Chapter 26

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“Well, Curtis-sama. What an odd coincidence to meet you in such a place.”

Curtis was about to go back to the annexed rooms to check Dahlia when a young lady came trotting up to him like a small animal. She was the daughter of Duke Stewart, Betty Stewart.

Curtis forced himself  to smile like a gentleman, using the social skills he had developed over the years as a member of the royal family of Estoria.

“It’s been a long time, Curtis-sama.”

As usual, she called out his name without permission again even though it was rude for a lower-ranked person to speak to him. Normally, he would’ve yelled at her already for disrespecting him, but he didn’t do that. With a good natured smile, he accepted Betty’s words.

“Yes, it’s been four years, hasn’t it? It’s nice to know that you still remember my face even though we’ve only met once.”

Curtis told her not to talk to him so casually four years ago in a noble, roundabout way. Of course, Betty didn’t notice. Curtis knew that she wouldn’t notice it, so he said it in a very noblemanly way.

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“Rv’p sdzu dyvwayz!”

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“R’hl dlhla qsatsvvld psxlsdl yp osdelaqwz yp usw, Uwavkp-pyxy. R’hl dlhla qsatsvvld usw.”

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“Thank you for that.”

“Curtis-sama, I’d like to talk to you more. Would you mind if I go to your room?”

Curtis was engaged to Dahlia. He knew why she wanted to go to his room. It’s as if she’s inviting him to be unfaithful.

What a stupid girl.

Curtis scowled at Betty, who had never expected his refusal.

“I’m sorry, but I’m engaged.”

“I know that.”

Betty looked at Curtis as if she was in pain.

“I pity you. I’m sorry that you have to go along with my sister’s selfishness.”

“Selfishness?”

“Yes,” Betty happily replied. “I’m sorry that you had to take my sister with you to your kingdom because of my sister’s selfishness. And she was even engaged to you. Curtis-sama, my sister has always been arrogant and selfish. She often bullied me because my mother’s a former commoner. Such a proud person is not suitable for you.”

Curtis clenched his fist secretly otherwise he would have already punched the girl in front of him now.

“And, Curtis-sama…”

Betty placed her hands on Curtis’ chest and closed the distance between them. 

She laughed but she actually looked ugly. Perhaps she thinks that her smile was beautiful, that she’s making the most of her good looks, but it was the opposite.

Curtis wanted to push her away. But he also wondered what she was going to say.

“…you may not know this, but she’s actually an illegitimate child.”

“…she’s the daughter of Florence and the Duke of Stewart. I don’t think she’s an illegitimate child.”

“That’s just for show. The duke is not her real father.”

Curtis almost wanted to yell at her but he bit his lips and endured. Garusia, who was standing behind him, also seemed out of breath.

Even though he was quiet, Garusia, who was guarding Curtis closely, seemed to have heard Betty’s words. Realizing this, Betty smiled.

It’s as if she wanted as many people as possible to know this secret. She herself was keeping her voice low but she had no intention of hiding it.

“Did you find any evidence to prove that?”

“She’s the evidence herself. Her appearance is one of the reasons.”

Curtis and Garusia realized why Betty said Dahlia was an illegitimate child. They were both speechless and dumbfounded. Betty mistook Curtis’ shock and brought herself to him to comfort him. Curtis couldn’t stand her anymore so he pulled Betty away from him.

“I’m sorry, but could you leave me alone for a while?”

“Right. I’m sure you’re surprised. I understand. But I would like to comfort you, Curtis-sama. Please let me know once you’ve calmed down.”

Curtis smiled at Betty as she left. When she was completely out of sight, Curtis leaned against the wall and covered his eyes with his right hand. 

Garusia glared at Curtis, whose body was shaking.

“…Your Highness.”

Even with Garusia’s warning, Curtis couldn’t stop the laughter that welled up in him.

“Sorry. I can’t—”

After laughing for a while, Curtis finally calmed down.

“My Aunt had fiery-red hair and jade eyes, right?”

“Yes. Just like Lady Dahlia. She was very beautiful.”

“And the Duke of Stewart had brown hair and blue eyes. Just like Betty Stewart.”

In other words, Betty believes that she, who resembles her father, is a real daughter of the Duke while Dahlia, who completely resembles her mother and bears no resemblance to her father, is the product of Florence’s infidelity.

Or that’s what the bitch, the Current Duchess Stewart, taught her.

“Brown hair and  blue eyes are very common features. Unlike Dahlia, and my aunt, her looks are ordinary. On top of that, her mother’s a former prostitute. His father is more suspicious.”

“But I’m afraid there’s no way for us to check.”

“We don’t have to. The truth doesn’t matter to those around you, you just make them suspect it and it will become the truth.”

Curtis smiled darkly. Garusia thought that this was the kind of face that he would never show to Dahlia. But he also has no intention of stopping what Curtis is about to do.

˖:✧ ⑅•.⋅༻♔༺•⑅ ✧:˖