Chapter 138
As Prince Camus was having these thoughts, he heard the following words.
“The Saintess’s real name was never Sarubia.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Think about it, Your Highness. Who in the world would give a blonde girl the name of a bright red flower?”
“Hmm.”
It was a reasonable point. Prince Camus had also felt that something was strange. Sarubia was indeed a name for a crimson flower, which did not suit a Saintess with pale blonde hair at all. It was like naming a crow with black feathers ‘Snowbird’—a completely mismatched name.
Roned, observing Prince Camus’s expression, spoke confidently.
“Her name is Primrose.”
“Primrose?”
“Yes, the Saintess’s real name is not Sarubia but Primrose.”
Prince Camus narrowed his eyes.
“Then why is the Saintess using the name ‘Sarubia’ instead of the ‘Primrose’ you mentioned?”
“As I said, the Saintess has been independent since she was young. She chose to abandon her old name and take on a new one to signify her resolve to carve out a new life.”
“Hah.”
A plausible excuse.
It was a glib answer coated in sugar. No matter how independent one might be, how could one abandon the name given by their parents? Was this man telling the truth?
“Your Highness, I know the Saintess’s old name.”
“And?”
“I know all about her past.”
Step. Roned took a step toward Prince Camus.
The guards behind the prince placed their hands on their sword hilts, showing fierce expressions. Prince Camus signaled the guards to stand down.
“Continue, Roned.”
“I know that Your Highness wishes to bring the Saintess to your side.”
Roned smiled broadly.
“Use me. I will make the Saintess yours, Your Highness.”
—Make the Saintess yours, Your Highness.
The moment he made this declaration, the faces of everyone in the room turned cold. No one dared to make a sound. Did this man understand the gravity of his words?
“Hahaha!”
Prince Camus couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
How refreshing. There had never been someone who could so instantly see through his purpose and mutual interests.
Looking at this man, he finally understood what had felt off about him.
A deal.
This man, this insignificant commoner named Roned, had dared to come to make a deal with a prince.
Prince Camus took a long time to stop laughing.
Fine. Whether Roned was truly Saintess Sarubia’s brother or not, the truth of that didn’t matter. What mattered was the final result.
If this man named Roned could make the Saintess his, then all risks were worth taking.
Prince Camus’s eyes gleamed.
“Roned, what is it that you want?”
“What else could a lowly commoner desire, Your Highness?”
A clear, spotless smile spread across Roned’s face.
“Simple wealth and honor that someone like me could never obtain in a lifetime. I ask for nothing more.”
“Good. But be sure to take responsibility for the words your tongue has uttered.”
Prince Camus cast a sharp gaze.
“I will make the Saintess mine. If things don’t go as planned, I will cut out your tongue and feed it to the dogs.”
“You need not worry at all.”
Despite the prince’s threat, Roned remained unshaken.
“I, Roned, will present Primrose… that is, the Saintess, to Prince Camus.”
Only a calm smile lingered on Roned’s face.
***
It was a night just before winter. The chilly air made the stars in the sky appear even more pale. Starlight slipped in through the slightly open curtain by the window.
The light that silently seeped into the room settled over the sleeping Sarubia on the bed.
“….”
Rufus quietly watched the sleeping Sarubia.
She was lovely.
He liked her face as she slept, immersed in happiness. He liked the habitual smile hanging on her lips. Just by looking at her, he could forget all the world’s corruption and decay.
Rufus silently watched the softly breathing Sarubia for a long time.
He wanted to lie down and embrace her. He wanted to share sweet dreams under the warm blankets with her. But he couldn’t.
He still had things to do.
Until he achieved his self-imposed goal, he couldn’t allow himself to sleep.
“….”
Rufus rose from his seat and quietly closed the door so as not to wake Sarubia.
Bright lamps hung on either side of the hallway carpeted in red. Even at this late hour, when everyone else was asleep, Prince Tarek’s palace was as bright as day. While even the king was deeply asleep, Prince Tarek’s palace was more active than ever.
The reason behind this was simple.
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