The Reason I Got Engaged to My Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 19

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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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Episode 19

Instead of answering, I just widened my eyes.

“…No, go ahead.”

But what followed was a deflated voice.

‘What’s going on?’

I’m concerned…

I watched what seemed like a look that regarded me as an eyesore, then shook it off and moved my feet.

***

“The Colonel recovers quickly and takes good care of himself, so if you manage it carefully for just a few more days, it will heal cleanly.”

The doctor who examined Ransel’s shoulder explained calmly.

Even though it was about his own body, Ransel half-listened while adjusting his clothes.

“And the child…”

Pipi was lying on the spacious bed, battling with the blanket.

The doctor’s eyes began to soften as he watched Pipi with growing affection.

‘My kid is pretty cute.’

The doctor belatedly cleared his throat and straightened up.

“Rather than not adapting to the changed environment, she’s going through a natural growth process. She’ll gradually be more affected by external stimuli.”

Ransel, who had shown no interest in his own examination, listened carefully to those words.

I also listened attentively while stroking Pipi’s fluffy hair.

“If the child becomes fussy with the nanny, just tell her to hold and calm her down. You two shouldn’t worry too much either, and help the child cope well with stimuli.”

When the doctor finished speaking, Ransel naturally responded.

“I see. We worry a lot since it’s our first child.”

Our first child.

The doctor, who had been treated to a perfect display of ‘harmonious family for show,’ smiled warmly.

“For a child, seeing harmonious parents is the best education. Please make sure she grows up in a family where everyone loves and cherishes each other.”

It sounded like something from the first page of a parenting guide.

The doctor examined Pipi a few more times, then packed his bag. He seemed ready to leave.

“…?”

Right then, Ransel interlaced his fingers and took my hand.

I widened my eyes and asked in a small voice.

“What are you doing?”

“Showing the child harmonious parents, like he said.”

Right. But we’re not Pipi’s parents…

I tried to shake off his hand but stopped, conscious of the doctor who hadn’t left yet.

Ransel, who had been staring at me, gently placed the back of his hand on my cheek.

“Your face got hot. Why?”

“Don’t do that.”

“I won’t not do it.”

“…”

It was so childish I didn’t even want to talk to him.

I just hoped the doctor would leave quickly. All of this was part of the ‘harmonious family for show.’

‘Wait, this is…’

Then I felt something catch on the fingers I was holding.

There was a sparkling ruby ring on Ransel’s ring finger.

I whispered again.

“Why are you still wearing this?”

“Can’t I wear a ring as I please?”

“Of course not.”

Because this is a couple ring…

For reference, I threw away that ring in Ranghilden because I couldn’t stand the sight of it.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

The doctor, finally ready, bowed his head and left.

I quickly pulled my hand away.

Then Ransel asked as if he didn’t understand.

“We were fine until he left, so why are you acting like this?”

“Be quiet in front of the child.”

“What did I even say.”

“…Ha. Never mind, just forget it.”

This is why I didn’t want to get involved with my ex-boyfriend.

Because I keep feeling that I share memories with someone who only left bad feelings.

“Are you going to the Naval Base now?”

“No, His Majesty summoned me, so I have to stop by the Imperial Palace first. So I’ll be late today.”

Ransel swept back his bangs as if the mere thought was tiring.

Silver hair leaked through his fingers.

‘Hmm, so I’ll be alone at the estate with Lady Sophia this evening.’

I thought of Sophia.

‘Earlier, she looked like she had something to say to me.’

It probably wouldn’t have been anything good.

Some low-ranking noble girl who ruined a prestigious family’s marriage arrangement.

‘Still, life at the Viscount’s Mansion hasn’t been uncomfortable so far.’

After Larientha returned to the north, there were only four people in this vast estate, excluding servants and retainers.

Me, Ransel, Viscount Belzebutte, and Duchess Sophia.

On the day I came here, I wore a bright floral dress to make a good impression.

And the Viscount I met in that outfit was the epitome of a high-ranking noble that made everyone uncomfortable.

‘How should I put it… If Ransel became much colder after about 25 years, that would be exactly how he’d look.’

The fortunate thing was that he seemed uninterested in me. That first meeting was practically our last.

