Chapter 110

I gave up on rational persuasion.

My words alone couldn’t convince the Ruthius father and son, who firmly believed a nosebleed was a symptom of a grave illness.

“If even that person couldn’t find the cause, what makes you think another healer will be any different? If you’re going to call anyone, call our family doctor.”

This way, at least the Ruthius family wouldn’t get a reputation among healers for being a complete nightmare.

The Ruthius family definitely had a family doctor. Astell had only seen him when she was young, so she wasn’t certain.

‘Honestly, it would be weirder for a ducal house *not* to have a family doctor.’

“What was his name again? Bron? Or was it Baran? Anyway, we have a family doctor in the house, don’t we?”

At the mention of the family doctor, Alex looked at Duke Ruthius. His expression suggested he was hiding something.

“What is it? It looks like there’s something I don’t know.”

I glanced at Duke Ruthius, who elegantly sipped his coffee.

“Brown is on a long-term business trip.”

Ah, right. The Ruthius family’s doctor, Brown Cranbale.

Astell remembered him as a man with a magnificent beard.

“Is that all?”

“For now, that’s all you need to know.”

It was clear Duke Ruthius wasn’t telling me the whole story, but I didn’t press him.

‘He’ll probably tell me when the time is right.’

“Then I’ll get treated by Johan as soon as I get to work, so let’s agree not to call a healer. How does that sound?”

After a moment of thought, Duke Ruthius nodded.

“Alex, you make sure of it.”

“Yes, Father.”

I shrugged and changed the subject.

“Alex, you saw the post on the public forum, right?”

“What post… Ah! That one? Bwahahahaha!”

Recalling the post, Alex burst into laughter.

Duke Ruthius, who had been looking disapprovingly at him as he howled with laughter, soon let out a small chuckle himself. It seemed Alex had told him about it.

“I will now inform you of today’s plan. At noon, I will have an audience with His Majesty to formally protest yesterday’s incident, and I intend to present a dress as a gift for the First Prince.”

“How did you manage to find one in his size?”

“With money.”

So with enough money, you can even get a dress tailored for a man overnight…

“Are you sending it to the Guild?”

“Why bother with such a hassle? If I give it to His Majesty, I’m sure he’ll pass it along.”

Wow, this scary old man…

The Emperor will be puzzled. He’ll wonder why Duke Ruthius is sending a dress to Igrid.

Naturally, he’ll try to figure out what happened.

‘This is going to be interesting.’

Will a man who has cultivated an image of a just and manly knight really let Igrid off the hook?

Even if Igrid tries to claim it’s not true, the Emperor won’t listen.

For him, rumors are more important than the truth.

“And I intend to move the nobles.”

“Are you going to bring up the matter of the Crown Prince directly?”

“I must.”

“Good. The Emperor will have no more reason to postpone it… But you must be discreet.”

“I’ll handle it. Now, shall we talk about last night?”

I straightened my posture and bowed my head.

“I’m sorry.”

Duke Ruthius asked with a bewildered look.

“Are you… apologizing? To me?”

“Yes.”

“…This easily?”

“My fault is clear, isn’t it?”

“I-Is that so?”

The fault lay with me for nearly ruining our revenge by rescuing Dante. But why was he so surprised? Did he think I wouldn’t apologize?

I bowed my head deeply once more.

“I’m sorry. I’ll make sure it never happens again.”

“…Ah, I understand. Ahem!”

Duke Ruthius cleared his throat with a cough.

“While I’m at it, I should go see His Highness. To discuss things.”

“R-Right now?”

Alex shot to his feet, and Duke Ruthius set down his coffee cup with a click.

“I have to go before work. Alex, you go on ahead. Contact Guild Master Semoy and tell him to meet us at the Guardian.”

“What? I’m waiting for you here! I’m going to work with you!”

“…You are?”

“So hurry back! I hate waiting more than anything in the world!”

“…You could just go to work first.”

“I said no! I’ll die before I go without you!”

*Stomp, stomp!*

The muscular giant, well over 195 centimeters tall, stomped his feet.

Like a child throwing a tantrum for a toy.

‘At least a child would be cute. That… Ugh, it’s hideous.’

I don’t know why he’s so worked up. Does he really want to go to work with me that badly?

“Fine! Stop trying to act cute, you’re making me sick!”

“Hurry back! Just see the Second Prince and come right back! Don’t dawdle, come straight back! Got it?”

“Ha, you talk too much. I got it!”

I shuddered as I left the drawing room. Zenia followed behind me, her face holding back a laugh.

“I’ve never seen the Young Duke act like that. He must not like you meeting with the Second Prince.”

“What are you talking about?”

“He kept rushing you to come back quickly. It’s just how older brothers are; they dislike any man who gets close to their younger sister.”

