Chapter 14
“Your Highness Hernan. It’s Gact.”
The visitor was Gact.
“Ah. Come in.”
Gact entered the office and bowed his head to Hernan.
“What about Rinzel? Did she arrive safely at the duke’s estate?”
“Yes. I escorted her there without incident.”
“Good work.”
Gact stared intently at Hernan’s face.
“Your Highness, you seem to be in a good mood.”
“Do I…?”
“Yes. Do you remember the day of the final civil war? Even when you raised the flag of victory, you didn’t look this pleased.”
“I see.”
Hernan ran a hand over his face, where a faint smile lingered. He needed to fix his expression.
After taking a deep breath, his face returned to normal.
Cold. Sharp. The kind of presence that could crush others with just a glance.
“Gact.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I want you to look into the House of Valencia. Especially Rinzel…”
“How detailed should I be in investigating Lady Rinzel?”
“Hmm. What kind of food she likes, what kind of clothes she prefers, what type of man she likes… I’m even curious about what she ate yesterday.”
Gact’s expression turned serious as he listened.
“Y-Your Highness… Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but it might be better to ask Lady Rinzel those things directly.”
“Why? What’s the problem?”
“That sort of behavior… is what people call stalking.”
“….”
Hernan’s face twisted into a fierce scowl. Gact’s shoulders trembled.
“How impertinent.”
Gact bowed deeply, repeatedly begging for forgiveness.
“Still… I suppose there’s some truth in what you said.”
“Thank you for your boundless generosity, Your Highness.”
“But asking her directly… feels somewhat difficult.”
“Then I shall gather the information within reasonable limits.”
“Do so.”
If he asked her directly, his blunt honesty might only make Rinzel uncomfortable again.
Hernan looked at the small box on his desk.
It was a gift Rinzel had given him.
“Gact. Bring me the gift Rinzel gave.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Hernan opened the wrapping and looked inside.
There was a glass bottle.
He even opened the lid.
“A fragrant oil.”
The scent was similar to the fragrance Rinzel carried.
…She gave this to everyone in her family too?
Hernan’s mood suddenly darkened.
He didn’t like the fact that her gift was shared with others.
There’s no need for her to give gifts to her whole family. Next time, I should casually tell her to prepare something just for me.
Yes. I definitely should.
“And Gact.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Is there more…?
Gact had no idea what he would be ordered to do next.
“There’s somewhere we need to go early tomorrow morning.”
“Where is it?”
“…Can’t you guess?”
Hernan countered, and Gact recalled a place they had visited frequently lately.
“Don’t tell me… that shop again?”
More specifically, Ishar’s favorite boutique—Montblanc.
Hernan nodded once.
“I need you to procure the trousers Ishar often wears.”
“T-trousers this time?”
Hernan looked at him with serious eyes and spoke firmly.
“Yes. Acquiring Ishar’s trousers is a very important mission. Remember that.”
It sounded more solemn than orders given on a battlefield.
“I will carry out your command, Your Highness!”
Even as he obeyed, Gact thought to himself:
Just what kind of person is Lady Rinzel…?
He sincerely hoped she was a decent person.
But…
If she’s someone who’s making His Highness worry about his clothing…
Gact’s eyes gleamed.
He began to suspect that Rinzel might not be a good person after all.
Because a ruler obsessed with clothing rather than weapons was not the kind of lord Gact had hoped for.
The Next Day
On a bright morning, Ishar, as usual, visited Montblanc.
He wanted to check out new items and browse the clothes he often bought.
As soon as he entered, he called for the shop’s madam, Annette.
“Annette. I’m here.”
Annette hurried out to greet him.
“Oh my, Your Highness Ishar! Welcome!”
Ishar was the shop’s VVIP. Every time he visited, sales skyrocketed.
He bought in large quantities, and whatever he wore quickly became a trend.
Annette treated him with the utmost care.
“The new arrivals today are wonderful. Let me show you.”
She personally presented the items.
Light clothing for the upcoming summer, blue gemstone bracelets that gave a refreshing feel, and drop earrings that Ishar himself had made popular.
He selected items that suited his physique and placed advance orders.
It was a bit early for summer wear, but a true fashionista always stayed a season ahead.
Dress slightly warm in summer, slightly cold in winter—that was Ishar’s philosophy.
After finishing his browsing, Ishar spoke.
“…Oh. While I’m here, could I also get the trousers I’ve been wearing lately?”
The moment he said that, Annette’s face darkened.
Ishar felt a strong sense of déjà vu.
It reminded him of a few days ago—when someone had bought up the cloaks and shirts he usually purchased.
“…Don’t tell me Hernan bought those too?”
His voice trembled.
“Y-Your Highness… th-that is…”
Annette fidgeted nervously, sweat forming on her forehead.
Even without a clear answer, Ishar understood.
Hernan… you even copied my trousers now?
He recalled that night after dinner, when Hernan had stared at his pants strangely.
So that’s why…
He must’ve wanted my trousers.
Annette apologized repeatedly.
“Please punish me. It may sound like an excuse, but… you already have many pairs, and I couldn’t refuse His Highness Hernan’s command… I’m sorry.”
Ishar shook his head.
Who could refuse a prince—especially one rumored to be a killer?
Even royalty might struggle.
His annoyance wasn’t directed at Annette, but at Hernan.
“Forget it. There’s nothing you could’ve done.”
He even reassured her with a faint smile.
“Still… I don’t understand why His Highness Hernan has suddenly taken an interest in fashion.”
“I think I know why,” Ishar replied meaningfully.
Could it be because of Rinzel Valencia?
Since meeting her, Hernan had begun coveting his clothes.
When someone becomes interested in a woman, they start caring about their appearance.
“Honestly, I think so too,” Annette said. “People usually start caring about clothes because of someone they like.”
She was sharp.
No wonder she ran the shop.
Ishar agreed—but he had no intention of sharing palace matters with her.
So he stayed silent.
Unaware, Annette continued chatting.
“Oh! That reminds me—I heard something.”
“What is it?”
“…Ah… it’s about another customer, so I probably shouldn’t say.”
She hesitated.
“Annette. Tell me what you heard.”
“Well… I shouldn’t…”
Ishar deliberately curved his lips into a charming smile.
A dimple appeared—one she adored.
“I’ll keep it to myself.”
“….”
“Trust me.”
It was a level of charm that could shake anyone, regardless of gender.
“Y-you really must keep it secret!”
Annette surrendered completely.
“Of course. When have I ever spoken carelessly?”
“That’s true… I know you’re discreet, Your Highness.”
“Then go on. I’m listening.”
And so, as naturally as flowing water, she spoke.
“His Highness Hernan’s political marriage partner… has been changed.”
Hernan’s engagement partner had changed?
It was an unexpected confession.
