Chapter 4 - What my ex-lover’s woman said (2/2)

‘He was most definitely wearing something, but…’

After much thought, Latille decided to simply ignore him even if she ran into him again.

If you have face, you’d better pretend not to know each other.

‘Alright.’

After Latille made a firm decision, she changed out of her clothes and went to the bathroom.

♔♔♔

The reunion with the man happened much earlier and much worse than she had initially expected.

‘Damn, I’m going crazy.’

I not only forced myself to attend Haizens’ wedding, but now the man I was supposed to avoid is sitting at one of the top seats.

Upon seeing the location of the top seats, Latille could tell that the men sitting there were from the imperial family of Carrisen, that means that the man is likely to be Haizens’ relative. Besides, seeing the place that’s assigned to him means that he’s not just a distant relative.

Is it an illusion? It almost seemed as if that man kept looking this way.

‘My lady, do you know him? He keeps looking at you.’

I guess it’s not an illusion.

‘I don’t know him.’

Latille said, like a liar.

My eyesight is good, obviously. Fortunately, the man turned his head and pretended not to know me as well.

‘My lady, you’re in luck. I’d rather you turn your head away.’

Latille glanced at the commander of the Guards and turned away.

‘Relax, he’s not pretending to know me. You’re either nervous, you don’t know, you’re pretending you don’t know, or you’re pretending you do know.’

‘She’s the princess of the Tarium Empire, Latrasille Tarium.’

When the subordinate reported, the corners of Klein’s mouth curved into a sneer.¹

‘I didn’t ask. I said the liver was too big.’

He was sure Latille was looking in his direction, but she kept avoiding his gaze as if she’s pretending not to know him. It was almost as if she’s trying to show that she’s ignoring him with her unnaturally stiff movements.

♔♔♔

Last evening, Klein found her drunkenly crying and approached her. A female knight in a uniform, holding a bottle of wine and crying uncontrollably.

I admit, it wasn’t meant to be; I was going to kick her out because of the ruckus she was causing, but she was strong. I tried to chase her away, but she wouldn’t budge. Eventually, I gave up and decided to make the woman drink harder, so she can sleep in silence, but I wonder why she kept mumbling about handsome men and crying…

‘Who the hell is the handsome guy you’re talking about, and why were you crying so loudly?’

‘You.’

However, the woman unexpectedly said she was crying because of Klein. The woman sobbed pitifully as she grabbed the terrified Klein by the collar.

‘Hick… Mr. Handsome, I love you so much, but you… Who are you? Did you descend from the heavens to heal my wounds? Hick…’

Klein was certainly not unpopular. Although he wasn’t a legitimate son, he was still a prince, famously known for his beauty; he was known as ‘the star of the country’. However, unlike his charming demeanour, he had a rotten personality, so no woman courted him openly. For a woman to hang onto him like that, it was a first. The woman sniffled; Klein hugged her awkwardly. There was a familiar scent of dirt beneath the smell of alcohol. Her soft hair tickled his nape. There was a woman who was hurting because she liked him. Klein stroked the woman with a strange sense of satisfaction. It was unfortunate that he couldn’t marry any woman he wanted because of his status.

‘Crazy, do you really like me that much?’

‘Are you leaving? You’re going to be leaving me, too?

‘I guess.’

‘Hah! I’ll tie you up and throw you in jail! I’m going to make sure that it’s impossible for you to leave.’

‘Woman, that’s a crime.’

As he clicked his tongue at her, he snatched the bottle of wine from her hand and drank it. It was compassion in its own way- compassion for not being able to reciprocate the feelings of a crying woman. Klein embraced the woman in his arms and drank in her stead but when he opened his eyes the next day, she was nowhere to be found.

I asked and asked, but no one knew who the black-haired woman was.

Klein was offended.

She said she liked me, so how could she just leave like that? Still, I tried to understand her in my own way. Perhaps she was too ashamed to look me in the eye after confessing her feelings because of my status. I did think it was a little cute in that sense.

Regretfully, Klein left and went back to his place.

I wanted to get to know her, but I had to hurry and prepare for my damned brother’s wedding.

However, he unexpectedly reunited with the crying woman; she doesn’t even try to make eye contact.

‘…’

After checking the time, Klein got up from his seat and stiffly approached the woman, tapping the back of the chair in front of her.

‘Stop avoiding me. Let’s say hello.’

T/N¹: Was stuck on that part.