# 45
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“We meet again, Your Highness.”
My heart jumped, but I did my best to look calm as I greeted him.
Then he, who had been sitting on the bell tower looking at me from above, descended lightly to the ground.
Despite the great height, his movements were very light, as if he did not feel any weight at all.
Standing 190cm tall, with broad shoulders, he looked even more attractive in his new clothes that fit him perfectly.
When he stood close, the aura surrounding him was overwhelming…. And more than that. …
'My heart is beating hard. …’
Knock, knock, knock.
I felt like my heart was about to jump out of my chest.
The cool breeze gently played with his hair strands, and a refreshing fragrance filled the air, touching my nose.
In front of me, Etheus, with his mysterious blue eyes, stared at me silently for a long time.
Just keep looking at me.
What was he really thinking?
“But somehow...”
Is it just my imagination? His cheeks seemed to be a little redder than usual.
Wait a minute.
Could Etheus be sick?
I quickly extended my hand and stood on my tiptoes.
Then I put my other hand on his forehead.
My hand touched his forehead, it felt warm.
'There is no fever. …’
There was no sensation of heat compared to my forehead.
“I feel relieved, I thought you might be sick.”
A sigh of relief escaped my lips.
Of course, I made sure to maintain my usual calm.
“If you are sick, it may affect how you deal with the Vadelmon case.”
What I learned today was…. The shocking possibility that my father, the Duke of Elmore, may have caused his mother's death.
Even though I received this body, I don't deserve to have feelings for it.
Slowly, I pulled my hand away from his forehead, but he suddenly grabbed my wrist tightly.
He remains silent, continuing to stare at me.
He looked like he was trying to find an answer to some difficult question.
His cheeks were still red, or maybe they were getting redder.
His lips were even redder.
My gaze slowly turned towards his face.
Etheus's soft, red lips.
'Take it easy, Catherine Elmore, this is no time to admire his face. …’
“It hurts me.”
Suddenly, Etheus's voice came from those lips, and they twitched.
He pulled my wrist towards his chest.
Soon my palms were on his broad, solid chest.
She looked at him with wide eyes.
“It hurts me.”
Etheus's eyebrows were furrowed tightly, his blue eyes looking full of pain.
“For the first time, because of you...it hurts so bad.”
With a twitch, I felt my heart tremble.
Soon my heartbeat became felt throughout my body, and I could no longer distinguish whose pulse it was.
Was it his pulse? Or was it my pulse?
What I did know was that my chest constricted with a painful sensation as I saw his face contort with distress.
I couldn't even understand what he was saying.
'Does he blame me?'
My favorite person was hurting because of me.
The last time Etheus scratched his cheek, I felt a sharp pain in my chest.
Hearing him say this... I felt like my feet were sinking into the ground.
His red lips opened again.
“You... are playing with my heart...”
His low voice penetrated the depths of my soul.
“...You're messing with him.”
My eyes swayed as I looked at him.
Etheus's face was staring at me inteny, as if he wanted to kill me with his gaze.
The painful, irregular rhythm of my heart was a blur.
“What...what are you talking about?”
I couldn't understand.
I had no idea why he said I was messing with his heart.
Was it a good thing, or a bad thing?
As a researcher for 「Revolution Star」, I was used to anticipating and analyzing subtext and dialogue, but hearing these words from him directly... …
'I can't explain this!'
Then, Etheus loosened his grip on my wrist, and I was able to pull my hand from his chest.
He's still looking at me.
"Who are you?"
His blazing eyes asked.
“I should say something, but I have no idea what to say or how to respond.”
At that moment, I heard a voice from afar.
"my lady !"
Feeling relieved at the interruption, she gently pushed Etheus away and quickly turned around, running towards the direction of the sound.
“Catherine.”
I ignored his nervous voice from behind.
My cheeks were burning with embarrassment.
* * *
“Screw Elmore!”
After the party ended and the guests bid farewell, Aglaya trembled with anger, cursing alone.
“I will never let them enter my house again, those vile creatures!”
Everything I had planned before the party had collapsed.
Even the huge sum she had hoped for after hearing from Vadelmon was now nothing.
“Count Fadelmon Elmore has come to see you...”
“Tell that bastard that he is not suitable for me, tell him not to contact me again! And make sure to pass the warrant for his arrest quickly!”
Her subordinates lowered their heads and withdrew in silence.
She stared out the window, biting her lip.
“But...why did that woman say such things?”
“If you try to play with Etheus's life again, I will kill you.”
“Did she get emotional because I entrusted her with Vadelmon’s case? No, that vile Elmore wouldn’t do that. Why, all of a sudden...?”
Despite her confusion, Aglaya had no way to act differently now.
She now knew what the Princess of Elmore held.
Aglaya took a moment to calm herf and think about it.
The deal with Vadelmon was a failure, but its position remained intact.
She could continue as Speaker of Parliament, respected and honored, and pretend to protect Etheos.
For now, all I have to do is keep playing the game. …
"my paternal aunt."
Suddenly, a low voice came from behind, and Aglaya's brow furrowed.
She could hardly contain herf, she turned to look at Etheus.
“Etheus, I was a little confused earlier. You must have been on a date with Lucia, and suddenly had to send her away, but, you see...”
Aglaia took a deep breath before continuing.
“I heard some bad things about her father, Vadelmon. I thought it was just slander, but it seemed like he was really plotting. I almost introduced a woman to my dear nephew without knowing anything. Forget about her.”
Aglaia approached Etheus, smiling as if she was satisfied with herf.
Etheus, with his face carved like a divine work of art, was still wearing the imperial crown he had earned by protecting her.
She even received money from minor nobles to arrange intercourse between Etheos for their daughters.
“Instead, I will offer you a much better lady, the daughter of Count Allman six years older than you, Etheus, but very religious and very upright...”
“I refuse.”
“...Ethios.”
Aglaia's eyes twitched at his firm refusal.
“I only did it because I wanted what was best for you...”
“Did you take money from Vadelmon for me?”
Aglaia's eyes shook with surprise.
Etheos, with a cold gleam in his eyes, looked at Aglaia and curled his lips into a mocking smile.
“Although the payments were probably large, there must have been an upfront fee as well. If I delve deeper into Vadelmon, I might find out more about your true nature, Auntie.”
“Etheos... Etheos... What do you mean by that?”
Aglaya's hands trembled.
Etheus was always ready to fulfill even unpleasant requests for her sake.
This cold attitude of Etheus was foreign to her.
“Maybe you're angry with me..?”
“The reason I trusted you, Auntie, is because our enemies were the same.”
Aglaia's eyes swayed at Etheus's words, his eyes cold as ice.
Her formerly innocent nephew has become like a monster hiding his true nature.
As Etheus took one step closer, Aglaia instinctively took a step back.
“You were afraid of him, and I hated him. The essence of our feelings may be different, but...”
Etheos' lips moved again.
Aglaya stood frozen, watching him.
“Did you... hear what I said earlier?”
A deep feeling of loneliness flashed in Etheus's blue eyes.
Then, remembering someone's eyes made him realize the truth.
“Now that you know, don’t ever think about using me again.”
Speak in a cold voice.
Aglaia stood frozen, in amazement, while Etheus turned his back to her.
His steps as he walked away were full of determination.
He felt as if everything he had been hiding had been released, leaving behind only a feeling of clarity and freedom.