Chapter 54 : Beneath the Fragrance, a Thorn

Chapter 54 

“…Yes?”

My brows drew together without thinking.

Never in my wildest thoughts had I imagined my father’s name would cross the lips of someone like him—a royal, detached from everything we were.

My father loathed the nobility. His scorn for them was unwavering and vocal. Yet there had always been one exception. For reasons he never explained, Duke Schultz was spared from his contempt.

Still, that tolerance could hardly have extended to the royal family.

‘How in the world does Edward Windsor know my father?’

With careful restraint, I asked, “It is true I am Sergeant Prim’s daughter, but why do you ask? It caught me completely off guard.”

Edward’s expression remained unreadable, save for the amusement in his eyes.

“I was just as stunned when I found out. That’s precisely why I ask.”

Stunned? What on earth would stun a prince?

I met his gaze, trying to understand the meaning behind his smile. He leaned closer, eyes locked on mine.

“Why did you marry Johannes, being Sergeant Prim’s daughter? I heard the two were far from fond of each other.”

A strange accusation.

“…What do you mean?”

My voice betrayed the faintest tremor. Was he trying to sow doubt? His persistence grew.

“Sergeant Johannes and your father. There was no fondness between them.”

That clashed with everything I knew. My father had spoken fondly of him—a friend he had once helped, someone whose gratitude had brought him to us in the darkest moment.

Confusion flickered through me. My throat dried.

“That can’t be true. My father and Johannes were close. You must be mistaken.”

Edward’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

“And who told you that? Johannes himself?”

Of course he did. My father was a man of few words, especially about me. If Johannes claimed familiarity, no one would doubt it.

“Yes. He knows me well.”

“Knows you? Knows your name, your studies in pharmacy? A little research reveals far more than that.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“…You investigated me.”

It made sense now—his resistance to the wedding, the way he treated me like an inconvenience.

“So did Johannes Schultz,” Edward said flatly.

I clutched my skirt.

He was insinuating that Johannes had chosen me not out of love, but for some undisclosed gain.

I straightened my back and scoffed.

“And what would I possibly have to offer that warranted such calculated effort? Do you, Your Highness, go out of your way to pursue those with nothing?”

“Nothing?” he repeated, smiling. “That may be your standard. But everyone has different values. You may possess something Johannes needs.”

Something he needs.

Those words triggered a memory—Johannes’ soft voice.

‘It’s not like you have nothing.’

Yes. He had said that.

I knew why. I was no one, a commoner with a tragic tale, yet also the daughter of Isaac Prim. A daughter whose story could spin sympathy from scandal. A marriage that could cloak the Schultz family in fairytale romance.

But Edward didn’t deserve that truth.

“I hate to shatter your theories, but my husband loves me.”

Edward burst into laughter—loud, mocking, even clutching his stomach.

No one could sneer with such delight at another’s dignity quite like Edward Windsor. My skin crawled.

He sobered just enough to say, “Now I’m even more curious. How did you two even meet? Surely you barely knew each other.”

“He brought news of his father’s passing. He cared for us deeply afterward. That’s how our friendship began.”

Edward arched a brow, disbelieving.

“Colonel Johannes himself delivered that?”

“He and my father were close. It made sense.”

He scoffed. His intentions were crystal clear—to plant seeds of doubt.

“If Johannes hated his father so, why would he have bothered helping you?”

“That’s your question, isn’t it? Why he helped me? Why he chose me?”

His gaze sharpened.

“When did you last receive a letter from Sergeant Prim?”

The question blindsided me.

But etiquette bound me.

“His letter from August arrived in November. That was the last.”

Edward fell silent, calculating.

Then: “And did he mention Johannes Schultz at all? Even once?”

“What? I… What kind of question is that—”

“Ma’am.”

Johannes appeared behind Edward, voice calm and expression carved in stone.

“A saboteur has been spotted.”

Edward clicked his tongue.

In the Crown Princess’s Office

Christian drummed her fingers on her desk, speaking without looking up.

“You’ve done an excellent job hiding your true nature from your wife, Duke Schultz.”

Johannes remained stone-still, eyes cold.

She stood and moved to the window, gazing over Edward’s gardens.

“Does the Duchess know who you really are? No… if she did, she’d have fled by now.”

“Your concern is noted. Excessive, but noted.”

Christian smiled faintly. “How apologetic I must be.”

No remorse touched her voice.

“I arranged your match with the Marquis of Hatzfeld’s daughter for your benefit. She values reputation like gold.”

She chuckled as though sharing a joke.

Then her gaze turned icy.

“Do you love your wife, Duke Schultz?”

Johannes smirked.

Christian was sharp. She only took interest when something blocked her path.

“Of course I do.”

“Really?” she murmured.

“You always did hunger for power. I know where that stems from. My poor brother claims you’re truly in love, but I have my doubts.”

“Whether or not Your Highness believes us hardly concerns me.”

“Did I misjudge you? Or have you simply changed?” Her voice dropped, quiet and dangerous. “Or… is something else at play?”

There it was. Her suspicion.

Whatever tied him to Edith, Christian sensed it wasn’t love.

“Despite our differences, we are cousins. This isn’t a battlefield. Or have I misunderstood?”

“You misunderstood. Our bond is worse than most.”

“Such hostility toward the royal family is unwise. The Schultz name doesn’t guarantee survival forever. I worry for you.”

She paused.

“Once I ascend the throne, I intend to expose every sin you’ve buried. Your mother’s past… it’s been long enough, hasn’t it? Can’t we move forward?”

Johannes tilted his head.

Yes, it had been over a decade. And yet, the memory had only sharpened with time, lodged in his mind like a blade.

Some wounds refused to fade.

Christian sighed.

“The King grows restless. And you consorting with the Count of Swabia…”

“Surely the Crown Princess would not stand idle while crimes unfold before her.”

Her brows knit.

“Of course not. I’m merely concerned for your safety.”

“Your concern is duly noted.”

Christian looked toward the window again.

“It seems Edward failed to apologize properly to the Duchess.”

With a sigh, she turned back.

“I’ve kept you too long. Go to her, before he stirs more trouble.”