Refusing Your Ex-Husband's Obsession: A Guide - Chapter 149
Chapter 149
Translator: Yonnee
—
Jace felt a churning of jealousy as Seo-yoon continued to fixate her gaze on Ciel. He had not realized he could be so petty. Yet, he couldn’t contain it.
He cupped Seo-yoon’s cheek, turning her face towards him, taking delight in how her exotic black eyes widened in surprise. The corners of his mouth turned upwards.
Yes, he needed to enact the reason he had orchestrated this occasion.
“It seems, Saintess, that your gaze wandering elsewhere tempts me to act out of spite.”
“Ah…”
Seo-yoon was visibly flustered—the crown prince had never shown such emotion before. Nevertheless, she managed a smile, feeling the weight of the surrounding gazes.
Yes, they should all be looking at me. Where are you gazing at?
Feeling the attention rightfully returning to her, Seo-yoon’s confidence surged, and she softly smiled, caressing the hand Jace had placed on her cheek.
“I was merely curious about who made the food similar to my homeland’s cuisine. You said that it was crafted by the Duke.”
“Why not ask him directly?”
Jace’s insides, which had been broiling with jealousy, settled slightly with her amiable response. He signaled the chief attendant.
“Bring the Duke, the Young Duke, and the Baron’s family here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Meanwhile, Ciel had overheard the entire conversation between the saintess and the crown prince, irritated by their lingering stares. His expression grew increasingly icy as he listened.
The nobles who had approached him hesitated, endlessly circling nearby. Irene found this whole affair rather tedious. She had always known Ciel to be surrounded by people.
“Rin, now that you’re an adult, shall I get you some champagne?”
At David’s suggestion, Irene nodded promptly, but Ciel was quicker.
“No.”
“…Pardon?”
“Don’t give Irene alcohol.”
“…Wouldn’t champagne be quite alright?”
“No, not even champagne…”
Ciel realized his mistake.
He had habitually tried to prevent her from drinking. In the previous life, his wife had been notoriously weak with alcohol—in other words, a lightweight. After just a single glass of beer, she would lose all memory of what transpired.
Irene likely didn’t remember this because she always lost her memories after drinking. Curiously, she never suffered hangovers, seemingly forgetting even the fact that she had drunk anything.
“Champagne seems fine, though…”
Irene murmured, causing Ciel to waver. Her body had changed, so perhaps it was alright? But no, what if she got drunk and let something slip? The Crown Prince might notice right away.
Only if he could claim her as his own without the imperial family’s meddling.
Every Guide was precious, and he certainly didn’t want the high priest getting wind of anything half-baked. He wasn’t yet sure if Irene was the true saintess.
Despite his resolve, Ciel found his will weakening as he saw Irene’s longing look towards the champagne.
Then the crown prince’s chief attendant approached Ciel with a message.
“His Highness orders you, the Duke, the Young Duke, and the Closch Barony’s members to come forth. He grants you the opportunity to greet Her Eminence the Saintess first.”
Though the timing was appreciated, the content of the message twisted Ciel’s lips into a fierce scowl.
“Well…”
“We understand. Thank you.”
As Ciel was about to decline with a sense of displeasure, Irene interrupted him, signaling with her eyes.
She saw this as an opportunity to observe Seo-yoon up close, certain that she would have her phone with her.
It’s unlikely that she left it in some other place where it could be lost.
Following the chief attendant, Irene whispered to Ciel in a voice even quieter than before, meant only for him.
“We need to look for the phone.”
“…I was going to handle that myself.”
“But why miss an opportunity that has come to us?”
“…I’ll look into it. You can just stay back.”
Arriving at the base of the high table, Irene and her party offered their greetings.
“We pay our respects to the daughter of the Almighty Asteras.”
Lifting her head, Irene observed Seo-yoon, who nodded back with a somewhat discontented expression.
The sight amused Irene.
Seeing Seo-yoon’s unchanged demeanor almost evoked a sense of nostalgia.
“Ciel. I heard you developed new dishes.”
Seo-yoon deliberately called him by his first name, and this caused him to visibly bristle with frustration.
“I ask that you do not address me so casually.”
“Duke, what is the meaning of this?”
“Even if she is the Saintess, it is improper for her to call a duke by his name without due respect, Your Highness.”
Jace couldn’t argue with Ciel’s logic. In fact, he too was taken aback.
Meanwhile, Seo-yoon didn’t hide her embarrassment.
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