I’m Not Sorry But The Prince Will Marry Me Anyway
Chapter 137

Chapter 137: Chapter 137

[

12-Year-Old, The First Dance Manual]

This is a book I received from Natalie.

Of course, I didn’t receive it when I was 12 years old.

A few months ago, when I asked for help with my diet, she gave it to me, saying that dance was the best form of exercise.

"Thank you. Oh, the illustrations are really cute!"

The manual had detailed illustrations of children who had just entered puberty dancing.

I thought the book was charming just because of those illustrations, which made me smile, but my sister gave me a look that said, "What are you laughing about so comfortably?" and said:

"Dory, your body grew before you could learn to dance properly, so you dance worse than any 12-year-old. You’re not in a position to be ’aDoryng’ those kids."

"..."

"Pull yourself together and start. Anything you can’t learn from me, study it yourself from that book."

"Yes..."

Thanks to being dragged into a Spartan-style training, I was able to learn the basics of dance quickly. It was a blessing in many ways.

After possessing Dorys, I could follow the other lady-like etiquette by intuition, but dance was something I couldn’t just follow instinctively.

I took the opportunity to learn it carefully.

My sister complained verbally.

"Did you forget everything you learned from the teacher at 14? I don’t know if I’m holding a lady or a big broccoli dressed in a gown!"

"Why broccoli?!"

"Because without someone shaking you, I think you’d never step!"

Despite saying that, her eyes softened.

Sister. I like you. No matter what happens, I’ll save you.

I’m sure you’d do the same.

...This relationship, I built it.

"I’m not lonely."

I don’t have to be lonely from now on.

I opened the manual and positioned myself in front of the mirror. The neat posture my sister had taught me reflected in the glass.

From now on, I have to prepare for another relationship.

"Once I’m fully recovered, I’ll make sure to practice hard so I can dance with you."

The time I’ll spend with Tristan.

I received word that Rick was being discharged from the hospital.

Tomorrow, he will return to Baron Meyer’s residence. Until my maternal grandfather’s matters are settled, he’ll likely enjoy the last peaceful days in the capital with Maria, doing some odd jobs.

So today, I went to the Royal Hospital to hear all the details.

"Hello, Rick Rey. How are you feeling today? ...Ah, Your Highness."

"...Ahem."

Rick Rey, who greeted me with a bright smile and waved his hand, was next to Tristan, who had already turned to face me. The moment our eyes met was brief, but as soon as it did, he took the basket from my hand and placed it on the side table.

"If you had any luggage, you should have called me."

"It’s not that heavy. See, it’s just a few snacks."

"A snack basket, just like you."

"I thought more people coming to visit could share it. By the way, did you bring this flower basket, Your Highness?"

"I don’t have the habit of giving flowers to men. That was something Maria left behind."

"Then this other basket—"

"It’s a gift from Sir Arthur. Don’t mistake it for mine."

"...I can tell what’s inside."

The last basket contained high-quality bandages. It seemed no one had told Arthur the proper etiquette for hospital gifts.

But what about Tristan?

Knowing his personality, he probably didn’t come empty-handed...

At that moment, Rick spoke up at the perfect timing.

"Your Highness, you’ve already brought the best gift. The news of Count Braum’s arrest."

"Ah...!"

"He’ll be standing in court the moment he arrives in the capital. I wonder if the old man will be able to keep his sanity with the trial and interrogations that will go on day and night."

"..."

"...Yes, that old man, Dory."

Rick spoke as if he could read my mind.

"He’s never been a father to me. Not 22 years ago, not 5 years ago, and not now, when he has never treated me like a child, let alone a human being."

"Rick..."

"You don’t seem that surprised. Well then, shall we organize the story that we all share?"

Rick got up from the bed and moved toward the table. Tristan, in the meantime, had already pulled out a chair for me to sit in.

On the table, the story we knew and the story we didn’t began to slowly take shape, like a flowchart.

Twenty-two years ago, Rick had been abandoned by Count Braum along with his mother.

Five years ago, Count Braum tried to bring an illegitimate child as his heir to protect his territory, but he failed due to the schemes of Count Redfield and the royal family.

