Chapter 18

Chapter 18

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The duke understood what she meant by ‘greed’ and answered.

He could see the meaning of what she said. He had too much money, so he thought that being calm and relaxed was everything, but he didn’t think so.

“I was born as a Kandmion, a merchant, and had a tendency of stealing.”

***

His words had a smear of pride in the name of our family. Yet, why didn’t you point your fingers at others for revealing our money?

“Then why did you allow me and the Crown Prince to be engaged? What are you going to do with our title when your only daughter becomes the empress?” I inquired.

Ah, where is the countless money in this person’s family?

“Don’t you remember how much you cried saying that only Prince Hwang suits you in this world?”

Ah, that’s right. The previous Raylene said that. She was engaged because she wanted it.

Why did she do that?! What does she mean she didn’t have any other man to match with? Why didn’t actively go find someone decent and take them in! Otherwise, what was the use of this big house?

Wah, did she really want to get married to the Crown Prince, and bear all the heavy duties as an empress?

She heard that there were a lot of things that Jungjeon, a previous empress, did during the Joseon Dynasty for the palace’s maintenance.

No! We have so much money in this house. I should play, eat, and live forever!

“I want to break the engagement.”

“…What?”

“Come to think of it, I have the blood of the Duke of Kandmion, and I don’t think I’m greedy anymore.”

The Duke of Kandmion looked at me with a stern expression on his face.

“The reason why I suddenly changed my mind is because of what the Crown Prince is doing these days.”

The Duke of Kandmion also knew about the love triangle between the Crown Prince, Raylene, and Iris.

“I could get rid of her if you want me to.”

“Daddy, do you think I’m running away with my tail between my legs?”

He didn’t answer.

“It’s only now that I realize my existence as a Kandmion is just too important to simply live as an empress. I guess Kandmion’s blood is just too strong for both of us.”

If this was a political marriage, she wouldn’t have been able to do anything, but the engagement between Raylene and the Crown Prince was a result of her one-sided greed, literally tying the Crown Prince by the power of the Duke of Kandmion.

I don’t even love him enough to want to spend the rest of my life with him.

The original work of the novel, “Lady”, which she didn’t even read properly, seemed to bother her constantly because she was impatient to eat and play.

Therefore, there was no reason for her to maintain their engagement. She thought it would be a happy ending if the two of them got married, ate well, and lived well together.

“I don’t want to suffer without money either.”

I just want to be able to spend my money without any care in the world.

She wanted to break up the engagement so she could get out of this bad situation and just play and eat at home. She just wanted to spend money without a second thought and build a tower full of jewels.

The Duke looked at her gently as if he understood her intentions.

“If you have nothing more to say, I will take my leave.”

She stood up, bid goodbye to the Duke, and turned around.

She had nothing more to say, and he didn’t hold her back either.

She knew what she said was rude, but she just wanted to finish this quickly.

She felt awkward talking to “her” father, but this wasn’t the only reason she wanted to leave.

As the servant opened the door, a man with golden and black hair entered her view.

Squatting outside the door, his arms were stretched forward on both knees.

As she stepped out the door, he sprang to his feet and approached her.

“Raylene, I missed you.”

He then gently grabbed the hem of her dress with both hands.

This is just so blinding. It really is! My heart won’t stop throbbing! I really am going crazy!

I’m was afraid I’d scream, so I shut my mouth with my hands and turned my head to the side to protect my eyes.

Becky and three others, who were anxious to get me out, were all holding their mouths with their hands and weeping.

“Why are you here and not in my room? Have you been waiting for me?”

“My job is to be next to Raylene.”

It was lovely to see him talk while I looked into his eyes filled with my figure. Unknowingly, I raised my hand and stroked his head.

Harvey looked at me with his eyes wide open.

“Ah, sorry. You don’t like it?”

“No, it feels great. More please.”

Grooooooowl

There was a strange sound that came out of my mouth. This happens when you like someone too much.

