Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 36

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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 36

 

The moment she left the annex, Heidi’s gaze immediately searched for Deshion.

 

‘They’re still talking.’

 

Did he sense her gaze? Before long, Deshion soon spotted Heidi. A moment later, he strode over to her.

 

“Did you enjoy your tour?”

 

Heidi nodded and made eye contact with Lawrence.

 

“Thanks to Lord Lawrence, I had a wonderful tour. He kept me company, so I didn’t have a moment to be bored.”

 

Lawrence looked at her and smiled gently.

 

“….”

 

After watching the two of them for a moment, he extended his arm toward Heidi.

 

“There are many people who want to meet you. I’ll introduce you.”

 

“Alright.”

 

“Would you like to join us as well, my lord?”

 

Lawrence stared directly into Deshion’s eyes for a moment. After a strange silence passed, he nodded lightly.

 

“That sounds good. I was feeling a bit reluctant to part with the young lady like this anyway.”

 

* * *

 

After exchanging greetings with countless people, the carriage ride home was quiet.

 

This evening, Heidi had been constantly introduced to people while standing beside Lawrence and Deshion.

 

Perhaps thanks to the two men, people’s reactions were mostly favorable. The atmosphere was so smooth that she didn’t have much chance to feel nervous even among the unfamiliar estate and unfamiliar faces.

 

‘I’m relieved that I seem to have done well enough.’

 

Then Deshion, who had been looking out the window, suddenly spoke up.

 

“From what I saw today, it seems many people took a liking to you.”

 

At Deshion’s words, Heidi smiled bitterly and shook her head.

 

“Wasn’t that all because you and Lord Lawrence were beside me? There were so many people who wanted to talk to you both.”

 

Then Deshion tilted his head slightly.

 

“For that to be the case, weren’t there too many people wanting to introduce their sons? And Lawrence couldn’t take his eyes off you either.”

 

“…?”

 

Heidi turned her head to observe Deshion’s profile. His expression looked as calm as usual, but somehow his tone sounded unfamiliar.

 

‘…What’s this, really. It sounded like he was jealous, which surprised me.’

 

Heidi shook her head vigorously to drive away the doubt that arose in her mind.

 

Jealousy? There was absolutely no reason for Deshion to feel such an emotion.

 

‘But I have one. A reason to be jealous.’

 

Heidi pouted her lips slightly.

 

“Well, that was the same for you too, wasn’t it.”

 

When Heidi spoke with feigned nonchalance, a brief silence flowed between the two.

 

“…Me?”

 

Deshion’s flustered voice echoed low in the carriage.

 

Heidi crossed her arms and smiled slyly.

 

“I heard from Lord Lawrence. That you’re the number one marriage prospect.”

 

“Lawrence said that?”

 

“And earlier, you seemed to be having such a pleasant time with that beautiful young lady in the garden? You were smiling so brightly…. I’ve never seen such an expression on your face before.”

 

At Heidi’s words, wrinkles formed between Deshion’s brows.

 

“I smiled brightly? You must have seen wrong.”

 

“No, I didn’t. I saw it clearly. You looked very happy.”

 

“We were merely exchanging formal pleasantries. It’s a family we have connections with.”

 

“For that to be the case, the way you two were conversing looked quite affectionate and intimate. You even offered her your arm.”

 

Heidi retorted with unnecessary emphasis.

 

“That was….”

 

Deshion, who was about to argue back, pressed his lips tightly shut. After thinking about something for a moment, a faint smile crossed his eyes.

 

“But you observed quite closely.”

 

“Th-that was….”

 

Heidi felt caught and quickly turned her head away, trailing off her words.

 

“It was just visible. You were standing so conspicuously.”

 

“And yet for that to be the case, it seems you didn’t see properly either.”

 

Deshion spoke with a serious expression.

 

“Really, I didn’t smile broadly.”

 

Heidi couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into laughter. Her sulky mood melted away in an instant.

 

“Oh, but when I was touring the annex with Lawrence earlier, I met the Viscount.”

 

“The Viscount? I didn’t see him today.”

 

Deshion raised his eyebrows as if surprised.

 

“We only exchanged brief greetings. He said he had an appointment, I think.”

 

“Was there anything else he said?”

 

“He talked about my eyes. Said it wasn’t a common color. He said we should meet again soon.”

 

“Soon….”

 

After thinking for a moment, Heidi carefully opened her mouth.

 

“Um, I don’t know him well. I only saw him very briefly, but….”

 

Deshion turned his head to look at Heidi as if asking what was wrong.

 

“He felt like a dangerous person somehow. Instinctively.”

 

Heidi said while making eye contact with Deshion.

 

“You would know better than me, but I felt I should tell you. I have very good instincts about these things.”

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, at that moment, violet eyes kept lingering like afterimages before Lawrence’s eyes.

 

‘Why do I keep thinking about them.’

 

Those two eyes that sparkled with vitality while talking about Aras. That momentary scene seemed to be intensely imprinted, constantly coming to mind.

