TKMLTE 96

CHAPTER 96

Translator: Rae

***

I’d Like You To Play Along With Me This Time

Whitney considered seeing Cheston before returning to the duke's estate.

‘After all, it's better not to raise unnecessary suspicions.’

Since Violet would be watching, it seemed better to contact them separately. Whitney cast a brief glance at the outer palace before heading toward the carriage.

“May I ask how was it?”

It seems like things will go smoothly since we’re on the same page. However, I’ll need to play this card wisely…”

It was difficult to reveal that Carl had an illegitimate child without damaging Violet’s reputation. Another approach was necessary. Whitney wasn’t sure if informing the king was the right course of action.

I’ll have to consult with Prince Cheston.’

Fortunately, since Violet had already decided to return to her homeland, things wouldn’t be too difficult. The best strategy was to send her back first and expose the truth.

The queen had tried to rescue Maurice for the sake of Carl’s child in her womb. Whitney couldn’t help but shake her head at the queen’s ruthlessness.

If things had gone differently, she might have even tried to register the child as Violet’s. Knowing that, Violet had chosen to take Whitney’s offer.

The situation had become more complicated, but at least she had gained something from it.

***

Cheston lay back in the boat, gazing up at the sky as it drifted across the lake. Ever since he started taking the crown prince’s education, his schedule had suddenly become packed with new duties, making it difficult to slip away unnoticed.

“Is it really alright for me to be lazing around like this?”

"The queen would love to see me lazing around."

He smirked, lazily flicking the water with his fingers. There was much to investigate through his informants, but for some reason, the queen had increased her surveillance. Something was happening—something she didn’t want him to find out.

“The more she hides it, the more I want to find out.”

“No other contact has been made with Gnosis. Maybe he’s figuring it out.”

“I think I should send a letter to the Duchess Regnant and arrange a meeting. It would be difficult for anyone to object if I were simply meeting my fiancée.”

“But, isn’t that Her Grace over there?”

At Aaron's words, Cheston sat up and turned to look in the direction he was pointing. Thinking he might have mistaken someone else for her, he checked again—only to confirm that it was indeed her.

“Perfect timing.”

Rowing after her wouldn’t be fast enough—he wouldn’t be able to catch up. He could always meet her later, but he wanted to see her right away. As Cheston took off his robe, Aaron stared at him with an expression of disbelief.

“Please, I beg you, restrain yourself.”

“Just say I lost my mind because of the heat. Everyone already knows I like swimming in the sea anyway, so it’s not that strange.”

“That and this are completely different things.”

Without another word, Chesotn leaped into the lake. A loud splash echoed as his body cut smoothly through the water. He swam effortlessly, gliding forward until he reached the far end of the lake. Emerging from the water, he swept back his drenched hair and began walking forward, water dripping from his clothes and leaving a faint trail with every step.

Droplets clung to the blades of gass before falling, making a soft rustling sound. Sensing his presence, someone turned their head.

Was there anyone who suited this lush, green landscape more than she did? Standing amidst the foliage, she seemed at home. The golden strands of her hair shimmered in the sunlight, catching his gaze. A smile tugged at his lips. As she slowly turned to face him, his steps unconsciously quickened.

"Oh, my! Your Highness Prince Cheston!"

Whitney looked at him in utter astonishment. Zegmon, too, looked at him as if he were some kind of eccentric guy. Unbothered by their reactions, Cheston spoke nonchalantly.

"It's so hot."

“It seems Your Highness enjoy swimming."

Despite her furrowed brows, his smile never wavered. She had rushed over in an instant, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket to wipe the droplets o water on his face.

“Sometimes, you act like a child. Or… are you doing this on purpose?”

"I had no other choice. This way was faster, don’t you think?”

“Well, at least it’s daytime, so you won’t catch a cold.”

"I do feel a little chilly.”

Whitney smacked away the arm that had snuck around her waist. Seeing the slight grimace on her face, he decided that teasing her any further might just get him scolded. Leaning in, he murmured lowly so that she was the only one to hear it.

"I'd like you to play along with me this time.”

She put her hand on his cheek and sighed.

“Shouldn’t we be more careful if others are watching?”

"I’m not sure. The queen might actually be pleased if she thinks you’ve driven me crazy. It would mean there’s a weakness to exploit.”

Cheston curled his lips into a smirk as he glanced toward people hiding behind the trees, watching them. Sliding his hand around her waist, he let a deep smile spread across his face.

***

"Your Highness know I can't stop you, right?"

"I know."

Cheston wiped off the moisture with a towel. As soon as he entered the outer palace, he changed into a fresh set of clothes.

Witney sat on the sofa and looked up at him as if she couldn’t do anything.

How many times had he shown up drenched? She wondered.

‘At this point, shouldn’t they just build him a private swimming pool?’

