Khalif, with an indifferent expression, once again tilted the teacup to his lips, piercing Dwayne’s core. Meanwhile, he rolled his eyes agilely, observing the changes in Dwayne.

Externally, there seemed to be no noticeable change, but Dwayne’s unique pupils were moving subtly. It was a signal that he probably didn’t expect to hear such words from Khalif.

To Dwayne, Rellia was just one of the many cards he held. It might have been the easiest card to play among them. There was no doubt that it had no more value than that.

Dwayne, who didn’t easily reveal his true feelings to anyone, wouldn’t have guessed that Khalif was aware of it.

Khalif leisurely savored the tea. In the meantime, the sound of Dwayne’s busy thoughts seemed distinctly audible.

Khalif gladly waited. Anyway, Dwayne’s words were already predetermined, and allowing that much room would unknowingly pave the way for him.

“What did you see that made you feel that way?”

“When the Duke mentioned to me in the Queen Mother’s reception room about why he ordered Rellia’s imprisonment, I guessed by looking at the Duke’s expression.”

“It seems like you’ve misunderstood. I was just bewildered by the sudden news of Youngae’s imprisonment, and it seemed that way to Your Highness.”

“Well, it didn’t seem bewildering; it seemed quite annoying and uncomfortable.”

“Is that so? If it seemed annoying rather than bewildering, and therefore uncomfortable, about Youngae’s imprisonment, how could Your Highness think of it that way?”

“If that’s the case, then I must have misunderstood inviting the Duke. I thought the Duke might share my sentiments, but it seems I was mistaken.”

Upon the Duke’s expected explanation, Khalif rose from his seat as if he had prepared the words long before. No, he pretended to do so.

In fact, he had no intention of getting up from his seat so soon. He simply judged that this much acting was necessary to make Dwayne reveal his inner thoughts.

“Your Highness.”

Dwayne’s reaction was quite prompt. Khalif grabbed him with a voice that was frighteningly urgent as he rose from his seat.

Khalif glanced at the Duke with lowered eyes and then sat down again. Then, Dwayne hesitated for a moment before asking him.

“May I ask again what you mean by that?”

“What do you mean?”

“You mentioned that Your Highness thought Duke and I might share the same sentiment.”

Unlike Khalif, who responded with a serious face, Dwayne asked with a puzzled expression.

“If the Duke sees Rellia as just a charming young lady, our sentiments are completely different. How could I share my inner thoughts with someone whose sentiments are different from mine?”
In response to Khalif’s firm words, Dwayne closed his mouth tightly, finding the enthusiastic attitude of the Crown Prince perplexing. Since the imprisonment of Rellia, there had been a sense of discomfort, but today, it seemed clear.

He was not the Crown Prince he knew. There was a new presence of a firearm, possibly obtained from the recent war, visible on his person.

Moreover, his actions, such as declaring he would climb to the top of his head, were worthy of praise. Making him speechless in this way, it was something unimaginable for the previous Riurian.

Dwayne hesitated. Accepting the Crown Prince’s proposal to come here was to understand his changed intentions.

However, judging from the Crown Prince’s demeanor, he felt an intuition that the Prince might have a far greater intention than he expected.

Dwayne was curious about what it could be. Eventually, unable to resist his curiosity, he lowered the tail he had been holding stiffly.

“Anyway, Your Highness, you probably already know everything and have asked me.”

“What do you mean by saying I know something?”

“What I think of Rellia.”

Though he didn’t directly express her as an annoying presence, the words were clear enough to be understood. Only then did Khalif smile wryly.

“It seems that the Duke’s straightforward words suddenly make me feel sorry for the Duke. It must have been quite challenging to receive the Duke’s grace, and even to accept the marriage proposal from Viscount Nett. It seems like you’ve been tirelessly shuttling between the palace and the Hwanggung daily to turn my heart around.”

Khalif leisurely drew lines with his legs crossed. It was a remark pinching Dwayne’s recent actions, but he did it smoothly, trying not to make it sound insincere.

He had to subtly inject the perception that he somewhat understood Dwayne. That way, without Dwayne noticing, he could completely strangle his breath.

Dwayne did not respond to Khalif’s apologetic remarks. Since Khalif had laid out his card as he wished, it meant that Khalif’s card would also be revealed fairly.

Khalif readily complied with that request. After taking a deep breath for a moment, he lightly parted his lips.

“Having stayed on the bloody battlefield for a year, I’ve had such thoughts.”

“…….”

“Even though I’m the Imperial Crown Prince, no one can guarantee when and how I’ll be killed.”

“…….”