Chapter 24

After a lengthy pause, Kael said, “Wellen.”

“Yes? Y-Your Highness?” Wellen said with an awkward smile, as he crumpled the napkin in his hand.

“Earlier you said words are passed on and misunderstandings may arise… I want to get rid of you right now. Tell me, where should I convey these words, such that a misunderstanding might arise that you should be killed? If not…” As Kael traced off, he gracefully moved his long fingers to pick up the butter knife. When Wellen slowly retreated a step backwards, Kael ordered, “Stop right there.”

“Your Highness…”

“Do you want your throat slit?”

Wellen watched Kael shove the butter knife into a scone, and he reflexively wrapped his hands around his neck and shook his head. He didn’t have any intention of dying early. After all, he’d yet to marry his fiancé, Archel, or conceive a child.

“I need you to come closer…” Kael grinned, as he leaned back and rested his elbows on the armrests, while he crossed his hands and propped up his chin. He wore a dazzling smile on his cheeky face, but his eyes lacked mirth.

“Yes! Yes!” Wellen replied, as he briskly moved to take a cautious seat across from Kael.

“Listen carefully. Nothing happened last night, so don’t spread any rumors. Rather, state the results of your research.”

“Pardon? What do you mean nothing happened?”

“Do you really want me to let go of this knife and stab it into your neck?”

“Ahem. Since Your Highness had expressed an interest, I voluntarily did some research.”

Kael nodded as he lowered the butter knife and placed it back on the table. Even if he wanted to hide something from Wellen, at most he’d manage for three or four days. Kael simply couldn’t win against Wellen and his impressive wit. Rather than telling his aide that the night with Irene wasn’t much, Kael thought it was better to talk about the incident in a brazen manner.

“Irene M. Voltern—25 years of age—is the eldest daughter of the Count of Voltern. She’s had two previous engagements, both of which have been terminated. The most recent engagement was with the current king of Theorin…”

As Wellen continued to recite his findings on Irene’s basic profile, Kael maintained a dry expression on his face. However, from time to time, he would grip the armrests so tightly that his knuckles turned white, or clench his fists to the point that his veins popped out.

“… And this concludes the report.” Seeing the crown prince deeply immersed in his thoughts as he pondered over the information, Wellen decided to ramp up his casual teasing of the crown prince to the next level by pointing towards the stack of novels near the tea table. He said, “Maybe you should refer to the duke from the novel.”

“Should I? Compared to the duke from the novel… Hmm… Yeah, but the baron from the novel, ‘The Baron’s Gardener’ is what kind of—” Kael immediately bit the inside of his mouth when he realized he’d been had by Wellen. He had put up a front and acted brazenly earlier, but Wellen’s prodding caused him to slip up when he wasn’t paying attention. It felt as if Wellen had just discovered his secret diary. Kael took a sip of tea to soothe his nerves, but it was for nothing since the tea had lost its taste after cooling.

“I put a lot of effort into my research since I thought you were interested in her talent, but… It seems you’re taking care of the request in Her Majesty’s letter instead. This is good too.”

“This is a hobby,” Kael firmly denied, as he glanced at the stack of books.

“I see… That’s your… hobby.” Wellen arched an eyebrow and his curious gaze pierced Kael. ‘He clearly spent the night studying up on relationships. He’s a terrible liar. Dearest mother and father, it seems that spring has finally come for the crown prince!’