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Chapter 49 – Dating Will Be Done By Adults

“I see you know my name.”

“…”

The fact that he remembered her name and called her made Aileen’s heartbeat faster than ever. Is this what love at first sight felt like? She was swept away by emotion for the first time in her life—without knowing why. She thought that this might be an opportunity for them to talk to each other and about the marriage.

With her cheeks flushed, Aileen continued speaking, “I heard that you had just come back from your trip. I was planning to visit you soon and—”

“Ashia.”

“…”

’Ashia?’

When someone else’s name came out of the man’s mouth, Aileen’s eyes widened.

Kaligo turned his head towards the door, where Ashia was hesitating. Aileen also looked towards the door with a puzzled look. Her mouth slowly opened.

The woman she met at the potion shop was standing in front of the door.

– Kaligo!

She remembered how she called the Grand Duke’s name while entering the gate.

‘They know each other, as expected.’

Aileen looked at Kaligo again.

‘No… I can’t say they just know each other…’

His gaze was completely different from when he was looking at her. She had also seen that kind of look before. There were theatrical performances at royal banquets once in a while, and the eyes of the two main characters in love looked exactly like that.

Aileen turned her gaze away from him in embarrassment.

Kaligo then walked straight to Ashia. “Ashia.”

“Oh, Kaligo….”

He lifted Ashia’s chin and carefully examined her face. “Are you alright? Did everything go well at the Magic Tower? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

It was Ashia who was embarrassed when Kaligo left Aileen behind and turned to her.

‘What is this? What happened?’

Ashia quickly looked toward Aileen who was standing behind Kaligo. A little startled, Aillen stood still while looking at the thin air.

“Ashia?”

“Are you… alright?”

“I’m also alright. I didn’t get hurt.”

“No, not about if you got hurt.”

She knew he wasn’t one to get hurt. Even if it was Lisa, the Magic Tower’s Master who was weak enough to have the barrier break, she wouldn’t be a match for him. In the original novel, the female lead was also said to not have aggressive tendencies. In other words, there was no one in this mansion who could have possibly hurt Kaligo right now. What Ashia was worried about wasn’t the wounds on his body.

“Then?”

“What I’m saying is….”

She couldn’t bear to continue her words. This place wasn’t the best one to bring up the original novel.

Kaligo raised his eyebrows as if he was piercing into Ashia’s innermost feelings.

“Ah…”

“…”

He closed his eyes and smiled. Then he slowly lowered his head and whispered into Ashia’s ear, “Falling in love with the female lead… Were you worried about that?”

“…”

He laughed softly. Kaligo raised his back again and continued, “I told you it would never happen.”

“…Yes.”

“I wasn’t swayed. The only person who can sway me in this world is you,” his low voice rang softly, a large hand settling behind Ashia’s neck carefully.

She felt the warmth of his fingertips gently soothing her.

“Your Royal Highness Princess Aileen.”

Startled, Aileen slowly turned towards him, Though he was only looking at Ashia.

“The Grand Duke Etous of the Karhan Empire respectfully rejects Perthenian Empire’s marriage proposal.”

“…”

“That’s my answer. Also.”

“…”

“That Magic Tower’s Master who is your close friend.”

Ashia looked at Aileen at those words.

’The sick friend she went to buy a potion for—was it Lisa?’

“If you once again played dirty tricks with the Crown Prince, you won’t be left alone like today… I would appreciate it if you could tell her that.”

“Dirty… tricks?”

“I think you have to hear that for yourself.”

“…”

Kaligo hugged Ashia’s shoulder without giving Aileen a single glance. “Let’s go.”

“N-no, wait.”

Ashia turned her head to look at Aileen. She was standing there with a shocked expression on her face—without even looking at Kaligo and Ashia.

As they walked out of the living room and down the hallway, Kaligo softly whispered to her, “My expectations were correct.”

“Yes?”

Ashia looked up at him. Kaligo couldn’t look at Ashia as they walked, only looking straight ahead.

“…When I said that you would be much prettier.”

“Ah…”

Kaligo also coughed as Ashia coughed heavily. Whether it was awkward or embarrassing to talk, the two walked into the hallway without even looking at each other’s faces.

Theros ran to them as if he was waiting as soon as they emerged. “Noona…?”

“Tero.”

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