are you satisfied?”

“…”

“Just hit me more.”

“No need.”

I lowered my hand helplessly and sighed.

“To be honest, it’s not your fault. I was just an idiot who misunderstood, and Kedrick, who lied, is a fraud.”

“No, that’s not true.”

Lark shook his head with slightly confused eyes.

“Kedrick Reiger is indeed a fraud, but you’re not an idiot. It’s my fault. I admit.”

“…”

“Honestly, I thought you had forgotten about that day.”

“Why would I forget that? You’ve remembered it all along, haven’t you?”

“Well, that’s because I promised that day.”

“So you’ve been waiting for 7 years until I became an adult, and now you’re here to meet me because of that childish prank to get married?”

“Wow, childish? Are you that upset about this? Even if it was a joke, I would keep it.”

“That’s the same for me, too. Because of that promise, I will only like Kedrick forever.”

“Will you marry Kedrick Reiger in the future?”

“No. He’ll be marrying Lillia.”

“What? Then why would you keep liking that bas—”

In an instant, the angry Lark smiled and corrected his word.

“That fraud?”

“I know, right? I guess it’s because I’m a pure person by nature. In the future, you won’t be there to explain, and that fraud will play with me for the rest of my life.”

“Ah, I’m glad you can see the future. What would you have done if you were hung up on a fraud forever?”

In front of Lark, who frowned, I forced myself to laugh.

‘The truth is that I’m not looking at the future. I’m just looking back on the time I’ve already experienced.’

I couldn’t bring myself to tell the truth, so I just swallowed a sigh inside.

‘Ah, my innocence of a lifetime that was so wronged…’

Lark, who was looking at me sadly as I fluttered with exhaustion, said firmly.

“Don’t go out with that fraud now.”

“Of course. Do you think I’m crazy?”

“No, but the more I think about it, the worse I feel. If the fraud hadn’t lied, you wouldn’t have liked him all the time, right?”

“Right. I would never have followed that fraud with narrow shoulders and poor body if it weren’t for that day’s memory.”

“That’s right. After all, men are all about having wide shoulders.”

Lark, who agreed, raised his eyes with a smirk.

“Then, what about me now?”

I laughed dumbfounded and pushed his shoulder away, and said.

“Nevermind. You’re already quite late.”

“Oh, dear.”

Looking at Lark’s face shrugging regretfully, I muttered to myself.

Rubette, are you watching?

‘… I’m sorry, it’s a bummer that Kedrick is a scammer, and Lark is a crown prince. I’ll take my time looking for another good man.’

I made a promise, smiled, and started walking around the vacant lot again.

Lark followed and shouted.

“Hey, Princess! Let’s go together!”

“Oh, come quickly!”

***

Crown Prince Lark van Rashmagh Descarde had low pressure until the next day after meeting Rubette yesterday.

Although he purposely laughed and chatted with Rubette because he felt sorry for her, who looked depressed, but inside, he had been swearing in various ways for a long time.

‘Is he that crazy?’

Kedrick Reiger…

It’s disgusting that he’s been fooling the innocent Rubette so far, and that’s not even the end of his vicious act.

Even after he was married, he gave Rubette a room and was vague, making her cling to him for the rest of her life. What is such a future?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Having mood swings was so not like him.

‘A guy with narrow shoulders…’

In the end, Lark gritted his teeth as he left the office with the documents he had just finished approved this morning because he had a lot of thoughts.

‘I think I need to vent to feel better. How can we meet?’

At that moment, Lark’s steps as he crossed the hallway came to a halt.

Duke Reiger.

It was a familiar face he saw at every imperial meeting, and he was Kedrick’s father.

And next to the duke was a boy with a face that looked just like the duke.

“His Highness the Crown Prince!”

“Duke Reiger? What are you doing in the palace outside the court day?”

“It’s nothing. My eldest son was given the rank of a young duke and became the official heir of the Reiger family as of yesterday. He came here to greet all the imperial highnesses.”

“Aaah. Come to think of it. It must be tomorrow morning. No wonder you asked me to attend.”

“Yes, that’s right. We were supposed to visit you tomorrow, but seeing you here…”

The duke patted Kedrick’s shoulder next to him with delighted eyes.

“Say your greetings.”

