I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 114

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 114

 

“The flower language is probably ‘blessings upon your future,’ isn’t it? It suits you well, Lady.”

 

The Crown Prince, who had been admiring the flowers, slowly lifted his gaze.

 

“But who gave you that bouquet?”

 

“Oh, Count Disraeli sent it to me.”

 

Was I mistaken?

 

It seemed like the Crown Prince’s expression darkened slightly at my answer.

 

The Crown Prince withdrew his hand from the flower petals and looked at me with a serious expression.

 

“If I may ask, Princess.”

 

The Crown Prince swallowed dryly and posed a question to me.

 

“Do you have an acquaintance with Count Disraeli?”

 

Since I couldn’t say we met at Settler Auction House as an information broker and client.

 

I gave the most neutral answer I could manage.

 

“We’ve just seen each other a few times in passing. I also saw him at the encore gathering after Matthew Paul’s solo concert…”

 

Just then.

 

I subtly furrowed my brow.

 

I felt like I was beginning to understand.

 

The identity of the sense of unease I had felt from the Crown Prince.

 

‘Why does he seem so familiar with Alisa’s flower shop?’

 

No, really.

 

Someone of the Crown Prince’s stature specifically knows about Alisa’s flower shop among countless flower shops?

 

He even remembers the flowers they first brought in to that extent?

 

Isn’t that quite a coincidence in many ways?

 

Moreover, Alisa’s flower shop is…

 

‘A place connected to Settler Auction House.’

 

As if I had swallowed a huge chunk of ice whole, my heart turned cold.

 

It might be speculation.

 

‘But.’

 

I found myself opening my mouth without realizing it.

 

“I also have something I’d like to ask Your Highness.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Do you happen to know about Settler Auction House?”

 

At that moment.

 

The Crown Prince’s lips stiffened ever so slightly.

 

At the same time, I realized.

 

‘He knows about it.’

 

In the original story, Count Disraeli was the only one connected to Settler Auction House.

 

So I never thought the Crown Prince would be involved at all.

 

After moving his lips for a long while, the Crown Prince finally opened his mouth with difficulty.

 

“I should have told you a little earlier.”

 

“…Your Highness.”

 

“The Settler Auction House is…”

 

The Crown Prince, who had trailed off for a moment, finished his words like a sigh.

 

“A place that Richard and I planned together.”

 

And so the full story I learned was this.

 

The Crown Prince wanted the Imperial Family to be able to directly coordinate underground transactions, even if only partially.

 

He joined hands with Count Disraeli, who had been a long-time friend, to create the Settler Auction House.

 

It was to secure goods and information from the black market and operate the Empire’s security forces a little more efficiently.

 

“I kept thinking I should tell you when a suitable opportunity arose, but I kept putting it off day after day… and in the end, it became too late.”

 

The Crown Prince bowed his head without making any excuses.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“…”

 

My mood somehow sank completely.

 

It wasn’t simply because the Crown Prince had kept a secret from me.

 

Rather than that.

 

‘I was buried in the original story again.’

 

Isabel, the Count, and the Crown Prince too.

 

They’re people who actually live, move, and have their own selves.

 

Even though I had resolved to break away from the original story, deep down I had judged them only according to the original story’s content this time too.

 

Because in the original story, Count Disraeli was the only person connected to the Settler Auction House.

 

I hadn’t even considered other possibilities at all.

 

…Separately, it was also true that I felt bitter.

 

“It’s okay.”

 

I answered as calmly as possible.

 

“You don’t need to tell me such secrets. I wasn’t someone you trusted to that extent.”

 

“Lady?”

 

The Crown Prince looked at me with a bewildered expression.

 

I continued speaking calmly.

 

“I fully understand Your Highness’s position.”

 

“Wait a moment. That’s…”

 

“Considering why the Settler Auction House was created, it’s natural to maintain secrecy as much as possible. I’m really okay, so…”

 

But then.

 

The Crown Prince urgently interrupted my words.

 

“No, Lady.”

