After I Died, He Died After Me Too - Chapter 23

Chapter 12.1

As Elris nodded toward the back, a maid soon entered, pushing a trolley.

“We’re running out of time, so you’re going to have to get ready rather quickly.”

“Not much time?”

“There’s someone waiting for you.”

Bianca felt uneasy for some reason. While she hesitated, the maids gathered around to help her get ready. They undressed her and had her soak in warm water. She couldn’t understand why they were putting so much effort into preparing her to meet someone.

As her anxious eyes trembled violently, she felt a tingling pain in her lower body, and her eyes widened.

‘…Why?’

It seemed slightly swollen.

Feeling uncomfortable, she shifted her body, but the maids’ hands guided her to sit down again.

“Lady Bianca, please forgive the rudeness, but we must hurry.”

“…I understand.”

She let out a deep sigh.

An uncomfortable tension continued to linger in the bathroom. The looks in the maids’ eyes as they stared at her were unfriendly. Their eyes wandered incessantly over her body as if searching for something in every corner. Although she had an idea of what they were looking for, even if they looked with their eyes wide open, they wouldn’t find the traces they wanted.

‘How blatant.’

They didn’t seem to have any intention of hiding their gazes. It was as if they didn’t need to be concerned about how she felt. There must be someone of higher status behind them.

They had crossed the line.

It was as though they were evaluating an object, causing her to furrow her brow. In the end, unable to endure the gaze, Bianca swatted away the maid’s hand and spoke.

“It’s not your job to appraise someone else’s body, is it? Didn’t you say we were in a hurry?”

“…Understood.”

As Bianca put on a robe and left the bathroom, the maids busily dressed her. Finally, having finished all her preparations, she stepped out of the room.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

Just as she was wondering who she was in such a hurry to meet, she felt a sense of disappointment when she realized it was none other than the Crown Prince. Although she had unexpectedly ended up staying in the imperial palace, it bothered her that she hadn’t yet met His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress.

Normally, she should have sought them out first and paid her respects, but that also seemed like an arrogant thought.

‘Who am I, really? I’m just a Guide with a high matching rate with the Crown Prince.’

Moreover, the news that she had become the Crown Prince’s Guide wasn’t known to everyone. So, it seemed best for her to remain quiet.

Bianca didn’t have the confidence to stand in front of the Empress yet. She didn’t need to guess how she would be viewed. It was obvious that someone like her, who had suddenly appeared from a humble family, wouldn’t be welcomed. The imperial family must have already had someone in mind. So, while they may not have expected such a high compatibility rate, it was clear she wouldn’t be a welcome presence.

Besides, she was staying as a guest in the Crown Prince’s palace. The contract period was one year, during which she couldn’t leave, so the Emperor and Empress must have already been informed, and the fact that they hadn’t said anything could mean one of two things:

Either the Crown Prince was shielding her, or they had no interest in her existence.

“It seems I’m not the one you were expecting.”

“Ah…”

Bianca looked up at the sound of a voice, breaking her train of thought. When her eyes met the crimson gaze before her, for some reason, a chill ran down her spine.

‘How long has he been watching me?’

She must have been so deep in thought that she hadn’t even noticed his gaze. Bianca briefly took in the sight of Dexter, sitting in a chair with a languid expression, then quickly lowered her eyes.

“…I didn’t think the person waiting for me would be His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Is it strange that I’m waiting for you?”

The way he asked this so casually made her almost answer yes without thinking. In truth, she still couldn’t quite grasp the reality that she was staying in the Crown Prince’s palace.

“I feel more comfortable waiting myself than having His Highness the Crown Prince wait. So, from now on, if you let me know in advance, I’ll make sure to arrive first.”

“It seems I make you uncomfortable then.”

When Dexter tapped his fingers on the table as he spoke, she shook her head with a look of sudden realization.

“That wasn’t what I meant.”

“I know. I was just saying it.”

She had felt this for a while, but it seemed like the Crown Prince didn’t like her very much. Yet, she didn’t understand why he wanted to keep her as his dedicated Guide. The occasional fixation he showed toward her was also questionable.

‘It’s impossible to understand what he’s thinking.’

Bianca smiled awkwardly and turned her gaze away.

“May I ask why you were waiting for me?”

“Do I need a reason to call for you? If so, I’ll make sure to make one from now on.”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince is always on edge¹.”

‘…Especially when talking to me, he seemed even more sensitive than usual. There were always thorns in his answer.’

¹ [The phrase’ 날을 세우다’ (to be on edge) is an idiom in Korean. It means to be tense, vigilant, or easily irritated. In this context, it’s saying that Dexter is always on high alert or in a state of heightened vigilance.] ↩

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