Crown Prince’s Ex-Boyfriend

Chapter 37

You’re not going to neglect your responsibilities because of one thing, are you?

“Why did you leave? You left me.”“I found you. After seven years.”

…he’s devoted himself to the battlefield for seven years to find me, but no, right?

I don’t think so. Maybe…….

Don’t worry about it and focus on training.

“Are you all doing well?”

At that moment, Rapel appeared before the knights who were training individually.

She glanced at each of them before giving me a long look.

However, it was only for a moment, and with a leisure expression, she unfolded the paper she was holding.

“This is a list of the three people who will be guarding the banquet hall during the Foundation festival.”

The New recruits that were scattered around quickly flocked to Rapel.

Rapel opened her mouth as numerous eager eyes glistened with longing for an opportunity.

“Rudolf Maskless, Nix Hayman, and Irillin Heather. That’s all.”

As soon as she mentioned the three names, she disappeared with quick steps.

I don’t know when she’ll make a fuss about going back to my world, and why she has not said anything since then.

Don’t tell me you’re up to something behind my back.

I should resolve this soon, just in case.

I still don’t know how the hell she1 went missing because of that damn magic.

However, that is a story for later.

Now that I’m in charge of guarding the banquet hall, I won’t have much time to run into my sister anyway.

But at once, after the founding party, we have to sort everything out.

Vinn seemed to be immersed in his training for the time being.

Perhaps because all the attention was focused on that, he maintained an oddly indifferent attitude towards me.

As time passed in that state, the day of the national foundation celebration that everyone had been waiting for finally arrived.

“…….”

I am currently standing guard with Vin at my back.

It has been a while since we had a proper conversation, so recently Vin and I have become somewhat awkward.

I can’t believe I have to stand in this courtyard all of a sudden.

It was only natural that my back was burning, but now my entire body was flushed to the point of being obvious.

“May I have the honor of dancing with this beautiful lady?”

“Oh, of course.”

A n and woman acted(?) like they were filming a romance as if they didn’t even notice that we were there as guards.

Right in front of me, her hair flowing and her dress fluttering in the air, I naturally gazed at her.

And it seemed like I wasn’t the only one.

All the knights around me were staring at the scene.

“Why is a noble like Young-ae2, who should be dancing in a dress like that, standing here with us as a guard?”

One of them, Nix’s voice, came from the side.

I can’t believe I’m on the escort mission with him. It’s unpleasant, too.

I tightened my hair once again and instinctively placed my hand on my waist.

“A dress? I don’t need it. This completes my nobility.”

I was referring to the sword.

Oh, the hardships I endured to wield this sword.

The sense of accomplishment I felt when I finally grasped it allowed me to exist as my true self.

Wearing a pretty dress like the lady over there is Irillin’s life, not mine.

This is where I belong.

“It’s not like you can only dance in a dress.”

Vin’s voice came from behind me.

I glanced back and saw Vin’s face still hardened with indifference.

But for some reason, it felt strange.

I feel a little…ticklish.

“Hey, this. Isn’t that Count Adelen? I heard you’ve been doing well lately.”

Adelen? I instantly turned my head upon hearing that familiar surname.

Then, I caught sight of a young man with snow-white hair and tall stature.

“I suppose so.”

His clear and crisp voice had a certain charm to it.

Moreover, he was speaking informally, which was inappropriate given the age difference. The middle-aged man speaking to him hesitated for a moment, seemingly embarrassed.

“……Ha, ha. You deserve such praise. You’ve been given Crema, where dozens of tons of diamonds are buried!”

Crema. This was the territory that Serom, who lost the war, surrendered to the Abert Empire as evidence of surrender.

Crema… now I remember.

Isvino Adelen, the Lord of the northernmost region of Abert, who recently became the ruler of Crema.

Of course, this too.

He is homosexual.

…….He will later develop an intense obsession with the Crown Prince.

Isvino’s obsession with the Crown Prince surpasses imagination.

To the point where I wonder if I can express it with the docile word ‘obsession’.

Tampering with his rival Vin’s carriage , kidnapping and attempted imprisonment.

Wouldn’t it be right to describe Isvino’s attitude(?) as a ‘disease’ that engages in criminal-level activities whenever he has the time.

With such a dangerous person in front of my

Having such a dangerous individual before my eyes made me feel uneasy.

