Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 22.2
Chapter 22.2
Alexid Lefkind. The prince who had been studying abroad in the Kingdom of Kishan. Now that the Kishan princes had returned, it was time for the Empire to choose a new prince to send abroad. That was why Alexid was coming back. Prince Alexid didn’t have the best reputation. He wouldn’t have earned the nickname “the reckless prince” otherwise.
“Tsk.” He clicked his tongue, displeased at the prospect of serving the prince.
Knock, knock. Suddenly, his butler’s voice called, “Master Luke.”
“What is it? I told you not to disturb me.”
“A guest has arrived, sir.”
“A guest?”
“It’s… Oh dear, you mustn’t do this!” The butler’s flustered voice was followed by the sound of his office door bursting open without permission. Vivian Ewill strode into Luke’s office. Upon seeing her face, Luke clicked his tongue again, even more forcefully this time.
“I apologize, Master Luke.”
“It’s fine. You can go now.” He dismissed the butler and watched as the door closed behind him. He remained perched on his desk, staring at Vivian. “What is it this time?” There were two people who had been particularly annoying him lately, and Vivian was one of them. The other was Count Hazel, a vain man with terrible credit who kept asking for loans, which Luke granted, knowing it would tighten the chains around her.
The thought of her briefly lifted his spirits. A smile touched Luke’s lips unconsciously, but it quickly faded as his gaze fell upon Vivian.
“I told you not to come here, Vivian.”
“Are you ignoring me too?”
He sighed, crossing his arms as he studied her. “I introduced you to Hector. Shouldn’t that be enough?”
He had orchestrated a seemingly chance encounter between Vivian and Hector, subtly manipulating feelings Hector himself hadn’t fully realized. He’d given her enough of a head start; she should have been able to manage on her own by now. Yet, here she was again, pestering him.
Vivian bit her lip. “…I need more money.”
Their conversation resumed, oblivious to the presence of someone secretly listening, their breath held tight as the exchange continued.
***
The cool night air was refreshing. ‘So, that money was borrowed from Luke.’
Amelia sat at the table and chair she had placed by her bedroom window, leaning against the window frame as she received the report from Slinky, albeit about events that had transpired earlier that day.
[Vivian has borrowed from Luke three times.]
“One time was for me.”
‘The other two times… probably living expenses.’
The day Vivian had given her the money, Amelia suspected she’d recently met with Luke, likely to borrow funds. So, she’d stationed her network of informants around Luke’s mansion, and now her efforts were bearing fruit.
“[One instance was today. That makes three times total.]”
“Is that so?”
The information relayed from the informant planted at Luke’s mansion traveled through a chain of children until it reached Slinky. Slinky, being small, could easily remain undetected within Hazel Manor.
[Perhaps she needed more after giving the money to you?]
“Hmm, that’s possible.” Amelia nodded, continuing to listen to Slinky’s report.
[Luke’s visit to the villa was due to Chairman of Randy feigning illness.]
“Rupert Randy was looking for a family with comparable wealth for Luke to marry into. Frankly, the other party is getting the short end of the stick.” It bothered her that Luke was the one refusing. Slinky’s next words made Amelia frown. “Wait, who’s returning?”
“[Prince Alexid.]”
“…Oh, right. Of course.” Amelia pressed her hand to her forehead, chewing her lip. ‘Right, that prince is returning.’
In the novel, the war had started after Bashar Kishar’s death, and Alexid’s return had occurred sometime later. She had anticipated his return would be sooner since she’d prevented Bashar’s poisoning, but…
“He’s back earlier than I expected.” Bitterness tinged her tongue.
The dissolute prince. Of all the emperor’s children, he was the most cruel and violent. Even the emperor himself couldn’t control him, resorting to exiling him under the guise of furthering his education. Alexid Lefkind hadn’t been sent away because he was low in the line of succession. As she’d just thought, he’d caused so much trouble that the empire couldn’t handle him.
And this prince… was the madman she was supposed to marry.
‘No, no. Supposed to marry. That’s the original story. The current me will never marry him!’
Why else would she be searching for a suitable husband, someone who could shield her from the world? Because her wretched family had practically sold her off to that prince! The thought of her entanglement with Alexid made her face contort in disgust.
[Are you alright, Amelia?]
She met Slinky’s gaze, two dark eyes filled with concern. Amelia managed a weak smile. “Yes, I’m fine. I just remembered something unpleasant. So, is there any other information?”
“[Actually, this is the most important part. After that, Vivian…]”
Just as Slinky was finishing, the door burst open. Startled, Slinky slowly retreated into the shadows, vanishing from sight.
