When the Female Lead Went Off-Script, the Main Male Lead Became the Tyrant's Empress - Chapter 26.2
“But hear me out.”
He clearly had no intention of reflecting, judging by the way he was already preparing another excuse.
Haster had thought Arden possessed at least enough basic decency to recognize his mistake and repent.
“Go ahead, then.”
Haster spoke as he set down the empty glass.
“Why do you think I did that to Clary? To gain influence over the Lurie territory? I never had any such intention. It was to separate her from you. I’m not talking about emotional distance or anything like that. I wanted the two of you to be physically apart. Clary is always beside you. And you bear some responsibility for that too.”
Arden raised a hand to stop Haster from immediately objecting.
“Do you understand what I’m saying? You stayed beside her whenever you had time. You keep Clary company, and you teach her. I know you would even make time you don’t have for her.”
“I am her godfather.”
“Then what about time for me? Do you feel no affection for a cousin you’ve known for twenty years?”
“…….”
Haster wanted to respond properly, but he couldn’t find anything to say.
“I’m not an idiot, Haster.”
Arden sat upright.
The impatience and frivolity that had tinged his voice and behavior had disappeared at some point, leaving him calm and composed.
Arden spoke in a quiet, steady voice.
“I know that you avoid me. If you don’t want it, I don’t even get an opportunity to have a private conversation with you. I know how you view me. And I know you keep your distance because you don’t like what you see. But tell me, have you ever given me a chance? You still don’t know what kind of person I am. You only know as much about me as everyone else does. Isn’t that true?”
Haster furrowed his brow.
What kind of ridiculous nonsense was this?
Was that why he had done such a thing to Clary?
If he had known, he should have used another method. What was this supposed to mean?
Separating Clary from Haster by force had been the easiest and fastest method, so Arden hadn’t even considered any other option. Did he truly think no one would realize that?
That pretty-faced fool clearly believed that lowering his lashes and dropping his voice would make his argument sound convincing.
Haster wasn’t surprised in the slightest that Arden had long known he was trying to keep his distance.
Unless Arden was blind or utterly oblivious, it would have been stranger for him not to know.
Despite knowing, Arden had continued approaching him.
Thanks to that, Haster had realized that Arden wanted something more than simple affection between cousins.
Like a child clutching sweets in both hands while coveting another, he truly was overflowing with greed.
“So you’re saying it was my fault?”
“It wasn’t entirely unrelated to you.”
“I wondered what you were going to say while looking like a rain-soaked puppy. Is that really all you have?”
“Don’t you feel even a little pity for me?”
“I might have, if I were deaf.”
At those words, Arden lightly lamented, “Ah, as expected, you’re not falling for it.”
The man before him was infuriatingly sane and far too cold.
‘Well, it might also be because I’m spouting nonsense.’
You could at least let it slide a little.
Haster quietly watched Arden grumble that he was being too harsh, then rose from his seat.
Arden wondered whether Haster was leaving because he could no longer contain his anger and began considering how he should stop him this time.
Then Haster’s calm, deep voice flowed from his lips.
“I suppose I can leave for the salon an hour later.”
Without waiting for a response, Haster walked out.
As Arden watched his retreating back, a satisfied smile spread across his lips.
What? He fell for it after all.
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* * *
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Haster kept his word.
He departed for the salon one hour later than the time he usually left the imperial palace.
Sometimes, he even rode in the same carriage as Arden.
Whenever that happened, he occasionally regretted doing something unnecessary, but he never expressed any dissatisfaction.
Whatever Haster thought had absolutely nothing to do with Arden.
In any case, he didn’t take back his word, and Arden visited Haster’s room every evening.
The difference from before was that Haster now listened attentively to what he said and responded.
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