Chapter 52.2
Chapter 52.2
“Then perhaps you should refrain from pointless chatter.”
“…I’ll consider it.”
Up close, the two of them looked remarkably alike. They shared an aura of inapproachability, a magnetic presence that drew the eye.
After Ray’s impassive departure, the Crown Prince turned back to us, his expression calm. “Now then, Lady Hazel, I’ve heard about the recent incidents, both the poisoning at the ball and the attack at the manor.” Aven clapped his hands together lightly before continuing, his tone as if the previous exchange with Ray had never happened. “First, I apologize for the danger you were placed in. It was my fault for not preventing Pazl’s schemes.”
How could he have known? The poisoning, especially, had been completely unexpected, even by Haroon. I shook my head. “It’s not your fault, Your Highness. I was simply caught up in unforeseen circumstances.” I added, with a carefully neutral expression, that my encounter with Damian and Bashar at the ball, as well as Pazl’s attack at the tea party, had been entirely accidental.
“Unforeseen circumstances….” Damian murmured beside me. I squeezed his hand, still intertwined with mine, as a subtle warning.
He chuckled softly. “Yes, quite unforeseen.”
That sounded utterly unconvincing. I tightened my grip, though my strength was likely negligible against his. His smile deepened, and he returned the pressure, his grip almost constricting. I bit my lip.
Avoiding the Crown Prince’s gaze, I glanced sideways at Damian, meeting his dark eyes.
‘I’m sorry, did that hurt?’ He mouthed, a gentle smile softening his expression.
I tried to maintain a stern facade, ignoring his playful glint.
‘This isn’t the time to be… ’
‘Playing.’
‘Or saying foolish… ’
‘Things.’ He finished my sentences before I could, clearly enjoying the situation. I frowned in disapproval.
“…You seem close,” the Crown Prince’s quiet observation jolted me back to reality. I realized we were still holding hands, in plain sight. What must he have thought, seeing us exchanging silent messages? Even to me, we looked rather intimate.
‘I didn’t even realize until he pointed it out.’ I bit my lip. Around Damian, I tended to let my guard down, oblivious to how we appeared to others.
“We share a bond beyond words, Your Highness,” Damian replied smoothly, as if anticipating the question. I shook my head rapidly, vehemently denying his statement.
“We’re not that close.” We’d barely known each other. I forced a smile and tried to pull my hand away, but it was as if our palms were glued together.
I glanced at Damian. He grinned, tightening his grip further, fully aware of my attempts to escape.
“Damian?”
“Yes, Amelia?” His voice was instantly attentive, more tender than before.
“I’d like to let go of your hand now. Would you mind?”
“Ah….” He nodded in understanding, finally releasing his grip. Unlike before, my hand slipped free easily. It seemed a direct request was far more effective.
“I thought you might be uncomfortable with me holding your hand so tightly.”
“Of course not.” I smiled sweetly, feigning innocence. “Thank you for your concern.” I added the polite platitude for the Crown Prince’s benefit.
He knew perfectly well that my grip had been a warning, not a sign of discomfort. He was just teasing me. I suddenly regretted telling him I felt his absence. Being with him was distracting.
‘…Focus.’ I told myself firmly, blinking hard. Don’t be swayed by him, don’t pay him any attention. I repeated the mantra internally.
“Regardless, you did save Prince Bashar twice, my lady. Please accept our gratitude.” The Crown Prince’s voice drew my attention back. He looked at both me and Damian. “And that includes you as well.”
“It was an honor.” Damian’s reply was nonchalant. The Crown Prince, seemingly unperturbed by his response, turned to Haroon, who still looked troubled. “Wouldn’t you agree, Prince Haroon?”
“…Yes. Indeed, if it weren’t for you two, Bashar might be dead or seriously injured.” Haroon Kisha, pulled from his thoughts, looked at us, his previously serious expression momentarily crumbling. He quickly composed himself. “So, if there is anything you desire, please do not hesitate to ask.”
“But Your Highness, I…”
“I know you said you didn’t want anything last time, my lady. But I cannot allow such a debt to go unpaid, not after you’ve saved my brother twice.” Haroon Kisha interrupted, reminding me of my previous refusal, effectively preventing me from declining again. “It would ease my mind to offer you both a reward.”
“I agree. For the prince’s sake, please accept our gratitude, my lady.”
Faced with such insistence, I couldn’t refuse. I nodded with a slightly strained smile. “…Then I gratefully accept.”
Both the Crown Prince and Haroon Kisha looked pleased with my answer.
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