Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 41: Prince Yanad

Chapter 41: Prince Yanad

"Your Royal Highness?"

There was no mistaking it. Aideen’s keen hearing and remarkable memory would never allow her to be wrong when recognizing someone else’s voice, even after an extended period.

The man standing before her, addressing her by name, was Prince Yanad Ruan.

Yanad, or Yan as everyone else in the Royal Family preferred to call him, was among the few individuals whom Aideen truly "knew."

He bore a striking resemblance to his father, King Euris Ruan—tall and well-built, possessing the physique of a robust soldier. His black hair, perpetually tousled, retained a consistently soft texture, a sensation the princess could not forget from her past encounters.

He once shared with her that his eyes were a captivating shade of green, matching the hue of the fresh spring grass. His skin, he claimed, mirrored the same color as hers. Additionally, he had a fondness for the royal uniform, appreciating the blend of black and blue, which happened to be his favorite colors.

In Aideen’s memory, Prince Yanad was always quiet and reserved—a young man who disliked speaking, but when he did, he filled the room with a low, somewhat cold, and distant voice. This tone stood in stark contrast to the sonorous voices that resonated among other members of his family.

Despite her expectations, Aideen found herself once again hearing that distinctive voice. Almost instinctively, she hurried towards him, offering a reserved bow in greeting. In response, the prince simply smiled and shook his head, remarking,

"You still refuse to call me by my name, huh?"

"How could I, Your Highness? You are the Crown Prince, after all. It is only natural that I address you by your title."

Yanad released a soft chuckle while the princess inquired further,

"What brings you here so early, Your Highness? A dress boutique is hardly a place for someone like you."

"I came here to place an order for a ball gown. You might have heard that Princess Melania is visiting from Lafad. His Majesty wanted me to handle the order myself to... make it more personal."

Aideen remained silent. The mere mention of the King caused her blood to turn cold, sending tiny shivers coursing through her body. Sensing her distress, the Crown Prince cleared his throat awkwardly and took a big step forward, closing the remaining distance between them.

"Aideen... Could we talk for a bit? I won’t take much of your time, I promise. I’m just... Glad to see you again."

As if to assist Yanad with his request, Lady Beatrice stepped outside the staff room with a large notebook pressed against her chest. Adjusting her big round glasses, she chimed in,

"I am very sorry to interrupt you, Your Highness, but the lady’s companion stepped out of the shop to take care of another errand. If you wish to have a private conversation, there is a waiting area to your right. I can bring some black tea and ensure no one interrupts you while you are there."

The Prince carefully placed Aideen’s hand on top of his arm and inquired,

"What do you say, Aideen? You have to wait for your ’companion’ anyway."

The princess hesitated, finding it difficult to refuse His Highness’s request. With a short sigh, she finally nodded and said,

"Yes, I guess it’s alright."

***

Prince Yanad took a sip from his teacup, delicately placing it back on the petite round table in the midst of the quiet waiting room. In a calm voice, he remarked,

"You look well. I am glad that life in Duke Valentine’s castle is not as terrible as one might imagine."

Aideen shifted awkwardly in her seat, shaking her head with her glowing eyes fixed emptily on the wooden surface of the table.

"Yes, Your Highness. His Grace Duke Tillian is treating me with the utmost care and respect."

Surprisingly, her response seemed to stir some unwelcome emotions in the Crown Prince. Clenching his fists on top of his knees, he narrowed his deep green eyes and almost grumbled,

"Must you do it, Aideen? Must you accept that monster’s proposal and move so far away from here?"

The princess raised her thin eyebrows in utter surprise.

"I beg your pardon? Monster? Your Highness... You, of all people, must know what my life was like before I was taken to The North. His Grace is not a monster. If anything... Everybody else is."

Yanad ran his fingers through his messy black hair and released a long, weary sigh.

Indeed, he knew it all too well, but much like his father, the King, he did nothing about it. As the Crown Prince and the prospective King of Geraldion, he couldn’t afford to involve himself in matters that might further tarnish the already fragile reputation of the Royal Family, and that included turning a blind eye to Aideen’s mistreatment.

Yet, he persisted. He made an effort to be respectful and polite. Never hostile towards the princess, he seized every opportunity to draw closer to her, attempting to convey that there was at least someone who cared.

Even if his care remained invisible and silent.

"Aideen, I told you before, didn’t I? You just had to wait a little longer. Once I become the next King, things will change. If you only waited, I would have taken you out of there––"

"Have you not heard, Your Highness?"

Now it was Aideen’s turn to be angry. She bit her lower lip for a second, allowing her trembling voice to regain its even tone. When the surge of unpleasant emotions finally subsided, she continued,

"Count Constantine hired bandits to kill me on the night I was about to be transferred to the Temple. How would your becoming the King in the future have helped me that night? If it were not for Duke Valentine, I would not be sitting here today. And even when you replace your father... I’m afraid nothing will change. You know it better than I do, Your Highness, that His Majesty is not the one pulling all the strings. Madness that Ruans tried to eliminate... Well, I cannot say anything else."

"Aideen, I..."

Yanad wanted to retort, but none of the answers that rushed through his mind seemed adequate enough to leave his mouth. Averting his guilty eyes, he still hoped to find the right words, but that chance was stolen from him as well.

"Your Highness? The coach is ready; we must return to the palace now."

The prince’s assistant called for Yanad, and before he could dismiss him, Aideen gestured for him to continue with his day.

"Please go, Your Highness. It was nice seeing you again after all this time."

Silently, the Crown Prince rose to his feet and was about to follow his aide when he suddenly stopped and said in a cold voice,

"My engagement to Princess Melania is final. If... If I send you a personal invitation, will you come to my wedding?"

A bitter smile graced the lady’s rosy lips as she replied,

"Take care, Your Highness. I hope your future wife will be happy here."