"Dory, how much of this past do you know? Did your parents tell you about it?"

"No. I learned about it by chance through past records earlier this year. My parents don’t know that I know."

I didn’t lie.

"Although I’m ashamed that my marriage came from a deal in the darkness... marriage itself is sacred, so what I need is an attitude to live without shame as someone’s wife."

"...That’s a good word."

Rick lightly bit his lower lip and turned his head.

"Your Highness, would you like to say something?"

"I was informed of the engagement by my mother earlier this year. That’s all."

"Is that all?"

"Do I also need to share my impressions and future aspirations about it?"

"No."

Rick turned his head sharply as if he hadn’t expected that. Just then, Tristan looked at me and moved his lips slightly.

My gaze was completely caught on it.

’I want to know.’

I wanted to clearly hear when and how Tristan, who originally considered this marriage a mere shackle, had started feeling something else.

At first, the shape of his lips was forming the word "me too"—

...But after that, I had no idea.

’Speak later.’

I shook my head, and Tristan—still not stopping his silent voice—made a frustrated expression, while Rick moved on to the next topic.

"Let me tell you about something that happened during the last trip. When His Highness acted, Count Braum showed his pettiness, saying ’I can’t give this to you,’ and his underling happened to find me at the campsite..."

To summarize, what originally seemed to be an end situation where Duke Arthur had performed well, turned into one where Tristan’s actions ignited Count Braum’s petty emotions. He then tried to use my child to benefit himself, only to be struck by the child’s thirst for revenge.

Of course, so far, what has been organized is just the "fact."

We still have the most pressing question.

"Rick. Why did you risk your life to save Prince Tristan?"

"..."

"You’re not exactly in a position to like him."

Tristan and I both turned our gazes toward him. If he weren’t a great actor, he couldn’t possibly lie through that.

Rick answered immediately.

"That’s true. Honestly, I wouldn’t have cared if His Highness had died the moment he entered the mission area. It might have even been refreshing."

The unexpected honesty made both Tristan and me gape. Rick chuckled and continued.

"But, this time, my hatred for Count Braum outweighed everything. I had to make sure His Highness stayed alive so I could take his head."

"No. If you had died, there would have been no one to witness."

"But His Highness managed it even when I lost consciousness."

"That’s a hindsight argument."

"I apologize for offering an interpretation that doesn’t align with Your Highness’s preferences, but that’s how life works."

I had hoped for honesty, but this was too honest!

Rick faced Tristan’s sharp gaze with an equally sharp smile and, as our eyes met...

"Ouch, my bones are still aching."

Suddenly, he grabbed his arm and frowned. His exaggerated behavior seemed like he was trying to quickly hide his expression, which made me suspicious, but I couldn’t say anything to a patient.

Tristan sighed briefly and stood up.

"I’ll go get some painkillers. Wait here."

"Huh? You’re suddenly so kind, Your Highness. I don’t know where to put myself. You’d better just give me a bouquet of flowers."

"Quiet."

Rick looked at Tristan, who was leaving the room, as if seeing a completely changed man.

But I had a feeling I knew why Tristan was suddenly leaving.

’Earlier, he seemed to be lightly holding his left side.’

That was where he had been stabbed by Rick’s grandfather recently.

Tristan had hidden his injury from everyone to save Rick. Although we treated it together, the wound hadn’t gone through a doctor’s hands, so it was probably still bothering him.

’He’s probably using Rick’s painkiller excuse to get some for himself.’

What a smart fool.

He tries to look out for others, but to everyone else, he only shows an unpleasant side.

It’s the kind of attitude that will get him disliked, not praised.

How is he going to survive in this harsh world...?

"...Dory."

"Ah, yes, yes!"

I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to look at Rick. What was I thinking, leaving a patient alone?

"I’m glad to see you’re in good health. Would you like some bread? This shop’s pain au chocolat is really delicious!"

Then, unexpectedly, Rick spoke.

"Dory, since I have the chance, I’d like to tell you a little more about why I saved Prince Tristan."

"...What?"

"Before His Highness returns."

Rick’s expression now was even more anxious than when he had been pretending to be in pain earlier.