Chapter 1 Part 3
“His Highness is waiting.”
The butler opening the firmly closed reception room door quietly informed me of the situation inside.
Apparently, Abel had somehow safely made it to the reception room during that brief moment while I was arguing with Fergio.
When the door opened, there sat Crown Prince Abel in the center of the reception room, elegantly sipping tea on the red velvet sofa.
I couldn’t help but laugh at his brazen composure, showing no signs of having just fought magical beasts.
“You’re late.”
Next to him lay a sharp silver magic sword, conspicuously covered in the black blood of magical beasts.
“I wondered what fearless cat dared to kill my children… so it was you, Abel.”
“Still pretending not to know while knowing everything. Sit down, Rosiel. We have a lot to talk about, don’t we?”
Under his snow-white hair, his purple eyes tinged with red glinted ominously.
Due to our social status, Abel and I had grown up practically together, often meeting at parties and such since childhood.
Although we were now in a loveless engagement for our own purposes, we were as close as childhood friends.
We, who knew each other better than anyone else, quickly met eyes and assessed each other’s intentions.
What was he thinking, coming here alone? He doesn’t seem… injured though.
“How unfortunate. I don’t have anything to discuss with you. But since your courage to come to Laté alone is admirable, I’ll at least talk with you.”
“It would be troublesome if you think everything in the world will go your way. Engagement as you please, breaking it off as you please. Are you mocking the Imperial family?”
Despite his sharp tone and words, Abel maintained his composure.
Just like a proper male lead, his poker face control is impeccable. It’s almost amazing.
I approached him with a languid smile, drawing closer.
“So…”
As I bent down to meet his eye level, I filled his beautiful purple eyes completely.
“Are you angry? Because I notified you of the engagement termination without warning?”
Provocatively meeting the eyes of the Empire’s Crown Prince like this—it was a bold and rude action that no noble lady would dare attempt.
Abel’s lips curved up gently at both ends as he watched me quietly.
Then I felt his hot touch pulling my waist toward him.
“You shouldn’t say it like that…”
“But sneaking into someone’s house like a rat in the middle of the night is fine?”
Abel’s breath was close enough to touch my cheek.
But strangely, there wasn’t any sexual tension in the atmosphere at all.
We must be the only two people in the world who could be this physically close in an enclosed space at night and feel nothing…
“Rosiel, whatever you’re plotting, you’d better not think I’ll let you go easily.”
Abel’s intense possessiveness toward me vibrated rather seductively.
Hmm… what’s this unfamiliar obsession? This wasn’t here before.
“Oh dear, that might be difficult.”
Looking down at Abel who was holding my waist, I smiled softly and pushed him away.
“What do you mean?”
Abel’s deep purple eyes followed me intently with every move I made.
Beyond those deep amethyst eyes that concealed his thoughts, my leisurely smiling reflection was visible.
Abel wouldn’t know that I had also submitted divorce papers to the Grand Temple, and that by now, the divorce approval would have been granted by Feros, who earnestly desires our separation.
“We’re already over. Fortunately, the Grand Temple is quite efficient with paperwork.”
Sitting on the opposite sofa after freeing myself from him, I answered his question while maintaining the calmest expression possible.
Simultaneously, I pulled out the divorce application confirmation document from my sleeve and waved it in front of Abel’s eyes.
“That’s interesting. I don’t recall agreeing to the termination.”
“…No matter what you say, it doesn’t change the fact that we’re over.”
Abel’s expression remained as serene as before.
Watching his strangely composed demeanor started to give me an unpleasant sense of dissonance.
“Forging imperial documents is a serious crime. Impersonating my seal as Crown Prince is punishable by death.”
This time, Abel stood up and approached me.
“It seems my fiancée doesn’t understand imperial law very well… Shall I teach you?”
With a gentle smile, he perched lightly on the table in front of me.
We met eyes again at a distance where we could clearly feel each other’s breath.
“What are you going to do, throw me in prison?”
“Let me be clear, Rosiel. The termination is void. You cannot end this engagement.”
