I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 52
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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 52
The Crown Prince’s direct contact information?
This kind of contact information is generally only given to high-ranking officials of the Empire, heads of high noble houses, and a very select few family members.
This is far too impressive a thing for me to receive…?!
The Crown Prince opened his mouth leisurely.
“Come to think of it, it seems like there will be many occasions to contact the Princess in the future.”
“Many occasions to contact… why would there be many?”
Oops.
My true feelings slipped out again.
The Crown Prince was about to put on a hurt expression and launch into a lecture, so I quickly raised the white flag.
“Right, there would be many occasions. Things related to our contract and all.”
It seems this response was the correct answer.
The Crown Prince changed his expression and smiled with his eyes.
“Exactly. Seeing how you took care to send a package this time, it seemed like it would be inconvenient for you when contacting me unofficially.”
“Ah, that was…”
“From now on, you can contact me through this.”
I swallowed my dry saliva and looked down at the card in my hand.
Wow, the Crown Prince’s direct contact information.
My hands are trembling.
After carefully tucking the card into my bosom, I subtly gauged the Crown Prince’s mood.
It seemed like this was his business anyway.
‘Surely he has nothing more to say now?’
…that was my misconception.
“By the way, Princess.”
“Yes?”
I had been constantly scheming to escape, and my shoulders stiffened in surprise.
The Crown Prince was already looking at me with a serious face.
“If it’s not rude, may I ask you something?”
“Of course. Please speak comfortably.”
“Princess, do you perhaps…”
Even after starting like that, the Crown Prince hesitated for a long time.
What is it, why is he acting like that.
What is he trying to say?
“…what do you think about a husband with a large age gap?”
Huh?
Suddenly asking about my marriage prospects?
Moreover, if it’s a husband with a ‘large age gap’…
‘Isn’t that Marquis Bartsen?!’
Ugh.
My mood, which had been reasonably good, suddenly plummeted.
I tried very hard not to scrunch up my expression.
“I hate it.”
“Ah, is that so?”
At the same time, I became a little puzzled.
Why does the Crown Prince look so relieved?
“I thought you would feel that way. After all, since they would be your lifelong companion, the age gap would be important too. Of course, if the person herself is fine with it, there’s nothing to be done but…”
And then he continued speaking at length.
No, you don’t need to speak so earnestly about it.
The reason I’m going through all this trouble in the first place is to overturn the marriage arrangement with Marquis Bartsen.
“I have absolutely no intention of marrying anyone with more than a three-year age difference, either older or younger.”
“Yes, that’s a wise thought.”
The Crown Prince brightened and enthusiastically agreed with my words.
Now, you’re done talking, right?
I smiled with my eyes and subtly tried to get up from my seat.
“I understand. Then I’ll be going now…”
At that moment.
The Crown Prince’s violet gaze sank deeply.
“Somehow, Princess, you always try to leave early whenever you’re with me.”
“…Your Highness?”
“Am I perhaps making you uncomfortable?”
If until now it felt like he was half-jokingly pretending to be disappointed.
This time he really seemed regretful.
‘Hmm, did I draw the line too firmly.’
Perhaps that’s why.
I felt like answering a bit more honestly.
“It’s because I’ve caused Your Highness so much trouble up until now.”
“Trouble, what kind?”
“…do I really have to say it with my own mouth?”
My, or more precisely the original Elodie’s, one-sided love for you became the talk of everyone.
I glanced at the Crown Prince without malice.
“Yes, I was being a bit mischievous.”
The Crown Prince smiled bitterly and asked me back.
“Still, there’s no need to avoid me to this extent, is there.”
“Please understand. Actually, Elder Brother has been very concerned about all the rudeness I’ve committed toward Your Highness until now.”
“The Duke has?”
The Crown Prince’s expression hardened slightly.
“But there’s no need for him to prevent you and me from interacting at all.”
“Since the topic of marriage just came up, let me tell you.”
I shrugged my shoulders lightly.
“Elder Brother hopes that I’ll make an engagement with a good family to elevate our house’s honor.”
Well, more precisely, he wants to secure a solid position for himself through my marriage.
Really, I’m the one getting married, so why is he trying to benefit from it?
‘So annoying.’
While grumbling inwardly, I continued speaking calmly on the surface.
“But if I show that I’m in love with Your Highness, that would be problematic, wouldn’t it?”
“That’s…”
“A woman who has another man in her heart would be defective goods in the marriage market.”
Hmm, did I speak too cynically.
The Crown Prince now had a somewhat surprised expression as he looked at me.
‘Ah, what should I do about this atmosphere.’
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I smiled brightly with my eyes to change the mood.
“I’m sorry. It seems I’ve made Your Highness uncomfortable somehow.”
“No, not at all.”
“Still, don’t worry too much, since I no longer harbor impure feelings toward Your Highness.”
“…Pardon?”
For a moment, the Crown Prince looked bewildered.
No, why does he have that expression?
I said I wouldn’t cause trouble anymore, so shouldn’t he be happy about it?
Since it seemed like he didn’t properly understand what I meant, I kindly added an explanation.
“I mean I won’t bother His Highness the Crown Prince anymore.”
But the shadow cast over the Crown Prince’s face only grew darker… why on earth?!
‘Ah, this won’t do.’
I hurriedly changed the subject.
“Oh right, I’m planning to visit the Imperial Library today. Since I’ve come all the way to the Imperial Palace.”
Fortunately, it seemed the Crown Prince also wanted to change this heavy atmosphere.
Judging by how quickly he responded to my words.
“I see. Is there perhaps a particular book you’re looking for?”
“I’m planning to look into Fashion Design.”
That made sense, since Isabel was very interested in fashion design.
Actually, I don’t know much about clothing production, but I still wanted to learn about something Isabel liked.
Besides, I’m now going to be helping out at the Dress Shop anyway.
“Then I should escort the Princess out now.”
The Crown Prince who replied thus showed a bright smile.
“See you soon.”
Soon? When? Why?
But it would be troublesome if I asked too many questions and got held up again.
I politely showed my respects and flew out of the Reception Room.
It’s probably just something he said out of courtesy anyway.
* * *
And so, at present.
After wandering around inside the massive Imperial Library for quite a while, I finally found the book I was looking for.
However, there was one problem.
‘Hmm.’
It wasn’t high enough to require bringing a ladder, but it was at a height where I could take it out if I stretched my hand just right.
After staring at the bookshelf for a moment, I lifted up on my tiptoes.
Just as I was struggling to pull out the book.
“Do you need this book?”
Someone quite tall very easily pulled the book from the shelf and held it out to me.
I looked at the person with the feeling of having been hit on the head.
No, he did say we’d meet soon, but.
‘…That “soon” was right now?’
That’s right.
It was the Crown Prince…
The Crown Prince greeted me smugly as if he had run into me by chance.
“It’s been a while, Princess Laventess.”
“……”
Excuse me, we were just talking until a moment ago…?
To begin with, isn’t it not easy to meet by chance in this vast Imperial Palace library?!
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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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