Keep a Secret - Chapter 3
Taking advantage of the moment, they danced three more songs in a row.
“I need a break,” Faye said, visibly exhausted.
On chuckled, asking, “Really?” with a mischievous smile.
For some reason….. it seemed a bit mocking.
While On went to get drinks, Faye massaged her sore ankles. Meanwhile, her eyes instinctively searched for her dear Count amidst the commotion.
‘There he is!’
Count Listro leaned comfortably in a red fabric couch embroidered with golden flowers and conversing with members of the royal family. Faye grinned, delighting in his appearance, which continued to shine among the distinguished nobles.
Faye scrutinized his fine features with the same relish as one would savor a succulent piece of meat.
“Is that the Pink Diamond of Queen Marnico?”, remarked the second prince.
Simultaneously, a distinct awe emerged in the deep lake-like eyes of the Count. Faye perked up, curiosity sparkling in her ears.
“The brilliance is indeed exceptional. The preservation has been outstanding.”
“Yes, this is an extremely precious item. A symbol cherished even more than life by the Marnico royal family.”
Name: Oniam Dinken Demesrendo
‘Ugh, there’s that guy too?’
Faye’s face contorted. Oniam, a man with a name that seemed to twist her tongue, laughed heartily as he shook a diamond necklace with cascading lights like a waterfall.
“I managed to acquire it by persevering not to give up until the end. Haha, you should have seen the expression on the queen’s face back then!”
Faye swiftly turned her body and covered her face with her hair.
‘Don’t look. Please, don’t look this way.’
Faye did not like that man.
Oniam Dinken Demesrendo, a royal from the allied kingdom Gemmoir, earned great merit in two conquest wars and was hailed as a wailord in his own country. He had been staying in the Sel Kingdom for diplomatic affairs since last month, and somehow, he ended up always meeting Faye, who was constantly with Princess Rozella.
However, there was simply no favorable angle, as the man seemed to spout nothing but boasting and self-praise whenever he spoke. Above all, he seemed to lack any sense of tact.
‘Faye, would you not accompany me to the Eastern Black Brick Tower in the royal capital? I’ve heard it’s a romantic spot for lovers. They say if a young couple climbs to the top together, their love will last a thousand years. Hahaha!’
‘Oh… What should I do? But, my vision is quite dark, you see. I don’t think I can assist with Lord Oniam’s sightseeing. Perhaps you should find someone knowledgeable about the royal capital’s layout.’
‘Faye is truly generous. However, the road can be found by the servants. What’s the worry? Let’s go together, Faye. This, too, will be a special experience from our youth. Who knows, in the future, we might reminisce about these moments together… Hahaha!’
‘…..No! It’s not just that. Actually, I have an ailment that prevents me from climbing to high places. Since I was young, whenever I went to tall places like towers, my head would get dizzy, and I couldn’t breathe properly. Sometimes I even fainted from altitude sickness. Oh, now that I think about it, this place seems a bit elevated too… Ah, my head!’
‘Faye! Are you okay?’
Thinking of Oniam’s murmurings, Faye was covered in hives. His gaze, misunderstanding her discomfort as a sign of affection, reminded her of a certain man from last year who started as an admirer but eventually evolved into Faye’s stalker…..
As Oniam continued to make unwelcome advances, being of higher status made him more difficult to handle. He shamelessly sought excuses to bother Faye. If he crossed the line openly, it might have been easier to deal with. However, it seemed like Oniam was testing how much Faye would tolerate, making it challenging to find the right approach.
So, Faye made a resolution: ‘Don’t let yourself be dragged around. You can’t let last year’s events repeat.’
The guidelines derived from the lessons of an unfortunate past were as follows:
- Stay within thirty paces of Oniam.
- (If 1 fails) Avoid him if he is nearby.
- (If 2 fails) If forced into a conversation, reply briefly with ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Sometimes, pretend not to understand and divert attention.
- Oniam usually hangs out with the royalty. It’s best to keep some distance even with Princess Rosella and the Fourth Prince for the time being. (There’s an issue with this item. If Rosella catches on, she might get upset, so absolutely keep it a secret.)
Anyway, Faye’s efforts proved effective, and she managed to fend off most of Oniam’s advances. At this point, all Faye wished for was Oniam’s swift return to his own country.
Oh, by the way, the stalker from last year met a severe fate, facing the wrath of an enraged On and Princess Rosella, ultimately being expelled from the kingdom.
“So, you see, today, I’m thinking of proposing a wager.”
Oniam’s voice resonated loudly. Perhaps because of the volume, not only Faye but many others turned their attention to him. While internally muttering, ‘What’s going on?’ Faye listened as Oniam continued.
“As a prize, I’ll bet this diamond necklace.”
