After I Died, He Died After Me Too - Chapter 36

Chapter 18.2

“That might be a good idea. It seems I have something to discuss with the Crown Prince privately.”

Bianca pulled her hand away from his grasp and turned away coldly.

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Dexter had no interest in discussing anything with his mother. Instead, he got up from his seat, intending to follow Bianca.

“Dexter, I don’t need to ask this, but the person you’re planning to follow is Lady Fonrote, right?”

“You already know the answer.”

“I’m asking because I do know. If you don’t intend to sever ties with the Fonrote family, go to Lady Eliaden and soothe her feelings.”

“Mother.”

“What difference does a 98% compatibility rate make? It’s clear you haven’t thought about what kind of support the Astri family could offer.”

“No one but Lady Astri can be my exclusive Guide.”

“Fine, let her be your exclusive Guide, and someone else can take the role of crown princess. From what I’ve seen, that child doesn’t seem interested in the position anyway. It’s fortunate she’s a smart one.”

“No one gets married while keeping a separate Guide.”

“Perhaps not before. But as the Crown Prince, you can. No one would dare oppose it, and I’ll handle everything else…”

“Mother, the person I want is Lady Astri. That won’t change. At this point, trying to place Lady Eliaden by my side would be absurd, wouldn’t it?”

Dexter was the first to rise from his seat.

Without hesitation, he walked in the direction he thought Bianca might have gone. She was walking so quickly that her figure quickly disappeared from view.

He furrowed his brow.

Still, he didn’t want to go to her room. He could already imagine the kind of look she would give him. With Eliaden showing up, Bianca must have felt some relief. She probably thought there were plenty of candidates to replace her.

“Your Majesty, I understand your concerns, but I’m fully aware of my place. I have no intention of becoming the Crown Prince’s fiancée, so there’s no need for you to worry.”

She kept drawing lines as if she were only focused on finding a way to escape. She didn’t even realize how hard he had tried to avoid everyone except her.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem like she was planning to leave the Crown Prince’s palace entirely.

“Lancelot, I need to speak with my father.”

“His Majesty the Emperor is currently in his office.”

“I need to make things clear before my mother gets involved.”

He was burning with frustration, as Bianca felt so close yet so unreachable.

At the same time, he regretted handing her the sedative. He should have let her take it back then. If she had, he would have been able to hold her in his arms again today. She must have realized that something was off, but she didn’t ask him about it.

Maybe she was too afraid of what she might find out.

“Did you make sure she stayed quiet?”

“Yes, I’ve secured a written agreement from Lady Fonrote.”

Dexter nodded. He was impatient and wanted to settle everything as quickly as possible.

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“I can’t read him at all.”

It had reached the point where she no longer even wanted to understand. At times, he seemed kind, but at other times, he was completely distant. Whatever the case, his personality was exhausting. While the Crown Prince could afford to make enemies since no one dared oppose him, Bianca was different.

‘If it weren’t for this awakening fever.’

Or if she had known earlier, she never would have crossed paths with the Crown Prince. She let out a deep sigh, unable to shake the feeling of hostility directed toward her. While she wouldn’t have to step into high society, it was clear that difficult situations would arise… situations she wouldn’t be able to handle going forward.

The thought that her awakening heat might flare up again quickened her pace. She didn’t want to lose control and end up clinging to him.

‘I should go in and rest.’

Maybe it would be fine if she could just fall asleep. If the symptoms didn’t manifest, she wouldn’t need to take the medicine and could save it for emergencies. It was still too early to sleep, but that was okay.

Her family was coming to visit tomorrow, and she could ask them any questions she had.

Her pace quickened with each step.

Then, it suddenly occurred to her that if she went straight to her room, she would run into Elris. Although she had said she would handle the punishment herself, she didn’t actually want to punish her. She was simply confused by the sudden changes that had happened to her.

Bianca’s thoughts drifted to Dexter’s hand, which had clasped hers tightly. His large hand was always warm, a stark contrast to her own cold hands.

And because of that warmth, her thoughts wandered to someone else.

‘Mikhail… What happened to him back then?’

She had left him behind and taken everything on alone, so she had no idea what had happened to him. A bitter smile spread across her face at the sudden recollection of that familiar name.

‘He probably resented me.’

It had been a selfish decision she made for herself because she wanted to give up everything and quit. Still, he was competent, so he must have found someone else. Perhaps he even ended up with someone better suited to him.

That thought left a dull ache in her chest.

“Why… now, after all this time?”

Still, she should’ve said something to him—that she was grateful and that she was sorry for not being honest about her feelings.