Chapter 69
Lavita’s lips trembled several times before she continued.
“He’s someone who can create different personas so well that it’s hard to distinguish which one is real.”
He was two-faced. In fact, this aspect had already been confirmed by Raylenne’s own experience with Crown Prince Harbian and the testimonies of others. But at this point, she was curious. What was his true face like?
“After spending the night together, Crown Prince Harbian disappeared before dawn. And the next time we met, he looked at me as if seeing a stranger.”
Lavita clenched her fists. Her already pale hands turned even whiter as the blood drained from them.
“I… I can’t forget those cold eyes. I still gathered the courage to speak to him, but His Highness simply told me to forget him, without saying anything else.”
“Forget him…?”
“When I said I couldn’t do that, Crown Prince Harbian…”
The Crown Prince…?
Raylenne waited tensely for Lavita’s next words.
“He drew his sword and cut his own neck, injuring himself.”
Raylenne’s eyes widened.
‘He harmed himself…?’
“He said if I came looking for him again, I would be the one responsible for that wound.”
This was a threat beyond imagination. Instead of harming others, he inflicted injury on himself to frame someone else as the perpetrator.
Recalling Lavita’s words, Raylenne shook her head vigorously.
‘He’s much crazier than I thought…’
Although the idea of confronting such a Crown Prince Harbian was quite nerve-wracking, she had to do it. For her own sake, for Lavita’s sake, and…
‘For David’s sake too!’
She had to succeed.
Raylenne clenched her fists tightly.
At that moment, Aiden, who had been observing Raylenne’s various expressions, spoke up.
“I’m not particularly worried.”
When Raylenne tilted her head quizzically, Aiden calmly said,
“I believe you’ll handle it well, Lady Raylenne.”
Though it was a dry encouragement, it felt incredibly supportive.
“Even if the negotiations with Harbian don’t go well, there’s no need to worry too much.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I’ll take care of it then.”
Aiden’s eyes seemed to flash dangerously for a moment.
“How could you…?”
Aiden was currently imprisoned in the underground dungeon. He had once broken the chain of his shackles, but that was only possible because Haele had left the cell door open.
However, Aiden answered lightly, his thoughts unclear.
“I’m not sure. But somehow… I feel like it would be possible if a situation arises where Lady Raylenne has to marry Harbian.”
* * *
As Raylenne returned to her room, she mulled over Aiden’s words. ‘He says it would be possible if I were in a situation where I had to marry Harbian.’
Rationally, what Aiden said was nonsense, but recalling his serious expression, it didn’t seem like a joke. He wasn’t the type to make such jokes either.
‘What a strange fellow…’
Back in her room, Raylenne pondered how best to meet Harbian. Should she go to the imperial palace first? Or should she summon him here?
Just then, Janie knocked and entered the room. Raylenne cleared her thoughts and looked at Janie.
“What is it?”
“Duke Ergen summoned you earlier. He said to come to his office as soon as you return from the underground prison.”
“Father did…?”
“Yes. He didn’t mention the reason.”
As always, Duke Ergen summoned her abruptly. There was no hint as to why he was calling her.
‘How rude, as usual.’ Even if she was his child, she was a proper adult now.
Thinking it futile to complain, Raylenne silently took off her robe and headed to Duke Ergen’s office.
Upon entering the office, she saw Duke Ergen reading something. Although he must have known she had arrived, he didn’t acknowledge her, so Raylenne spoke first.
“Father, you called for me?”
Only then did Duke Ergen look up from his letter. He gestured to the sofa in front of him.
“Sit here.”
As Raylenne sat on the sofa, Duke Ergen rose from his desk chair and sat in the chair opposite her.
Raylenne knew that whenever Duke Ergen called her, it usually meant bad news.
‘It’s not like we see each other often anyway.’
Today, she had a bad feeling again. She worried about what nonsense he would spout with that neat face of his.
“As I mentioned before, your marriage talks were postponed due to the recent commotion in the imperial family.”
When Duke Ergen mentioned the marriage, Raylenne, who was planning a massive operation behind the scenes, felt a twinge of anxiety.
‘Has he noticed something…?’
But Duke Ergen’s expression remained impassive. Raylenne knew that her father had a short temper and his jaw would tighten when he was angry. Right now, he looked a bit tired, but otherwise normal.
“However, we’ll resume the marriage talks soon. His Majesty must have read the situation by now.”
Though she wasn’t sure exactly what he meant, it seemed that Duke Ergen had pressured the Emperor to proceed with the marriage.
“To think that old man would get distracted at a time like this.”
Duke Ergen sneered coldly.
‘The old man must be referring to the Emperor… but what’s going on?’
Raylenne knew from Janie that there was a rift between the Emperor and the Crown Prince. But knowing more details could help when she faced Harbian soon.
Feigning curiosity, Raylenne asked, “Did His Majesty the Emperor suggest calling off the marriage?”
Duke Ergen shot a glance at Raylenne. After staring at her silently for a moment, he rubbed his brow and answered.