 

Actually, inviting Heidi today was out of curiosity. He wanted to know even a little more about what kind of person she was, having suddenly appeared in the social circle.

 

But he had learned almost nothing. There were countless things he wanted to ask, but when she was actually in front of him, he couldn’t voice any of them.

 

‘I even got caught off guard.’

 

“I heard you’re engaged to the Princess? Oh, have you already done it?”

 

Actually, Heidi’s question was extremely reasonable. But why did his insides feel stinging as if he’d been slapped?

 

‘Princess. Right, the Princess.’

 

Lawrence pressed his throbbing temples firmly with his fingers.

 

Another pair of violet eyes he knew flashed through his mind. Eyes slightly deeper than Heidi’s, mixed with a reddish tint.

 

Lawrence pulled out a letter from a pile of documents on his bedside table. It was a letter Anastasia had sent directly not long ago.

 

“…Since it’s a once-in-a-lifetime engagement, I want to prepare it well. It must be confusing that it’s suddenly being postponed, but please understand. Let’s wait for the right time.”

 

Anastasia, who had been rushing the engagement announcement, suddenly changed those plans the day before the announcement. And with just a single letter without any proper explanation.

 

It was completely inconsiderate toward the groom, but Lawrence felt no particular emotion about it.

 

It wasn’t an engagement born of love anyway, and he didn’t feel any need to rush it either.

 

‘Love, what nonsense.’

 

What passed between them whenever they met wasn’t affection, but barbed words.

 

Anastasia was a woman who was selfish to a terrible degree. She always had to be the protagonist on stage, and everyone else was merely supporting cast. She wasn’t satisfied unless she could manipulate every situation to her liking.

 

But Lawrence thought calmly.

 

‘Isn’t that what all noble marriages are like anyway?’

 

Love was nothing but a luxury. Whether each could give the other what they wanted—ultimately, that was the essence of marriage.

 

In that sense, there was no woman who held as much in her hands as Anastasia. Her name, status, and power were formidable weapons in themselves.

 

So rationally speaking, she was the best choice for Lawrence.

 

‘Though it’s painful that my heart doesn’t follow along.’

 

Lawrence set down the letter with the royal seal that he’d been holding onto the bedside table with a thud.

 

Perhaps the postponement of the engagement announcement was actually a good thing. For the time being, he could step aside from that suffocating power struggle.

 

Lawrence threw himself onto the bed and lay sprawled out, looking up at the ceiling before becoming lost in thought.

 

Blonde hair. Violet eyes.

 

Heidi’s face from earlier became vivid in his mind once again.

 

‘If she had been of royal blood….’

 

For that moment at least, Lawrence couldn’t help but admit it inwardly.

 

If that were the case, there would be nothing more he could ask for.

 

‘But no, that’s not right.’

 

Lawrence shook his head and organized his thoughts.

 

There was no way Heidi could be of royal blood. Even imagining such a thing was futile.

 

So there would be no benefit in getting to know her better. Despite this, Lawrence’s thoughts kept drifting toward Heidi.

 

Why was that?

 

Why was he curious about her?

 

Lawrence let out a short breath and placed one arm over the blanket to cover himself.

 

One thing was certain: when he stood before her, he found himself blurting out strange words just to draw her attention.

 

Even though it was pointless.

 

Even though there was truly nothing to gain from it.

 

‘This isn’t like me.’

 

* * *

 

“No, what on earth is going on?”

 

The King slumped into his study chair and muttered while holding his forehead.

 

“She was so excited about making a grand engagement announcement, then suddenly canceled it the day before. What could be the reason? Was it Lawrence’s decision?”

 

Noah waved both hands and shook his head.

 

“No, Your Majesty. It was simply the Princess’s change of heart. It has nothing to do with the Praetorium Prince.”

 

“Hah.”

 

The King seemed to breathe a sigh of relief for a moment, but soon shook his head back and forth.

 

“Someday she’ll have to ascend the throne and lead this country… I’m worried about her being so fickle. It must be because I spoiled her too much.”

 

“That’s not true, Your Majesty.”

 

Noah quickly interjected.

 

“The Princess will soon learn the virtues of a ruler.”

 

Then he quickly changed the subject.

 

“Speaking of the Praetorium Prince, it reminded me of something. A few days ago, Miss Heidi attended a banquet held at the Praetorium Estate. From what I heard, she left a good impression and has a favorable reputation. They say she’s pretty and very kind.”

 

“Mm.”

 

The King made a short sound of acknowledgment. Soon he narrowed his gaze and asked.

 

“That aside, did you look into what I asked you to investigate?”

 

Noah waved his hand lightly as if brushing something off and answered nonchalantly.

 

“Surprisingly, there are almost no clues. There’s less to find than I expected.”

 

The King’s brow furrowed deeply. Noah glanced at his face, heavily shadowed with disappointment, and cautiously began to speak.

 

“…That said, it wasn’t completely without results.”

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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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