"Your behavior is beyond reproach. You should be prepared for the appropriate punishment."
"Oh, how terrifying... So, who exactly is going to punish me? The prince, perhaps? But I notice you don’t seem to have any guards with you."
The man spoke mockingly, glancing around the room. If there had been guards, they would have come rushing the moment the man touched Gilbert. Leticia had thought guards were unnecessary and restrictive, but in this instance, she cursed herself for not bringing someone from the Orlesian family.
Regret, however, comes too late.
She had no choice but to step forward and act as a substitute for the guards. Leticia rose to her feet, but she was pushed back and quickly found herself seated on the sofa again.
"What are you doing, Lord Gilbert?" She pouted, looking up at him. He simply shook his head, as if telling her to stay put.
"A wise decision, Your Highness. I believe in equality between men and women."
"Hmph. Just because you happened to be without a guard, that’s supposed to mean something? My title remains unchanged. I am Gilbert, the Second Prince of the Rosman Empire. I’m asking if you know who you’re touching."
"Ha! Of course I know. Since you arrived, this place has been completely transformed, and we can’t even approach anymore. It’s been a huge inconvenience. Yes, that’s why, if I degrade your authority here, it’ll be easier for us to come and go, won’t it?"
The man leaned in as though to peer into Gilbert’s crimson eyes, grabbing his cheek with one hand.
What insolence. Leticia’s claws dug into the fabric of the sofa in frustration. Her gaze was fixed solely on the man’s face, as she had almost forgotten the performance by Belle Poupée. Nearby, Alisha’s shoulders trembled slightly, but Leticia didn’t have the luxury to care.
(How dare he treat Gilbert this way and then tell me to stay back? I want to freeze him on the spot. How infuriating!)
But Gilbert, however, showed no sign of emotion, blinking only once.
"Are you prepared for the consequences?"
"Indeed, Your Highness. I’m sure something dire will happen if I lay a hand on you. But, well, if you are truly needed as a member of the royal family, that is."
The man gripped Gilbert’s cheek even harder and swung his arm with force.
Although Gilbert’s build was slender compared to the muscle-bound mercenaries surrounding him, he was easily slammed against the wall.
"Ugh!"
"—Gilbert-sama!"
Leticia couldn’t just sit back anymore. She rushed to Gilbert’s side to check on him. There was no blood, and since there was no sign of him having hit his head, she was slightly relieved. However, his back was bent as if in pain from the force of the impact.
She rubbed his back, hoping to ease the pain, but he swatted her hand away as if to say he didn’t need help.
He probably wanted her to stay away so she wouldn’t get caught in this mess.
Leticia could see through him easily now. She knew his true feelings, which is why she refused to leave his side. If anything, it would make things easier if she got involved. She could either mentally pressure him with the power of the Orlesian family or freeze him as a physical punishment.
(Well, in either case, I have no intention of forgiving him.)
"Hey, looks like a cute new girl has joined us. You could have told me about her. What do you think, Alisha?"
"Stop it! She’s Lady Leticia of the Orlesian family!"
"Leticia? No way, Belle Poupée? Ha ha! I’m not fooled by such a lie. The Orlesian family’s doll princess wouldn’t be here in such a place. You should’ve come up with a better story. What do you say, beautiful lady? Care to have some fun with me?"
The man reached out and cupped Leticia’s chin.
His character was as vile as they come. His face was repulsive, and his actions reeked of a man who would not protect the weak, but instead, intimidate them. It was baffling how confidently he thought she would agree to "play" with him.
As Leticia’s eyes narrowed, ready to deal with him, the man’s hand was suddenly jerked away. Stepping between them was none other than Gilbert.
"Why?" Leticia’s voice escaped her.
"Hide behind me. Wait for an opportunity to escape."
"How can you—"
"I never thought I’d find a fiancée willing to tolerate my position, but it seems that the doll princess doesn’t mind. It’s probably your parents' orders, right?"
Gilbert brushed the dust off his clothes, standing up with an air of resignation.
"If you want to discard me, then so be it. I’m tired. But I won’t drag you into this. Once we return to the castle, I’ll formally break off the engagement. I don’t know if I’ll make it back safely, though... Sorry for frightening you."
Somewhere deep down, Leticia had already suspected something like this.
Why did the men not fear Gilbert, the Second Prince? If they had only touched him, that would be one thing, but injuring him could easily result in the harshest punishment. Unlike Leticia, they hadn’t seen him as a fake; they recognized him for the genuine prince he was, and still dared to act with such disrespect.
If that was the case, there could only be one answer.
This attack had been covertly arranged by the kingdom, and their target was not Alisha, but Gilbert.
Today was the National Foundation Day ceremony, a day when the lack of guards wouldn’t be questioned, providing the perfect opportunity. The attack was staged as a random assault by a thug—an unfortunate accident.
The whole situation made Leticia sick to her stomach.
Leticia clenched her teeth in frustration.
"Then I guess you’ll just have to play with us, Prince."
"Do as you wish. Just don’t cause trouble for the shop. Take it outside."
As the men surrounded Gilbert, Leticia stood up with an elegant movement. But her voice, low and cold, carried the weight of a threat, as if coming from the very depths of hell.
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