Calling a copper coin that does not contain half a fraction of silver silver, what does that mean? They have a word for all such things: mere shell. Fake.
Yes, this fake coin is no different from that woman. The outside looks healthy, but the intestines inside are absolutely not the real thing. One thing
Fake prince
.
Irenea of Flores. She put on the facade of being a princess of the duke family, but at best she was just an ordinary bastard. Even the body is defective, just a defective product.
“Just to that extent…….”
Didn't he already room with her? That way you don't need to look to know what happened.
“You dirty woman.”
Mercedes let out a bitter curse. If anyone heard it, it would be a big deal, but she continued to mutter terrible words. Yet the anger still did not subside. Over the past few days, watching Cesar being dragged around by her as she pleased, she even felt humiliated to the point of choking.
“How could your highness treat me like that?”
Mercedes shook her head vigorously. No way. Your kind-hearted Highness cannot treat you like that.
The stream of thoughts in my head were tangled into a distorted mess. It was all done by that disgusting girl. She could almost see the little girl arching her eyes and smiling sweetly, whispering something in Cesar's ear.
“It's definitely pulling all the strings.”
That's right. You don't need to look to know. If that weren't the case, how could Cesar treat her like that? Between them was a bond that lasted for eighteen years. The love between mother and child is so strong, how could it be broken by a rolling stone somewhere?
“Unforgivable.”
Furthermore, the words of the maid she bribed at the Emerald Palace were even more ridiculous.
'I heard that she is investigating how the previous Prince Consort candidate died.'
Women are truly idle. Even if she searched everywhere, what did she think she would dig up?
“Just try it.”
A grinding sound rang out. When she opened her hand, the place where the nail had been stabbed was bleeding.
“Anyway, it's all in the palm of my hand…….”
Mercedes raised her hand to her lips. The tip of her tongue swept across the metallic taste, making her frown.
Delfina used a towel to wipe my face, while wiping and observing my face. In the bedroom right now there are only two people: me and her.
I gently signaled with my eyes. She understood immediately, blinking once.
“I have a favor to ask.”
"Yes, your highness. Please keep talking."
I leaned close and whispered into her ear. Delfina's calm expression began to distort, as if she had just heard something strange.
“Can you find it?”
“……That thing?”
"YES……."
Delfina's eyes seemed to ask what I would use it for. I hastily added:
"Don't ask why. Absolutely don't let anyone know. Especially Cesar, don't let him know."
"Yes……."
She looked like she wanted to say a lot, but couldn't find any reason to refuse, so she nodded helplessly.
“Ask the kitchen servants…….no, let me find out for myself.”
I understand. I have to admit this is a rather strange request.
"Thank."
But to protect Cesar's pure heart, I have no other choice.
That afternoon, Delfina gave me a small package wrapped in a towel. I was stunned for a moment, then remembered that it was the "thing" I asked her to find in the morning.
"Very good."
I burst into laughter.
“But your highness, what do you intend to use this for?”
"Ah, that's it. Well, it can be used for what needs to be done."
As I said that, I coughed and then opened the towel. Inside is a round white egg.
“Cesar, come here.”
“Huh?”
That night, as usual, he came to my room. I called him back, deliberately acting calm, my voice acting a bit exaggerated.
“I have a gift for you.”
His eyes widened when he heard the word "gift."
“Is it a good gift?”
“Yes, very good.”
His expectant eyes reminded me of a puppy about to be rewarded with food. So cute that it irritates my conscience.
I looked in my pocket, touched the package, then mustered up the courage to bring it out.
"Cough, cough. This……."
“…….”
I looked at his reaction and whispered:
“I was born.”
Cesar's eyes were as round as saucers. I suddenly worried that he would suspect me.
But a moment later, his face lit up with joy. The corner of his mouth almost touched my ear as he walked closer to me.
“The crystallization of love?”
"Yes... that's right. The crystallization of love."
My chest hurts. It was probably the cry of the last remaining bit of conscience.
But this is a lie out of good faith. A white lie. Like the story of hiding from little Vernadetta that the "tooth fairy" was actually just her nanny.
In contrast to my troubled heart, Cesar was like a child encountering a wonder of the world.
“When, when was she born?”
Tens of thousands of stars sparkled in his eyes, an entire galaxy seemed to be reflected in them. To the point where I didn't dare look straight.
“T-this morning.”
"Really?"
“Yes, um…….”
“Does it hurt?”
He frowned worriedly. Even though it was Delfina and not me who was having trouble finding the egg, I still had to improvise.
"Huh? Well... well... okay."
“So good.”
The bright look made me want to hide under the bed. Then, for some reason, I arrogantly said that it was nothing.
It seems like I've gotten used to lying. If this happens, you will probably have to go to the priest to confess your sins later.
I endured his proud eyes, gritted my teeth and swallowed the embarrassment.
Cesar was still engrossed in looking at the egg in his hand.
“Will there be ducklings?”
“That is…….”
I asked Delfina to pick up any egg, which no matter what it looked like was a chicken egg. Of course it cannot hatch. And if it hatches, it won't be able to become a duck.
“Quack?”
But seeing him so happy, I couldn't bear to tell the truth. He cherished the egg, holding it close to his chest.
"If you squeeze too hard, it will break. You have to warm it slowly."
“Like mother duck, father duck?”
"Yes, like mother duck, father duck. Hug me to keep warm."
I say that but I know how humans can incubate eggs. Later, when it breaks, I will secretly throw it away.
Correct. Our "crystallization of love."
The reason I went along with this drama was simply because I thought he would be busy playing with the egg for a while, and stop asking for "love crystallization."
"Covey!"
Cesar suddenly looked around. One hand still holds the eggs, the other hand pulls the blanket, hugs the pillow, and piles it into a nest in the corner of the bed.
"Yes, that's right. You also need a drive."
“Um.”
In the end, we both bent our backs for a while to finish making a spectacular nest. The bed is a bit cramped, but it's already spacious enough, adding a nest or two is fine.
“The drive is finished…….”
I caught a glimpse of this going a bit far, but then dismissed it.
Come on, he's just temporary. Then you'll get bored quickly... probably.
“After nesting, let's read a book, okay?”
But Cesar did not budge. He curled up in the "nest", holding the egg, shaking his head.
"No. Eggs must be incubated."
I sighed, lay down next to him and opened the book. Well, let him get bored and sleep. Probably. Surely so.
At that time I didn't know. I underestimated his will to execute. And misjudged his endurance.
Things started to go wrong the next morning.
“……Cesar?”
Normally he's stuck close to my side, but now he's nowhere to be seen.
I remember last night he insisted on sleeping in the nest to incubate the eggs. But why is he still in that position this morning?
“Don't tell me you're not sleeping?”
“Hehehe…….”
Cesar smiled weakly. It seems like his eye circles are a bit dark.
"Lace."
As soon as I got closer, he held out the egg. And at that moment, I thought I was mistaken. It seemed like the egg... moved.
"Huh?"
Cesar gently held my hand and placed the egg on it. This time, it moved again. Definitely not an illusion.
I raised my head, stunned to meet his eyes.