If Isvino witnesses another ‘Dalian Monster’3 incident involving the Crown Prince, his obsession might turn towards me as well.

Come to think of it, it will happen soon.

Isvino falling in love with the crown prince at first sight.

“Count Adelen. By the way, where are you looking around like that?”

“I’m searching for someone.”

“Who is it?”

“Well, I’ve been scanning the faces of all the guests, but since I can’t find them, I suppose they probably didn’t attend…”

Isvino’s flickering(?) gaze paused.

“…….”

His beautifully shining purple eyes were fixated on me, as if countless stars were embedded in them.

“Count Adelen? What’s the matter?”

“…….”

Isvino couldn’t take his eyes off me, lost in a daze, as he slowly made his way towards me.

As he drew nearer, alarm bells rang inside me.

‘This man is dangerous. I need to get away.’

An unfamiliar fear washed over me. However, I tightly shut my eyes since I couldn’t escape while on duty.

“Pardon me.”

But he simply walked past me.

When I opened my eyes, he was looking behind my back.

His face resembled that of a young girl in love, wearing a shy expression.

“Oh! You were on duty. You look splendid in your uniform…”

“Who?”

An annoyed voice came from behind me.

His concentration had been so deep that a stranger could approach and speak to him without being noticed.

To put it mildly, there was a sense of contempt that had matured over a long period of time…

“Oh, excuse me for not introducing myself earlier. I am Isvino Adelen, the Lord of Crema. Well, I look forward to your kind cooperation…”

“……Do you have any future encounters with me?”

“We will. I will make sure of it, even if I have to…”

Isvino smiled as brightly as he could.

I could see pure emotions devoid of any impurities.

It was a strong tenacity.

‘Why is he so fixated on Vin rather than the crown prince?’

The question suddenly arose.

The Crown Prince has yet to meet Isvino since he will not appear until the second part of the party.

Therefore, he might not have fallen in love with the Crown Prince just yet. Why is he already paying such close attention to Vin?

No, I denied it because I was confused, but I already knew.

With that shy expression and flushed cheeks… it was evident that he was in love.

This is insane. Why is he falling in love with his rival?

Now I don’t know what to think anymore. I can’t believe there’s a character who deviated from the original storyline without even meeting me or my sister.

There must be something else happening behind the scenes that I’m unaware of.

“Oh!”

It was then that a maid carrying a tray stumbled.

The cup was about to spill towards me.

I quickly moved my foot aside to avoid it, but in that moment, I felt someone embracing me from behind.

“Are you okay?”

Vin held me and pulled me closer, asked.

It was a casual way of speaking, as if he had something to talk about after being indifferent for so long.

This time my ears were burning.

Simultaneously, a chill ran down my spine.

This is because I remembered how cruel Isvino was to his rivals.

Does Vin really intend to kill me?

I could have easily avoided it, so why did he helping needlessly?

Ugh. As expected, Isvino’s expression darkened noticeably.

He shouted bitingly.

“What were you doing? You almost ruined this beautiful face for the rest of your life!”

Not me, but the maid.

Steam was still rising from the spilled cup.

If I hadn’t moved, I would have been scalded, as Isvino said.

“Look! This beautiful face that only appears once in a millennium. And your body… these senderl arms… What? Why are they so firm?”

As Isvino touched my forearm, he paused for a moment.

Why is he doing this to me? Am I going insane?

Why are you touching other people’s bodies!

“That’s enough. The body of an imperial knight belongs to the empire. Any further physical contact without permission will be seen as a violation and met with appropriate measures.”

This time, Vin was quicker than me in stopping Isvino’s touch.

“What? Knight? Ha.”

Isvino smiled ridiculously and scanned my body up and down.

It was truly ridiculous, but I realized that it was actually my reaction that was absurd, just as it had been before.(?)

“Look at me for a moment. There you go.”

At Isvino’s gesture, the maid withdrew with a frightened face.

I felt sorry for her, as if I were looking at my own maid, Wendy. She was always scared of me right after the possession.

Perhaps he had adjusted to my “normal” attitude, because she complained that she was bored because she had no work after I returned from Serom.

I heard that Irillin’s parents are coming to the party today, will Wendy come with them then?

“I cannot grant you permission. Lady Heather is currently on duty as an Imperial Knight.”

Vin stepped forward, blocking my path.

Then another voice interrupted.