 

Instead of answering, I quietly stared at the Crown Prince.

 

The Crown Prince, who had been choosing his words for a moment, continued with a sunken voice.

 

“I would like you to be angry with me, Lady. That would be the natural thing.”

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“Though it wasn’t my intention, I’ve essentially been deceiving Lady Elodie all this time.”

 

For a moment, my eyes trembled finely.

 

That was right.

 

Logically, I understood the Crown Prince’s position well enough.

 

If I put myself in his shoes, I would probably keep the secret too.

 

But why.

 

‘…Why am I so angry?’

 

I bit down firmly on my lower lip.

 

My mind was completely tangled like a mess of thread.

 

A moment later.

 

Having barely managed to organize my thoughts, I opened my mouth again.

 

“First of all, there was no lie in what I’ve said so far. From Your Highness’s position, maintaining secrecy would have been reasonable.”

 

“…”

 

“Rather, I’m even glad you told me now. It means I’ve gained that much trust from Your Highness. However.”

 

I stared defiantly into the Crown Prince’s eyes.

 

“What if I were to reveal this secret to outsiders?”

 

But to my mischievous question, the Crown Prince simply looked at me as if it were completely natural.

 

“You wouldn’t reveal it, would you?”

 

…The reason he told me the secret was simply because he trusts me?

 

The Crown Prince continued calmly.

 

“Lady Elodie is a person with that level of integrity. That’s why I decided to tell you this secret.”

 

“Still, you never know. I might get upset about something.”

 

“Well, if such a problem were to arise.”

 

The Crown Prince showed a gentle eye-smile.

 

It was a bright smile without a speck of worry.

 

“I suppose I would have misjudged someone.”

 

Of course, I wouldn’t reveal that secret.

 

The next emperor, and the Crown Prince who already held complete control over the government.

 

There was no need to make an enemy of a key figure in the Empire.

 

However, apart from such realistic reasons, I…

 

‘I don’t want to be hated by His Highness the Crown Prince.’

 

Those eyes that trusted me completely.

 

That firm trust believing I would unconditionally keep his secret.

 

I didn’t want to betray those expectations.

 

I wanted to continue maintaining a good relationship with the Crown Prince.

 

Because, I.

 

‘That man…’

 

Thump.

 

For a moment, my heart beat wildly on its own.

 

I hurriedly composed my expression.

 

If I didn’t, I felt like I would make a terribly foolish face.

 

“First of all, thank you for trusting me like that.”

 

I pretended to be calm as I faced the Crown Prince.

 

The Crown Prince’s face, which had been subtly tense, relaxed smoothly.

 

But my words weren’t finished yet.

 

“Separately, you definitely said it was okay for me to be angry at you, didn’t you?”

 

“Yes, I did say that, but.”

 

The Crown Prince tensed up again.

 

I glared at the Crown Prince with a sulky expression.

 

“I’m really hurt.”

 

“Th-that is.”

 

“Of course, it’s not that I don’t understand why Your Highness kept it hidden, but still, right now I don’t want to see Your Highness’s face anymore.”

 

After glancing at the Crown Prince who had stiffened like a board, I shot up from my seat.

 

I stride toward the door.

 

Click.

 

Opening the door, I narrowed my eyes and glared at the Crown Prince.

 

“Please go back for today.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I don’t think I’ll be in the mood to talk with Crown Prince Your Highness for a week.”

 

I replied sulkily and added more words.

 

“Instead, you must come find me after a week. If you don’t, I’ll be even angrier.”

 

Unable to withstand my fierce momentum, the Crown Prince hesitantly went outside.

 

Even so, he still looked at me with earnest eyes.

 

“Um, Lady Elodie…?”

 

To the Crown Prince who called my name pitifully, I gave a final greeting.

 

“Then, farewell.”

 

Smiling brightly, I closed the door right in the Crown Prince’s face.

 

Right, when would I ever get to experience kicking out Crown Prince Your Highness again?

 

Now I finally feel a bit better!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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