Chapter 22
“…Body?”
The moment Hernan’s fist slammed into Ishar’s cheek happened in an instant.
Thud!
With the sound, Ishar’s body was thrown hard against the hallway wall.
Unwanted images flooded Hernan’s mind—
Scenes of Ishar and Rinzel sharing secret meetings in times and places where he wasn’t present.
Now it wasn’t just his heart—his head was boiling over too.
“Ugh. Your punches are still as fierce as ever.”
Ishar spat out the blood pooling in his mouth.
Lowering his stance, Hernan grabbed Ishar by the collar.
“Speak clearly. What did you do to her?”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You said ‘body.’”
Ishar let out a disbelieving laugh.
“I’m still looking at your body right now, you know?”
“….”
“What I meant was that kind of body. Like her arms you can glimpse between her sleeves. Things like that.”
The hand gripping Ishar’s collar dropped.
I was too hasty.
Ishar was kind to women, but he wasn’t someone who indulged in a promiscuous lifestyle.
And Rinzel wouldn’t casually show her body to him either…
Hernan let out a dry breath.
“Stop beating around the bush and get to the point.”
Only then did Ishar speak plainly.
“I think Lady Rinzel is being abused.”
“Abused…?”
Hernan repeated the unfamiliar word.
“I feel a bit awkward saying this to your face, but…”
“Say it.”
“Lady Rike, who didn’t want to become your bride, passed that political marriage onto Lady Rinzel.”
“….”
“And the bruises on her body… I think someone in her family might be mistreating her.”
Hernan couldn’t believe it.
He had never properly seen the bruises on her body—
And more than anything, she had seemed happy.
Rinzel gave off no negative aura at all. In fact, she was quite honest.
If she were truly being abused, wouldn’t she have told him already?
Even in the smallest way—through some gesture or hint.
“If you’re done misunderstanding me, let go of my collar and apologize. I think my lip’s split thanks to you.”
Ishar tapped Hernan’s hand gripping his collar.
“…I’m sorry.”
Hernan straightened up. This time, he genuinely felt sorry.
“You apologized quickly, so I’ll let it go just this once.”
“….”
“You should really listen properly before jumping to conclusions.”
Hernan said nothing.
If anything, Ishar’s wording had been misleading too.
But arguing further would only drag things out. Hernan decided to leave.
As for the abuse—he would ask Rinzel directly.
Just then, something Rinzel had said came to mind.
“Your Highness Hernan, could the four of us meet? You, me, Lady Rike, and His Highness Ishar?”
Since he had already run into Ishar, perhaps he should grant her request.
Hernan spoke.
“By the way, Ishar. Are you free tomorrow?”
“Why?”
“Rinzel wants the four of us—you, me, Lady Rike—to meet.”
“All of a sudden?”
“…Something like that.”
“Fine. Set the time and place and let me know.”
Then another thing Rinzel had said resurfaced.
“I want Your Highness to wear a three-piece suit!”
Come to think of it, he didn’t have a decent three-piece suit in his wardrobe.
The ones he had were either worn out or out of fashion.
He decided to visit <Montblanc>, the shop Ishar often frequented.
Hernan changed the date.
“Ishar. How about the day after tomorrow instead?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m free after 4 p.m. that day.”
“Understood.”
Without hesitation, Hernan turned and left.
Watching his retreating figure, Ishar rubbed his throbbing cheek.
“Grown up, haven’t you? Hitting your own brother over a woman.”
He wasn’t angry about the punch.
After all, he knew his use of the word “body” had been misleading.
He had spoken carelessly because he’d lost his composure while talking about the abuse.
I should be more careful next time. I don’t want to get hit again.
“Anyway, a meeting of four…”
He decided he would observe Rike closely at that gathering.
And I should drop by Annette’s as well.
It was an unusual meeting, and Ishar wanted to look his best.
The next morning, someone arrived early at <Montblanc>.
The man pushed open the glass door himself and strode straight to the counter where Annette stood.
Under his cold, piercing gaze, her body trembled.
He didn’t even blink as he stared down at her.
The man introduced himself as “Hernan.”
He was the empire’s second prince—known as the “War Demon” and “Butcher.”
Since he had spent most of his life on the battlefield, few outside the imperial palace recognized his face.
Thus, countless terrifying rumors followed him.
That he could kill with just his gaze.
That he bore a massive scar on his face.
That even stray dogs wet themselves when passing him…
Annette swallowed nervously, recalling those rumors.
Forget dogs… I might be the one who wets myself…
Her shoulders trembled.
Normally, he ordered clothes through an aide—why had he come personally today?
Was he here again to copy Ishar’s outfits?
Forcing a smile, she greeted him.
“Y-Your Highness Hernan. Thank you for visiting our shop. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“What’s your name?”
“Annette.”
“Annette. I came today to buy a three-piece suit.”
“O-Of course. Please wait a moment. I’ll bring something that suits you.”
Hernan gave a small nod.
“Oh. And bring something Ishar would like as well.”
The moment she heard that, Annette understood.
So he’s here to copy Prince Ishar again.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
She didn’t ask questions. It was better not to know noble affairs.
That was a rule she had learned over years as a shop manager.
Once she gained some distance from him, she could finally breathe.
His presence alone was suffocating.
She hurriedly gathered several three-piece suits that Ishar might like.
Soon, she and the staff rolled out racks of clothes into the main floor.
Hernan stood exactly where he had been.
“Your Highness Hernan, I’ve brought what you requested.”
Instead of answering, Hernan stared toward the glass wall.
“From now on, I am not here. Remember that.”
Annette tilted her head.
What does he mean?
But without explanation, Hernan walked off—
To a thick, dark red curtain along the wall.
He slipped behind it, as if he had done so many times before.
Then—
Ding.
The doorbell rang.
“Annette! I’m here.”
It was Ishar.
“Your Highness Ishar, welcome.”
As she greeted him, she realized—
Ah. So Prince Hernan sensed his presence. Incredible.
Ishar looked around casually, like he owned the place.
Then he spotted the rack of three-piece suits.
“Oh? What’s this? Did you know I’d be coming?”
“W-well…”
“I was just thinking of getting a new three-piece myself.”
Annette broke into a cold sweat.
But she couldn’t say they were prepared for Hernan.
She improvised.
“We just received some new designs… I was arranging them for display.”
“Perfect timing, then.”
Ishar examined the suits.
“Annette. A three-piece consists of a jacket, vest, and trousers. Do you know which part is the most important?”
“The jacket?”
“No—the vest. It holds the whole outfit together.”
He picked one.
A navy suit—simple jacket and trousers, but the vest had gold embroidery.
A glint flashed in his silver eyes.
“I have an important appointment tomorrow. Can you send this tonight? You know my measurements, right?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“Thanks. I have something urgent, so I’ll be going.”
“Take care.”
As expected of a fashionista, he made his choice in no time and left.
A few minutes later, Hernan stepped out from behind the curtain.
His gaze fell on the navy suit Ishar had chosen.
Annette felt uneasy.
Don’t tell me…
Her fear became reality.
“Annette. I’ll take that one as well. The navy three-piece.”
