My Sweet Deceiver - Chapter 55

The exciting sound of a tennis ball hitting a racket echoed in the hall.

 

“How about having an interview?”

 

As the racket hit the ball, Olivier looked at Dennis over the net.

 

Dennis had just met Olivier, who had been contacted for a long time, alone.

 

The objective was to answer the previous proposal.

 

Olivier responded positively to Dennis’ suggestion to serve as the academy’s chairman.

 

The purpose quickly ended, and the two were in the process of unravelling the apocalypse they met after a long time.

 

“What kind of interview?”

 

Olivier hit the ball that came over and asked.

 

While running to catch the ball that fell just in front of the net, Dennis missed the ball.

 

It was a mistake.

 

He grabbed the hem of his shirt and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

 

His abs peeked through the lifted hem of his clothes.

 

“About my wife and me. So that my wife will know.”

 

Olivier had a fed-up look on his face.

 

Just in time, Dennis had told Olivier everything that had happened to Tehez.

 

After summarizing the long 6 years of history, what was left?

 

Only the fact that he knew nothing about his wife.

 

“…”

 

Dennis’ face was full of dissatisfaction.

 

It’s already been days since Tehez ran away without showing her nose.

 

No, the truth was that Dennis was very nervous from the very next morning.

 

Dennis, who woke up alone in the cold bed, felt absurd.

 

They definitely had a good mood.

 

What kind of woman runs away, leaving her husband behind?

 

Did she not like the confession?

 

Was it not enough or too much?

 

Did he miss anything else?

 

All sorts of questions filled his head with tails.

 

That made it difficult for him to concentrate on other things.

 

Olivier shook his head at the thought of Dennis’ circuit, which the criminal had no access to.

 

From the moment he heard the story, he thought his friend was out of his mind.

 

Olivier spoke with the utmost refinement.

 

“Are you going to tell everyone in Valloise, ‘This is my woman!’ They will love it.”

 

“Can’t I do that? It can also quell discord. That sounds like a good way.”

 

“What in the world-”

 

Olivier was dumbfounded, so he gathered his brows and sincerely advised Dennis.

 

“Be careful, Your Highness. There is no one in this country who does not know that the two are married.”

 

“Even so…”

 

Dennis blurted out the end of his words as if he didn’t like Olivier’s answer.

 

“I won.”

 

Olivier asked Dennis to shake hands.

 

Today’s tennis match was a defeat for Dennis.

 

Since his academy days, Olivier and Dennis have often played tennis.

 

Dennis has the upper hand in skills.

 

Seven out of ten, he favoured Olivier.

 

But today was a complete defeat.

 

Unlike usual, Denis was not bothered by the outcome of the match.

 

Olivier said, wiping his sweat with a white towel.

 

“Rather than thinking of doing an interview, it would be better to quickly decide on a present for Princess’ birthday banquet. If it’s a heartfelt gift, I’m sure Princess will definitely recognize it.”

 

Shortly after, he confided to Olivier that he had a birthday banquet and didn’t know what to give her.

 

“I did not…”

 

Dennis took a deep breath and said to himself.

 

“I’m really stupid.”

 

“Did you know that now?”

 

Olivier said with a mischievous look.

 

“Olivier. I can call myself an idiot, but it is unacceptable for you to admit that.”

 

When Dennis raised his eyebrows and stared, Olivier raised his hands and posed as if he had surrendered.

 

Of course, it was a joke that could be played because they were close friends.

 

“Let’s have dinner, Your Highness.”

 

Olivier suggested.

 

But Dennis refused.

 

“I have a previous engagement.”

 

“With whom?”

 

When Olivier asked curiously, Dennis replied with a big smile.

 

“Old aristocrats.”

 

“What about them?”

 

“What? Since Duke Briem is dead, it means that they are trying to make a living.”

 

“…”

 

Olivier said as he draped the bag with a racket over his shoulder.

 

“Shall I join you?”

 

He looked as if he couldn’t miss a good sight.

 

“That’s a good idea. Let’s take a look at what kind of bullsh!t they will be talking about.”

 

* * *

 

Dennis and Olivier got sweaty and changed their sweatshirts before heading to the meeting place.

 

A restaurant, famous for being expensive in the capital.

 

The taste was delicious, but it was also known for its elegant and antique atmosphere, as well as a restaurant tailored to the aristocracy that takes reservations by carefully screening customers.

 

The restaurant, divided into small rooms, was good for a secret talk, and Dennis had used it a few times.

 

However, Olivier, who first learned that there was such a place because he was away from Valloise, was surprised.

 

“There’s no such place as a whole world.”

 

When he opened a small, unpatterned door that looked like the back door of a mansion from the outside, she found a corridor painted black on all sides.

 

Walking along the small lights that light up the corridor for a long time, a spacious and round space like a lounge appeared.

 

When they got there, the guide politely greeted them and guided them to the reserved room.

 

Small rooms stretched out in all directions around the lounge, so there was no chance of encountering other people.

 

As the guide carefully opened the door, some familiar nobles rose from their seats and greeted Dennis and Olivier.

 

The nobles, who thought Dennis would come out alone, looked puzzled when they saw Olivier.

 

Olivier said hastily at the look on their faces.

 

“I’m Olivier, Count of Chabrol. I’m helping with the work.”

 

Then they recognized Olivier and nodded.

 

“I see. Welcome.”

 

When Dennis sat down, they sat down.

 

Then the door quietly opened, and the food came in one by one, perhaps because it was pre-ordered.

