TYWN Ch 10

As if doused with cold water, the atmosphere instantly froze. Radia blinked, watching Yuris, who seemed genuinely displeased, wondering if he was playing along due to their contract.

“I, I didn’t mean it like that.”

Lily, looking sympathetically at Sadie, who was flustered by the cold reaction, added, “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

She sent a silent signal to let it go, but Yuris, fiddling with his cufflink, said indifferently, “It seems you’re not the one who should be apologizing, and I’m not the one who should be receiving it.”

He looked undeniably displeased.

‘What button did she push?’

Lily, pondering this, found the answer in Yuris’s gaze, fixed on Sadie. She discreetly nudged Sadie in the side, who finally came to her senses and cleared her throat.

“I’m sorry, Radia. I apologize if it sounded offensive.”

“I understand.”

Radia’s reply was ambiguous. She accepted the apology, but didn’t say she wasn’t offended or that it was alright.

She seems to have a bit of a temper after all.

Concluding this, Yuris quickly changed the subject.

“What brings you two here today?”

“We came to the restaurant to eat, what else? Are you on a date?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, really? When I asked you to make some time, you were too busy to even show your face, but for your lover, you spare no time.”

To Lily’s sarcastic remark, delivered with a smile, Yuris responded with a grin.

“I’m on vacation. I told you to leave any business matters with my secretary.”

“And who was it that said to contact him as soon as possible in case of problems, dear client?”

“That person is currently on strike.”

Although he had briefly returned to work today.

“Oh, is that so? You’re still overflowing with love. I wish the old you could see this.”

He was seeing it.

Yuris barely managed to suppress his frown.

Lily, determined to get a definite answer from him, pressed on, and only after Yuris confirmed a specific date and time for their meeting did she drag Sadie away to their reserved table. Fortunately, their table was far from his and Radia’s.

Leaving the now melted sorbet untouched, Yuris exited the restaurant with Radia. His hand, opening the car door, was rougher than usual.

Radia, sitting in the passenger seat, stared intently at Yuris. Throwing his hat into the back seat, Yuris asked, “What?”

“Weren’t you on good terms? With Sadie?”

It wasn’t the first time she had seen Yuris defend her, but he had never reacted so sharply.

“We’re on good terms. That’s why she sometimes behaves rather impolitely.”

Sadie was much better than Lily, but they were still strangers. It wasn’t a good look for the uninvited guest to be giving her the cold shoulder. He had simply responded, but the woman’s reaction was strange.

Did I just let it slide in the past?

No way. I wouldn’t have been that foolish.

Turning his head, Yuris casually reached out his hand, and Radia’s shoulders flinched at his approaching touch.

His large hand cupped Radia’s cheek, gently brushing away a strand of her black hair. The moment Radia saw a single thread clinging to his finger, she finally exhaled.

Watching Radia subtly avert her gaze, as if awkward, Yuris finally understood.

Perhaps the past him didn’t want to see this kind of reaction from her.

“You’re a beautiful person. Anyone would find you attractive.”

“I expected as much, but it seems you’re aware that Sadie likes me.”

As Radia nodded slowly, Yuris lightly ruffled her hair.

“I think of her like a younger sister, nothing more.”

The same answer as before came back, but Radia didn’t stop.

“Have you never liked her? Not even once?”

Facing Yuris, who looked at her as if dumbfounded, Radia thought this might be an opportunity.

She had never doubted Yuris’s love for her, but sometimes she felt he was hiding a lot from her. It wasn’t that she resented it. Just because they were lovers didn’t mean she needed to know everything about him.

It wasn’t easy to unleash all her curiosity on a perfect and affectionate lover who always did his best for her. Since he was now bound to her by a lover’s contract, she could at least subtly bring up these things.

“Let’s drop the unrealistic talk, like me falling for Lily.”

Yuris’s openly annoyed expression, as if wondering why he had to answer such a question, was unfamiliar but refreshing. It felt strange when he sometimes seemed like a stranger, and then suddenly showed glimpses of the man she knew.

What is this feeling?

“Do you dislike Lily that much?”

“Well, she’s not someone I want to see in my personal time, at least.”

Radia almost laughed at his firm and scathing assessment. How could he be so consistent in these things?

“Why are you smiling?”

“I wasn’t smiling.”

