Read Novel Full Chapter 66
Chapter 66
Sheila’s True Nature
“haah……….how strange. Normally, most men are quite easily fooled with just this though.”
Sheila sighed, and stuck her tongue out.
……….what is this sly behaviour.
Whether it be her fake calm demeanour that makes one want to protect her, or her curvy body that she always presents so invitingly, or it be her teasing nature that plays with the hearts of men; a normal guy would have already been singing to her tune by now.
Ah, but I was not so easily fooled, you know?
After all, I had a fiancée that was many time more adorable than even Lady Sheila after all.
Also, personally speaking I prefer girls like Liz who are normally extremely cool and stoic, but melts only when she’s with me. That’s what really gets me going.
That’s how it was.
“Please, I’d prefer if you didn’t put me in the same category as every other random man you have met, if possible.”
Gazing at Liz, I said that very clearly.
Of course, that was also to clearly declare it to Liz as well that I was not that type of guy as well.
Thanks to that, see, Liz was desperately trying her best to not break into a smile right now. How cute.
“So, can we get to the main point already now?”
“Guess it really didn’t work huh……….fine, guess it can’t be helped.”
Having finally given up on cajoling me, Sheila suddenly turned serious.
Her surface look was like that but her real……..the face beneath showed no signs of trying to flatter anyone, and seemed to have its own coldness to it, albeit different from Liz.
“I imagine your highness more or less already have an idea of why I’m here but, the matter I wished to discuss with you is indeed in regards to Prince Robin.”
“aah………”
I had a feeling it’d be that.
In the first place, all this started because Robin fell for Liz, even trying to sneak in at night, and in the end of it all, even betrayed his own mother and older brother after all.
All of it was simply unworthy of someone who was a prince and yet, there he was, happy with the current situation instead.
Even his mother, Queen Alicia, who had unconditionally showered him with love, had thrown in the towel this time around.
Sheila too, while she looked unperturbed, having her engagement broken must have left a scar on her personal records as well.
Thinking about the future, it wouldn’t be strange if the Andersen family were to ask for a large sum from the Imperial family as reparations as well.
“To be perfectly honest, I was not exactly happy to be engaged with Prince Robin from the very start but, even so, for the sake of my family, I chose to accept it. And yet……..that man chose to get infatuated with that woman beside you Prince Rudolf of all things.”
“Please wait. His courting of Liz is entirely one-sided, and she too is a victim in this case. Let’s not use that kind of phrasing again, okay?”
“………….My apologies. Anyway, the fact is that Prince Robin has damaged the honour of our Andersen family. And we are currently considering asking the Imperial family for a large sum in reparations.”
When I rebuked her seeing her sharp glare towards Liz, Sheila seemed a little unconvinced, but still continued to speak.
“And so, I came here to make a request to you Prince Rudolf, to ask for your aid in helping our Andersen family claim the damages done.”
“My aid………?”
Hearing her request, I could only tilt my head in confusion.
In the first place, this was all Robin’s fault so as far as asking for reparations went, I was perfectly fine with it, but at the same, all that business had absolutely nothing to do with me.
So why depend on me, of all people?
“………..You may already know, but I am but a bastard, and the fourth prince. I have no sway or power in the Imperial Household. I believe it’ll be hard for me to answer to your expectations.”
“Is that really true? With your engagement with lady Lizbeth, Prince Rudolf, you have gained the backing of the famed Fahlcrantz family who hold great sway inside the Baldyk Empire. On top of that, you have also joined hands with the first prince Fredrik as well, no?”
“Well, yes, but…….”
“Then, I would like to think that you have most certainly gained at least little bit of a right to speak your mind within the Imperial household, normally speaking,”
Hmmm………..I get what she was trying to say but, and it certainly made sense but, she’s a tad too naive…….
If it was so easy to increase my authority, I would been treated a bit better than the way I was from the beginning.
“In that case, would it not be better to ask Queen Alicia directly rather than me? Her highness was also quite aggrieved by this situation as well after all……..”
“No, that won’t do. Queen Alicia is still Prince Robin’s real mother after all.”
Ah………I suppose, even when her son was this hopeless, Queen Alicia was still quite soft on him. A distinct contrast to a certain Beatrice.
“And besides, I believe Prince Rudolf, you too are a victim in this case. I believe this would be quite convenient for both of us.”
Sheila peered directly at my face.
This matter involved Robin, as it did Queen Alicia and his brother Fredrik, and now the second Prince Oscar was also involved, after taking Robin under his wing.
Which means, I was the only one left.
No wonder she came to me to ask for help………
“…………I understand your aim as well as your request, lady Sheila.”
“Then…………?”
“Please wait. While I do understand your stance, that doesn’t mean I can so easily accept it. Not to mention, I have nothing to gain from all this.”
It was a severe matter, but I couldn’t just accept it right away.
Not just that, worst case, I could even end up turning Queen Alicia or Fredrik into an enemy as well. I needed to be careful with this.
“Of course, we have prepared something that will convince you otherwise as well, Prince Rudolf.”
“? and that would be……..?”
“Yes. From here onwards, we, the Andersen family will pledge ourselves to directly back you instead.”