Crown Prince’s Ex-Boyfriend

“Did I… Did I disturb you?”

I was heartbroken by the sad expression like abandoned puppy on his face.

No, it’s not what you think! It’s all my fault!

I shouldn’t have panicked and tried to run away for no reason. I messed up. Damn it.

“What disturbance? Not at all! I was just about to leave, so please take good care of Vin. I’ll get up first.”

“Where are you going?”

Vin caught me again, preventing my quick escape.

Once again, his hand rested on the small of my back.

‘Vin Ortega, you damn ****1!’

I let out a curse in my heart.

If Vin wasn’t a patient, I would have lashed out at any moment.

“I’m not going anywhere. I told you I wasn’t feeling well so I’d go to rest.”

“Oh.”

Only then did Vin’s hand fall.

However, there was a lingering touch, and it felt somewhat clingy.

The crown prince watched the scene with bloodshot eyes.

Late at night.

After meeting with Vin, the Crown Prince secretly summoned Rapel to his bedroom.

“You called for me, Your Highness?”

Today’s Rapel was somehow different from usual.

She was serious, devoid of her usual banter or jokes.

And so was the Crown Prince.

Normally, he would have asked her what happened, taking an interest his person, but today he couldn’t afford to take care of others.

Now his attention was directed at only two people.

One is Vin Ortega. And the other one…….

“There’s something I want to discuss with you in secret.”

“What is it?”

“Kill Irillin Heather, Rapel Isdon.”

Hatred simmered deep within, finally reaching the point of wanting to kill.

It was directed towards Irillin Heather.

No matter how powerful the Crown Prince was, killing a person, especially someone as prominent as a member of the Heather family, would have consequences.

Above the Crown Prince is the Emperor, an even higher authority.

In other words, if he becomes Emperor, no matter how powerful the Marquis Heather is, he will not dare to retaliate.

So, he had set his sights on becoming emperor, as it offered an easier path.

The anger within the Crown Prince had reached a boiling point today.

Regardless of the path’s difficulty, he was determined to achieve the goal of Irillin’s death, overcoming any obstacles that lay ahead.

That’s why the Crown Prince sought the cooperation of Rapel.

Even if they had to cut through thorny vines and get bloodied along the way, they would reach their target together.

However, Rapel was not someone who blindly followed the Crown Prince’s every command.

She was merely amused by the Crown Prince’s interests.

The Crown Prince, who knew this well, was willing to give up the position of Crown Prince, as she mentioned as a joke, if Rapel did not agree.

He is eager to have Vin even if he sacrifices the Crown Prince’s position.

But contrary to the crown prince’s expectations, Rapel responded quickly.

“Very well.”

Rapel smiled, her black eyes gleaming.

It was eyes with the same concentration of hatred as the Crown Prince.

“On the upcoming National Foundation Day, I will take advantage of the crowded event.”

Back in our room, I recounted everything that had transpired to my sister.

How Mona White had tried to harm me, how Vin had gotten hurt, and the unusual reaction from the Crown Prince upon seeing Vin and me together.

And my sister’s response to hearing all of it went like this.

“You boar! Why were you looking for her?”

“Why? I went to see her to solve the magic she put on you.”

“You think you are going to make her let me go? You know best!”

“I know best?”

“Think of your selfish personality. Well, you must have been so selfish that you went to see her without consulting me.”

I had nothing to say, so I kept my mouth shut.

However, I felt like I was losing, so I had to squeeze out words.

“No… She didn’t even resemble me that much… I don’t treat people so violently.”

“…….”

Whether it was because speaking would reveal she was Baek Mi-na or simply a loss for words, my sister fell silent.

I think it’s probably the latter.

Actually, when I was young, I was quite violent towards boys who bullied my sister.

“Yes.”

Suddenly, I felt an intense presence approaching and turned towards the door.

Shortly afterwards the door opened, and Vin appeared.

Wait, weren’t you supposed to be resting in the hospital room?

He said he didn’t have to be hospitalized, but why did he come here instead of going home right away?

What happened with the Crown Prince?

“I didn’t invite you in, but you just walked right in. How rude of you.”

My sister, who quickly got to the door, blocked me.

The silver haired head that rose above my sister’s head fluttered with a sigh.

“Who was the one being rude?”

“What? Coming to visit your place? I knocked on the door.”

“No, not that. You lied.”

“What lie?”

“You said she was burdened by me. Irillin said…”

“…….”

My sister turned her head and glared at me.

