Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 24

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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 24

“May I come in?”

The person who came to see Heidi was Deshion.

“…!”

Startled, Heidi’s eyes snapped wide open.

‘I don’t want to meet Deshion right now.’

She hadn’t yet sorted through all the tangled emotions in her mind. If she had a conversation with him now, she would surely make some unnecessary slip of the tongue.

While Heidi was contemplating, the door clicked open. Heidi instinctively squeezed her eyes shut, pretending to sleep.

“….”

The sound of footsteps gradually drew closer.

Deshion approached the sofa and carefully looked down at Heidi’s face.

“She’s asleep.”

A voice whispered softly.

Heidi held her breath and didn’t move a muscle. But her heart was pounding loudly.

After a moment, Deshion carefully lowered his body. With gentle but precise hands, he slowly lifted her hand.

“….”

A subtle medicinal scent brushed past her nose. He began carefully applying ointment to her wound, being cautious not to wake Heidi.

Each moment his touch gently swept across her palm, warm heat seeped through her skin. It was simply applying medicine, yet wherever his hands touched, heat rose intensely.

‘Why is he so close….’

Deshion lifted his gaze to briefly examine her face.

And this time he leaned down a little more.

The moment his warm breath touched her nape, Heidi couldn’t help but flinch very slightly.

“…!”

At the same time, her eyes snapped open.

Red eyes were looking down at her from right in front of her face.

“….”

“….”

Though it was a dim room, the two people clearly met each other’s eyes. A strange silence flowed between the two who had missed the timing to speak.

“I apologize. I was only trying to examine your injury.”

After a moment, Deshion slowly pulled back. Though his tone was calm as usual, the end of his voice trembled slightly.

“It’s fine. My neck is just a little red, they said. In a few days it’ll be completely healed without a trace.”

Heidi spoke up while unnecessarily fidgeting with her neck.

“I’m sorry for carelessly losing the necklace. It’s because I walked out first….”

Then Deshion opened his mouth with a resolute expression.

“Something like a necklace doesn’t matter at all.”

Heidi’s eyes widened.

“Pardon?”

“The reason I was angry earlier was because you got hurt….”

His voice gained a bit more strength.

“No, more precisely, I was angry at myself. Even though I was watching the whole time, I failed to protect you.”

“Ah….”

Heat rose warmly to Heidi’s face. An emotion she couldn’t identify as relief or joy slowly spread through her body.

She had almost made a pointless misunderstanding by jumping to conclusions alone. You can’t know someone’s true feelings without hearing them directly.

‘In that case….’

After hesitating for a moment, Heidi brought up the question that had been bothering her.

“Um, sir.”

Deshion looked at her intently as if asking what was wrong.

“What kind of relationship do you have with Frida?”

Then Deshion answered immediately.

“She’s an old friend and an informant. We’ve maintained a cooperative relationship for several years.”

“Ah….”

“To explain this relationship, I would have to reveal Frida’s personal history. That’s why it was difficult to explain further.”

At that moment, Heidi felt strangely deflated.

The thorn-like emotion that had been weighing heavily on her gradually lost its strength and subsided. Then her heart, which had been murky like violently stirred muddy water, slowly became clear and lucid.

Why she had felt so disappointed. Why she felt uncomfortable when looking at Frida. Why her heart fluttered when she met his eyes.

‘Perhaps I….’

* * *

The time in Aras was gradually coming to an end.

“It would be better to adjust the waistline like this.”

Today was the day to visit Frida’s house again. The outline of the dress that had been fitted a few days ago was almost finished, with only the final fitting remaining.

Frida personally helped with the fitting, touching and adjusting the hem of the skirt. Her touch was delicate, and her eye was exceptional.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, it’s pretty.”

“Right? It’s not a common style, but that’s why you’ll stand out more.”

Frida smiled brightly and embraced Heidi’s shoulders.

“You must be tired from changing clothes? Shall we rest for a moment over tea?”

Heidi nodded vigorously at Frida’s suggestion. She was just starting to feel drained anyway.

The two women sat facing each other on the outdoor terrace, holding teacups. The space, with all the maids dismissed, was intimate and peaceful.

As Heidi took a sip of the refreshing cold tea, Frida spoke up.

“You were curious about what kind of relationship Deshion and I have, weren’t you?”

Pfft.

Heidi, who almost spat out her tea, coughed softly. After wiping her mouth with the handkerchief Frida offered, Heidi answered with a flushed face.

“Ah… yes. A little.”

“It probably would have been awkward for him to explain. From his perspective.”

Frida smiled and continued.

“Deshion was a close friend of my husband.”

“…Husband?”

“That’s right. I was widowed a few years ago.”

Heidi’s eyes widened greatly. Frida patted Heidi’s hand as if to say it was okay and continued.

“Then all sorts of people came after me to steal the family fortune. He had no close relatives. I was his only family.”

“….”

“That’s when Deshion stepped in. If it hadn’t been for Deshion, I would have lost everything. I owe him a great debt.”

Frida’s gaze turned toward the distance. Though she was smiling, there was something sad about her atmosphere that made Heidi unconsciously hold her breath.

“Now… Deshion and I have that kind of relationship. We give each other what we need. I give him information, and he solves troublesome matters for me.”

Frida lifted her cup, took a sip, and smiled.

“When I went home yesterday and thought about it quietly, I realized that during the entire meal, only he and I were laughing and chatting. We were talking about memories the three of us shared with my husband, and I guess I got too excited. I’m sorry if you felt left out.”

“Not at all. I’m more sorry. Not knowing about such things….”

Heidi kept her gaze lowered to the table and rubbed the rim of her teacup with her fingertips.

Frida looked at Heidi and asked.

“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”

Her gaze was calm and honest.

Heidi silently shook her head. Then Frida sighed in relief and laughed.

“That’s a relief. I was terribly worried that I might have interfered with you two.”

“Interfered?”

What did she mean by interfere? Heidi blinked her large eyes.

“Well, Deshion is….”

Frida, who was about to say something carelessly, quickly covered her mouth. She smiled awkwardly and shook her head.

“No, it’s nothing! I misspoke.”

Heidi tilted her head and was about to speak.

“What do you mean by that….”

Just then, the rhythmic sound of horse hooves could be heard from far away. A dark navy carriage was slowly approaching.

Soon the carriage door opened, and a familiar silhouette revealed itself.

The low sunlight brushed against his shoulders and hair.

Golden sunlight sparkled on his pale skin, and his hair gently fluttered in the wind, revealing his straight forehead.

He who had been scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes lifted his head as if sensing someone’s gaze.

“…!”

And in that instant, his face, which had been nearly expressionless, softened gently. Warmth spread through his red eyes, and a faint smile bloomed at the corners of his mouth.

“….”

Thump.

The doubts she had been harboring just moments before, and the words she had intended to ask Frida, all faded away in an instant. Strength gathered in Heidi’s fingertips as she gripped the teacup handle.

‘This is trouble.’

Heidi’s face turned bright red.

‘I think I’ve really come to like that person.’

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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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