# 68
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Sirtin grabbed me, and my hair stood on end from the intensity of the sensation. Then he smiled sweetly and placed a kiss on my fingers.
"I know, Evelyn. I know what's on your mind."
Sirtain opened my fingers and turned them around, I felt like I was going crazy from the heat of his lips touching my palm.
“Sirtain, I...”
Sertin narrowed his eyes and smiled.
“I don’t intend to get involved in a situation that I can’t handle, and I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”
He was gently playing with my fingers.
“I don't want to put you in a dangerous situation.”
Unexpected variables were usually a weakness. Sertin sighed heavily.
“But… can I kiss you?”
His voice was muffled.
“…You don’t need to ask something like that.”
Even I felt like my voice was full of emotion. Cyrtain raised his back to sit upright, then pulled me towards him, placing his lips on mine.
I was overwhelmed by the scent of his body, which I was beginning to get used to.
That kiss wasn't just a playful touch like he had done earlier with my fingers, but it felt like I was being completely devoured.
As if my whole soul was being pulled from him.
He hugged me tightly and grabbed my waist to pull me towards him. She clung to his neck with a weak sigh.
In moments like this, I couldn't think of anything else. It was as if I owned him completely.
elsewhere
Victor gently slapped Ennis' cheek twice, and her childish face, which had not yet gotten rid of its childish features, immediately reddened.
“Wake up, Ines. Did you understand what I said?”
“…Yes, brother.”
She nodded brokenly.
She was sleeping peacefully before she was suddenly pulled from her bed, and when she tried to resist, she received several blows to the back of her head, causing her to completely surrender.
“You are so cute when you follow orders.”
Victor looked at her with searching eyes.
Within the next three days, the Crown Prince and his wife will attend several social events.
There are only two days left.
All the nobles of Larousse will gather to see them, and the competition between them will be fierce.
In the midst of this chaos, it was not difficult to get Ennis among them.
Victor watched the dress Ines was wearing with satisfaction. It was a revealing dress that showed off her slim waist and full chest.
A tacky dress that she would never wear under any other circumstances.
“You have to at least look like this to attract attention.”
Victor was well aware of Cyrtain's high taste.
Of course, as long as he was married to a woman like Evelin, it would be difficult for him to pay attention to any other woman.
It was known in Larose that the Crown Princess was not in her right mind.
"But there is no denying that she is beautiful. Her face is the kind you would want to see cry, and her voice was also charming."
Victor licked his lips.
Even among the women he met, Evelyn was the most beautiful.
In his eyes, she was an indescribably delicious prey. Ines gasped as she looked at Victor.
'Dad…please, save me…'
Her head was still throbbing with pain from the blows she had received.
She felt suffocated by the tight corset around her waist, and the strong smell of perfume that engulfed her stung her nose.
Everything was painful and humiliating.
She was only twenty years old. She has barely emerged from childhood and become an adult.
A small storm was about to hit Laros.
***
“Hmm, since the occasion is solemn today, it would be better to look more solemn.”
"Your Highness's hair is pink, so a light pink dress would be a good choice. If it is embroidered with silver threads, it will give you a more luxurious look."
I listened to them with an innocent smile, pretending that I did not understand anything.
“Wow, this is so delicious!”
It was a special dessert sold only in Larousse, filled with citrus fruit imported through the port.
When I bit into it, the tangy filling exploded inside my mouth.
“Oh my God, this is really delicious.”
“The bakery ler recommended it. Did you like it?”
"Yes! I want more, I want to eat more of it!"
It tasted like orange and tangerine together, which increased my appetite.
"I'll get you more. There are other flavors too. Do you want to try them?"
“Oh, yes yes!”
I exchanged friendly conversations with the maids.
They told me that they went to the market while I was attending the party last night, and they shared with me what they saw there.
Thanks to them, I didn't feel bored while preparing myf.
Their behavior was completely different from the servants I had dealt with before, the ones who used to ignore or despise me.
This new environment made me feel more comfortable.
Larose seemed like it would be a nice place for me.
“There we go.”
The maids stopped me in front of the mirror.
“Your Highness is so beautiful!”
"Really? Am I pretty enough for my husband to like?"
“Of course! Do you want to look beautiful for the Crown Prince?”
Even children want to be beautiful in the eyes of those they love.
And of course, I wanted to look beautiful in Sertine's eyes.
I could not determine the nature of my relationship with him.
But we would spend the nights together, staring at each other and talking until dawn, sharing special moments…
My face turned red.
“Yes, beauty is a good thing...”
“Of course, Your Highness. Today you look so beautiful that His Highness the Crown Prince will be surprised to see you.”
The maids spoke kindly, and I felt grateful for their words.
If Serena or Rosé were here, they would definitely laugh at me, who would see a child as beautiful?
Basically, they wouldn't do their best for me. So, I was grateful that they weren't like them. I was grateful that they always went out of their way for me.
The maids gently pushed me back after adjusting my lipstick.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting outside.”
"Yes!"
In the reception room, Sertin was reviewing some documents. I noticed that he always had something in his hand—sometimes a book, sometimes documents. It seemed that he could not remain without work. Well, he's always had a busy life.
Cyrtain raised his head, as if he sensed my presence. When our eyes met, he stood upright, straightened his clothes, and extended his hand towards me.
“It was a worthwhile wait.”
“Hmm?”
"You are beautiful."
Then, the maids let out little gasps of surprise. I smiled happily and left the room with him. The cool sea breeze was all around us. It was the start of a happy day.
***
The person who invited us to brunch today was Count Brisman, who runs a local bank in Larousse.
Count Prisman's family had always run this bank in Larousse, where they dealt with merchants and companies with bases in other countries.
“It is a great honor to meet you, Your Highness. I am Kate Brisman.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Count Prisman.”
Count Brisman smiled brightly. Laros has a moderate climate all year round, neither too cold in winter nor too hot in summer. The port sea of Laros protected the city and its inhabitants. The people of Larousse loved the sea.
This calm seems to be reflected in the people here.
Perhaps for this reason, people's looks at me were not as sharp as I feared.
People quickly gathered around us. They all wanted to talk to Sertin, but despite this, he did not move away from me even a single step.
People quickly flocked to us. There were many people who wanted to say a word to Sertin, but Sertin did not take a single step away from me.
When the party reached its climax, Count Brisman spoke.
“I heard that Her Highness Princess Elizabeth will be arriving soon.”
“Rumors spread quickly.”
“I have a brief acquaintance with the manager of the Curtis Group branch in Larose, and there is something I would like to ask you.”
Certin nodded, motioning for him to speak.
“I want to make a deal with Curtis. I heard that Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth has full decision-making authority. If I can meet her once after she arrives...”
“What do I get in return?”
Sertin smiled calmly
“Do you have enough compensation for this request?”
Certain was a man who never missed an opportunity.