The Crown Prince’s Courtesan - Chapter 41

People sometimes released pheromones without meaning to — when they were happy, sad, angry, or in the throes of some emotional surge.

‘That’s probably why I trained myself not to laugh or cry too easily.’

Then what was his reason for releasing pheromones now? Was it because locking eyes with her irritated him? Or because he was startled?

Or…

‘See? I’m thinking like this again.’

Marie bit her lip. His gaze went to the faintly reddened spot where his teeth had pressed into flesh. The air on her skin turned suddenly cold. She could feel it: if this kept on, she’d end up unconsciously releasing Omega pheromones.

“You didn’t even get angry.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Yesterday.”

The ointment the maids had brought her, so opulently packaged that it was hard to believe it wasn’t made for royalty, had surprisingly reduced the swelling almost instantly.

And the palace maids’ makeup skills had been impressive enough to make her cheek look perfectly flawless, as if nothing had ever happened.

“Your cheek.”

“It’s—it’s fine now. I’m okay.”

Marie awkwardly covered her cheek and lowered her gaze. Just then, the man seated close by reached out his hand. As he moved, their knees brushed. Marie flinched.

Their eyes met again as his hand paused mid-air.

He looked at his own hand for a moment, then glared at it as if wishing to sever it from his arm. The hand that had nearly touched her withdrew in stiff defeat.

“…You’re not used to being hit, are you?”

His tone was cold and emotionless as always. But why did she feel something like brusque concern embedded in the words? And for him to ask that sort of question — just how did this man see her?

Marie asked herself that with bitter resignation.

“Was I supposed to get angry?”

“……”

For the first time, the man seemed at a loss for words in response to Marie’s question. It felt a bit like landing a blow in a duel, but there was no satisfaction in it.

Yes, you know too. You know I couldn’t slap the duke’s daughter in front of everyone like that.

“My role is set, isn’t it? Those were the terms of the contract. I don’t understand why Your Highness is asking me such a thing.”

“Well, what do you mean?”

Marie blinked. The man looked displeased, or perhaps embarrassed.

I want to know you. No, I don’t want to know you. Come closer. No, don’t come near me.

“You’re the one who called me an accessory.”

“……”

“Jewelry doesn’t get angry at the world, does it?”

Tick. Like a broken clock’s second hand, Russell’s breath seemed to stop.

Marie’s words came out clearly, precisely. I felt this way when you said those cold things.
It would be nice if you understood just a little.

That’s what she thought.

“So, was I ever allowed to be angry?”

“…I—”

From there, the path ahead was draped in silence more dreadful than before. Oddly enough, Marie felt a bit more at ease now, while Russell seemed the opposite. Now and then, sharp flares of pheromones brushed against her skin. His thoughts seemed tangled, troubled.

And then the carriage came to a halt.

Where were they even going? Who would she have to face today?

By the time all of this was over, everyone in the capital would surely know the Crown Prince’s vulgar little courtesan. Marie felt sorry for Freya.

But then—

Russell, who had stepped down first, turned back and held the carriage door open for her. At that moment, Marie had no idea what he was planning to do. As she stood, gathering her skirt, she froze, staring at the hand extended toward her as if it were a flame straight out of hell.

“What does it look like I’m doing?”

Well, it looked like an escort.

But him, escorting her? Why?

“Step down.”

“…Wait!”

It was an escort, yes, but an unreasonably rude one. He reached in without hesitation, took her hand, and pulled her down.

Still, his grip wasn’t rough. In fact, it felt careful, like he was handling a glass goblet. The gentleness made her feel strangely off-kilter.

And when she finally lifted her head,

“Ah.”

A dazzling golden building stood before her. A place where even with money, one couldn’t enter without an invitation. The most renowned venue in the capital of the Kingdom of Crocus: The Golden Opera House.

‘How—here?’

A place she’d dreamed of seeing once before she died.

“Why are you just staring like that? Go in.”

“Your Highness, this place is…”

“There were some leftover invitations. What better place to show the nobles that my courtesan and I aren’t on bad terms after that fiasco?”

“Well, that’s true, but this isn’t exactly somewhere you just casually come to.”

“You talk too much. Just go in already.”

She hadn’t told anyone in the palace, but today… Today was Marie’s quiet, uncelebrated birthday. She usually didn’t mark it, not even in her own mind.

But this coincidence — could he have known?

There was no way to tell from his cold profile.

But the warmth of his hand, firm in hers, was so intense. Marie’s eyes trembled like candlelight flickering in the wind.