When the Female Lead Went Off-Script, the Main Male Lead Became the Tyrant's Empress - Chapter 30.2
Arden handed Haster a goblet filled with a drink.
“I expected it, but seeing it in person is unpleasant.”
Haster accepted the glass as he answered.
“There aren’t only men around her. And how long are you going to treat her like a child? She’s an adult now.”
“I know that. But she still knows very little about the world.”
“That’s true, but…….”
Someone who had spent half her life imprisoned and raised under abuse couldn’t be the same as someone raised in a normal environment.
To Haster, who didn’t know Clary’s actual circumstances, she was no different from a single rose thrown into a typhoon or a rabbit that had only just learned to run.
“Even so, you can’t keep sheltering her. That’s overprotective. You aren’t going to remain in Carcosa forever. Do you really think treating her that way will help?”
His own words suddenly struck a vulnerable point he hadn’t even known existed.
‘You aren’t going to remain in Carcosa forever.’
Arden felt unsettled.
Everyone already knew that Haster would return to Yse once the coronation ended.
He didn’t understand why he felt this way.
‘It must be because we’ve been together constantly, and now I’m disappointed that he’ll be leaving.’
Arden reached that unpleasant conclusion.
There was no other way to explain it.
READ ONLY AT VANISHINTOFICTION.COM
* * *
READ ONLY AT VANISHINTOFICTION.COM
While Arden struggled to sort out his complicated feelings, Troanne entered Haster’s field of vision.
“Look after Clary.”
Haster handed Arden his still-full glass and headed toward Troanne.
When he approached, Troanne smiled.
“I’m telling you, those two are dating.”
Clary, who had just finished speaking with several nobles, moved close beside Arden and whispered without any context.
“Our niece finally learned how to read, and it seems she’s only been reading romance novels. You need to look at the whole situation.”
“Even looking at the whole situation, they’re dating for sure. They’re exchanging glances right now and creating an atmosphere that keeps everyone else from approaching.”
“Are you dreaming? Go to bed if you’re tired.”
“Look at them. The Countess and Uncle Haster are practically pressing their bodies together.”
Just as Clary said, Haster and Troanne had moved close enough for their bodies to touch.
“Only because the area became cramped when people passed by.”
Despite his unconcerned voice, Arden’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Arden drained his glass in a single gulp.
READ ONLY AT VANISHINTOFICTION.COM
* * *
READ ONLY AT VANISHINTOFICTION.COM
“Is there anyone among the young noblewomen gathered here who would be suitable to become Clary’s lady-in-waiting?”
Haster asked bluntly.
To think that was the first thing he said after greeting her.
He truly was a man without the slightest sense of romance.
Troanne hummed and gave him a peculiar smile.
“Because Your Highness cherishes your niece so unusually, I wondered whether you might harbor other feelings for her. I never expected you truly cherished her only as your niece.”
“Were you jealous?”
“I’m not sure. Perhaps I would have been if Your Highness actually felt something else for your niece.”
I might have acted spitefully despite being an adult, she added mischievously.
Troanne’s suspicions weren’t unreasonable.
Under the law, marriage between relatives was permitted as long as they weren’t related within three degrees of kinship.
Both Haster and Clary were unmarried.
Although they were godfather and goddaughter, they weren’t legally prohibited from marrying.
If necessary, the Emperor could easily give his beloved granddaughter to the Grand Duke in order to keep him close and under observation.
However, Haster had no interest in that.
“His Highness the Crown Prince prepared thoroughly. At this rate, I may lose all my guests to him. And…….”
Troanne glanced around as she spoke.
“There will be plenty of rumors after tonight.”
Indeed, just as she said, the Grand Duke, who rarely appeared in high society and quickly left whenever he did, was speaking with the Countess, the darling of high society, in an affectionate atmosphere.
Furthermore, they were the imperial grandchild’s godfather and chaperone.
It already seemed possible to hear the lips of gossipmongers moving.
“It seems one of those rumors has already begun.”
With a glance, Haster indicated Arden and Clary, who stood at a distance whispering while watching them.
Why were neither of them mingling with anyone else and instead staring over here?
Judging by the shapes of their mouths, they were debating whether Haster and Troanne were dating.
“Wouldn’t you like to turn the rumor into the truth?”
Her playful, gentle whisper brushed past his ear.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