She pictured a swimming pool inside the royal palace while staring absentmindedly at him, then quickly shook her head. Even if there were one, he would probably still dive into the lake or the sea.

"Sir Zegmon, it seems you have become the knight of the ducal house in the meantime.”

“Yes. Our last meeting wasn’t ideal, but it’s an honor to see you again, Your Highness.”

Zegmon looked somewhat surprised. No wonder—seeing Cheston drippingb wet must have been bewildering. Whitney heaved out a sigh and sipped her fruit juice. The damp strands of hair sticking to his skin were bothersome, but she didn’t have the patience to wait until they dried. She needed to relay her message quickly and leave.

As she watched him shook off his hair with a towel, she rose from her seat and took the towel from his hands. Then, she spoke while drying his hair gently.

"I actually had something to say to Your highness."

Cheston sat down quietly and accepted her touch. Seeing the two interact so naturally, Aaron and Zegmon averted their gazes, pretending to admire the distant scenery.

“It would have been nice if you had come to see me. But since that doesn’t seem to be the case, I suppose I shouldn’t get my hopes up.”

Her hands, which had been gently drying his hair, became a bit rougher. Worried that he might notice her flushed face, she firmly pressed the towel down over his head.

The towel was lifted as his head was lowered.

"I met Princess Violet."

Whitney removed her hand from his hair and glanced toward Sir Aaron. If there were any listening ears arond, it could become troublesome. By now, someone in the royal palace had likely already begun spreading rumors about the two of them being together.

Sir Aaron promptly opened the door and stepped outside to check the surroundings. Even Sir Zegmon, who had been idly standing by, decided to follow suit, excusing himself to keep watch,

Left alone in the room with just Whitney, Cheston took her hand and placed it back on his head. She heaved out a short sigh before resuming drying his hair. “You really are something else,” she murmured resignedly.

“I found out why Maurice summoned Prince Carl and the reason the queen helped him.”

He smiled with satisfaction and gently tilted his head back, making it easier for her to dry his hair. Yet, he still lifted his gaze to meet her eyes.

"Princess Violet must have decided to talk.”

“In exchange for a condition. She must be sent back to her homeland with her honor intact.”

“A rather demanding condition. Well, I suppose that’s to be expected from a princess.”

He clicked his tongue in disapproval. Even if he didn’t like it, the deal was a deal. Keeping their word was crucial this time. If she were sent back to her homeland under the wrong circumstances, war could break out.

“A war with another country is out of question. The civil unrest alone is already enough to keep the Kingdom of Luowen in chaos.”

“I know. That’s why I need to understand—what’s the real reason behind all this?”

“...Maurice is carrying His Highness Prince Carl’s child. The queen likely tried to get her out of prison, but now that things haven’t gone her way, she may try to take only the child instead.”

“The queen will be in a lot of trouble if it becomes known that shes’ been smuggling criminals out of prison.”

Whitney nodded. Since she had already shown her the opal, a response from Phaetonthra was bound to come soon. Regardless of whatever dealings had taken place between the kingdoms, they wouldn’t criticize her for returning empty-handed.

It wouldn’t be long before they learned that their own princess had been treated disrespectfully, so all they had to do was wait a little longer.

“I’ve decided to send a letter to Phaetonthra. Once we receive a response, I’ll take action, so Your Highness only needs to be wary of the situation. The royal banquet will be held soon, where the business announcement will take place, and I believe we will start moving afterwards.”

“Do you not intend to inform Father as well?”

“No, not yet. After all, he’s of the royal bloodline, so he might share the same thoughts. Once Princess Violet has left this place, I will reveal everything."

"If that is what you say, then I shall wait."

"Next time, let’s do it together."

Her hand, which had been drying his hair, suddenly stopped. A soft blush spread across her fair face as she averted her gaze. He knew exactly what she meant, yet he couldn't help but ask again, his tone laced with curiosity.

"What?"

"Anything."

Anything?

His eyes gleamed dangerously for a brief moment. Like a starving predator, he took a deep breath, his upper body leaning in. The touch of his hand on her cheek jolted her back to reality.

His eyes like a lake, which seemed to be sucked in, overlapped with his appearance in blue water. It seemed that there would be nothing strange about being submerged in the water as it was without any sense of incompatibility. His eyes, deep consuming resembling a lake, made her feel as if she were drowning in them. She could almost see the two of them submerged in that blue water, as if they were one, as if it would be the most natural thing in the world for them to simply drown together.

Then he smiled—broadly, almost playfully—before removing his hand from her face, only to hold the back of her head gently and pull her close to his. The sudden closeness stole Whitney’s breath.

As their lips met, he chuckled softly, catchingb her upper lip lightly between his teeth before murmuring in a low voice.

“You did say we should do everything together.”

***

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