My Sweet Deceiver - Chapter 74

Fabrice’s place, a villa, was in an uncomfortable state.

 

It had already been several days since he came down to Riyol.

 

“Does it make sense that I can’t even go outside in this nice weather?”

 

Fabrice kicked the furnishings and screamed. It was a lot of patience for his temper.

 

“Don’t stop me. I’m going out for a drink today!”

 

Fabrice picked up his coat and sprinted through the door of the villa.

 

* * *

 

After more than a week of train travel, Fabrice finally arrived in the resort city of Riyol.

 

Riyol had a mild climate throughout the year and was close to the sea, so it was famous for its yachting competition held every fall and the first yacht club in Valloise.

 

Thanks to its location at the southern end of the country, there was no trace of snow, and the weather was as warm as a spring day.

 

It was the end of the year, so it wasn’t as humid or hot as midsummer. And the weather was not as cold as in Lubern. It was just the right temperature for going out horseback riding or boating.

 

As soon as he reached Riyol, Fabrice, forgetting that he was on the run, got off the train and stretched out. He was finally outside and took a deep breath. Fabrice was confined to the room the whole time because he hid in the entire private room.

 

The wide-brimmed hat Fabrice was wearing to cover his face fluttered in the wind. The attendant lowered his voice and pushed Fabrice’s back to see if the people gathered on the platform would recognize the Second Prince who had escaped.

 

“First we have to go to the villa.”

 

“I’d like to eat something before then.”

 

Fabrice looked around him and walked down the street.

 

“Prin- no, Your Excellency!”

 

He couldn’t carelessly say ‘Prince’. There were only two people in this country who could be called ‘Prince’. The First Prince, who was in Lubern, and the Second Prince, who was missing.

 

The attendant hurriedly followed Fabrice’s back. What would people say when they saw the Second Prince, who was accused of murder, coming to a resort and having a leisurely meal? The attendant didn’t even want to imagine. It was just awful.

 

“Meals will be served when we arrive at the villa. First of all, we are going to go to the villa…”

 

When the attendant recommended, sweating profusely, Fabrice reluctantly got on the carriage.

 

Fabrice was very happy with the feeling of freedom he hadn’t enjoyed in a long time. It took more than a week by train to get from Lubern, where the mad woman was, to Riyol, where he was. The mere fact that he was free from her made Fabrice feel like flying.

 

“Is there a gambling place near the villa that I can go to? It’s been so long.”

 

“A gambling place?”

 

“Yes. Is there someplace to turn the cards? It is said to be the largest resort city in the south, but there must be that much, right?”

 

Only then did the attendant realize that Fabrice was not joking. The attendant wiped off the flowing sweat. The carriage left Riyol Station and headed deeper and deeper into the mountains.

 

“Your Highness, do you know why we came here?”

 

“Isn’t it self-reflection?”

 

Fabrice’s meaning of self-reflection was distorted.

 

“And the accusation of murder against you.”

 

“Ah. When I think of that, it makes me feel bad again. Why are they making a fuss about something I didn’t even do?!”

 

Fabrice spat out curses incessantly. He complained of injustice, saying he could not understand why he was accused of being the culprit.

 

“I’m busy playing, no, I haven’t been able to play lately! Where’s the time to kill people?! If I do, I might be beaten with a wh!p by a crazy woman!”

 

“Yes. Yes. Of course, you’re right.”

 

They arrived at the villa as the attendant soothed him like a baby.

 

“Hide yourself in the villa for the time being. We will go back when things settle down.”

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“I have to go to Riyol Station for a while because there are things I haven’t organized yet. The things that you used to use are supposed to arrive, Your Highness. You are never allowed to leave the villa. Stay at the villa until I come!”

 

He was only able to pack one bag because he had to run away in a hurry at the King’s order. There was only one money bag with Louis gold coins in the bag and one of Fabrice’s clothes.

 

The three murders of innocent citizens in the capital, the execution of Marquis Ingeliger, and the scandal Elliot covered up all along.

 

The charges against Fabrice were long.

 

Illegal gambling at the gambling house, and spending the night with court dancers and young women were trivial and did not need to be counted.

 

It was clear that this escape would be long, so Fabrice had to bring all the things he used in the palace.

 

Because the Second Prince, who had a bad temper, might start kicking the attendant again and yell at him to bring his things.

 

The villa in Riyol was not a villa exclusively for the royal family, but a villa Elliot had built with his own money when he was young. Therefore, it would be difficult for those chasing the Second Prince to catch his tail easily.

 

With that thought in mind, Elliot stole Fabrice to Riyol.

 

The attendant repeatedly asked Fabrice. As he turned around, his face was full of worry. It was like looking at a baby laid out on the water’s edge.

 

However, if Fabrice had listened to the attendant, would he have earned the nickname of the King’s madman and the King’s dog?

 

“Ah, why don’t we go and see the villa? Where’s the liquor?”

 

“This way, Your Highness.”

