For the first time since meeting him, I wanted to take his hand.
For the first time since inhabiting Elizabeth’s body, I wanted to run somewhere relying on each other.
I looked anew at the man with large, warm hands.
[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]“Simon. Did you send a patrol to the southern border?”
A hooded woman licked her red lips.
Her face was not visible, but her moonlit figure was utterly elegant.
Simon knelt on one knee before her.
“We should receive good news soon, Mama.”
“You have completely isolated the Crown Prince, haven’t you?”
“Don’t worry. I’m the only person the Crown Prince trusts and relies on.”
“What about that wench Elizabeth?”
“She’s an impudent commoner. A vulgar woman who flaunts herself, trusting in her beauty.”
“She must be quite pretty then.”
Despite the laughter in the woman’s voice, Simon hastily excused himself.
“How can you compare a rare diamond with a bead that a street dog plays with? She’s nothing but cheap trash that doesn’t even compare to Mama’s feet.”
“Never compare that wench to me again.”
“I, I apologize!”
“They say she’s beautiful. Simon, you can seduce her, can’t you?”
“I’ve laid some groundwork. But wouldn’t I step on a tail if I messed with a woman who caught His Majesty’s eye?”
“So you’re scared?”
Her voice was sharp as a razor’s edge.
She knew what it meant to provoke the woman’s anger.
Simon’s face turned pale.
“I’m not scared! Please entrust it to me!”
“Don’t disappoint me, Simon.”
“What about the Crown Prince?”
“It’s best to eliminate him.”
“!”
“That way, His Majesty will take me, won’t he? The empire needs a new heir. A true heir who carries on His Majesty’s noble bloodline.”
The woman chattered gleefully.
Simon looked around nervously and swallowed dryly.
No one would come to this secret garden, but if they were discovered, it would not end with mere death.
“If that woman gains His Majesty’s favor, it will be a real headache. You know what I mean?”
“I understand, Mama.”
“There is no need to deal with the Crown Prince immediately. Be ready to break his neck at any time.”
“I will await your command.”
“I don’t believe in the gods, the family, or my father. The only thing I believe in is you, Simon.”
The woman caressed Simon’s chin with her white hand.
Shivering, Simon was moved and replied,
“The only woman who can have Hart’s heart is Mama alone.”
“I think so too. But what if His Majesty doesn’t make me the Empress?”
“We will have no choice but to support a new Emperor.”
“No, the man I choose will become the new Emperor. There’s no law saying it can’t be you!”
“Mama!”
Leaving a mischievous laugh, the woman left.
Simon watched the woman’s retreating figure with a flushed face.
A bloody typhoon was gathering in the Imperial Palace.
[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]The old attending physician who had been examining Franz wore a kindly smile.
“There’s nothing out of the ordinary. It seems you’ve just accumulated fatigue.”
Franz, who had been resisting fiercely, lay in bed with a swollen face.
He never forgot to glare at me with resentmentfilled eyes.
I seemed to have to give up becoming the education official.
“You’ll feel better soon if you take this herbal medicine.”
“Keep an eye on the Crown Prince without taking your eyes off him. And report to me directly.”
Nikolai spoke in a dry tone.
Still, his shoulders were stiff; pretending to be tough in front of his son.
Unable to hold back, Franz protested,
“I don’t need medicine!”
“That’s for me to decide.”
“You don’t trust me.”
“Don’t trust?!”
“You must think of me as a weak child who collapses at any moment.”
“Never.”
“Then, please take back the order to take the medicine.”
Throughout the conversation, Franz and Nikolai did not look at each other.
I carefully observed the bowed young boy and the Emperor, pretending to be indifferent.
“I’m just worried about the Crown Prince who will succeed me.”
“You probably wanted a more reliable successor, I’m sorry.”
“Stop this nonsense.”
“I will do my best to die.”
“You don’t have to.”
Franz’s face darkened suddenly.
Nikolai’s forehead creased as if he didn’t know the reason.
He seemed not to know at all what his son was thinking.
Franz’s attitude was also a problem.
‘Both are in trouble. If left alone, they’ll dig in opposite directions and never meet again.’
I sighed deeply and raised my hand.
If they hated each other, I wouldn’t have intervened like this.
“Excuse me, may I interrupt?”
Nikolai and Franz turned their heads at the same time.
“No.”
“No.”
As if to prove they were father and son.
Well, I’m not the one to back down anyway.
“What you just said, Your Majesty, sounded like ‘I expect nothing from you, so be quiet.'”
“That can’t be.”
“To convey your goodwill, it would be better to say ‘You are enough now, so don’t overdo it.'”
“…….”
“Franz, it’s better to add ‘I was almost dead with worry about you.'”
I advised, imitating Nikolai’s voice.
Nikolai’s mouth twitched in displeasure.
Franz looked stunned.
“Stop doubting, Your Highness. Please accept His Majesty’s concern sincerely.”
“I, I never doubted!”
“Then it must be inferiority. Considering how you twist whatever His Majesty says.”
“!”
“You two need special training. To understand each other and take a step closer!”
Franz’s green eyes widened.
Nikolai’s turquoise eyes shone sharply.
Both were showing interest.
“If you’re fine with how things are now, I won’t interfere.”
“…….”
“But if the two of you wish, I can help improve the relationship. What will you do?”
“What special training are you going to do?”
“If you’re curious, pay the tuition first.”
“Tuition?”
Nikolai’s voice flipped.
I always wanted to return this phrase.
“You didn’t think it was free, did you?”
Nikolai gnawed at his lips. His fingers flicked anxiously, too.
It was a common symptom seen in customers hesitating over impulsive purchases.
‘I caught the bait? Then I must push him!’
I decided to help Nikolai open his wallet wide.
I couldn’t miss this rare windfall.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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