Chapter 5 (1/2)

How should I reply to someone trying to say hello when I had an accident with them?

‘Stop avoiding me. Let’s say hello.’

The man who pretended to know Latille finally approached her. Her heart felt as if it dropped.

‘Who are you?’

The commander of the guards stood up and tried to stop him, but he was in no position to do so.

‘Klein Abyssinier, prince of Carrisen.’

Latille revealed a crumpled expression before coming back to her senses; she shrieked inwardly.

I had an accident with Haizens’ brother?! Crazy!

Latille didn’t hear Haizens’ half-brother, but she knew Haizens was the eldest son. Until Haizens gets married and produces an heir, the children of the late emperor will continue to be referred by their royal titles, so that prince must be a younger brother of Haizens’.

You’ve gone crazy, Latille, crazy.

As she was about to blame herself, Klein began approaching.

I can’t help it!

Latille had the nerve to go and introduce herself.

He was drunk anyway, so much of his memory should be fuzzy. Even if he does remember, I’ll just say, ‘wasn’t it just hugging?’ I’ll just pretend I don’t know. Yes, I don’t remember a thing.

Latille went towards him and revealed a smile.

‘I’m Latrasille Valertain, princess of Tarium and the leader of the wedding celebration delegation.’

Latille, who asked for a handshake out of habit, continued to smile politely even after greeting him.

‘Klein.’

He looked at her with an ambiguous expression. It was obvious, but Latille feigned composure and spoke arbitrary words.

‘Carrisen is a beautiful country.’

‘Yeah, it’s warm enough to not freeze to death when you sleep outside.’

The corners of Klein’s lips twisted a little. The commander of the Guards expressed his displeasure of whether it was considered rude or not. Latille poked him with her finger, laughed awkwardly then turned around.

‘Still, sleeping outside must be difficult. You’ll probably catch a cold when the temperature drops at night, right?’

‘Do you really think so? You look fine, though.’

‘… Of course. Ah, what’s the most famous food in Carrisen?’

‘Alcohol.’

‘…’

Latille laughed quietly and nodded, but she screamed on the inside.

That man, he definitely remembers! He knows that I was the woman who had an accident with him after drinking! Otherwise, there was no way the topic of sleeping outside or alcohol would come up.

Eventually, Latille laughed exaggeratively.

‘You jest.’

‘My lady, what’s wrong?’

You dense bastard.

Latille smiled softly and benevolently at the commander then spoke to Klein.

‘I think your brother will come soon. Wouldn’t it be better to sit and wait?’

Fortunately, as I finished my speech, the sound of trumpets could be heard, signalling the beginning of the wedding.

‘Okay, I’ll see you later, so wait for me.’

Klein spoke firmly to Latille and returned to his seat. As Klein began to depart, the commander of the Guards asked once again,

‘My lady, do you like that prince? Why are you suddenly using such a freaky tone?’

‘If you have time for such thoughts, you should think about keeping your mouth shut.’

The commander sighed in relief, seeing that she has given a normal response. Latille shook her head with a groan.

‘What do you usually take me for?’

‘Don’t hide your personality when you talk to men you like. They’ll get shocked once they find out. Besides, you’re most attractive when you’re rough.’

‘I guess teasing is fun when you’re rough.’

‘That’s the case.’

The commander was a friend of Prince Lean before he attained his position so compared to the age of an average knight, he was considered to be quite young. His swordsmanship and leadership skills were excellent, so the controversy surrounding his age subsided almost immediately but to Latille, he was just a malicious friend of her brother’s.

I really don’t get why ladies fancy him.

Latille glanced at the commander of the Guards, who was smiling quietly and laughing inwardly.

Of course, he is objectively handsome.

Still, a stuck up personality makes you unattractive.

‘By the way, Princess, do you like that prince?’

‘No way.’

‘Fair enough, he doesn’t suit you.’

‘Why not? He’s handsome. If he stood beside me, don’t you think we’d look complete- like a painting.’

‘That man has a dirty personality. He’s not the kind of person I’d get along with.’

‘What kind of personality?’

Just in time, the music started again with a loud bang and fireworks flew in all kinds of directions. When the firecrackers exploded, silver confetti was launched everywhere with colourful lights coursing through the sky. Amid the cheers, Haizens appeared in a luscious, long cape.

‘You’re not talking about his personality, are you?’

Latille muttered silently as she looked at Haizens with a pathetic expression.

‘Absolutely not.

‘What?’

‘How about me?’

Latille, who was looking at Haizens with a pitiful expression look towards him in disgust at the sudden remark. The commander was smiling teasingly, leaning nonchalantly on his chair.

‘That’s a joke in bad taste.’

Latille tutted and turned her head. Whether the timing was a coincidence or not, it seemed as if Haizens looked towards her direction. Latille had the urge to flash her middle finger at him but held back with great persistence. She decided to concentrate on the bride’s entrance. Moments later, enchanting harp music began playing, and thick smoke covered poured into the crowd. As everyone exclaimed in wonder, the bride, Aini finally appeared wrapped in flowers and jewels; she looked pitifully beautiful in her white dress. Everyone held their breath in amazement. Latille struggled to ignore the pain of a broken heart, forced a smile and clapped. Nothing is worse than seeing the man you once loved marry another woman. After the two made their wedding vows, they put on the rings and pecked each other’s lips. Latille felt all sorts of unpleasant feelings; she felt pain, misery, irritation and agitation.