Stolen Crown Princess (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 38

Having finished his audience with the Emperor, Caliph quickened his pace. As always, a packed schedule awaited him even today.

He had been busy since morning and had successfully managed his appointment with the Emperor, yet he still had a meeting left with Marquis Retan. The marquis was the hidden owner of the most renowned information broker within and beyond the Empire. If Caliph could bring him into his fold, he would become Ibelia’s eyes and ears in the future.

Caliph organized in his mind the topics he needed to discuss with him. As someone belonging to the Empress, he was far sharper than Count Montrol. Given that he knew every hidden piece of information throughout the Empire as well as foreign affairs inside out, he certainly wouldn’t fall for any ordinary deception.

Caliph tried to steady his breathing and maintain a proper level of tension. Just then, a fragrant floral scent brushed past his nose.

“…….”

He stopped in his tracks and slowly turned his head in the direction from which the breeze had come. Directly beneath the blazing sun, cherry tree branches swayed in the wind.

It was merely an ordinary scene, yet suddenly an old memory surfaced—back to the days long ago when he and Ibelia used to play together.

Back then, Ibelia was much shorter than she was now, and she would often stroke his cheek with a sorrowful expression. Her downturned eyes and pouting lips were so endearing that Caliph would invariably lose himself in gazing at her, forgetting even that he ought to reply.

That day had been no different. Wearing a pale pink dress, Ibelia stood beneath her favorite cherry tree, waiting for him.

He couldn’t help but lose himself completely—it was hard to tell where the flowers ended and the person began. Had Ibelia not grabbed his arm and shaken him, he likely would have remained entranced indefinitely.

[Cal, why do you always walk around with bruises on your face yet never once say it hurts?]

[Because it doesn’t really hurt.]

[Why not? This part’s red, and this part’s blue—they all look painfully colorful!]

[…It hurt when I got hit, but now it doesn’t really hurt anymore. It’s fine.]

Young Caliph answered calmly without so much as a frown. It truly didn’t hurt. Once, he’d been struck so hard in the stomach that he couldn’t move for days. Compared to that, these bruises were nothing—he could still walk perfectly fine on both legs.

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