Abel’s face was relaxed, as if he had known everything all along as he firmly stated the outcome.
…Why did Abel’s attitude suddenly change?
In my past life, and the life before that, it was always Abel who wanted to break off the engagement first.
Though it’s a bit earlier than in the original story, breaking it off now shouldn’t be such a controversial issue.
“You never know. It might end soon.”
When I snickered and whispered softly, Abel’s eyes curved like crescents. At that moment, I had an unpleasant confirmation of the dissonance I felt earlier.
“We’ll have to expedite the royal marriage.”
This confirmed it.
My divorce application submitted to the Grand Temple was rejected. And Abel came to inform me of this.
Just like how I had notified him of the termination by letter.
The Temple’s affairs should be checked by Feros first, but for the imperial family to grasp the situation first… The imperial influence is stronger than I thought. Tsk.
“I’ll send an invitation to the Flore Party soon. The imperial family will send a carriage, so I do hope you’ll attend.”
“Unfortunately, I have no intention of setting foot in a party hosted by the Grand Temple.”
“Due to your divorce papers sent to the Grand Temple, there’s talk at House Feros. You need to take responsibility for that. As the ducal lady of ‘Laté.'”
“Are you telling me to explain myself to Feros?”
Abel, who had already prepared to leave as if his business was done, placed a kiss on the back of my hand while giving a languid smile at my sharp question.
“Not an explanation, but a ‘correction.’ That our relationship is still passionate.”
I never thought Abel would actually refuse the engagement termination… Is he really planning to marry me?
“I thought we’d both gotten what we wanted, so what’s your reason? You don’t even really like me.”
“What are you saying, Rosi.”
Suddenly, Abel’s lips drew very close.
When I closed my eyes in surprise, something soft and smooth briefly brushed my forehead.
…What’s with this random forehead kiss that only lovers would do?
“W-what are you doing…!”
As I hurriedly put my hand to my forehead, Abel answered simply with a teasing smile.
“I’ll be honest. You’ve become interesting.”
“What do you…”
“You, who are used to seducing others, trying to run away from me.”
“Don’t say nonsense. When did I ever run away?”
Are you saying my divorce papers stimulated Abel? His attitude changed this much just because of that?
“You know what, Rosi? You’ve never once asked me for anything. So sometimes I wondered what you wanted…”
After a brief pause, Abel continued with a grin.
“Who knew your first wish would be divorce? It was such an unexpected choice that I don’t want to grant it.”
…Huh? What did I just hear?
It’s not for any particular reason, but simply because he doesn’t want to…?
Wait a minute, I knew Abel wasn’t just a compliant character, but he wasn’t this bad!
“You… really have a nasty personality.”
This was truly a statement from the depths of my sincerity.
“Rosi, I don’t think you’re one to talk…”
As Abel headed toward the door while smoothly countering my words, he suddenly turned toward me.
“Ah, and at this Flore Party, the Cardinal’s blessing is scheduled.”
At his words, casually added as if he’d just remembered, I slightly furrowed my brow.
“…The Cardinal is coming?”
The Cardinal is coming… high-ranking officials rarely make public appearances, so they’re extremely difficult to meet.
Perhaps the masked man from the temple who predicted my death could be the Cardinal.
This is a perfect opportunity to confirm his identity. I have no choice but to attend.
“Yes. It’s the first time a high-ranking temple official is personally attending, so think of it as a casual visit.”
“Fine. I’ll attend. But this will be the first and last time.”
“That’s not bad either. Having both your first and last be mine.”
Abel finished with an unfamiliarly gentle smile and headed for the door, following the butler who announced it was time to leave.
Just… just what wind has blown to make him choose only such embarrassing things to say!
Confused by his behavior that was so different from the Abel in the original story, I could only stand there blankly, glaring at the back of his head as he left.
Ah… I had forgotten for a moment because all the people of House Laté are crazy.
“Abel, are you insane?”
“Well… maybe I am.”
That even Abel, the male lead, was just as much of an outwardly gentle but inwardly intense psycho as the Latés…
