Contract Marriage with the Devil Duke - Chapter 44

“My lady, you can come out now. I heard that His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”

Bobby told Olentia, who was sitting in her outdoor dress. Finally, Crown Prince Legalis had come to the Grand Duchy’s castle in the Belial estate. Olentia stood up with a blank expression and left the castle. Several carriages and a golden carriage were rushing towards the main entrance.

After a while, the golden carriage stopped at an appropriate place, and out came Crown Prince Legalis in a white suit. His silver hair shone white in the morning sunlight.

Following the Crown Prince, two unfamiliar men also got off, but they didn’t have much presence.

Before she knew it, Legalis was waving his hand and approaching Olentia and Dimidius.

“I’m touched that you came out to greet me. Your Grace the Grand Duke. And Grand Duchess.”

It was natural to come out and greet an important guest.

Olentia glanced at Dimidius for a moment and then said with a smile.

“Was there any inconvenience on your way here? It’s quite a long distance.”

Then Legalis brushed his soft silver hair and winked.

“I took a magic carriage, so it didn’t take that long. You’re still kind as ever. Grand Duchess.”

Olentia awkwardly avoided his gaze, and Dimidius said in a low voice.

“I never dreamed you would come to the Belial estate for a summer vacation.”

“I thought I had been too negligent of the place where my cousin brother is.”

It seemed that there had been little interaction until now.

Legalis straightened his shoulders confidently and pointed to the two men behind him.

“They are my friends. I’m not sure if you know them.”

Then the nobleman with small eyes bowed first to Dimidius and Olentia.

“I’m Dexter Kertin.”

Hearing the name, it seemed he was the eldest son of the Kertin Marquis family. I didn’t know he was a friend of the Crown Prince, but even though their appearances were different, they gave off a similar vibe. It seemed to be because they were friends.

Soon the other man next to him also bowed, and Olentia reached out towards the castle and said.

“You must be tired, so let’s go in and rest first. That would be better.”

Anyway, Dimidius didn’t look happy, and if they took a magic carriage, the Crown Prince’s stomach would be churning, so it was right to guide them to their rooms first.

The head butler Alfred appeared at an appropriate time and attended to the Crown Prince and his friends.

Olentia grabbed the hem of Dimidius’ clothes as he tried to go straight to the office.

“Wait, let’s talk for a bit.”

Dimidius obediently let himself be dragged by Olentia and stood under the main entrance.

“What is it?”

When the shadow of the roof covered Dimidius completely, Olentia hesitated for a moment and then said in the softest voice possible.

“I don’t know what happened between you and His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, but since he’s a guest, let’s treat him a little kindly.”

Olentia was perplexed when Dimidius treated Legalis too coldly, perhaps because Legalis had arranged a meeting with Saint Daphne for her. It seemed that Legalis wanted to become close, but Dimidius was not at all. The difference was visible to the eye, so it seemed that she had said something quite presumptuous.

Dimidius’ expression was unreadable and he didn’t say anything. At times like this, Olentia really wanted to run away.

Olentia spoke again carefully.

“Did my words upset you? I’m sorry. I said something presumptuous.”

Only after a long time did Dimidius open his mouth.

“No. I understand to some extent that it makes you uncomfortable, my lady.”

As she was about to open her mouth to thank him with a bright face, Dimidius immediately added.

“But there is a reason why I have no choice but to be wary of the Crown Prince, so it’s impossible to treat him kindly as you say, my lady.”

With that, Dimidius left first. It seemed he had no intention of listening to her answer. Does it mean that he can never get along with the Crown Prince?

Olentia sighed deeply and returned to her room. She was curious about what had happened between the two, but it seemed unclear how to find out.

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Dimidius had never liked Crown Prince Legalis since he was a child. Because whenever they met occasionally at balls or official events, Legalis looked down on Dimidius with a nonchalant face.

‘Brother doesn’t seem to understand people’s hearts well. Because he’s a half-breed. Poor thing, what to do?’

He heard the word half-breed so often that it stuck in his ears like earwax, and

‘Brother! I heard you have tremendous strength? It’s a bit creepy and scary.’

He kept tapping Dimidius and testing his strength or abilities, and

‘Why do you wear a mask? Do you think that will hide the fact that you are Dimidius?’

Once he started wearing a mask, it seemed natural for him to mock Dimidius.

Moreover, what he said to his friends when he survived the attack 5 years ago was quite a sight to behold.