‘Well, it’s not like this was my first visit to the Viscount’s Mansion.’

I used to come here often when we were dating. As evidence, my nail marks were still on the wall of Ransel’s bedroom.

…I don’t really want to recall how they got there.

Anyway, for that reason, the only person I was concerned about was Sophia.

‘Since I’ll break off the engagement later anyway, there’s no need to actively improve our relationship.’

Right now I might be an eyesore who damaged the ducal family’s reputation, but once the incident was resolved and Arviente became known as a family that showed kindness to protect a child, Sophia’s view of me would likely improve too.

***

Half a year ago, Crown Prince Cael died.

Gunshots that rang out late at night in the Crown Prince’s Palace startled all the attendants into action.

Could it be an attack on the Crown Prince?

When they gathered at the bedroom, the source of the gunshots, Cael was already dead.

With a bullet lodged below his chin.

Looking at the overall situation, it was clearly suicide.

Of course, since it was the Crown Prince’s death, they couldn’t easily conclude it.

Therefore, a thorough investigation was conducted, but when testimonies like ‘His Highness seemed anxious for the past few days and didn’t look well’ continued, it was ultimately concluded as suicide.

That the Crown Prince, designated as the next Emperor, couldn’t bear the burden and chose a shameful death.

“Your Majesty, Colonel Arviente has arrived.”

Today, when Ransel visited the Imperial Palace, was actually quite late to commemorate the Crown Prince’s death.

Nevertheless, an atmosphere of mourning his death remained throughout the Imperial Palace.

“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”

Ransel bowed his head deeply.

The Emperor smiled kindly and gestured for him to sit.

“It’s been a while. The Westport Line returned some time ago, but there was no word from you. I thought you had actually gone through with that exile you used to talk about constantly.”

“Please understand. I’ve been quite busy with various matters.”

The bastard son of a ducal house who had turned high society upside down for a while.

No matter how uninterested the Emperor was in gossip, he couldn’t have been unaware of it.

The Emperor let out a light laugh.

“Yes, the talk about you and the Count’s daughter has been causing quite a stir everywhere. The Princesses too, and even the elderly maids are in an uproar.”

It meant that Ransel had been receiving tremendous criticism everywhere as ‘the bad man who made our dear Mary suffer.’

“You should restore discipline in the Imperial Palace.”

“While their behavior wasn’t quite what one would expect from the upper class, people need some commotion where they live. Anyway, knowing all this, the reason I summoned you.”

The Emperor reached out and picked up his teacup.

“Since you weren’t in the Capital during the mourning period, fulfilling your duties as a guardian, I hoped you would visit Cael’s tomb now. That boy was quite close to you.”

“Is that so.”

His wrinkled eyes gently creased.

The Emperor seemed lost in memories of his departed son, showing a smile deep with melancholy.

“You’re also the person who gave Cael his first taste of defeat in life. At that ridiculous rowing gathering, the Healthy Rowing Community or whatever it was.”

Ransel, who had stiffened slightly at the mention of Cael’s death, smiled along at those words.

In truth, Cael was far from being an ‘admired royal.’

Where he kept learning such strange things from. He would tell even the servants to ‘treat me comfortably, think of me as your friend,’ trying to mingle with lowly people.

Besides that, he would casually date women, participate in festivals pretending to be a commoner, and caused many incidents…

“If Your Majesty hadn’t dragged me along, I wouldn’t have set foot in such a gathering.”

The problem was that Cael lacked the courage to carry out such acts.

“You’re the only one who doesn’t fear me, doesn’t look down on me pitifully, and poses no threat to my position, Ransel.”

“I’m getting tired of hearing people say I’m dating Your Majesty now.”

So Cael always brought Ransel to such places.

He cherished his friend so much that Ransel lived hearing people say ‘if you have nothing to do later, just become His Majesty’s concubine.’

“Yes, go visit the friend who fell into the water while playing such trivial games with you. That’s why I called you here.”

“Is that really all?”

Actually, when the Emperor summoned him, Ransel had felt something ominous.

But it was merely the obvious instruction to ‘go to the Tomb of the Crown Prince and pay your respects.’

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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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