My Dear Grand Duke on a Leash - Chapter 102

Chapter 51.2 — Chalonné’s Man (18)

He understood that parents sometimes had to discipline their children when necessary, but this…

Even if Ceres was Riette’s mother, this was beyond anything that could be excused. As for Narkissis? His actions were utterly unforgivable, to the point that they didn’t even warrant discussion. The very thought of Narkissis touching her filled him with a sudden, overwhelming urge to become a traitor.

It felt as though someone had carved into his cheek and broken his wrist. His heart ached with pain, like a loyal hound sensing its master’s wounds.

To Riette, Narkissis was nothing short of a predator. Being trapped in a room with him must have been horrifying. And worse, even Ceres, someone Riette would have naturally assumed to be her ally, had betrayed her right before her eyes.

Her mother’s favoritism toward her older sister was one thing, but trusting a foreign prince, with no blood relation, far more than her own biological daughter, a princess, was an entirely different matter. Even without her saying it, the weight of the disappointment and betrayal Riette must have felt would have been enormous.

Yet the princess had neither cried nor voiced a single complaint.

He should never have let her go alone. Narkissis had clearly been waiting for an opportunity to get close to her. How could he have made such a basic mistake?

“Today’s events have made one thing very clear.”

He murmured, his thumb repeatedly stroking her wrist softly.

“The longer you remain in Chalonné, the harder it will be to escape Prince Narkissis’s influence. Returning to Katak as soon as possible is the best way to prevent him from securing the position of crown prince.”

The priority was to separate her from both Ceres and Narkissis, especially if she wanted to protect her family and Chalonné.

Riette frowned slightly, her delicate brows furrowing in thought.

“Hmm… I suppose that does make sense…”

She gazed at him silently through the mirror.

After everything that had happened today, she fully agreed that Narkissis needed to be stopped properly.

While soaking in the bathtub earlier, she had spent a long time pondering. She wondered why her mother had done that. She didn’t expect her mother to ask if she was shaken or to offer comfort. She had never been treated that way before, so it wasn’t even something she could picture.

However, what truly stung this time was the feeling that Narkissis might be loved more than she was.

Feeling a bit indignant, she sniffled quietly in the bath before finally stepping out.

Still, her mother usually apologized in her own way once her anger cooled. Riette figured that, in a few days, her mother might casually suggest they go on a boat ride together to make amends.

But leaving immediately? Leaving Chalonné altogether?

Although she knew she’d have to leave once she married, the abrupt change in plans made her hesitate. She had never really been apart from her mother or sister before. She was a daughter who hadn’t even dared to break a single curfew.

“Wouldn’t Mother worry too much if I suddenly disappeared?”

“I’ve already informed Princess Beatrice. I told her I’ll take you to Katak and that the wedding will be held there.”

“Huh? My sister agreed?”

“I didn’t ask for permission. I simply told her that’s what I would do.”

“Oh…”

So that was one way to handle it.

The three of them had formally confirmed their intentions for marriage in the royal dining room, so the most important step had already been taken. Besides, if her sister were the one to explain it, their mother likely wouldn’t react too harshly.

“But won’t this create a huge scandal?”

A princess eloping with a foreign grand duke? It sounded like the kind of dramatic tale that would be retold endlessly in history books and romance novels.

“I’ve already discussed that with Duke Saint-Cyr. He has strong connections with the press, as you know.”

“…When did you even meet Duke Saint-Cyr?”

“When I offered to be his best man. We became acquainted, and I’ve already sent him written instructions on how to handle the scandal.”

“….”

Jacques Saint-Cyr. It was true that he was the son of the chairman of the largest media company in Chalonné. But still…

Riette couldn’t help but wonder if the two of them were even living in the same twenty-four hours. What on earth had happened in the two hours she spent enjoying her bath?

“I’ve also made arrangements for Ian to leave with us right away. After all, Ian was the one who first informed us of the situation.”

“Oh, right! Ian!”

Only then did she realize she hadn’t heard Ian’s voice since the altercation with Narkissis.

“There’s nothing left for you to worry about. So…”

Cain carefully dried the last traces of moisture from Riette’s hair with the towel before finally letting go. Through the mirror, he met her gaze directly.

“Please leave with me. Princess.”

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