Chapter 11.2

Ariel tilted her head over Skyla’s back, mesmerized. Behind the door, she could see the blond hair, similar color to Skyla’s, and similar colored eyes. Then, the intruder moved, half-closing the door behind him before taking up residence in the empty hallway.

She blinked her eyes rapidly a couple of times.

No matter how many times she looked at it, it was that man. The protagonist of inquisitiveness that she saw in the garden a while ago appeared dressed much more disheveled than before. A black robe used as bed linen was draped haphazardly over his bare body, and his neat blond hair was a bit scattered.

The man smiled as he blocked the way.

With a small movement, the loosely worn robe shifted, and as the silken garment slid away, revealing his covered collarbone.

Ariel hurriedly looked away.

As her vision changed, she could see Skyra’s hand. His long, white fingers trembled slightly before he clenched his fist.

“You said you were sick…”

“Yeah. I’m not feeling well.”

“Then, go in and rest. Don’t crawl out like this.”

Skyla let out a ferocious energy as if he was angry.

On the contrary, Devoncia smiled generously and straightened his clothes. He loosened the waist strap of his robe before tightening it again and slowly adjusting the loose front, slowly as if to tease his brother, who was glaring at him with a scowl.

“The one behind you… is she the new imperial princess?”

Skyra’s fist trembled at Devoncia’s implicit question. It looked as if he would explode at any moment in front of the Crown Prince. Ariel could see that he was mustering up his self-restraint and barely suppressing it together.

‘…Why is he so upset?’

It was strange to be so exasperated at him for being so obstructed. Thankfully, after a few seconds of silence, Skyla’s shaking fists finally calmed down.

“No.”

“Is that so?”

“You obviously know that she was brought here as part of a deal with the Countess, so don’t pretend you don’t know anything about a subject that all competent informants and don’t make useless assumptions.”

“Alright, but…”

Taking a few steps closer, he stared blatantly into Skyla’s face. He tilted his head with an ambiguous corner of his lips moved upwards as if he were about to laugh or not, probing.

“When I look into your eyes, I have this strange suspicion. I see… self-interest.”

Self-interest.

Blue irises rippled with agitation as he frowned with incontinence at the word. Skyla’s emotions were evident before his eyes.

Devoncia smiled, beaming with delight as if he was having fun.

“Are you sure?”

“I said no.”

He then took a step closer to the wary Skyla, closing the distance. Tilting his head, he approached his brother’s ear.

“Then…”

Devoncia, who abruptly lowered his voice, whispered covertly with his eyes focusing on Ariel behind him. His voice was just loud enough that only Skyla could hear, provocatively.

“Can I take her?”

“Shut up.”

Skyla responded in a fairly harsh tone that startled Ariel, who raised her gaze up from the floor. Observing his brother, who was obviously upset, Devoncia leaned against the wall and chuckled. The sound of shrieking breathing mixed in was like doting on a child… that was clearly condescending.

Negative emotions unfolded between the two as they exchanged glances of condescension and hatred. No words were spoken.

One of them even laughed, so viciously.

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