Capitulo 128

Episode 128

Aster didn’t respond with wide eyes as if he was shocked.

Why are you making me make such a cruel decision?

Ah, I…

You just have to convince everyone that it will never happen. But are you going to erase your memory? Aster believes less in himself than I do.

His face turned red.

Aster, who covered her mouth with her hand, looked away and mumbled a little.

That seems too close, Princess….

Yes? ah!

I was so annoyed that I got too close without realizing it.

When I stepped back a little, I could see Aster’s face that was red to the ears.

He looked at me and mumbled a little.

I apologize for this. Forget about it. Like you said, I guess I was too much of a coward.

I nodded at the sincere apology.

Don’t worry about my parents. My mother is worried too, not against me.

Making the other person anxious was the worst act as a lover.

I took Aster’s hand.

I was surprised to see him shrug, making me involuntarily laugh.

Maybe my parents aren’t the problem.

I thought Aster came out like that because I couldn’t convince him.

I think it was because I made Aster nervous.

No, the princess was fine. I guess I just didn’t have confidence.

I shook my head.

A relationship where only one of us understands each other unilaterally will inevitably lead to catastrophe.

I didn’t want this relationship to end like this.

If there is something that makes you feel uncomfortable or offended, whether it’s me or my family, I would like you to tell me directly, it’s the same if it’s the other way around.

I…

I know it’s hard to say. But we’re not going to separate after a year or two, are we?

My words softened her hardened face.

Yes, we’re not going to see each other in a year or two.

Aster looked a little relieved.

Let’s go. We have a lot to discuss because of the opening ceremony.

Yes.

I took his hand and left the room.

But other thoughts were still running through my mind.

What was missing in my dealings with Aster?

* * *

As the Cassel family effectively joined the imperial family, they stumbled upon more noble families than expected.

They were all families who paid Cassel family money and turned a blind eye to illegal activities.

The most prominent of these was, surprisingly, the Archduke of Gloucester.

Tatiana could not hide her anxiety and wandered around the room.

I don’t think the money is so short.

The problem was the person who sent the butler and brought a new one.

Tatiana took advantage of her family’s shady things and embezzled a large sum from the middle.

Tatiana found out about the situation only after the Cassel family collapsed and the new butler escaped in the night, and almost fainted from the amount he stole.

Your Majesty, the Marquis Liberty has arrived.

Ah, my father? Come and take me inside.

A red color shone on Tatiana’s face.

Soon the door opened and in walked a man who looked so young she couldn’t believe he was middle-aged.

He was still beautiful with his silver hair that reached his shoulders loose.

Tati.

Father!

Tatiana was embraced by her father, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

He was her oldest ally and an absolute supporter.

So why is it so hard for you to be married?

I already did, so stop talking like that, Dad.

Tatiana complained with a prickly face.

She always believed in herself. But oddly enough, not so much about this marriage.

When she said she would do it with other men, she didn’t say much, but when she said she would do it with Andrew, she objected to the point of feeling like she was going to do it.

It’s still not too late. You’re the famous daughter of the Liberty family, who would refuse, huh?

It has to be Andy.

At Tatiana’s resolute words, the Marquis of Liberty shrugged his shoulders.

Where is that handsome boy who is so good?

At her father’s question, Tatiana closed her mouth.

If he asked her where he was, she had nothing to say except that everything was fine.

The people she met were good, but Andrew had something special.

Was he attracted to the noble lineage of the imperial family?

Now that he thought about it, he thought he felt the same way when he first saw Aster.

Maybe it was at the empress’s birthday banquet.

Aster, the man who would ascend to the supreme position, had dead eyes.

He wore more colorful and beautiful clothes than anyone else, but he did not feel alive at all.

Young Tatiana wanted to help Aster.

I thought it would be great if a smile appeared on that face.

-I’ll give you this.

Tatiana took the flower out of the vase and handed it to Aster.

He just looked at the flowers without saying a word.

-Come on.

– For me?

Her delicate hand reached over and took the flower.

A faint smile passed over the man’s face, as if only a shell remained.

It was so beautiful that he felt as if flowers were blooming all around him.

At that moment, Tatiana discovered that Aster was special.

That’s why she confessed that she had fallen in love on the spot.

Considering her age, when she was only ten years old, it was very strange.

Tati?

Oh, nothing. Anyway, it had to be Andy.

Her meeting with Andrew was initially just a joke.

I was curious as to what kind of man he was for Karina to choose a guy no one cared about.

Tatiana had no intention of marrying Andrew after only a few meetings with him.

But that thought slowly changed.

Her heart kept falling in love with Andrew, who seemed eager and dangerous.

He can’t be without me.

Who, the Grand Duke?

Tatiana nodded at Marquis Liberty’s question.

In his last year at the academy, on the eve of a hunting contest, Andrew confessed.

His true identity and the heart he has for Tatiana.

Tatiana was convinced the moment she heard that he was the Forgotten Prince.

And that he is her savior.

Only she, not Karina, can return Andrew to his original place.

Yes. I have to stay by his side. He’s just a little unstable at the moment.

So Andrew will come back.

Because it was Tatiana who saved him, not Karina or Andrew himself.

Tatiana smiled softly and turned away.

How did things go beyond that?

Surprisingly, the arrested embezzler was living in very bad conditions.

It’s hard to believe he stole that astronomical amount of money.

Andrew said there must have been someone behind him and Tatiana asked her father to look after him.

The newly hired butler was from the Cassel family.

So, the money you gave to our family?

It was stolen under various pretexts, but he returned it to his family. plus interest.

At the words of Marquis Liberty, Tatiana sharpened her teeth.

Daring to deceive them enough to steal money.

And if you take advantage of this, it seems that you can also harm the Emperor.

Said the marquis, stroking the pretty daughter’s hair.

That was then.

The door opened and Andrew walked in.

I think I need to hear what you’re talking about. marquis.

Seeing Andrew like that, the marquis clicked his tongue briefly.

Cheeky bastard.

He didn’t like the way he didn’t even say hello and Tatiana ignored him.

If it wasn’t because he was Tatiana’s husband, it would have made him even less of a human being, let alone Archduke.

Sit this way for now.

However, Marquis Liberty did not express it.

He showed his feelings about this, but clearly remembered what happened with him.

Besides, this was Andrew’s job anyway.

He slowly explained the plan.

* * *

Aster looked at the complaint in front of him.

And said to Ethan.

Your family is very diverse.

I’m sorry, your Majesty.

Aha.

From the moment Ethan, who had turned pale in the morning, appeared holding a paper, he felt an ominous feeling.

Aster saw the Cassel family’s complaints.

I was involved in embezzlement… It’s a really small amount compared to the money my family earns, but you were trying to recover it.

Ethan shook his head.

After a brief break in security when the family fell apart, Marquis Liberty caught up with him.

By the time he realized the situation and set out to rectify it, it was too late.

The Archduke sued the Cassel family and the imperial family in charge of administering the Cassel family funds.

The indemnity demanded ten times the amount embezzled.

Ah. Is this one of the grand dukes you stole from?

That’s right…

Ethan frowned.

You mean there are more.

But the other families probably won’t be able to prove the case. All those who were involved have fled abroad.

At Ethan’s words, Aster clicked her tongue slightly.

Should he say they were lucky?

Aster, who was carefully examining the contents of the complaint, called someone and ordered him to bring the contract Ethan had agreed to some time ago.

He wondered if there was anything useful.

Aster found the desired phrase and smiled.

It really looks like the princess can see the future.

Thinking to give a gift on this occasion, Aster called the chief of staff.