Young and Rich, Tall and Handsome(5)

Princess Paellamien?

Although she appeared ghastly enough to be confused for a ghost, apparently, it was a human being.

Although she didnt know why the princess was busy pretending to be a ghost, Aristine figured it would be better to act like she didnt see anything.

Because that would be embarrassing

And so, she turned around but

Crinkle.

The sound of fallen leaves being trampled on the ground echoed loudly in the still silence.

It felt like her back had grown cold.

Aristine slowly turned her head, hoping that Paellamien didnt hear the sound. And

Their eyes immediately met.

Paellamien looked shocked that such awkwardness could repeat itself, and Aristine smiled awkwardly.

Ah, the weather is nice, isnt it?

Those words seemed to bring Paellamien to her senses and she turned away from Aristine and deeply lowered her head.

Her long hair fell over her face.

She successfully covered her crying face, but the problem was that she appeared more like a ghost.

Aristine wondered what to do for a while but eventually, she walked closer to Paellamien. She couldnt just ignore a person crying like this.

When Aristine drew closer, Paellamien tensed defensively, not even thinking about wiping her tears.

Well, considering her personality, it would be humiliating and enraging for someone to see her cry.

That must be why she came to such an isolated place to cry in the first place.

When you think of it like that, maybe I should have just kept walking?

Although that thought did cross her mind.

Mm

It was different to ignore it when she didnt see anything than to ignore it after seeing her crying face.

Aristine sat down on the fallen leaves, staying a little distance from Paellamien.

Paellamien remained silent with her head still lowered.

A cool autumn breeze flew through the thick trees, rustling the dry leaves.

Aristine looked up at the sky. The colorful leaves seemed to be waving their hands against the blue sky.

They stayed like that for an unknown amount of time.

id.

A small sound came from beside her. But it was too soft to understand what was being said.

What? questioned Aristine.

Paellamien glanced at Aristine before turning to face her front and mumbled something again.

said.

I cant really hear you.

Even though Aristine said that because she really couldnt hear, Paellamien frowned and took a deep breath like she was about to get angry.

But she didnt yell..

Paellamiens breath shook like she was trying to keep her emotions under wraps, then she turned completely, to look straight at Aristine.

Her face had signs of tears, but her eyes were clear, and her aura was filled with the dignity of a princess.

Paellamien bowed her head deeply towards her Aristine.

Thank you for saving royal fathers life.

At the unexpected gratitude, Aristine blinked a few times. Feeling embarrassed, she rubbed the lobe of her ear.

He is my royal father too.

At those words, Paellamien lifted her head and stared at Aristine. Once again, she didnt say anything for a while.

Aristine felt weird saying something when Paellamien was quiet, so she remained silent too.

The only difference from before was that they were looking at each other instead of in the distance.

Didnt you hate me?

Aristines eyes widened when Paellamien broke her silence with those words.

Hate?

Aristine pondered over it.

She didnt particularly hate Paellamien. Of course, she didnt quite like Paellamien either.

So far, Paellamiens hostility to Aristine was all in an effort keep her political enemy in check.

So Aristine didnt really take it to heart.

Of course, if Paellamien won against me, I might be thinking differently

Aristine was never trounced. Rather, you could see it as Paellamiens faction being defeated by Aristine.

Isnt it always said that the winners remember nothing, but the losers alone relive the memories of failure?

Of course, Paellamien and Aristine had never clearly gone against each other.

I have no particular inclination towards you.

At that nonchalant answer, Paellamien stared at Aristine.

She thought it was a lie, but Aristines expression looked like she really didnt care.

Paellamien clenched her fists, feeling ridiculous for some reason. She felt wary and guarded against Aristine, yet the other party felt nothing.

Even though I ridiculed you for being dirty and a gutter rat when you arrived in Irugo?

Oh, that, Aristine calmly replied.

Of course, she hadnt forgotten about that.

But those memories didnt make a big impact on her.

Of the memories made that day, Tarkan was the one who left the biggest impression on Aristine.

Her husband, who wrapped her in silk, and carried her like a princess.

The joy she felt after concluding those negotiations and the scones that were surprisingly delicious.

The more important memory glowed, taking precedence and a cloud of dust settled over the people who were snickering as she got off the carriage.

I am too busy to keep such things in my mind and brood over every little thing.

Aristine mumbled as she buried her feet in the pile of fallen leaves.

And in the first place, you didnt say that as a reaction to me as a person but as a means to intimidate a political opponent.

Aristines words made Paellamien pause.

She was right.

Starlina or Yenikarina might be different, but she only put down Aristine to side with her queen.

However.

Is it that easy to separate it?

Paellamien looked at Aristine like she was seeing something incomprehensible.

Her lips moved a few times before she asked, Arent you going to ask me why Im crying?

Do you want me to ask?

Paellamien pressed her lips together.

She didnt want Aristine to ask.

If Aristine had asked, she would have told her off since it wasnt her business and rebuffed her for trying to make a mockery.

She was nervous that Aristine might ask why she was crying and try to comfort her.

That would be humiliating.

But when Aristine just sat beside her without asking anything, she felt a little weird.

I am getting married.

Paellamien only realized that she spoke after the words left her mouth.

She didnt plan to say anything, but she didnt know why those words came out. However, she didnt regret it.

Aristine stared at her for a moment, then she smiled.

More to celebrate. Prince Hamill is also having talks of marriage.

Hearing that, Paellamiens eyes seemed to turn red. Her suppressed anger suddenly exploded.

More to celebrate? Hah! There is no such thing. Only one misfortune.

Huh? Aristines eyes widened and with an ah, she realized. Dont tell me, instead of Prince Hamill

Paellamien bit her lip heavily.

I bet they never planned on marrying Brother Hamill in the first place. Such a perfect way to sell me off.

Seeing the grin on Paellamiens face, Aristine furrowed her brows.

So far, the queens faction had used the position of Hamills wife to play push-and-pull with several noble families.

Becoming Hamills wife meant that there was a high chance of becoming the next queen, so they were all fretting to lower themselves before the queen.

Which is why I was surprised when the queen said that she was considering Hamills marriage but

Who knew that she would take advantage of this opportunity to send off Paellamien instead of Hamill.

When word spread that Hamill would be marrying soon, many aristocrat families conceded their vested interests to her queen to solidify their alliance in the final competition.

If not for the incident where she accused Aristine of being the poisoner, the competition would have been even fiercer.

That means she took it for now and deferred her decisionbut if she tries to call the whole thing off, there will be a strong backlash, so she gave Paellamien instead.

In Paellamiens position, her anger was understandable.

But

The Paellamien that Aristine knew was a highly political figure.

It was surprising that someone like her showed her resistance in front of a political opponent, Aristine.

(Aristine)An arranged marriage will happen at some point anyway. Of course, it might be unpleasant to be treated as Prince Hamills substitute, but isnt that what politics is like?

Dont you know this enough?

At that gaze, Paellamien clenched her fists tightly.

The pile of fallen leaves on the floor crumbled in her hand. After stubbornly shutting her mouth for a while, she spat out.

He is ugly.

Huh?

Aristine thought she heard wrong.

But one look at Paellamiens expression told her she heard correctly, and she was taken aback.

Something like that? In a political marriage?

Paellamien blew up at the look in Aristines eyes which clearly showed what she was thinking, You married Tarkan!

You cant understand!

Paellamien yelled.

The leaves piled up by her feet flew away in the wind.