The scene showed Rachel entering a shabby house with a man, greeted inside by a white-haired old woman.
Who’s that man to Rachel?
The combination of the old woman and another man felt suspicious.
Hmm, where have I seen him before? He looks familiar…
Propping my chin, I pondered, then smirked.
If I used the bait the detective provided well, I had a feeling I could land a big catch.
In the capital, Walt Heim, at Prince Breffny’s palace.
Servants bustled, carrying piles of bribes.
Yawning, Breffny stroked the cat on his lap.
“Your Highness, Prince Claude requests an audience.”
“Claude?”
Breffny raised his sharp nose, his neatly trimmed bob swaying.
Stroking the black cat, he smirked.
“Let him in.”
Moments later, Claude strode into the study, a massive silver wolf trailing him.
“Grrrowl!”
Unlike the hissing cat, the wolf sat calmly beside its master.
Soothing the bristling cat, Breffny spoke.
“Oh, it’s fine. Just a guest dropping by.”
Calling Claude a mere “guest,” Breffny grinned slyly.
“What brings you to the palace, brother?”
Toying with his wispy beard, mismatched with his pale skin, he asked.
Claude’s voice was calm but chilling.
“Is Archduke Spiegel well?”
“My uncle’s doing fine. Why?”
“He planted spies in my castle.”
“Oh, did Uncle pull that stunt again?”
Breffny raised his brows, feigning innocence.
Claude knew this was Breffny’s tactic to deflect blame.
“Breffny.”
“Yes?”
“With His Majesty aging, the crown prince will soon be named. You’ll do anything to claim that seat.”
“Haha, hahaha!”
Breffny clutched his stomach, laughing, his short black hair bouncing.
“Writing novels as a hobby now? That’s pretty good.”
Squinting, he continued mockingly.
“So, what’s the next part of the story?”
“Keep your mouth shut about my marriage.”
“Huh?”
“Whatever you heard from Spiegel, keep it zipped.”
Claude’s red eyes glinted like a predator’s.
Breffny frowned, roughly grabbing the fleeing cat.
“Mreow!”
The cat’s piercing yowl rang out.
“You mean your engagement to Lady Rondinella and the upcoming wedding?”
Breffny tilted his chin primly, and Claude’s lips twisted.
“So it was your doing.”
“Hey, what do you take me for? Breffny doesn’t play cheap tricks.”
He shrugged, brushing it off casually, then sneered.
“But why Rondinella, of all people?”
“…”
“Besides her late mother being an imperial apothecary, that family’s got nothing. Didn’t she already have a fiancé? Did you steal her?”
Claude remained impassive.
Breffny scoffed, dripping with mockery.
“What’s so great about her? Rumor says she’s too dumb to notice her fiancé’s affair with her sister.”
Claude’s eyebrow twitched, his blood-red eyes blazing.
“Watch your tongue.”
His chilling retort made the wolf pace, baring its teeth at Breffny.
“Whoa.”
Breffny clapped his hands.
“Defending her like that? You must really like her.”
“I’m just fulfilling my duty as her fiancé. Unlike some rabid dog.”
Claude’s towering frame and fiery eyes radiated raw menace.
Breffny waved dismissively, annoyed.
“Fine, I’ll keep quiet until the wedding. So keep playing dead, like always.”
His smile hid a venomous edge.
Claude stormed out, nearly breaking the door.
Watching the wolf trail him like a loyal dog, Breffny grimaced.
Provoking Claude now was unwise.
By imperial law, which valued legitimacy, Claude, the First Prince, was the likely crown prince.
Publicly, he was known as “the incompetent prince banished for debauchery at a funeral.”
But that was a false narrative Breffny had painstakingly crafted.
Everyone in the palace knew Claude left voluntarily, despite the Emperor’s pleas.
He’d refused to return, citing recovery, which gave Breffny a rare opportunity but left a nagging unease.
Caught because I was careless?
Claude’s threats, using the crown prince title as leverage, infuriated him.
Recalling Claude’s fierce reaction to mentioning Rondinella, Breffny chuckled.
Wiping his smile, he rang for his aide.
“Find out why Rondinella’s marrying him and what she’s after. If we’re to be family, we should know her motives to help each other, right?”
A week later, I visited to Claude.
Guided by the butler, I entered his study.
Claude sat at a mahogany desk, reviewing documents, his quill moving slowly.
His large hand left bold, elegant script on the paper.
Sitting on the sofa, I noticed he didn’t glance my way.
Not wanting to disturb him, I waited quietly.
The soft scratch of his quill filled the silence.
Used to seeing him lounging, he seemed unfamiliar now.
His usually languid eyes looked sharper.
The Lazeraan potion was clearly working, and I felt a quiet pride.
Smiling, I watched him until he set the quill down with a tap.
Leaning back, eyes still on the desk, he spoke.
“I didn’t overdose this time.”
“Pardon?”
“I followed your dosage.”
His gruff tone made me flash a bright smile.
“Well done! Keep it up, and you’ll improve even more.”
My gentle praise made his thick brows twitch subtly.
Leaning back, Claude closed his eyes.
His condition wasn’t fully healed, so long work must be taxing.
“Are you very tired, Your Highness?”
“…”
“I need to check the spots and apply ointment. Is it okay to proceed?”
He nodded faintly.
“Alright, I’ll start.”
I set the ointment on the table and approached.
His long, thick lashes framed his closed eyes.
His chiseled features and sharp nose cast shadows in the light, like a masterpiece painting.
Carefully, I moved my hand.
Thump, thump. My heart raced with each button I undid.
He’s a patient, just a patient. Don’t overthink.
Suppressing my nerves, I unbuttoned his shirt fully.
Parting it revealed a broad, toned chest beneath thick collarbones.
I scanned his body closely.
“It’s all clear. The spots are gone.”
As I spoke brightly, reaching to rebutton his shirt, a warm hand grabbed my wrist.
Claude’s eyes opened, locking onto mine.
“Lady Aselin.”
“Yes?”
His voice, sharp as a blade, cut through.
“When are you dealing with that other guy?”
Stunned by the sudden question, I stared at his face, which was visibly irritated.
When I looked puzzled, he sneered.
“Your former fiancé.”
“…”
“If you’re planning to juggle both, forget it. Temporary or not, I don’t share my wife.”
His piercing gaze seemed to spark with fire.
