Secret Love Affair between a Former Saint and a Dark Hero - Chapter 72
Ovid was about to make a decision that could be a major turning point in his life. His father the Emperor expressed concern that he might want to mull it over a little while longer, but Ovid was resolute.
He had observed them for several years already—with Iora von Ribandt and Arcanda von Illanys. And now, he had reached a firm decision.
‘Surely, it will be Arcanda who becomes the Saint.’
It was inconvenient and cumbersome, but he needed to let go of the girl who was his current betrothed. He was convinced that the future saint would be Arcanda, and the imperial court would make him take her as his wife. That was the first duty of the Emperor, after all.
But Marquis Ribandt would never allow him to break off their betrothal. It was quite a headache. It would have been better if there had never been an engagement in the first place.
Shoving the thought from his mind, Ovid tried to gauge when Arcanda’s class would start. There was still plenty of time. He raised his hand to command the servant outside to bring in the papers he’d left behind, thinking he should spend more time in the carriage. Suddenly, he heard the knight’s shouting, the sound of horses, and footsteps.
Ovid’s face stiffened.
‘Who could that be?’
It’s extremely rare for anyone to know that this carriage belonged to the Crown Prince. So it couldn’t be some nobleman who had come unexpectedly. Or could it be that there’s a dispute over who’s inside? No, that doesn’t make sense.
As he frowned slightly, there was a knock on the carriage door and a cautious knight’s voice that followed.
“Your Highness. There’s…you have a visitor.”
“A visitor? You mean they’re looking for me?”
“Yes, Your Highness. They’ve come to see you.”
“Who is it?”
It was outrageous. What kind of nobleman would be so rude as to show such disrespect? Since the knight didn’t dismiss them, it meant they must be a high-ranking noble. The only nobles who could visit the Saint’s Mansion would either be related to the Marquis Ribandt or the Viscount Illanys.
Both possibilities were subtly uncomfortable, as Ovid couldn’t fathom the reason behind such impoliteness. Just as he was about to speak in a stern voice, the knight quickly replied, almost as if he knew the Crown Prince’s thoughts.
“It’s Lady Iora von Ribandt who’s requesting an audience with you, Your Highness.”
Iora von Ribandt. At the mention of her name, Ovid momentarily forgot to breathe. Why would that woman come to see him?
* * *
He had an obsessive personality, preferring things not to deviate from what had already been decided. In that sense, she was like an accident to him—her beaming face and innocent voice.
What started as a relationship between a potential saint and the Crown Prince turned into him falling for her without realizing it. His jealousy boiled intensely to the point where he wanted to dig out the eyes of those who looked at her.
Especially when Duke Elrah showed interest in her. It was unbearable. When he saw her smiling at Duke Elrah, he felt his vision turning red.
What was this feeling? Why was he feeling so restless?
“Ovid.”
He liked her. He was happy when he was with Arcanda. Ovid fell headlong into those moments. In front of Arcanda, he was just an ordinary Ovid. His past self had no idea how sweet that was. To her, he was no longer the exalted crown prince, no longer someone who had to be ever watchful and alert. He could wear his feelings on his sleeve and want what she wanted.
In the end, it came down to this.
He reached out his hand to the beautiful woman who stood there in astonishment and whispered softly, “Arcanda, stay by my side. Forever.”」
The way Ovid looked at Arcanda in the original work was so poignant. In her past life, Jiyeon had a penchant for possessive, obsessive male leads, but the kind and patient male lead also had his own charm. That might be why Sol liked him too. Of course, all of this was before she dived into the world of the novel herself.
“The most important thing is the absolute fact that Ovid will never desire me, even after my death”
The maid who had been leading the way to the Crown Prince’s carriage earlier turned her head, wondering what Iora just said. Iora waved her hand to gesture that it was nothing. Although, she had been gritting her teeth, trying to calm her subtly pounding heart.
She had to be confident. After all, Ovid wanted an annulment anyway.
Just like her, the prince found their betrothal troublesome, so he would probably be willing to break it off without any issues. Her father would likely throw a fit, but it was bound to happen either way.
‘It’s going to happen in a few months. I’m only going to make it happen a little faster, so there should be no major problems.’
It would be more convenient for things to move that way.
The condition for this world not to collapse and a way to break free from the horrific restraint of the novel 『The Saint’s Flower』.
That was for Iora to be alive and well. It didn’t matter where or in what form. There was no need for her to end up with the male lead, Ovid. She could let Arcanda take the position she so desired.
‘And besides…’
In preparation for any unforeseen circumstance, Iora planned to somehow arrange a conversation with Vigros. If things went well, she might be able to join forces with him and push forward with their plans.
Just then, the maid stopped walking. She approached the knights waiting by the carriage and whispered something to them.
