Chapter 39
The truth was, from the moment Raylenne first saw Crown Prince Harbian, she felt a strange and unsettling aura around him. His polished appearance and gentlemanly demeanor contrasted starkly with the ominous atmosphere he exuded, creating a peculiar sense of dissonance. Yesterday, when Caverion bluntly revealed Harbian’s true nature, Raylenne realized her intuition had been correct.
[In short, Crown Prince Harbian is a scoundrel. He chases after women and roams the seedy streets at night.]
[He’s spent nights with countless noblewomen, silencing them with money afterward.]
Although Caverion promised to prevent this marriage, Raylenne wanted to do everything she could on her end. She needed to speak with someone who knew about Crown Prince Harbian, and Janie, who had served as a maid for other noblewomen, seemed the perfect person for this.
“The Crown Prince?”
“Yes.”
Janie paused, holding her fork with a piece of lettuce on it, deep in thought.
“Is talking about the Crown Prince not popular?”
“Of course not! The Crown Prince is always a hot topic. Like Young Master Caverion, he’s one of the most popular figures in the Empire.”
“Popular?”
“Yes. He’s handsome and gentlemanly, and he’s the future Emperor.”
Caverion’s statement that very few people knew about the Crown Prince’s true nature seemed accurate. Janie seemed to be recalling stories, her face contemplative, before continuing.
“When people talk about the Crown Prince, they mostly speculate about his marriage prospects. Since he hasn’t had any serious marriage discussions, everyone’s curious about who he’ll marry.”
“Has there never been any noblewoman discussed as a potential bride for the Crown Prince?”
Janie nodded.
“No. To be precise, he probably hasn’t had the time for such matters.”
Raylenne looked at Janie, puzzled.
“You might not know, Miss, because of your illness, but the royal family hasn’t been quiet either.”
Raylenne, intrigued by this new information, focused on Janie’s words.
“Go on.”
“The royal family has been in turmoil because of Lady Merian, the Emperor’s sister and the former wife of Duke Bedeusian.”
Merian was Aiden’s biological mother, who returned to the royal family after divorcing Duke Bedeusian. Although she longed to see Aiden, the Bedeusian family never permitted their reunion. Raylenne was curious about Janie’s further explanation about Merian.
“Lady Merian’s estrangement from the Bedeusian family caused a significant rift between the royal family and the Bedeusian family. Despite this, the Emperor sided with the Bedeusian family.”
“Why?”
“Probably because of Damian, who is expected to awaken soon. Initially, the Emperor was furious at the Bedeusian family for abandoning his sister, but politics is a different matter.”
Damian, Aiden’s younger brother, was mistakenly believed to be the subject of a prophecy. If Damian became a high-level awakener, the Bedeusian family would gain immense power.
‘The prophecy mentioned the birth of an unprecedentedly powerful awakener.’
Thus, the Emperor was wisely positioning himself with the Bedeusian family.
The balance of power between the two ducal houses was fragile, but the Bedeusian family’s potential rise would prevent the royal family from being crushed between them.
“So, you’re saying the Emperor supported the Bedeusian family, causing a rift with his sister, Lady Merian, leading to the royal family’s turmoil?”
“The royal family’s troubles weren’t solely because of that.”
Janie leaned in and lowered her voice.
“Crown Prince Harbian opposed the Emperor and sided with the Ergen family.”
Raylenne finally understood Crown Prince Harbian’s actions regarding their proposed marriage. She knew Harbian wasn’t genuinely interested in her.
‘There’s no way he could have fallen in love with me after our brief meeting in the drawing room a few days ago.’
Clearly, his motive for marrying her was political.
“The royal family has been in constant turmoil because of the conflict between the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Lady Merian’s support for the Crown Prince further intensified the factional strife.”
“Lady Merian doesn’t like the Ergen family, who currently hold Aiden captive, either, does she?”
“She probably dislikes the Bedeusian family even more… since they’re the ones who initially took her son captive.”
Even within families, alliances shifted based on personal interests.
‘It’s the same with the Ergen family.’
Within the small family, there was constant infighting.
Raylenne clicked her tongue inwardly, pondering a question.
“Why does Crown Prince Harbian side with the Ergen family?”
It was puzzling why he would oppose his father and support the Ergen family, especially when the Bedeusian family’s future looked brighter.