“You’ll soon be part of the imperial family, so it wouldn’t hurt for you to know in advance.”
Duke Ergen sighed and slowly began to speak.
“The Emperor is trying to check the Crown Prince’s power. That’s why he opposed your marriage.”
Raylenne focused on Duke Ergen’s words.
“So the Emperor was swaying the nobility’s opinion by suggesting his younger brother as the next imperial candidate, instead of his son Harbian.”
So that’s what happened. Thinking she had asked the right question, Raylenne inquired further.
“So… has that matter been resolved?”
“You needn’t worry. I threatened the Emperor that I wouldn’t stand idly by if he tried to call off this marriage.”
So this was the reason for the sudden resumption of marriage talks. When the Emperor’s brother was mentioned as a potential successor instead of Crown Prince Harbian, Duke Ergen must have pushed the Emperor to proceed with the marriage.
After all, it would benefit him if Harbian became the next Emperor. That was the reason for forcing this marriage in the first place.
“Once you have the engagement ceremony, Harbian will undoubtedly become the next Emperor. No one will be able to ignore the union between the imperial family and the House of Ergen.”
This would complete the picture that Harbian and Duke Ergen had been painting.
Raylenne realized once again how crucial it was to disrupt this marriage.
“Raylenne, I hear His Highness the Crown Prince is coming to the ducal mansion tomorrow. He said he wanted to spend some time talking with you, so stay in your room in the morning and don’t go anywhere.”
So this was the reason he had called her.
However, for once, Raylenne was pleased with the reason Duke Ergen had summoned her. She needed to create an opportunity to speak with the Crown Prince alone, and here he was, coming to her.
‘This works out well.’
Smiling like an obedient daughter, Raylenne replied, “I understand, Father.”
* * *
The next day.
Knock knock—
“My lady, your guest has arrived in the reception room.”
As soon as the maid announced this, Raylenne rose from her chair.
Raylenne, who had taken great care with her appearance, looked as beautiful as a spring flower, but her expression resembled that of a knight heading into battle.
“Very well, I’ll go to the reception room.”
Steeling herself, Raylenne descended the stairs. After knocking, she carefully opened the door.
Inside, Crown Prince Harbian sat impeccably dressed.
Elegantly sipping tea in a white shirt, Harbian still appeared to be an incredibly kind person.
Upon noticing Raylenne, Harbian stood and approached her.
“Lady Raylenne, you’ve arrived.”
Harbian greeted her by pulling her hand towards him and kissing the back of it.
“It’s a pleasure to see you, Your Highness.”
Raylenne greeted him politely.
For now, she needed to be cautious and observe her opponent.
Harbian flashed a charming smile and said to Raylenne,
“It’s even more delightful to see you after so long. You look healthier than before, which is wonderful to see.”
“Thank you. Your Highness looks as handsome as ever.”
Raylenne returned the compliment appropriately and gestured towards the chairs in the reception room.
“Shall we sit and talk at leisure?”
“Certainly.”
The seats Raylenne and Harbian took were bathed in soft sunlight.
“How have you been, Lady Raylenne?”
“I’ve been well. I’ve recovered my health, attended social gatherings, and kept busy helping with family affairs.”
“That’s good news.”
Harbian smiled gently, reminiscent of warm tea.
Raylenne continued with casual conversation for a while, as if exploring Harbian.
Harbian was the type to respond well even to trivial remarks.
Moreover, he always answered positively and kindly, making anyone feel charmed by the conversation.
It was no wonder that Lavita had been deceived by Harbian’s other side, given how likable this persona was.
While the atmosphere appeared peaceful on the surface, Raylenne was thinking something else internally.
‘Should I start bringing it up now?’
Raylenne, who had been slowly savoring her tea, leisurely opened her mouth.
“By the way, I heard an interesting story about Your Highness at a social gathering.”
Harbian set down the teacup he was holding on the table.
Unable to predict the bombshell Raylenne was about to drop, Harbian still maintained his gentle expression.
“What kind of interesting story might that be?”
Raylenne put down her teacup. The small sound of the cup meeting its saucer echoed through the room.
“I heard that Your Highness has a child.”
For a moment, a chilling silence filled the space between them.
Harbian neither looked flustered nor frowned. He paused briefly but soon regained his relaxed smile.
“You’ve indeed heard an interesting tale. I don’t know who’s spreading such slander about me, but it has nothing to do with me.”
How could he answer so calmly? Inwardly, Raylenne had expected to see Harbian’s face contort.
Raylenne continued quietly.
“Your Highness, I too thought it was an absurd story, but the evidence was so clear that I had no choice but to believe it.”
At last, Harbian’s eyes hardened slightly.
“May I ask what this evidence might be?”
As if she had been waiting for this question, Raylenne snapped her fingers.
With that, there was a knock from outside, and a middle-aged woman entered carrying a child.
Raylenne removed the hat that had been pulled low to cover the child’s face. Under the light, golden hair as bright as sunshine and reddish-gold eyes sparkled.
Seeing David, Harbian’s expression turned cold for the first time.
