Always a Happy Ending (8)
âThe Duke of Bron was a man who will remain so. But Iâm saying this because Iâm not the one whoâs going to back down for that reason. If Cardelâs mind takes advantage of weakness and digs more persistently.â
Julian spoke as if he were chewing. This was also hard to admit, but Cardel met Duke Bron first, and liked him longer.
If the Dukeâs side clung to her in a way that he loved her with all his heart and could not give up, the Emperor would have fought tooth and nail until either of them died.
His expression became even more grim as he remembered Duke Bronnâs shiny top.
âThereâs no chance of sending Cardel back to the Dukeâs arms, and donât even think about approaching him. Iâm threatening him, so he did it without hesitation. She even made a vow in front of the witness that he would never appear in front of her again.â
âGood for you.â
âNo, itâs weird. I was determined to turn the Duke into an enemy. I donât know if itâs worth moreâ¦â
Would the greedy easily let the woman go who completely stole the Emperorâs heart? Rather, wouldnât the person who uses her be more valuable than the one who throws her away? If one really tried to do that, they wouldnât have let it go.
âAnd thereâs a strange rumor going around these days.â
âStrange rumors?â
âI mean, this is strictly confidential.â
âOh, Your Majesty!â
It was a moment when he whispered as if he was telling a secret story. Suddenly a cheerful voice interrupted.
Julian seemed to have forgotten what he was trying to say because of the Cardelâs sudden appearance in the middle of his speech.
She called the Emperor in a friendly, loving tone, and as soon as he heard her, he looked back and smiled brightly. It looked like a trained dog who heard the owner calling. Aiden stared at the two with a little elation.
Itâs a look that means they wonât bother Vivian anymore.
âWhat brings you here?â
âThe flowers have bloomed beautifully, so I was thinking of going for a walk in the garden, but Iâm seeing you in a place like this.â
Cardel looked so bright and happy that he could hardly find her former discouraged appearance. It was an indication of how much Julian has tried so far.
At that time, Cardelâs gaze reached a man who was all black.
âOh, there was the Grand Duke, too. Iâm sorry to interrupt you. You two can talk.â
She was frightened and said in a bewildered voice.
Thatâs usually the reaction when confronted by the Black Grand Duke.
But Cardel soon tried to shake off fear, recalling that Aiden was the brother of her loved one and Vivianâs fiancé. She smiled at the air.
Despite Cardelâs flowery smile, which melts away regardless of gender or age, he replied with a slight nodding with a cold wind expression.
It was an attitude that was disrespectful, but no one here would argue that. Rather, they seemed to be immersed in their own world and didnât care a bit.
âSee you later, Your Majesty.â
The shyly flushed blonde kissed the emperor on the cheek and left the garden. Every time she walked, her pink skirt flew in the spring breeze.
Julian stared enchanted at the back of Cardel walking with gentle steps, but regained consciousness only after she completely disappeared. He didnât look bright before, but he looked more frozen than usual.
âSigh.â
Julian let out his low breath and ripped off the rose petals that bloomed next to him for no reason. Then, he started to stare up at the petals falling from the sky in ecstasy.
He didnât know what he meant, but he was shouting with his whole body that he was in love like spring. In fact, he didnât seem to be aware of what he was doing.
Aiden thought this was a little too much. No matter how much he was looking after his back, it was hard to go around looking like an idiot. Even if you lack some ability, you should at least be a perfect emperor on the surface. Wouldnât it be a big deal if there was a rumour that the Emperor was out of his mind when he was playing with love?
âYour Majesty.â
With his stern voice, Julian finally regained consciousness.
âWell, We didnât look good.â
âIâm glad you know that.â
ââ¦â¦â
Was he so unseemly that he could answer at once?
âI stopped by for a cup of tea, so Iâm leaving.â
Was he so unseemly that he just wanted to go away? Julianâs face heated up at the thought of being seen by his beloved brother. The Emperor tried to hold onto his loose mouth and cooled his red face with the back of his hand.
How much she must have been doing, Julian brought back to the topic of conversation what she couldnât say because of her sudden appearance.
âDonât do that. Just listen. Rumours have spread in the dark that the Duke of Bron is making a disturbing move. There is no physical evidence to say that the rumour that they are heâs to conspire against those who share the will is false, but that there is evidenceâ¦â
But when he looked up, Aiden had already moved away.