Chapter 49
“Friends?”
“Yes….”
Ja-hyun nodded, trying to appear as natural as possible. He considered putting on a pitiful expression but gave up, knowing it would look awkward.
“You want to be friends with the Prince?”
Although his brother’s expression showed disapproval, he didn’t seem particularly displeased. Encouraged, Ja-hyun spoke calmly in a subdued voice.
“Yes. As you know, Brother, I’m always confined to my room… so I don’t know many people. I rarely even see anyone face-to-face. That’s why… I wanted to become acquainted with the Prince who visits here occasionally.”
“…”
His brother didn’t immediately refuse, but he furrowed his brows and silently stared at him. After contemplating, Ja-hyun finally played his last card.
“I just want to make at least a few acquaintances in my remaining life. Of course, I love being with you the most, Brother… but meeting once a month didn’t seem like a bad idea.”
What kind of trash was he to emotionally manipulate others using his fake terminal illness? Ja-hyun felt guilty.
Brother… I’m sorry! But I really have no choice….
Fortunately, after staring at him silently for a while, his brother gave his permission.
“Fine. It’s better than having you sneak out and wander around on your own.”
As expected, his brother was too kind.
Ja-hyun met the Prince again five days after their first encounter. Of course, the Prince hadn’t come specifically for ‘Raijin.’ He said their previous business discussion wasn’t finished because they had to leave in such a hurry. He hadn’t properly shown the items he’d brought either.
Anyway, as soon as the Prince arrived, Ja-hyun found himself having a private audience with him in the small reception room on the second floor. Though there was a servant by the door, they weren’t being strictly monitored.
The Prince’s behavior remained unchanged from their previous meeting, and everything seemed fine on the surface. It appeared his brother hadn’t done anything to him.
The Prince, who had been continuously sipping his tea, looked his way. Just like when they first met days ago, his gaze was searching and suspicious. His arrogant attitude, suggesting his superior position, remained unchanged. However, the subtly subdued atmosphere and slightly softened tone revealed a change in his mindset.
“Lord Raijin. Has your health improved enough to have meetings with me?”
“Yes, as you can see, I’m fine.”
Even after that response, the Prince wouldn’t take his eyes off Raijin. His scrutinizing gaze seemed to search for any signs of trouble.
“I heard you were unconscious for three days.”
His tone was definitely cautious.
It seemed he thought he might have been somewhat responsible for the collapse. Given that ‘guilt’ had been added to his character information window at that time, this assumption probably wasn’t wrong.
“Well, due to my poor health, it takes longer to recover my strength.”
As Ja-hyun spoke, he placed a note in a blind spot next to the teacup and pushed it toward him.
[It would be better if my brother doesn’t know that you were with me.]
Fortunately, the Prince wasn’t stupid and read it while pretending to admire the teacup.
Ja-hyun observed the now-quiet Prince and asked kindly.
“What were you going to tell me back then? You said you wanted to show me something – would it be alright to ask about that again?”
“No, let’s forget about that. It might have adverse effects on you. Your body is so weak that I’m afraid to try anything. I’ll show you when you’re healthier.”
As expected, though he spoke indirectly, the Prince seemed to think his Golden Dragon Eyes might have affected Ja-hyun. That’s why he felt guilty and gave up using his ability. While his collapse had been purely coincidental, it worked out well regardless.
“Then what about our contract where you said you’d help me?”
“Wasn’t that finished? I can’t show you any evidence.”
Ja-hyun shook his head at the Prince’s words and replied.
“No. I believe you. The fact that you made the effort to visit and speak at length with someone like me who never leaves the Grand Duke’s residence is the strongest evidence.”
‘I need to watch what you’re up to so I can interfere and make you regret it. Maybe use you as a shield too….’
“Lord Raijin.”
Fortunately, the Prince seemed easily moved by those words. His eyes widened slightly, and with a smirk, he muttered as if talking to himself.
“I heard you grew up not knowing your origins, living in squalor, and after coming to the Grand Duke’s residence, became so ill you couldn’t even walk to the garden. They said you’re extremely dependent on the Grand Duke. So I thought you’d be like a timid rabbit with shallow learning. But I guess you really have to meet someone to know them.”
“…”
Was that a compliment or an insult? It definitely felt like an insult. To say all that without any filter right to someone’s face – truly befitting of someone whose head had been cut off. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt for that head to fall a second time?
Emboldened by the words of trust, the Prince spoke in a brightened voice.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.