How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

“I do not know the truth, but there are many alarming rumors. Stories of glass artisans disappearing from all corners of the Empire circulate from time to time.”

“……”

I was so shocked that I lost my words and stared blankly at Tristan. Then a mocking voice, tinged with laughter, interrupted.

“I did not know that Your Highness the Grand Duke would be so interested in the Dearsby estate.”

“P-Prince!”

The shop owner turned pale, unsure what to do. Everett’s cold gaze was fixed on the trembling man.

His icy voice cut sharply.

“So this is where the baseless rumors started—right under my feet.”

The shop owner hurriedly lowered his body and stammered excuses.

“O-Oh, Your Highness. You misunderstand. I did not involve these people. I merely… H-Hey, what are you doing! Go apologize to the Second Prince immediately!”

Trembling, the shop owner begged Everett while staring at Tristan and me, his bloodshot eyes wide with panic.

Tristan frowned with displeasure. Then Gehardt, standing nearby, raised his voice loudly.

“How dare you show such an attitude toward Your Highness the Grand Duke and Your Highness the Grand Consort?”

“Eh? Y-Your Highness the Grand Duke…?”

The shop owner stared blankly, his gaze moving up and down Tristan’s appearance.

“Th-This cannot be. Which estate’s Grand Duke are you?”

“……”

I felt my face heat up at the shop owner’s fumbling question.

“What nonsense. How insolent!”

Gehardt clenched his teeth and rattled his sword, but in truth, the shop owner was not at fault. No matter how they looked at us, we could not be mistaken for a high-ranking noble couple. Poverty alone was to blame.

Everett, standing with his arms crossed, let out a quiet chuckle. Tristan’s sharp gaze quickly swept toward him. Their eyes met in a tense standoff in midair.

If a sword fight broke out here, it would be a disaster. Tristan might not lose, but that made it even more dangerous. This was the middle of the Imperial Palace. Clashing swords with an imperial prince here would bring no good.

I quietly grabbed Tristan’s elbow and shook my head. He looked down at me, pressing his lower lip firmly.

Then Everett, who had been watching with interest, suddenly stepped toward me. He tilted his head and whispered softly in my ear, though everyone could hear it.

“So, Ruel. It has been a long time since you last visited here.”

A long time? Has the real Ruelin ever visited this place?

Puzzled, I tilted my head, and Everett’s smile deepened. His smooth voice continued.

“Have you found anything you like? I will give you anything you choose. Considering Hezekia’s finances, it must be hard for you to buy anything here.”

“……”

I stood there dumbfounded, unable to respond.

I needed time to process the situation. First, why was a prince of the Empire appearing in the shopping district with nothing to do? The shop owner was trembling, though I did not know what crime he had committed. Everett’s bold demeanor, as if this were his shop, was also suspicious. It felt as if…

What seemed to be happening was…

“Your Highness. Could it be that the Lord of Istenia Island is the Second Prince?”

I asked Tristan, stunned. He paused for a moment, then shook his head silently.

“No? Then why is he acting like that…”

“The island’s lord is Count Dearsby.”

“Eh? Ah…”

In an instant, everything clicked.

Count Dearsby, Everett’s stepfather and a notorious privateer captain, was the ruler of Istenia Island. Everett’s presence here suggested he was deeply involved in the island’s affairs.

Judging from Everett’s personality and the System’s hints, the dark rumors Tristan mentioned about the island might not have been mere gossip.

The beautiful glass in my hand suddenly felt heavy.

My face must have gone noticeably pale. Everett, who had been scrutinizing me for a long moment, lifted the corner of his mouth slightly. His warm brown eyes glimmered strangely.

“Ruel, it must be frustrating living in isolation. If you are tired of that life, you can always divorce the Grand Duke and come to me. I will give you as much of the crystal glassware you treasure as you wish.”