🌸 Chapter 8 🌸

“Still, the most important thing went well. Good job. You spoke very well earlier too. Why were you so worried?”

After drinking a lot of water, Ares shook his head. He looked so exhausted that Herina almost felt sorry for him.

It was understandable. What happened today was probably far too much pressure for a seventeen-year-old boy to handle.

But to Herina, that was actually a good thing.

The more shaken he becomes, the more he will depend on me.

“Anyway, let’s keep hiding your identity just like we did today. You weren’t lying when you said earlier that we should depend on each other and support each other, right?”

Knock, knock.

“Your Grace, His Highness the Second Prince is waiting in the drawing room.”

Herina immediately turned her head.

Ares’s eyes met hers, and his pupils were shaking badly.

“What should I do?”

Ares asked her with a pale face.

“How am I supposed to know if you ask me?!”

“Should we use the veil? No, wait. The wedding is already over. It would be strange if you were still wearing a veil, wouldn’t it?”

Even if Herina planned to take over the Duke’s family, getting caught by the prince right now would cause all kinds of problems.

It could even ruin her grand plans.

“Ares!”

She grabbed Ares’s wrist while he stood there with a blank expression.

She pulled him toward the bed and pushed him down.

Ares hit the back of his head against the pillow and looked at her in disbelief.

“Are you trying to kill me so I can’t meet His Highness?”

Ares said it loudly.

Herina quickly put a finger to her lips.

“Would I be trying to kill you if that were really my plan? Be quiet!”

“You’re sick. Understand?”

“You were so nervous because you love me too much, and as soon as the wedding ended, you became sick and had to lie down.”

“Do you understand?”

“I’ll handle everything for now, so stay right here.”

“It would be a disaster if His Highness discovered the truth.”

Ares, pressured by her, lay under the blanket.

But just as Herina was about to leave, he grabbed her wrist.

“But if it’s the imperial family, aren’t they very close to our family? We are supporters of the Emperor, and His Highness the Second Prince would probably help us if something happened to me.”

“He already helped us during the wedding…”

That was true.

If the Second Prince learned the truth, he would probably immediately offer to help.

He was very close to Ares.

But that was exactly the problem for Herina.

If that happens, he’ll discover my plan to use this young Duke to take control of everything.

“Well… Secrets are secrets. Once they get out, it’s over.”

“I’ll handle things like this from now on, so don’t worry!”

“Just rest here!”

She gave him a quick explanation so he would not become too suspicious.

Then she put her feet into the shoes she had thrown aside.

Seeing her struggle with them, Ares lightly held her arm so she would not fall.

“Oh, thank you.”

“Um…”

Since he kept bothering her, Herina turned around with an annoyed expression.

But Ares looked deeply touched.

“Thank you.”

“Thanks to you, I was able to finish the wedding safely.”

“Normally, these are problems I would have had to deal with alone.”

“I truly mean it when I say thank you.”

His words were completely sincere, and his innocent face made Herina feel a little guilty.

But she simply scrunched up her nose and turned away.

“You’re welcome.”

Herina returned to her room, quickly changed out of her wedding clothes, and headed to the drawing room where the prince was waiting.

“I greet His Highness the Second Prince, the star of the empire.”

She entered the room alone and bowed politely.

Prince Benjamin looked confused.

“Where is the Duke? Only his wife came?”

“I didn’t expect to see you. That man has always been so protective of his wife.”

Herina sat on the sofa beside him and smiled as naturally as possible.

“The Duke stayed awake for several nights preparing for the wedding, so he isn’t feeling well.”

“Please forgive his rudeness.”

“Ares gets sick too?”

“He must have been very excited about marrying you.”

“I have been his friend for my entire life, and I have never once seen him sick enough to lie down.”

Of course.

He’s not actually sick. He’s only lying there because I threatened him.

“Haha…”

“By the way, may I ask why you wanted to see us?”

Herina was very uncomfortable with the situation.

When Benjamin had left to study abroad, he had clearly shown hostility toward her.

But now that the wedding was over, he suddenly seemed much friendlier.

“Is there really a special reason?”

“It isn’t as if I had to travel for several days to get here.”

“I heard that my old friend finally married the person he will spend the rest of his life with, so I came to see you.”

“But he’s sick, so I can’t help it.”

“I suppose I’ll have to meet him another time.”

“You must also be busy taking care of your husband, who became sick on his first day of marriage.”

“I’ll take my leave now.”

“I’ll see you both again soon.”

At the words “see you again soon,” Herina suddenly raised her head.

“When you say soon…”

“Does that mean you’re not going back to your studies abroad?”

“Ah, yes.”

“It’s become a little boring.”

“And His Majesty’s health has also become worse recently.”

“As his son, I should stay by his side and help him.”

What happened to that great dream of yours?

You wanted to travel across the continent because there was so much to see and learn.

And now you’re suddenly planning to stay here?

Herina forced the corners of her mouth upward.

“Yes… Yes, of course.”

“I hope His Majesty stays healthy.”

“So you’ll be staying in the empire from now on?”

Benjamin shrugged and nodded.

“I suppose so.”

“I also have a mansion in the capital.”

“If you don’t mind, I’ll probably visit you often.”

“After all, I don’t have another friend quite like that guy.”

Ugh…

Herina wanted to hold her forehead.

But she could not show that kind of reaction in front of a member of the imperial family.

“That’s wonderful.”

“Haha, really wonderful.”

“The Duke has been lonely too.”

“So if Your Highness stays nearby…”

“It will be very good for both of you.”

“Yes. Good friendship.”

Why does he have to be friends with a prince?

And not just any prince, but someone who isn’t even the crown prince.

A prince who was not directly next in line to the throne would not be that busy.

Herina already felt dizzy thinking about Benjamin constantly visiting the mansion.

“Before your marriage, I didn’t have many chances to meet you.”

“But since you are the wife of my closest friend, I would like to become close to you too.”

“I look forward to building a relationship with both of you.”

The handsome corners of Benjamin’s lips curved upward with excitement.

But Herina found it difficult to smile back.

Even if I managed to avoid trouble today, how am I going to hide the Duke from him in the future?

“B-But!”

“But?”

“There is just one thing…”

“For the time being, could you please give me a little time?”

This was her only remaining option.

She had to pretend to be a newlywed woman who wanted to spend time alone with her husband.

Herina gave a shy smile, acting like a jealous wife who did not want her beloved husband to be taken away by his friend.

“The Duke was very busy before our marriage…”

“So I would appreciate it if you could understand and give us a little time.”

She acted so shy that even she thought she looked a little too charming.

The prince looked surprised and quickly apologized.

“Ah, of course.”

“I understand.”

“I was being rude to you.”

“I’ll postpone my next visit for a little while.”

Thank goodness.

Herina secretly relaxed as she saw the prince off.

“The stupid prince…”

“No, wait.”

“If he went abroad to have fun, why doesn’t he just keep having fun there?”

“Why is he suddenly acting like a responsible adult?”

“The Emperor is getting old?”

“What does he mean by that?”

“His Majesty looks perfectly healthy!”

Herina had no idea what had suddenly made Benjamin decide to stay in the empire.

But she was certain of one thing.

Whatever his reason is, it can’t be anything good.