This is what that gaze means.

‘You boar, I’ve done my best. Now be sensible!’

I was dumbfounded. You went to Vin without consulting him or me, and thenyou said I was selfish.

“It’s not burdensome.”

“That’s because your her boss at work. If a boss asks that which socially inactive kid says yes?”

“…….”

This time, Vin poked his head out and stared at me.

“I heard you’re the crazy dog of Serom. Of course, you have no social skills, do you?”

I’d say, maybe it’s just my imagination.

“Have you forgotten? Irillin’s social skills have long been….”

…it wasn’t my imagination.

How dare you… You’re saying the right thing?

“That’s true.”

Why did she admit it?!

“…….”

“Why? You’re not social.”

“Why? You’re not social.”

Vin and my sister said the same thing simultaneously.

No, that only annoys me even more!

It’s not like you two planned it. How can you do that?

“So, what’s the matter? Don’t tell me you didn’t come here to argue about me lying.”

“Yes. I’m so social that I’m generous with the rudeness of my co-worker.”

Why is he picking a fight with me when I’m already down?

What’s wrong with my social skills!

“Hey, Vin Ortega. Stop teasing people and just say what you came here for. Before my hand lands on your mouth.”

“Look, it’s violence.”

My sister said sarcastically. I cried out in a fit of rage.

“Oh, really!”

Then Vin and my sister smirked simultaneously, finding it amusing.

“If you don’t feel pressured, let’s-“

Vin opened his mouth with a smile.

With a swift motion, something obscured my vision.

I frowned and stumbled backward. Then I saw something covering my eyes again.

“Let’s have dinner.”

It was a bouquet of red roses.

I was stunned, trying to make sense of what was happening but Vin added.

“It’s an order as your boss.”

His voice was stern, but his face still held a smile, giving off a playful vibe.

I was torn between taking it seriously and dismissing it as a joke.

You can ask a friend to have dinner. But why bring flowers?

He even came while injured?

Isn’t it like asking me out.

But Vin has no reason to do this to me. Why on earth would he?

I looked at Vin without answering with such an award air, Vin slightly bowed his head.

Then he looked up again and his smile disappeared.

“You don’t like it?”

I felt like I was going to drown again, immersed in his deep eyes.

My head was about to shook, but then my sister stepped forward.

“Irillin said that men who are not stronger than her don’t feel like men. Don’t you think so?”

“Uh, yes.”

“If you want to share a meal, start being strong, Vin Ortega.”

“Irillin. Are you sure?”

Vin locked eyes with me again, his deep gaze piercing through.

I nodded slowly, biting my lip.

Vin’s gaze dropped, and his shoulders, once held proudly, slouched.

“I don’t know why I’ve wanted to fight so much since a long time ago……. There was a reason for everything.”

I’m sorry, but that’s just your illusion.

Because it’s all lies…

I couldn’t keep my head up straight, so I turned my eyes down like Bin.

My shoulders shrank as well.

“If you understand, will you go ahead? We need to go to bed.”

Vin nodded helplessly at my sister’s urging and turned away.

As I stared at Vin’s back, a fire ignited in my chest once again.

That sensation never went away, and I tossed and turned all night.

After that, that sensation never went away, so I had to toss and turn all night long.

“Today’s training will be done on your own.”

From the start of our work, I expected Vin’s usual banter, but he surprisingly remained quiet.

I focused on my own training without distractions.

On the contrary, I felt a strange tension, occasionally stealing glances at him.

“If you don’t feel pressured, let’s-“

“Let’s have dinner.”

I couldn’t help but remember the bouquet that Vin had handed me last night.

Unless I’m a fool, it’s impossible not to know what the bouquet signifies.

How did it come to this? He was definitely set as the prince’s partner, but why me?

As my heart sank with a cold sense of impending crisis, I found myself jumping violently as if filled with excitement.

Why me again?

I was more confused by my feelings than by Vin’s question.

The courtyard remained the same, yet as soon as the day passed, Vin’s demeanor shifted like flipping a card, further deepening my confusion.

Like a person who doesn’t even know I exist in the world, why let me focus on self-training like that?

“By the way, isn’t it the founding festival soon? To allow self-training at such an important time? Why are you like that?”

…the Deputy Head responsible for training the new knights seemed to have abandoned his duties.

“Irillin said that men who are not stronger than her don’t feel like men. Don’t you think so?”

Suddenly, I recalled the lie my sister had fabricated to drive vin away.

Could it be…