Chapter 65.2
“I don’t see that fellow who’s always by his side.”
“Since this is hosted by Divega, it’s unlikely he’d show up, is it?” The nobles’ voices drifted over. The ‘fellow’ they referred to was undoubtedly Ricardo, standing beside me. They seemed unaware of his presence. He must have been elsewhere while Haroon entertained them.
“There’s even a piece featuring him.”
“What an honor for him. A Divega model, when he should be discarded.” Laughter erupted from the group at someone’s remark. It was clearly derisive. What was so amusing? My brow furrowed. Then, Haroon’s low voice cut through the air.
“How noisy.” The laughter died instantly, replaced by a heavy silence. Ricardo, who had been quietly listening beside me, stepped forward.
“I’ve brought Lady Hazel, Your Highness.” He seemed unfazed by their gossip. Instead, it was the nobles who flinched at his voice.
“Ahem, ahem!”
“We’ll be taking our leave, Your Highness.”
“We’ll call on you another time.” Without a glance at Ricardo, they dispersed.
I approached the spot where the nobles had clustered, Ricardo at my side. “Your Highness.”
“No need for formalities. Unlike Aven, I prefer a more relaxed approach.” I sat down as Haroon spoke.
“Nobles love to gossip, wherever they are.” Haroon chuckled, calling them an amusing bunch, then turned his gaze to me. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
“It’s not just nobles who enjoy gossip. But the reason you called for me…?”
“I wanted to express my gratitude.” Gratitude? My eyes widened. Hadn’t that been taken care of already?
“If you’re referring to Pazl, I’ve already been amply rewarded, Your Highness.”
“That was the Crown Prince’s doing. I haven’t done anything.”
“But…”
“I wouldn’t feel right leaving it at that. Besides, there’s the matter of Bashar.” I looked up, meeting Haroon’s eyes. A playful smile touched his lips as he winked. Haroon Kisha seemed genuinely amused. Judging by his reaction…
“You’ve reconciled with His Highness Bashar?”
“Indeed, thanks to you.” Reconciling with his ‘precious’ younger brother seemed to have put Haroon in excellent spirits.
“Due to the atmosphere within the Kishan royal family and my mother’s influence, Bashar has always kept his thoughts to himself. Although it seems he’s changed somewhat.” The conflict with Bashar had clearly shaken Haroon, but he seemed pleased by his brother’s transformation.
“You give me too much credit. I did nothing, Your Highness.” Their reconciliation was inevitable. I’d simply nudged Bashar in the right direction, accelerating the process.
Haroon chuckled softly. “I see. No matter how much I insist you name your reward, you won’t, will you?”
“I’ve already received more than enough. It’s almost excessive.” I shook my head, but Haroon seemed to ignore my words. He reached into his pocket and pulled out something, offering it to me. A brooch, set with a gem the same color as Haroon’s eyes, rested in his palm.
“This is…” I murmured, recognizing its similarity to one I’d already received. From Bashar Kisha, no less.
“If you ever need anything from me, come find me. Show this, and you’ll be granted an audience. Surely, you won’t refuse this as well?” Under his insistent gaze, I accepted the brooch. My fingers traced its contours, recalling the one from Bashar.
Haroon raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “…Is it customary in Kishan to exchange jeweled promises?” I muttered, then looked up to find Haroon staring at me with wide eyes.
“Did Bashar give you the same thing?”
I nodded slowly, confirming his suspicion.
“Truly unexpected,” Haroon murmured.
“Is there some meaning I’m unaware of?” I’d heard a brief explanation from Ricardo, but I wondered if there was more to it. My expression hardened as I asked.
“Bashar has never given that to anyone else. He keeps everyone at arm’s length, except for me.” He was merely surprised, Haroon explained. His words, at least to me, sounded like an admission of lowering his guard.
“In any case, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to contact me.” Haroon replaced his look of surprise with his usual playful smile.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but…” I fiddled with the brooch Haroon had practically forced upon me. I didn’t think my actions warranted such generosity. But I couldn’t very well return it now. I closed my mouth and gave a slow nod.
After our brief conversation, I rose to leave, mindful of my other engagements.
“Ricardo, you may leave for the day.” Haroon, legs crossed, addressed Ricardo.
“I can’t do that, Your Highness.”
“There are other knights present. You needn’t stay. And dispose of those.” He gestured with his chin towards a pile of objects in a corner of the reception room, taking a sip of a low-proof drink. “Apparently, those were brought as offerings to curry favor. Hardly trustworthy.”
“Shouldn’t you examine them?”
“No need. They might be laced with that trendy new d**g.”
“Understood, Your Highness.” With a curt reply, Ricardo approached to escort me out. I shook my head. Since Damian was coming to meet me, there was no need for them to cross paths. It was the day I was supposed to visit the orphanage, so Damian would undoubtedly have brought the carriage.
‘Speaking of trendy d***s…’ A mood-enhancing d**g had recently become popular among the nobles. It was added to food, made into cigarettes or alcohol, or burned as incense. The problem was that highly addictive, illegal incense was being traded amongst these substances.
“I hope my family hasn’t taken an interest…” I muttered as I left the exhibition hall alone, hoping they wouldn’t get involved in anything illegal and troublesome. I looked for Damian’s carriage, expecting him to be waiting, but it was nowhere in sight.
“Hasn’t he arrived yet…?” He’ll be here soon, I thought. But no matter how long I waited, Damian didn’t appear.
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