‘It would have been better if the devil’s child had died. Whoever sent the assassin must be very disappointed.’

When he heard those words in the hallway, he concluded that the Crown Prince was no different from the Empress who directly harmed him. When he became an adult, he didn’t say bad things blatantly in front of him like when he was a child, but his inside must be the same for sure. So whenever he pretended to be friendly, Dimidius felt disgusted.

Until now, Dimidius had only ignored Legalis, but if he was going to act like the Empress, he couldn’t just sit still.

Dimidius headed straight to the room where Crown Prince Legalis was staying. Legalis was giving orders to the attendants who were unpacking.

Noticing that Dimidius had come, Legalis raised the corners of his mouth excessively and said to him.

“You’re here? It seems you have something to say to me.”

“What’s your purpose for coming here.”

Dimidius was ready to monitor him, but he wanted to ask directly. If he watched his expression, something might come up.

“If it’s the purpose, it’s in the letter. I came to hunt birds. The Belial estate is also cool.”

“You think I’ll believe that?”

Dimidius crossed his arms tightly and exuded an imposing atmosphere. Then Legalis shrugged his shoulders and acted shamelessly. Perhaps because he was someone who used to look down on Dimidius, Legalis didn’t tremble like other people.

“We’re still family, so please treat me warmly. It looks much better that way.”

Dimidius glared at him through the holes in his mask.

“Family… You and I are family?”

“Yes. Let’s forget the past days and get along now, shall we?”

“Seems like you’ve forgotten everything that happened in the past days. Is your brain that bad?”

When Dimidius pointed it out sharply, Legalis’ expression quickly sank. Legalis’ blue eyes shone coldly.

“I’m not really in the mood for jokes either, but I’m playing along.”

“Yeah. That’s how you should be.”

Dimidius went up to the office, clearly remembering his expression. Legalis definitely didn’t come here just to play. He was desperate enough to hide his real purpose by spouting nonsense about wanting to get close.

What could that be?

Dimidius entered the office and said to Killen, who was examining the documents.

“You properly attached the monitors, right?”

Killen nodded.

“Yes. The attendants and maids who manage the room where the Crown Prince is staying, and even the knights, will all be monitored.”

“Things won’t go as he wishes.”

“Yes. Of course it shouldn’t.”

But Olentia’s words still lingered in his mind. Does she want him and Legalis to become close? He doesn’t want to see her being uncomfortable, but there was no other way. He really disliked Legalis.

Dimidius ruffled his hair roughly and then sat down.

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“You didn’t tell His Grace the Grand Duke about meeting His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince that time, right?”

Bobby whispered cautiously, approaching Olentia’s ear. Olentia glanced at Podion next to her and nodded.

“Yeah. I didn’t think there was a need to say it.”

“Really? Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Of course it’s okay. It’s not like I committed adultery!”

Besides, it wasn’t a real marriage, but a contract marriage. She didn’t think there was a need to mention that she met Legalis at the National Foundation Day ball and at the bakery cafe.

But she didn’t know why she ended up whispering so Podion couldn’t hear. She felt conscious for no reason.

Olentia fake-coughed and looked out the window. There she saw Legalis and his friends moving, following the head butler. They were probably being given a tour of the Grand Duchy’s castle.

She didn’t want to go when she thought about how uncomfortable it would be to have dinner together again at the banquet hall tonight.

But time passed steadily and the sunset began. The huge sunset warmly colored Olentia’s room.

Olentia changed into an afternoon dress and went up to the banquet hall, which boasted a tremendous size. Every time she climbed the shiny marble stairs, she realized that she was in the Grand Duchy’s castle.

When she arrived at the banquet hall with famous painters’ paintings hanging, Dimidius stood up and personally pulled out a chair for her. It felt slightly awkward because she rarely had dinner with him in the evening.

Before the guests arrived, Olentia said to him.

“This is the first time we’re having dinner together in the banquet hall.”

Then Dimidius paused for a moment.

“Ah… You’re right. So were you disappointed?”

“No! Why would I be? I clearly know that Your Grace the Grand Duke is busy.”

Olentia had been a little disappointed, but she tried not to show it.

He sat next to her and said, looking around the banquet hall.

“Actually, I don’t really like eating in the banquet hall.”

It had been a while since she heard Dimidius talk about personal things. Olentia opened her eyes round and stared at him. She thought he might be changing a little, as he always said it was nothing.