Chapter 35
Seikan’s smooth brow furrowed.
“If the Duke hadn’t called Adelina’s name at the victory celebration, none of this would have happened. She held me close, saying I was the one, and I felt so secure. Now I’ve been discarded. Where do I go to get my heart mended?”
“Adelina wouldn’t discard you, Your Highness. She…”
“Well, I suppose you can’t discard something you never possessed.” Hestia sneered, her gaze sharp and sardonic. “Don’t look so troubled. I called you here to deliver good news. That expression makes it seem like I’m causing you grief.”
“Thank you for the news regarding my family’s elevation to a Dukedom.”
“A paltry reward for a hero. Truthfully, you deserve a Grand Dukedom. It’s a shame the Marquisate intended for Helion Ziek and the Viscounty for Reynard Mason are even less.”
“It’s more than sufficient. They’ll both consider it an honor.”
“Is that so? If they consider it such an honor, then I’ll bestow upon Seikan Perdian, the Young Duke, the honor of escorting me at the Imperial victory banquet. Actually, that was my true purpose in summoning you today.”
Seikan’s eyes widened at the unexpected request. He hesitated, tracing the rim of his teacup before speaking. “Your Highness, I apologize, but I believe someone else would be a more suitable partner for you that day…”
“Are you refusing me? Because you don’t want to hold the hand of any woman other than Adelina?”
“….”
“You’re so tedious. And it’s not as if I’m making this offer out of any fondness for you.”
He hadn’t thought she was. As he looked at her questioningly, Hestia provided the answer.
“Did something happen between you and my brother? He says you’re the most fitting partner for me, but I suspect there’s more to it.”
“.…”
“Something significant must have transpired. Though, of course, something has been going on for ten years now. A fierce, unspoken battle of emotions that only that fool remains oblivious to.”
Seikan, weary, watched Hestia’s amusement. He reiterated his refusal. “Your Highness, as this is an Imperial celebration of victory, I believe it more fitting to attend alone. Just as you hold no particular affection for me, I feel the same.”
“Oh my. You were aware of that? I assumed you weren’t. That fool Adelina thinks you’re enamored with me.”
“Well… Adelina is innocent.”
Hestia burst into laughter at Seikan’s hesitant words. It was a bright, bell-like sound. After a long moment of genuine mirth, she looked at him, a lingering smile on her face. “Yes, she is innocent. If you spend time with her, she assumes you’re interested. If you praise someone, she thinks you’re in love with them. She seems astute, but underneath it all, she’s so childishly naive.”
Seikan agreed. Adelina was intelligent, but when it came to romantic relationships, her approach was remarkably simple and naive.
“And the fact that she never considers anyone might be fond of her is just adorable, isn’t it?”
Adorable. Utterly adorable. Sometimes, so adorable he wanted to devour her whole.
Seikan lowered his gaze, suppressing the destructive urge that surged within him. That adorable Adelina had now fled.
Reynard, who had more freedom of movement than he or Helion, had gone after her. Although Reynard had sent a message indicating Adelina’s location, Seikan’s heart remained restless. He trusted Reynard implicitly as a knight and a comrade. But could he trust him as a rival for Adelina’s affections?
‘Even I, if I could, would lock Adelina away where no one could find her…’
“So,” Hestia’s voice sliced through the darkening edges of Seikan’s thoughts. “What did you do to that innocent Adelina, Perdian, the Young Duke?”
The sharp accusation glued his lips shut. Hestia’s eyes were cold, like a venomous snake. When Seikan remained silent, she lifted her chin. “I see. I wondered why my brother suddenly went mad and forced himself on Adelina. You’re the problem.”
At her attempt to shift all blame onto him, Seikan forgot his courtesy and looked directly at the princess. Claiming any moral high ground was pointless. However, at least he had offered Adelina a choice, even if a constrained one.
But what had the Crown Prince done? He had taken Adelina, already distressed by their first encounter and weakened by blood loss, and brutally violated her. And now, he was trying to push Seikan onto the princess.
“…His Highness is a born politician.”
“You have a rather elegant way of saying he’s skilled at manipulation. Perhaps you’re not entirely devoid of political talent yourself.”
“It’s premature to call me Duke. I’d prefer you use that weighty title after the official elevation.”
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