I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 63

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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 63

* * *

“So, this time in our territory, we’ve decided to provide a bit more support for grape farming…”

“About the matter that was decided at the last noble council meeting, that…”

People around him kept talking to him without pause.

Joshua responded appropriately, but his gaze remained fixed on one spot.

Long, flowing pink hair.

A pure white, shimmering dress that wrapped around her slender body and flowed softly downward.

A radiant appearance as if crafted from a gathering of spring flowers.

That beauty who was receiving everyone’s attention in the hall.

‘Princess Laventess.’

His straight brow furrowed slightly.

‘Today, she hasn’t approached me even once on her own.’

More precisely, except for when Joshua had escorted her when they first boarded the ship.

Elodie had never once given him a glance.

Instead, she was only enthusiastic about promoting the chemise dress.

“Oh, no. I want to keep this dress shop to myself.”

Subtly hiding information while fanning people’s curiosity.

“Actually, there’s a dress shop called Bella’s in the shopping district…”

Even pretending to be reluctant while revealing the dress shop’s name.

Gone was her senseless behavior of clinging to the Crown Prince and even being jealous of other women.

Even other people seemed to notice this change.

“The Princess, she hasn’t spoken to His Highness the Crown Prince first even once today, has she?”

“She’s not even looking at His Highness from afar like she used to.”

“She’s been socializing only with the young ladies since earlier?”

Today’s Elodie wore no tremendously expensive jewels, nor the excessively flashy dresses she usually wore to impress Joshua.

She was simply wearing a comfortable and neat dress, laughing and chatting with other people.

Without giving Joshua even a single glance.

From such a princess, not even a grain of romantic interest in Joshua could be felt…

Just then.

Duke Laventess approached Elodie, leading a middle-aged man.

Joshua’s eyes widened slightly.

‘Uncle?’

That’s right.

It was Marquis Bartsen.

After exchanging a few words of conversation, the Marquis soon left with Elodie.

At the same time, Joshua’s expression became subtle.

‘Those two… are moving together?’

Again.

Duke Laventess subtly pairing the Princess with the Marquis, and the Marquis naturally accepting it as well.

Moreover, the way the Marquis looked at Elodie.

Being a man himself, he could tell.

That was clearly the gaze of a man looking at a woman.

‘…I thought Uncle was quite a rational person.’

Recently, Marquis Bartsen had been somewhat different from how Joshua usually knew him.

The incident at Settler Auction House was one example.

‘He pressured the staff to tell him who sold Arthur’s early work.’

Even though the auction house’s principle was to keep all participants’ identities confidential.

Feeling uneasy, Joshua unconsciously followed the two.

Elodie and Marquis Bartsen appeared to be admiring the paintings displayed around them.

Fragments of their conversation could be heard.

Then.

A new topic the Marquis brought up touched Joshua’s nerves.

“Honestly, while His Highness the Crown Prince is indeed a wise person, the new trade route development is questionable…”

Instantly, Joshua felt his mood sink.

The new trade route development.

The national project Joshua was most focused on.

Even Richard, who generally supported Joshua, had shown a somewhat skeptical reaction to the new trade route development.

“Compared to the massive investment, it doesn’t seem profitable. Haven’t we failed several times already?”

“No, I think differently.”

But then.

At Elodie’s rebuttal, Joshua unconsciously widened his eyes.

“The new trade route development will be a great success. It’s a national project personally selected by none other than His Highness the Crown Prince, isn’t it?”

“That’s…”

“I believe in His Highness the Crown Prince’s insight and his love for the Empire.”

The moment he heard those firm words.

He felt a tickling sensation in his heart, as if being brushed with a feather.

Joshua couldn’t help but interrupt the conversation.

“I’m delighted that the Princess has such faith in me.”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

Looking at Elodie, who had become like a startled rabbit, Joshua felt incredibly pleased for some reason.

* * *

As soon as we stepped out onto the deck, our view opened up completely.

The world was entirely blue.

Beyond the railing, the deep blue horizon stretched endlessly.

White foam broke over the rolling waves.

The Crown Prince and I stood side by side on the deck, gazing at the sea.

‘Hmm.’

While retying my ribbon to prevent my hat from being blown away by the wind.

I glanced at the Crown Prince from the corner of my eye.

The Crown Prince still kept his gaze fixed on the sea.

His red lips maintained a consistently gentle curve.

He seemed strangely in a good mood.

‘Am I imagining things?’

Swoosh—.

The sea breeze blew.

His black hair gently tousled in the cool wind.

The afternoon sunlight brilliantly scattered over his fan-like, lush eyelashes.

His straight nose bridge, smooth facial lines, and half-parted red lips.

The sight was truly spectacular, but…

“Your Highness?”

At my call, the Crown Prince glanced back at me.

Under the shadow of his eyelashes, his violet eyes shone brilliantly.

“Didn’t you say you had something to ask me?”

“Oh, that?”

The Crown Prince, who had been staring at me intently, replied playfully.

“I just said it casually.”

“Pardon?”

“I wanted to bring the Princess here, but I couldn’t think of a particular excuse. So I just said something random.”

…What on earth is this man?

I struggled to hide my displeased expression.

“However, I do know that the Princess is concerned about Duke Laventess. So if you happen to wonder what I asked about…”

The Crown Prince, who had been contemplating for a moment, looked at my dress.

Then, as if he had a good idea, his eyes sparkled brightly.

“How about saying I was interested in that dress?”

“…Your Highness the Crown Prince? In a dress?”

“Yes. More precisely, I want to give a dress as a gift to a lady, and I happened to like the dress the Princess is wearing today.”

Honestly, that’s not really enough of a reason to urgently bring me here, is it?

I narrowed my eyes for a moment.

Then I nodded my head.

Well, I suppose David would find that reasonably convincing.

After all, from a gentleman’s perspective, it would be somewhat embarrassing to directly mention dresses and ask for advice.

Just then.

“Does that mean we’ll be able to meet the Crown Princess soon?”

Feeling mischievous, I playfully threw a question at the Crown Prince.

“A lady fortunate enough to receive a dress directly from His Highness the Crown Prince – I’m really curious about who this lucky lady might be.”

“……”

The Crown Prince furrowed his brow and stared at me intently.

A sullen voice pierced into my ears.

“What exactly did you think I meant by what I said?”

“Pardon?”

“I clearly told you. That I wanted to bring the Princess here.”

Why is he looking so serious about this?

That wasn’t all.

The Crown Prince held onto me and earnestly emphasized again… but why?

“I’m telling you this in case there’s some misunderstanding, but I currently have no lady I’m courting.”

“Ah, yes…”

I answered with a peculiar expression.

Who doesn’t know that?

There are so many ladies keeping their ears perked for every move the Crown Prince makes.

If the Crown Prince really had a lover, rumors would have spread like wildfire by now, wouldn’t they?

But then.

“Ah!”

Suddenly my body swayed greatly.

The ship tilted dramatically due to the rough waves that crashed in.

I reflexively squeezed my eyes shut and put strength into both legs.

‘No, it would be embarrassing if I fall!’

Fortunately, I didn’t end up rolling around on the floor disgracefully.

A firm arm that reached out just in time gently wrapped around my shoulder.

“Are you alright, Princess?!”

The startled Crown Prince suddenly leaned his head toward me.

His vivid purple gaze was fixed solely on me.

Those eyes that worried and cared only for me…

Thump.

My heart skipped a beat.

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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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