R4STWH - Chapter 102
Chapter 102
His identity was Elias Lakdel Tenaclad, the husband of the terrifying woman she had just parted ways with.
"So you're the Second Imperial Princess."
The man who had been intently studying Rosine's face finally nodded.
"It's been a while, Your Highness. What a place to meet."
"Duke Tenaclad...! How did you..."
"I had something to ask Your Highness about."
The man, who had become even more handsome than half a year ago, looked down at her intently and asked,
"What did you discuss with my wife?"
The moment he asked, the deep, dark emotion in his eyes seemed to threateningly grip Rosine's heart. It felt like he would casually crush it if she didn't tell the truth.
"I-I'll tell you!"
While Ilesha was frightening, this man was equally terrifying. For now... for now, shouldn't she focus on staying alive?
On one hand, she had a feeling that even if the contents of her conversation with Ilesha reached this man's ears, that woman wouldn't come to kill her.
So Rosine honestly revealed everything. From the moment Ilesha entered the carriage until she left.
"I see."
While his expression seemed unchanged at first glance, Rosine could notice it. The satisfaction that now showed on the man's face, which had seemed anxious when he first followed her in.
The man took a leisurely step back, like a satisfied predator.
"It would be best to forget about today's events. Both about me and about my wife."
Rosine quickly nodded.
"Of course."
She had no intention of mentioning it to anyone, even if asked. Not until the day she died and was laid in her grave.
"I hope that resolve doesn't change. Then, I'll take my leave. Please return safely."
After giving his farewell, the man turned and left without hesitation.
"..."
Even after the door had opened and closed, Rosine stood there blankly for a long while.
'This couple... what are they exactly...?'
They clearly loved each other very much, but the degree was so extreme that they seemed like mad people.
No matter how coveted the position of Tenaclad's lady might be, if such obsession were directed at oneself, one would want to run away within a day.
Yet thinking back to Ilesha whom she had just met, wouldn't she rather be delighted and happy about it?
'...Whether it's this side or that side, I better stay far away.'
After a brief shudder, Rosine quickly walked inside like she was fleeing. Considering it her life's greatest fortune to have safely survived between these bombs that could explode if touched wrong.
It was none other than the Saintess who suggested directly confronting the Second Imperial Princess.
She convinced me that with the Amern Order's power, tracking the Second Princess's movements wouldn't be difficult. She seemed quite afraid that I might use the Second Princess as an excuse to sweep away the Imperial family.
However, more problematic than locating the Second Princess, who spent most of her days cooped up in the Imperial Palace, was whether I could meet her without Elias knowing.
I was worried that if we went together, Elias might feel the pull of fate upon seeing the Second Princess.
Fortunately, this part was roughly resolved thanks to the Saintess's quick thinking.
"Since you're in the Imperial Capital, you must go shopping!"
Of course, Elias followed us, but,
"This is a lingerie shop that only allows female customers. Duke, you'll have to wait in the carriage."
"I'll buy lots of pretty things, Elias."
"...Alright."
That's how we managed to shake him off and visit the Second Princess.
In conclusion, it seemed like a good decision.
Rather than living each day in tension, worried about when Elias's Pair might suddenly appear, it was cleaner to meet her face-to-face and gauge her intentions.
'That woman didn't seem like she would love and cherish Elias as much as I do.'
Confirming this made me feel relieved.
I became confident that I could make him happier than his Pair could.
'I could even offer up the Empire for Elias's sake. Unlike that woman who only aims for the position of Tenaclad's lady.'
Perhaps this was all self-consolation, but what did it matter? This was surely God's providence!
Jumping from rooftop to rooftop through the busy shopping district like stepping stones, I landed in a narrow alley where a familiar blue door came into view.
'I hope I'm not late?'
I was secretly worried that Elias might have barged into the lingerie shop if he got tired of waiting.
Whether it was women-only or whatever, our Elias didn't seem like he would care about such things. Honestly, if it were me, I would have sneaked even into a men's bathroom if he hadn't come out for so long.
When I opened the door and went inside, the Saintess, who had been pacing anxiously, welcomed me.
"Lady Ilesha! Nothing went wrong, right?"
"Of course not. I just briefly saw her face and left."
"Thank goodness..."
"How about here? Was everything alright?"
"Yes. I was worried... but fortunately, it seems he's waiting well in the carriage."
After patting the shoulders of the Saintess, who must have had quite a hard time, I walked inside to find tall stacks of boxes.
"We've packaged all the items you ordered. Would you like them delivered to the temple?"
"Yes, please do that."
A carriage approached us as we came out with just three or four boxes that were set aside to show.
It was a plain brown carriage with no crest marked on it, neither from the Amern Order nor any other family.
Soon the door opened from inside, and Elias welcomed us.
"Welcome back."
I had been quite nervous, but fortunately, Elias's expression wasn't too bad.
When the Saintess and I boarded the carriage, Elias took my hand and drew me to his side. After I obediently sat beside him and put the boxes down on the floor, his gentle voice reached my ears.
"Did you find what you wanted?"
I hadn't actually seen what was in the boxes since I only had measurements taken before leaving. Still...
"Yes, they had many pretty things."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Since I had asked the Saintess to choose modest items, there shouldn't be any particular problems.
"Weren't you bored waiting?"
"Not really. I was just a bit curious."
"About what?"
"About what you wanted."
I looked up at Elias as he said this.
Looking into his blue eyes filled with affection for me, a spot in my chest stung. It was the place where conscience had been particularly noticeable lately.
'I'm sorry for deceiving you, Elias...'
I didn't want to lie if possible, but how could I tell him? That I had met and threatened his real Pair?
As the pain in my conscience grew stronger and I lowered my gaze from his gentle eyes, he carefully caressed my eye line. Yet he didn't ask me why I was acting this way.
Perhaps he was holding back because of the Saintess's presence.
'For now, I should stay by Elias's side tonight. Let's postpone meeting Ermitar until tomorrow.'
I didn't want to deceive Elias twice in one day.
It also seemed safer to wait for Baeksa to bring more information.
When we safely achieved our goal and arrived at the temple, it was late afternoon.
There were two letters from Baeksa for situation updates.
"Thanks to Sir Crow's efforts, the First Princess's mood, which was at its worst until this morning, is gradually improving. Overhearing her muttering, it seems she's feeling the urge to kill the First Prince."
Elias read the letter aloud with an expressionless face.
"The First Prince has sent a letter notifying of his visit to Tenaclad. According to what was reported to the Emperor, he will depart early tomorrow morning."
'Zero is leaving the palace?'
This was unexpected good news.
CODE NO.0.
There was a reason why that guy, who wasn't even from the research facility, was assigned a code number.
Among the children born around the same time as me, Zero had the most outstanding qualities.
In exchange for receiving the world's unreserved support, he regularly visited the research facility for examinations and provided samples.
Then, through various experiments, he was implanted with abilities that were more perfectly modified.
In conclusion, some of the abilities I possessed originated from Zero, and some of the abilities implanted in Zero originated from me.
Naturally, Zero and I thoroughly understood each other's abilities.
So there couldn't be anything better than being able to investigate the First Prince's palace without the risk of encountering him.
'Of course, that's assuming this isn't false information.'
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