Kedrick bowed deeply towards Lark with a slightly tense expression on his face.

“I see the little sun of the Empire, Your Highness the Crown Prince Lark van Rashmagh Descarde. I’m Young Duke Kedrick Reiger.”

“… Mm, all right.”

There was a saying that “enemies often meet at a narrow bridge”. The culprit, who had been bothering him all day yesterday, appeared in front of his eyes.

Lark lifted the corners of his lips forcibly and smiled, looking at Kedrick.

“As the successor of Reiger, I will dedicate myself to the Empire and be loyal to the imperial family so as not to be ashamed of myself.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Looking at Kedrick ambitious face, Lark answered dryly.

“…?”

For some reason, Kedrick paused for a moment at the strangely hostile gaze and casual tone of voice.

Lark spoke half-heartedly.

“But I am busy right now. Don’t block the road. Will you get out of the way?”

“Ye-yes? Yes, my lord…”

The duke and Kedrick were perplexed and cleared the way.

Lark took a step forward, staring at Kedrick with scornful, haughty eyes.

Puck—!

“Oh, my!”

“Ke-Kedrick!”

And, apparently, hit Kedrick’s shoulder with his shoulder.

Kedrick, who’d been defenceless in the sudden attack, staggered and barely stood still.

“Oh, dear. My bad. My shoulders are too broad.”

“Ah…”

“Are you okay?”

Kedrick was sure as he looked up blankly at Lark, who was speaking as if he was sorry.

He understood. He was sure.

‘What is it? Why does the Crown Prince hate me? I’ve never even seen his face before.’

Lark said again to Kedrick, who was speechless.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh, yes! I-I’m all right.”

“Is that so? Then…”

Lark said, pretending to be busy.

“Duke Reiger, let your son do some exercise. What’s with a man having such shoulders? They’re so weak that they hurt when someone taps at it.”

“… Yes, I understand.”

“Well then. Good luck.”

Leaving that one sentence behind, Lark moved away.

The duke murmured, staring blankly at his back.

“You punk…”

“No, Dad. Listen to me.”

“What on earth did you do to the crown prince? Huh?!”

“No. There must be a misunderstanding. I didn’t do anything. I didn’t cause any accident—”

“You bastard child! You bastard!”

The duke hit his son in the back as he cursed.

“Daaad! This is the imperial palace! Ack!”

Kedrick was beaten without knowing what was going on.

***

In early September, when the sweltering heat has subsided.

A boutique street in the business district Lunten.

This place, which was bustling with luxurious aristocrats every day, has been suffering from a growing crowd these days.

The reason was the boutique {Blanc de Ruby} that appeared like a comet.

Dresses of new designs, which were boldly challenged by the great actress Sarah Hugo and the actors of the Roland Theater in which she was a member, naturally created a trend.

The fast-paced aristocratic ladies flocked to Sarah Hugo’s boutique {Blanc de Ruby}.

{Blanc de Ruby}

– Operates only with a prepaid reservation system.

– We do not accept individual orders. (No contact X)

One could clearly feel the rising fame of the madame of {Blanc de Ruby} from the billboard in front of the building.

The fashion trend was completely reversed as the ladies who matched their dresses began roaming the streets.

In just one month.

“Hey, Madame. Do you know who I am? How dare you be so rude.”

And here.

Nora Pelkan, a fourteen-year-old noblewoman, the only daughter of Count Pelkan family, was very angry.

“I don’t know.”

“Ha!”

Folded arms and proudly crossed legs. An unyielding, pompous gesture even in the presence of a famous aristocratic lady.

Madame Becky of {Blanc de Ruby} had a very arrogant attitude, apparently well aware of her soaring fame.

“I am Nora Pelkan! The only daughter of Count Pelkan!”

“Yes, Young Lady Nora. So what brings you here?”

“I’m here to get a dress. How many times do I have to tell you?”

“As I’ve said quite a few times, our shop only operates on a prepaid reservation system. Make a reservation today.”

Becky, who handed over the ledger she was holding, smiled softly and added.

“We can produce it in August next year.”

“Ha. I’m speechless. Would this Nora Pelkan have to wait nearly a year to fit a dress?”

Bang!

Overwhelmed by anger, Nora slammed the table with her tiny fist.

“Take my order now! I’ll give you the money you want!”