Ah… so that’s what it was?

“Where did he even learn to play the overprotective brother… Tsk, tsk.”

Zenia stared at me for a moment, then smiled gently.

“My lady, you seem to have changed a little.”

“How so?”

“In the past, you would have scolded me for pointing something like that out… But you don’t say things like that anymore. You must be in a good mood, right?”

“No, I’m in a foul mood. I saw something I shouldn’t have.”

“And yet, your ears have turned red.”

“…”

Why in the world do my ears keep turning red? I have no idea.

Without answering, I boarded the carriage in front of the main estate.

The carriage arrived at one of the guesthouses.

“My lady, I’ll get out first to hold your dress.”

“Don’t bother.”

“But it’s raining outside. Your dress will get soaked.”

“I can just change. You stay here so you don’t get wet.”

I left Zenia and stepped out of the carriage. The drizzling rain dampened my hair.

Inside the guesthouse, it was pleasantly comfortable, a stark contrast to the humid air outside.

‘Are they using magic to maintain the humidity and temperature?’

To think they’d cast temperature-regulating magic on a guesthouse that’s used maybe once a year.

And that wasn’t all. Even the smallest trinkets were luxurious.

It was smaller in scale, but the building was hardly inferior to the main estate.

As expected of the Ruthius family. A house truly dedicated to extravagant spending.

‘Just thinking about it pisses me off again…’

To think Astell lived in a rundown annex when this family was so wealthy.

Of course, it was all part of Duke Ruthius’s grand scheme to deceive everyone, but that didn’t make it any less infuriating.

I shook out my damp hair and headed for the main bedroom.

‘Huh?’

In front of the bedroom, the breakfast tray Zenia had brought was empty.

‘He’s already awake? He must have been exhausted, but he’s an early riser…’

Thinking about yesterday’s events made my heart feel a little heavy. I wondered how much pain he must have been in all this time.

‘Why did he stay in the Imperial Palace? If it were me, I would have run away long ago… It’s not like he has any lingering attachment to the throne, nor does he lack the power to escape.’

I shook my head.

Then, I tiptoed over and quietly opened the bedroom door.

‘Hm? He’s not here?’

The bedroom was empty.

I gently touched the rumpled sheets on the bed.

‘It’s warm.’

It seems he hasn’t been up for long. Where could he have gone? Surely he didn’t go back to the Imperial Palace?

“He wouldn’t be that foolish…”

“Who wouldn’t?”

“…!”

A low voice resonated by my ear.

‘How could I not have noticed him when he was this close?’

I spun around in shock, and the back of my knee hit the mattress.

Normally, I would have grabbed the person in front of me to steady myself, but this time, I couldn’t.

‘Gasp! He’s only wearing a towel!’

My eyes were fixed on a droplet of water trickling from his long, straight collarbone down his broad, firm chest.

‘…’

It’s just a bed. I won’t crack my head open falling on it, right?

I gave up trying to regain my balance and let myself fall backward.

“Princess?”

But Dante did something I hadn’t asked for. He wrapped an arm around my waist and caught me.

A refreshing scent washed over me as our bodies pressed together. The dampness from his skin seeped into my dress.

“…”

“…”

Dante, who seemed momentarily flustered, let his eyes curve into a seductive smile.

“Did you take a shower? Your hair is wet.”

To exude such a decadent charm this early in the morning. He really wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

“It’s from the rain.”

“…”

“I have something to discuss with you, so could you please let go of my waist?”

“I’m fine just like this, though.”

“Well, I’m not. Let go before I undo that thing.”

“That thing?”

“The towel loosely wrapped around Your Highness’s waist. I’m telling you to let go before I rip it off.”

“…Don’t people usually worry that the towel might come off?”

“I’m Astell. The Mad Princess who might just snatch Your Highness’s towel and chase you out naked. It seems you’ve forgotten. Shall I remind you?”

“…”

Dante burst out laughing. He pressed his forehead against my shoulder, chuckling, before finally letting me go.

What a relief. If he’d been a second later, my fist would have been buried in his solar plexus.

After laughing for a while, Dante sat languidly on the edge of the bed.

The towel shifted precariously, revealing his perfect abs and obliques.

“Either put on some clothes or just take it off. It’s distracting and annoying, wondering if it’s going to fall.”

“Pfft… Can’t have my darling getting annoyed. I’ll go get changed.”

‘Why does he laugh at everything I say?’

I stared blankly at Dante as he walked toward the dressing room, then my expression hardened.

“Wait!”

I rushed over, grabbed Dante’s arm, and examined his back. I hadn’t seen wrong.

“…Your back…”

The countless scars that had been etched onto his back had vanished without a trace.