“I don’t know… the reason isn’t clearly known.”
Even if Raylenne pressed Janie for answers, she wouldn’t know Harbian’s true intentions. Raylenne sighed and pushed her plate towards Janie.
“That’s enough talk. Let’s eat.”
Janie knew more than expected, and her information was quite precise, helping Raylenne grasp the situation better.
“But, Miss.”
“What is it?”
Janie hesitated before asking,
“May I ask why you’re suddenly interested in Crown Prince Harbian?”
Raylenne stabbed a piece of lettuce with her fork and replied,
“I’m curious about the world. I’ve been cooped up in this room for too long.”
“Yes. I wondered if there were any marriage talks involving Crown Prince Harbian.”
Raylenne’s hand, stirring the lettuce on her plate, paused.
“Why would you think that?”
“Didn’t a royal carriage visit recently? There were rumors among the staff that the guest was Crown Prince Harbian.”
Apparently, rumors spread quickly. That day, Duke Ergen had sent Harbian away early, seemingly wary of someone—likely Caverion.
‘What’s the point? The staff already knows.’
“Moreover, there were whispers among the noblewomen that Crown Prince Harbian had chosen Miss Raylenne as his bride.”
“Me?”
Janie nodded enthusiastically.
“There’s only one young lady in the Hamnebu Empire, and that’s you, Miss Raylenne… so it’s natural to think you’re a suitable match for the Crown Prince.”
Raylenne laughed.
“I’m frail and haven’t stepped outside the castle.”
Janie’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit.
Raylenne hadn’t meant to cause trouble, but it seemed her bluntness had flustered Janie.
“It’s not…”
“It’s alright. Be honest. What’s my image in social circles?”
Janie was generally honest and brave enough to speak freely.
Thus, Raylenne felt comfortable asking her such questions.
Janie hesitated but seemed willing to share.
“To be honest…”
Honest? Raylenne leaned in, listening intently.
“Your image isn’t bad, Miss Raylenne.”
Hmm? That response was unexpected. Given Raylenne’s past behavior, it should have been worse.
“Rather than being sickly, you’re seen as delicate… and the reason you don’t attend social gatherings or parties is believed to be because Duke Ergen doesn’t want his precious daughter to be exposed.”
“Really…?”
“Yes, although some are skeptical… most people think that way.”
Interesting.
It seemed Duke Ergen had carefully crafted a positive image for her.
Since she didn’t go out, only the castle’s staff knew Raylenne’s true nature.
As long as the staff kept quiet, Raylenne’s temperament wouldn’t be known outside.
Duke Ergen, quick-witted as he was, had created an image of his daughter being cherished and protected within the household.
‘Impressive in many ways.’
Raylenne sincerely admired Duke Ergen.
Behind the seemingly untouchable ducal family was a desperate effort to avoid any faults.
Though she wished such efforts had been directed toward better causes, she kept that thought to herself.
* * *
After finishing her meal with Janie, Raylenne prepared to go down to the underground prison, taking her robe with her.
‘Tonight, Caverion is supposed to come see Aiden.’
Raylenne needed to meet Aiden beforehand to briefly explain about Caverion’s visit. If she and Caverion suddenly showed up in the underground prison and started asking Aiden, the Crown Prince’s cousin, various questions about Harbian, it would be confusing and uncooperative.
‘If that happens, it will be troublesome for us…’
So, while she knew she had to explain things well to Aiden, Raylenne’s steps were heavy as she descended to the underground prison. She was worried about Aiden’s reaction when she mentioned her engagement.
‘Will he feel betrayed that I hid the fact that a marriage proposal is being discussed?’
But Raylenne had her reasons. The marriage proposal was something she was also informed of suddenly, and she had only met the suitor once. In the meantime, she had been preoccupied with tracking down Helen and the true culprit, so it wasn’t on her mind much.
Raylenne pressed her temples as she entered the underground prison. Haele greeted her, but Raylenne, lost in thought, responded perfunctorily and walked toward Aiden’s cell.
‘Why am I so nervous?’
She imagined Aiden looking at her coldly, saying, “Why are you only telling me this now?” The thought made her legs feel weak. Even though she knew well that Aiden and she were just prisoner and guard and would eventually part ways without hesitation, she couldn’t understand this strange fear she felt.
Creak—
Standing in front of the cell, Raylenne took a deep breath and opened the door.
