ARPTCF 08

Chapter 8

A short time after the honeymoon,

As Clyde was slowly leaving the Knights’ Headquarters while waiting for Beatrice, he stopped in his tracks at a familiar voice coming from behind him.

“Look who it is—Sir Clyde Dalton, the man so busy taking care of his wife that he’s become impossible to see in person?”

When he turned around, there stood a handsome man with silver hair that clearly revealed his imperial bloodline, and violet eyes strikingly similar to the Empress’s.

If counted together with the past, this was Crown Prince Crowell Halo Ronya Edvane—the superior he had served for a very long time, and also his friend.

“Your Highness Crowell.”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s me.”

The Crown Prince clicked his tongue as if annoyed at the formal address, lightly tapping Clyde’s back as he continued.

“How are things? Are you enjoying your time with your lovely wife? I’ve been hearing all sorts of rumors at the Knights’ Order—that you’ve completely fallen into newlywed bliss.”

At the Crown Prince’s teasing grin, Clyde let out a light, airy laugh and nodded.

“Oh, that rumor?”

“What, so it reached your ears too?”

“Haha… yes, it did.”

It would have been more problematic if it hadn’t.

To convincingly appear as a disgustingly affectionate couple who couldn’t live without each other, the two of them had been putting in truly desperate effort.

Since their new home was still under construction, they were living separately at their family estates, which made it even more important to act carefully.

They intentionally timed meetings to pick each other up, clung to each other at social gatherings, and openly shared meals in front of others as if they were inseparable…

If anything, over the past few weeks, the time he spent “attached” to Beatrice had almost felt like an entire lifetime’s worth.

Even Beatrice, who had once been exhausted by the overly sweet nicknames after the wedding, could now casually say things like “dear” in her sleep.

The good part was that they were now experienced enough to pull off little tricks.

Yesterday’s banquet had been particularly convenient.

They had exaggeratedly gone out for a walk after dinner, only to return later with deliberately disheveled clothes—just to give the impression of private time alone.

No need to worry about public attention; it was enough to simply disappear somewhere secluded for a while and come back.

All of it was part of their tearful effort to irritate Valoa Crawford bit by bit.

While he was recalling those efforts, the Crown Prince raised an eyebrow slightly.

“…I didn’t expect you to answer so honestly, Sir Dalton.”

“Because it’s true. That my wife is lovely, that I enjoy spending time with her, and that I’m deeply immersed in newlywed bliss. I see no reason to deny any of it.”

“Ha! Stop. If you keep going, I might actually get goosebumps.”

“Such a pity.”

Clyde lowered his eyes as if disappointed, then smiled calmly and greeted him.

“Ah, I’m late in offering my greetings, Your Highness. Thank you for your attention regarding my marriage. I heard you’ve been sending gifts almost daily—there’s barely enough room for them all.”

“Don’t mention it. Put it aside. I couldn’t attend the wedding, so I felt quite guilty. I was thinking of making up for it now.”

“Haha, your feelings are more than enough. I couldn’t possibly trouble Your Highness with such effort.”

“Is that so? Haha! You should’ve told me earlier then. It’s not like I’d interfere with your little love story anyway.”

Then, lowering his voice slightly, the Crown Prince added:

“Not just me—my mother was also quite disappointed. Since your partner is Lady Hartwell, it’s understandable. The Count aside, Lady Beatrice’s father, Zedrick, is from the same kingdom as us. He said he never expected you to hide such an important matter.”

“Oh, that…”

Clyde scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“The Count of Hartwell never intended to hide it from Her Majesty the Empress. It’s just that Lord Zedrick himself didn’t know.”

“He didn’t know? About what?”

“About our relationship. To be more precise… Her Majesty and my father learned about our marriage almost within days of each other.”

The Crown Prince looked at him as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Wait. So you’re saying you even hid it from your families?”

“Well… there were reasons.”

“Reasons? I heard you two started dating back in the academy. What kind of reason could possibly justify hiding it so thoroughly—ah. Well, I suppose it would’ve caused quite a stir.”

Even though the two of them were the youngest daughter and second son of their respective families, the union between House Hartwell and House Dalton was still a major political event.

The Hartwell Count family produced roughly 10% of the Empire’s grain supply and was extremely wealthy.

The Dalton ducal house, on the other hand, was one of the founding noble families who had once sworn blood-oaths with the imperial family at the Empire’s birth.

Even without complications, it was already a big enough scandal…

“If Lady Hartwell’s husband’s background had been revealed back then, the traditionalists would’ve definitely caused trouble.”

Now, with the Crown Prince’s elder sister Elodie engaged to the Dalton heir, things were quieter—but still.

“Still, hiding it even from your family is a bit excessive.”

“Haha, well… the ‘younger son’s’ circumstances are complicated.”

Clyde smoothly dodged the topic and changed direction.

“We’ll be visiting Her Majesty the Empress soon with my wife. If I’m busy with duties, Beatrice will go first.”

“That’s good. Mother will feel better once she sees you both. Ah, and…”

“What is it?”

“Speaking of trouble… Valoa Crawford came to mind. Are you alright?”

“Pardon?”

“I heard about the incident where she crashed your wedding, and then went straight to the Emperor demanding he annul it.”

That was right.

After declaring, “If it can’t be undone without the Emperor’s approval, then I’ll just make the Emperor order it,” Valoa had stormed straight to him.

She had boldly demanded that Clyde be given to her by annulling the marriage.

If she were an ordinary noble, she would have been executed on the spot.

But she was the beloved niece of Archduke Alec, and although the Emperor scolded her fiercely, he did not punish her.

“His Majesty is rather soft when it comes to matters involving the Archduke.”

The Crown Prince clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and patted Clyde’s shoulder lightly.

“If you ever need help, tell me.”

“Ha—”

At that, Clyde let out a genuine laugh.

Unlike the past, the Crown Prince Crowell stood firmly in his position—and that alone was enough to make Clyde feel strangely relieved.

“What’s that? That disgusting smile?”

“Disgusting? I’m simply moved by Your Highness’s words…”

“Don’t give me that nonsense. Since when were you so loyal?”

As Clyde silently thought, ‘You have a point,’ his eyes suddenly caught sight of Beatrice’s platinum hair in the distance.

“Bee! Darling! I’m here with His Highness!”

Wanting to prevent her from casually calling him as usual in front of the Crown Prince, he quickly called out to her.

Then he lowered his voice and spoke to the Crown Prince.

“Actually, there is something I’d like to ask Your Highness regarding this matter.”

“Oh?”

“As you know, rumors about how deeply in love we are have spread widely. I’m worried Lady Valoa, given her temperament, might try to harm my wife.”

Beatrice stopped for a moment upon hearing his voice, then immediately shifted into a bright smile as she hurried over.

Without taking his eyes off her, Clyde calmly continued:

“So, Your Highness… would you perhaps have time tomorrow?”

“If you do, would you consider attending a masquerade ball in the evening?”