Chapter 34

I didn’t have a lot of worldly experience, but I had somehow encountered similar situations several times today.

For example, meeting his eyes (the ones that were so similar to Haniel’s), and the sound of metal ringing in my ears.

“Already?”

“W- What do you mean?”

When a man like him approaches me abruptly…

Wait, no way.

“The other princes are probably waiting for us in the Pavillion with refreshments. Do you need to leave so hastily?”

“Uh, yes. I have things to tend to…”

“Like what? Don’t you gaze at the lake all day?”

His Majesty leaned closer to me. Subconsciously, I held my breath.

Although he could not press his red lips anywhere, they were so close that there was barely a gap between us.

“Eat something sweet and relax. Others might think that I’m eating you up.”

***

Oh, God.

What went wrong with our baby’s fate that she had to lose her mother twice?

“…”

Lost in my worries, I could not recall how I felt as I headed to the garden to meet the other three princes.

However, if I were to escape, I was sure that feeling would become evident, along with my impending doom.

“Is the tea not to your liking?”

Because this man would definitely leash me and drag me back.

“If the tea isn’t to the Duchess’ liking, I’ll have it changed immediately…”

“… Please save me, Your Majesty.”

“…”

“I really had no idea. I would’ve never expected that Your Majesty and the princes were the ones who lined up outside the dessert shop.”

I shook my head, on the verge of tears.

They look quite familiar to me now.

How could I not know? The three brothers had such muscular and noticeable physiques when they stood outside the shop.

“Of course, even though I was unaware of your identities, I had thought that you guys were quite extraordinary, ehem.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course.”

How could three large men lining up outside a dessert shop in the middle of the day look normal?!

I covered my mouth and showed the most sincere expression that I could muster to the three men.

Unfortunately, my elegant appearance could only charm and not look honest and kind.

“I wouldn’t have done it back then if I had known. Please believe me.”

“Of course I believe you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be having tea here with you, with your neck still intact.”

His Majesty, smiling dubiously, looked the sincerest that I had ever seen him.

With his smile that made me shiver and subconsciously check the condition of my neck, he set down his cup. 

“Anyway, we have to repay you for that day.”

“No, I don’t mind at all.”

“But still, why don’t you accept it? It’s not going to burden you anyway.”

“…”

Haniel, thankfully you escaped that house.

Even if she had grown up safely, her personality would become rather twisted after spending so much time with a man like him.

It gave me strength upon thinking of the cute white cygnet who was with Selene right now.

It was time to be objective.

‘Let’s just think about the facts.’

First, though this man angers me, it was evident that he has yet to realize Haniel’s identity.

“Huuu.”

But as soon as I sighed in relief, I breathed in again.

“Huuup.”

Why? Because I’m angry at myself.

“Is this not enough to satisfy the Duchess?”

“Your Majesty.”

I beg for your understanding.

As I stretched my hands out on the tea table, the Emperor had quickly folded his.

The other princes, too, retreated, worried that I would touch them.

“Ah…”

Anyone would think that I was about to curse them.

Though I was slightly hurt, I also wanted to distance myself from the princes. 

It was the affectionate prince beside the handsome prince who broke the awkward silence first.

“Hmm, Your Majesty, please calm down. Didn’t the Duchess already say that she wasn’t aware?”

“Peyton.”

He looked to be the only one who was in the right mind.

I was reminded that while they shared the same bloodline and a similar handsome appearance, he had the uprightness and objectivity that the Emperor did not.

“Mmm…”

I heard that he was the third brother?

I subconsciously raised my head to observe him, but then quickly lowered my hands when I met a deathly glare.