Chapter 35
Until now, Viern had always been her escort, but ever since the Princess’s birthday party last time, that role had passed to Aisen. Thus, the aide naturally assumed Aisen would take on the role again this time.
However, for some reason, Viern didn’t want to entrust her escort to Aisen. That fellow… had such distasteful preferences. Saying he liked women who ‘opened up and got wet on their own,’ or coming to work smelling of women’s perfume. And that hideous-looking undergarment he’d seen that day…
Recalling it made Viern’s face automatically contort. No matter how he thought about it, having such a dissolute and lewd fellow near the Princess, who was emotionally fragile, couldn’t be good for her mental state. Not long ago, hadn’t she come to him and used vulgar, bizarre expressions with no basis? This was all undoubtedly a bad influence, a stain from Aisen, that wretch.
“Aisen has other duties that day.”
“Other duties?”
“It’s a matter internal to the Ducal House.”
The aide, hearing this for the first time, asked again, but Viern brushed it off vaguely.
“Then, what shall we do about Her Highness’s escort?”
“Hmm.”
Viern pondered for a moment.
Not long after, he went to see Diana to explain the upcoming Founding Day ceremony and informed her of her new escort partner for the day.
“The heir of Marquis Argel?”
To her query, tilting her head, Viern explained in a matter-of-fact voice.
“Yes. Aisen is unable to escort Your Highness that day due to other duties, so he will assist you in his stead. The House of Argel is a founding contributor’s family that has produced many scholars. While it might feel slightly lacking in matching Your Highness’s stature, it is not a poor choice.”
“I see.”
Although he had almost assigned her another man, Diana simply nodded obediently. This made Viern feel an inexplicable unease.
And finally, the day of the event arrived.
‘I’ve separated her from that Aisen, but why do I feel this?’
In the very center of the banquet hall, mingling with the guests and raising a glass of champagne, Viern glanced at Diana seated at the head table. The Argel heir he had assigned stood stiffly beside her, posture perfectly correct.
‘…Did I pick someone too young?’
The man who had just come of age was a full three years younger than Diana. Viern had pondered the choice of the Princess’s partner as if selecting a groom for his treasured youngest daughter, agonizing over his options: the second son of one ducal house was too old and therefore unsuitable; the eldest son of a marquis was too classically handsome and therefore irritating. And then there was that foreign dignitary his aide had recommended, whose reputation with women was less than pristine, making him unacceptable as well.
The one he’d settled for, as a compromise, was that guy. He’d heard he was a boring, stuffy, scholarly type, but the face beneath his glasses was annoyingly clean-cut and good-looking. And above all, that habit of turning beet red all the way to the tips of his ears every time he met the Princess’s gaze…
“It seems your engagement is not far off now. I heard you are to hold the ceremony next month?”
At the voice of a noblewoman from across the way, Viern immediately shifted his gaze.
“Yes, my lady. Thank you for remembering. You will surely come and celebrate with us that day, won’t you?”
Sophia, who stood at his side with her arm linked through his, was exchanging smiles and conversation with a certain noblewoman.
“Of course, Lady Silberk. I wouldn’t miss it. May your future together be filled with love and blessings.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Viern nodded, wearing a perfectly composed, practiced smile.
His upcoming engagement next month was the talk of the capital. While politely acknowledging the well-wishers who approached him, he stole glances towards Diana whenever he could. Yet, she never once looked his way.
She had always followed only him, beaming whenever their eyes met. Now, seeing her in profile, her attention fixed elsewhere, felt profoundly strange. Her gaze was directed squarely at the heir of Marquis Argel.
The young man, barely of age, was staring at Diana with wide, trembling eyes, his neck flushed a tomato-red. Viern had chosen him precisely because he seemed like a sheltered simpleton who’d likely never held a girl’s hand. It had been a miscalculation. At every event, pitiful souls inevitably appeared, bewitched by the Princess’s ethereal beauty. He should have foreseen this. And yet…
‘She’s… smiling.’
What irritated Viern more was Diana’s own easy, inviting attitude as she smiled and laughed warmly at the young man. Wasn’t she the one who had consistently dismissed every man who approached her with utter contempt?
Despite her fairy-like looks, many men had been driven away by her arrogant and eccentric behavior. Just look at Aisen. When Viern first brought Diana to the estate, Aisen had shown interest, sneaking glances. But not long after being assigned as her personal knight, he’d started whining about how terrifying it was to serve her…
‘Come to think of it, that Aisen isn’t just perverted, he’s also pathetic.’
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