 

It was a course meal that was famous for being expensive at this restaurant, too.

 

“It’s nice to see you like this, Your Highness.”

 

It was the Baron of Flanders who spoke as if he were the organizer of a banquet.

 

He visited Dennis’ office last time and said he wanted to pursue the future with him. Of course, Dennis said he would think about it for now and sent him back. However, Baron Flanders contacted him again.

 

Baron Flanders brought with him a few young aristocrats.

 

“Would you like to talk while eating?”

 

When Dennis picked up the tableware, the seated nobles soon began to eat.

 

It was a meal with an awkward atmosphere.

 

The nobles only read each other’s faces, but no one spoke first.

 

Then someone started talking.

 

“It’s the hunting season soon. If the snow piles up, deer hunting is perfect. Does your Highness enjoy hunting?”

 

It was Viscount Amboise, who was sitting quietly. It was a light topic to break the frozen meal atmosphere.

 

Just in time, ripe deer meat was on the table.

 

Dennis, who barely touched the food, meticulously wiped the corners of his mouth.

 

And he answered, facing the Viscount Amboise.

 

“I think it’s barbaric. Isn’t there no reason to make life-taking work entertainment? “

 

“…”

 

“I think I’ve pretended to eat quite a bit now. Let’s hear for what you called today.”

 

It was a cold face that wouldn’t let a single needle go through.

 

Baron Flanders was embarrassed, as if it wasn’t the flow he had thought. Viscount Amboise also looked at Baron Flanders with a bewildered look.

 

He was going to talk about the situation while eating moderately delicious food.

 

That trick didn’t seem to work.

 

At this time, the only thing left was the regular method.

 

Viscount Amboise put the dishes down on the table.

 

He spoke with difficulty in a serious voice.

 

“Your Highness, it would be right to apologize first. In the past, my father committed a great wrong to the Queen. Blinded by power, he confined Her Majesty the Queen and deliberately killed Her Majesty. It’s late, but on behalf of my father, I apologize. I also sincerely ask for your forgiveness for causing irreparable harm to you. At least now, I pray that Her Majesty Queen Charlize will stay with Nate in eternal paradise.”

 

“…”

 

It was a calm attitude that did not show a single lie.

 

“And even if Your Highness asks me to ask for my father’s sins, I will accept it sweetly.”

 

Dennis sat quietly as if he were a stone statue, looking at Viscount Amboise.

 

He reached out his hand and took a sip of the water.

 

His hand, which put the glass down, was trembling.

 

Olivier watched the scene and held Dennis’ hand under the tablecloth tightly.

 

Dennis spoke after a long time.

 

“It’s your father’s fault. Are you serious?”

 

“Of course, my dear. I must overcome it to start over if it’s a hurdle.”

 

“What would you do if I asked for your life?”

 

For a moment, Viscount Amboise closed his mouth.

 

Instead of the Viscount Amboise, Baron Flanders replied with a tight mouth.

 

“If that’s how you relieve your anger, ask it. Take not only him, but also those who are here now.”

 

The audience’s eyes shook.

 

Just as the other nobles were about to speak up to quiet him, the Baron spoke up.

 

“But it only delays the time for the Prince to gain more support, and there is no benefit to it. It would be better to save us and take the throne than to avenge Queen Charles, who passed away long ago. Please, I ask for your mercy.”

 

“To sum up, doesn’t that mean that life is precious and you won’t give up anything?”

 

Dennis was smiling, raising only one corner of his mouth.

 

“No, Your Highness. I think you should be the next king of Valloise, and you have the qualities of a true king.”

 

Olivier was surprised by the fairly straightforward remarks.

 

Dennis also gazed at Baron Fland with his eyebrows narrowed.

 

Then the Viscount Amboise added, “We have decided to support the Prince going forward. You are the only one who can save this country from falling into chaos.”

 

“Too much flattery is not good, Viscount.”

 

Baron Flanders shook his head and said, “It is a fact without a single lie. We will help you ascend to the throne.”

 

***

 

Late night.

 

On the way back by carriage.

 

Dennis fell into deep thought.

 

The words he had never heard before…

 

Asking for forgiveness.

 

“We’re here, Your Highness.”

 

As he got out of the carriage looking at the ground, he slowly walked to his palace with his hands in his pockets.

 

A moon as small as a fingernail was illuminating the path.

 

The road he walked alone was quiet.

 

When his deceased mother came to mind, he became unbearably lonely.

 

He seemed to be left alone in the world and the monstrous loneliness that followed him.

 

When life feels like a slow s**c*de.

 

Surrounded by a strange feeling, he lifted his head and looked ahead.

 

A woman was standing in front of him.

 

His only wife.

 

The woman stood at the end of his path like a painting.

 

He had that person.

 

There was someone going with her.

 

Dennis smiled brightly as he looked at her.

 

“Did you come to meet me?”

 

“Yes, because you’re late.”

 

It was a blunt and calm answer.

 

He couldn’t imagine someone who had been avoiding him for a while.

 

“Are you done running away now?”

 

The woman blushed.

 

She didn’t say anything.

 

When he saw the woman whose face turned red like ripe fruit, he burst out laughing like a sigh.

 

“Tehez, it’s cold. Let’s go in.”

 

He reached out and wrapped his hand around the woman’s shoulder.

 

Her slender shoulders embraced by him were cold, as if she had waited for him for a long time.

 

The woman with cold shoulders was unbearably lovely, and he was willing to share my warmth.

 

(To be continued in the next episode)