I stroked his hair one more time.

As I have noticed yesterday, my hair was getting rougher by the day.

“I can’t wait to eat a lot of good food and soften my hair.”

“Do you hate your hair because it’s rough?”

Harvey put a sullen look on his face with half-closed eyes and suddenly asked me. If he had a tail, it would have drooped down.

“No, it’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just that it’s been a while since I’ve seen such pretty hair, so I thought it would be nice to have it like that as well.”

When I put my hand down, Harvey looked like he was about to cry as he raised his hand and pulled his hair.

He raised his eyes and tried to see his hair, but it wasn’t long enough for him to be able to see it in detail.

Nevertheless, there was no single wrinkle on his forehead.

“Don’t you hate this glow?”

Harvey’s hair was basically dark yellow, close to gold, and above it was sparsely distributed black colored hair.

It was similar to a leopard pattern.

“No, it’s unique. Oh my God. Who else would have that kind of hair? It’s a special color.”

“Special …”

He repeated the last part of my words as he blinked several times before putting a smile on his face.

Even trivial things seemed to be something precious to him.

“…Shall we go for a walk?”

“With Raylene?”

“Of course.”

My heart jumped for no reason as I quickly brightened up the topic.

When I saw Lucas and Cassion, my heart would beat like crazy because of their looks, but this much was only for him.

Harvey grinned while hesitating to say something.

The wringing of his hands also made me feel as though he wanted to say something.

“…Hand.”

“Hmm?”

“Can I hold your hand?”

With his eyes closed, he mustered up his courage and asked me.

If someone asked me to hold my hand, I would instantly refuse, but seeing him ask me with that amount of hesitation, I didn’t feel like refusing.

There is no reason to say no! He’s like a fan of mine asking to hold my hand! Why would I refuse anyway?

As I held Harvey’s hand nervously, he could see my face turning red in an instant.

I walked bravely, feeling as if something was bothering my mind.

“My Lady …“

I then heard Becky calling me from behind.

“What?”

“…“

Why aren’t you talking to me?

Becky’s hesitating gaze lingered on the hand of Harvey I was holding.

On my first day here, the young kids stopped me from asking Cassion for a dance.

What would people think of seeing a princess like me walking around while holding the hand of a man with no identity?

…I guess I don’t have a choice. As long as I live here, I have to follow their customs.

“Sorry, Harvey. Let’s go for a walk next time, hand in hand.”

As I let go of Harvey’s hand, he looked at his hand that still retained the lingering feeling of my hand.

But soon, he looked up and turned to Becky.

“…Harvey?”

Harvey’s eyes surprised Becky; I couldn’t hide my surprise either.

It was the first time I’ve seen his eyes like this. His eyes were always round, but when he returned to his expressionless face, his eyes looked aggressive.

“Harvey, look at me.”

Harvey’s head slowly turned towards me as he looked at me once again.

His eyes were no longer aggressive; They had returned round again.

“I’m sorry, Raylene. I was looking somewhere else.”

I was relieved to see those eyes again.

I think it was just a misunderstanding, but still, I felt uncomfortable.

“Why should you feel sorry for looking elsewhere? It happens at times.”

We were about to reach the garden.

Hmm. Did I perhaps see wrong? How can someone’s expression change in a split second? He looked as if he turned into a completely different person.

“I’m Raylene’s property, and I only have to look at Raylene. It’s my fault because Raylene was right next to me, yet I was looking somewhere else.”

He said in a gentle voice. Looking at the side, I could see his smiling face. His smile that goes well with his angelic face.

I wanted to contradict him, but I chose not to say anything. Even though Harvey wasn’t mine, in his mind he still thought he was my property.

I was worried I would make him cry just like yesterday if I said anything.

Though it was true that I felt a subtle joy when he said he would only look at me.

I told him to tell me if he ever needed anything, but his parrot-like answer saying I was the only thing he needed was all I could hear until we reached the garden.