Chapter 8 (2/2)

‘The princes owe me a lot.’

Chloe thought about them in the past, five years ago.

‘I’ll be able to borrow money from the Royal Family. I can pay off Eric’s debts with that money.’

Her heart was pounding.

The helplessness that had previously taken over her disappeared before she knew it. The pleasant feeling of hope instead embraced her.

Chloe opened the bedroom door with an excited heart.

But her bright face soon crumbled.

Eric was standing outside the door.

“…Darling?”

She tried to hide her surprise by raising her chin.

Eric only stared at her.

“You look happy, Wife.”

He looked at Chloe with an imploring gaze.

“It’s not like you.”

He said one thing, and then another.

However, because Chloe was distracted by the news of a prince’s visit, she didn’t notice his sharp tone.

“I heard His Highness is coming, so of course I’d be delighted.”

Chloe continued to smile in a way that’s ‘not like her’.

“It’s been five years since we met, so there’s a lot to catch up on. Can I greet His Highness?”

Because of her anticipation, she didn’t see it.

Eric’s expression grew stiff.

Eric narrowed his eyes.

He kept a close eye at Chloe, scrutinizing her face carefully.

People usually showed what they were thinking on their faces, but as always, Chloe’s expressions did not reveal anything.

Eric continued to stare into her strong gaze, but soon, he exhaled and briefly shook his head.

Then, he looked at Andrea.

“I’ll have to talk to my wife alone. Leave.”

Andrea, who had been standing still at the side, bowed and left the room.

Ka-chak.

After the door was closed, Eric passed by Chloe as he entered.

A musky lumber scent passed over the tip of Chloe’s nose.

It was a scent that was always around him. Chloe breathed in, as though trying not to forget the scent by taking in as much as she could into her lungs.

“Sit down for now.”

Eric said this as he sat down on the sofa, crossing his legs and placing his interlocked hands over his knees.

Was it because he combed his hair back? His wide shoulders stood out to her, along with his large hands.

As if he dressed up to politely welcome the prince, he was also wearing slacks that revealed his muscled thighs.

Chloe averted her gaze right then. She slowly sat across from him.

“First, Wife, tell me why you came to visit.”

As soon as she sat down, Eric took out a cigarette from his coat pocket and spoke plainly.

“It’s been thirty years since it last snowed here in the capital.”

The fire that was lit on his match was transferred to the cigarette. Then, hazy smoke flowed out of his lips.

“It means there’s just that much snow in the region.”

Chloe, who listened to his words carefully, asked him then.

“Is it alright in the north?”

Eric shook his head.

“There was an avalanche.”

“What?”

Chloe’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You don’t have to be shocked. Nobody died. The risk prevention went well.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“But the roads are completely blocked. They said it’ll take a long time to clear. And thanks to the avalanche, even the railroads that were recently opened have been blocked as well.”

Damn it. Eric breathed in deeply on his cigarette, swallowing along with it those two short words.

His face grew blurry beyond the foggy smoke.

“Stay here until the roads are cleared.”

Indeed, Chloe found out the reason why she hadn’t been woken up early in the morning despite him telling her to leave at daybreak.

She nodded silently.

“But keep this in mind— you’re not free to wander around as you please.”

“Pardon? What do you…”

“It means you’re not allowed to meet the prince.”

Chloe’s eyes widened as she raised her head so quickly that her carefully styled hair was jostled.

“Why? Why can’t I meet His Highness?”

Her tone was agitated, however, Eric did not answer her right away.

He just looked at Chloe with a dry, indifferent gaze.

A heavy silence stretched between them.

Eric didn’t take his eyes off Chloe, and neither did Chloe shy away from his eyes. The conflicting gazes showed each of their respective wills.

Huu…

Eric once again blew out cigarette smoke, the room instantly filling with the stark smell of tobacco.

“The Royal Family will hold you leverage against me, Wife, so that they can get an upper hand with the deal between us.”

Chloe thought it was a plausible response, but at the same time, it was a cowardly excuse.

“It would be better if you don’t meet him. For me.”

‘For you.’

Did he know the weight of those words? He spoke as though he knew for sure.

Chloe bit down hard on her lower lip and pulled her sleeves down to hide her clenched fists.