 

The maid of the villa who came out to meet him bowed her head, exposing the nape of her neck. Her downy hair was soft, probably because she was still young. Fabrice asked with his eyes shining.

 

“How old are you?”

 

“I came of age last year.”

 

“Mmm.”

 

Fabrice drooled as if he was satisfied with the woman’s answer.

 

* * *

 

As usual, Tehez was sitting in her office and doing her business.

 

The only difference was that the fire grew louder as the days went by and the curtains grew thicker. Still, the cold winter wind blew through the cracks in the windows.

 

Another thing that was different from before was the fact that there was food all over Tehez’s desk.

 

Since collapsing during Julien’s funeral, Tehez has tried to avoid missing every meal. And they always brought snacks between meals. Her snacks were obsessively taken care of by Danielle and Ellie.

 

The two of them seriously discussing snacks so that the menus do not overlap was like politicians discussing serious state affairs.

 

Tehez also put the greatest emphasis on restoring her health.

 

It was because of the thought that she would need the stamina to fight Giselle Lemac in the future. Just the thought of collapsing in front of that woman made Tehez feel like she was losing to Giselle.

 

Knock

 

A knock was heard and an attendant with a familiar face entered.

 

“Hello, Princess? Your Highness has sent you a present to commemorate the birth of the Princess.”

 

And one last thing that was different was that Dennis sent presents almost once or twice a week, probably because he felt sorry for Tehez’s birthday.

 

“Tell him I’m grateful. How many times is this?”

 

Tehez pulled her mouth together and let out a small sigh while smiling gracefully.

 

“This is the fourth, Princess.”

 

The necklace Dennis had put on her neck, the wine she often drank, the letter congratulating her on her birthday, and the same chocolate he had eaten when he had come into her office before her, it was already the fourth time.

 

Tehez already had more than three bottles of wine for each vintage, and the letters were very elegant in handwriting, but there was no special content.

 

And because the chocolate had been eaten by Dennis the last time he had rubbed it on Tehez’s body, she was able to taste it for the first time only then. When she tasted it, it was just a normal chocolate taste. However, she still vividly remembered that he ate it very deliciously.

 

This was the most impressive gift after the necklace.

 

“What is it today?”

 

Tehez was grateful for his heartfelt gift, but it was becoming more and more obscure. He should participate in the most useless gift contest in the world.

 

“Please open it, Princess.”

 

Unaware of her mood, the attendant held out to her an object wrapped in a cloth with a proud face.

 

Tehez took it, and when she untied the cloth knot, the shape was revealed.

 

It was a flowerpot.

 

“This…”

 

“He said it was a flowerpot filled with memories.”

 

“Our memories?”

 

“Yes. That’s right. As for managing it, you can water it once a week, and it needs to be exposed to sunlight for at least 1 hour a day. If you put it outside, it can freeze to death, so you should grow it indoors.”

 

At the attendant’s words, Tehez barely opened her mouth and answered.

 

“…Alright.”

 

“Do you have anything to say to me?”

 

The attendant was waiting for her answer with a sparkling face.

 

“Please say my thanks to the Prince. Also, ask him how many more gifts he plans to send, and if he has any plans to quit.”

 

“Alright.”

 

When her attendant paid her respects and went back, Tehez looked at the flower pot for a while and then placed it on her desk.

 

“What are you doing today? Flowerpot?”

 

When the attendant went back, the ladies in the next room came out and chatted.

 

“The chocolate was delicious last time, please give me that again.”

 

“Me too! Or cakes sold in famous coffee houses in the capital these days! I heard that you can buy it by standing in line.”

 

Danielle replied.

 

“Do you want me to buy it by standing in line, right now?”

 

“Uh, no.”

 

The ladies shook their heads in bewilderment.

 

“Is it the Princess’ gift or yours?”

 

“No.”

 

The ladies who had been paying attention to Daniel all scattered. In an instant, Tehez’s office was enveloped in silence.

 

Tehez was still staring at the potted plant. She didn’t even know she was staring at it.

 

“I will let the kids take care of the pots, Princess.”

 

“It’s okay. The Prince gave it to me, so I’ll take care of it. More than anything, it’s a memory. I can’t remember it.”

 

“What?”

 

Danielle asked back at Tehez’s murmur.

 

“He said it’s a flower pot filled with memories. I can hardly remember it.”

 

“Won’t you know when it sprouts?”

 

“I’ll have to. The Prince is so…”

 

A smile formed on the corners of her mouth, touching the pot with her fingertips.

 

Tehez was dumbfounded by his attack of gifts, but at the same time, she felt good inside. Danielle also saw that her boss was not genuinely angry.

 

“But I think it’s full of your love and sincerity. Even… you look good, Princess.”

 

“Love and sincerity, yes… Even if he doesn’t have a good sense of choosing a gift.”

 

Danielle had the audacity to laugh out loud at the words Tehez added.

 

(To be continued in the next episode)