“Liar.”

“I’m telling the truth.”

That’s why she was even more confused. Are you really the Yuris I know? Can a person become this unfamiliar just from losing their memory?

With the sound of the car starting up as background noise, he spoke, “The hat suits you.”

The light, passing compliment caught in her throat. Suppressing the welling emotions, she glanced sideways. The cufflink stood out on his wrist, encircled by a white shirt.

In this nightmarish reality, only you are clear.

She didn’t know why such a small thing made her feel this way. Really. Radia murmured so softly he could barely hear, “You too.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Yuris, sitting with his legs crossed, took out his pocket watch and checked the time. Cutlery was neatly arranged on the long, wide table covered with an ornate lace tablecloth. Behind the head of the table hung a tapestry bearing the image of a large eagle, the symbol of the royal family.

Originally, his father, Jeremy, should have been sitting in this seat. If he hadn’t suddenly collapsed last night, Yuris wouldn’t be here, even as a substitute. But the potential gains were too significant to simply cancel the appointment.

He had received information that the government might soon sign a diplomatic treaty with their neighboring country, Decron.

If they officially established diplomatic relations, they would naturally need an official means of transportation, and it was certain they would soon construct a new railway connecting the two regions.

Dozens of companies were eagerly waiting to bid for the railway construction rights. Although the parliament’s power was growing, the royal family was still the royal family. There was no reason to antagonize someone who could influence the selection process.

Decades had passed since the war ended. The birth of a new trade route would become a path for all kinds of capital inflow. And the inflow of capital meant the creation of new industries.

“His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, arriving!”

Yuris rose from his seat and bowed to the entering royals. The moment he saw the red-haired crown prince entering behind the King and Queen, Yuris lowered his head to hide the smirk that threatened to rise on his lips.

Julian Felice.

He had as many epithets as Yuris. The eldest son of the Felice royal family, first in line to the throne, an experienced libertine disguised as a flawless crown prince, a cunning fox, more handsome than an actor. Among those many dazzling titles, one stood out.

Nemesis.

Known for his cheerful and witty personality, he was like oil and water with his cousin of the same age, Yuris den Astrian. Their relationship, which could have been described as that of playful rivals, took an irreversible turn after Yuris declared at sixteen that he wouldn’t attend the military academy.

Every time Yuris faced Julian, he calmly reminded himself of Julian’s status. Otherwise, the visceral repulsion he felt might have compelled him to hurl insults.

“It’s been a while, Yuris.”

“I trust you have been well, Your Majesty.”

Yuris bowed his head and lightly kissed the proffered hand. His aunt, the Queen, Olivia, responded with a gentle smile and took her seat.

Dinner proceeded amicably. Julian displayed his characteristic eloquence, brightening the atmosphere. He was the epitome of the next king, the very image of the crown prince beloved by the people.

‘He seems normal enough like this.’

Yuris, looking at him with jaded eyes, quietly wiped his mouth with a napkin. The King watched him with satisfaction as he finished his meal with elegant movements, sitting upright.

“I hear there will be a joyous occasion soon.”

“Oh, has the news already traveled that far?”

The King narrowed his eyes with interest. He had been the most vocal opponent of Jeremy’s marriage, but at the same time, he was quite fond of Yuris, who had inherited the red eyes, a trait of the royal family.

What’s the big deal about eye color anyway? Hiding his inner thoughts, Yuris replied humbly, “I happened to hear about it. I would be most pleased to offer any assistance I can, Your Majesty.”

It wasn’t difficult to be confident without being arrogant, while still inspiring trust. No matter how much he acted like a scoundrel, he was the sole heir to the Duke. The habits ingrained in him from birth wouldn’t disappear overnight.

“But can Astin handle it?”

“We plan to proceed in cooperation with Deafrik.”

Deafrik was Noah’s, Claude’s father’s, company, focusing on steel and manufacturing, and recently branching out into pharmaceuticals.

“With our capital combined with Deafrik’s technological capabilities, we believe we can achieve your desired outcome swiftly.”

“As it’s a national project, I feel the need to be extremely cautious.”

“How can I assure you of our capabilities?”

This arrogant snake.

The corners of Yuris’s lips twitched slightly. How many companies in the country could handle a project of this scale alone? Several companies could collaborate, but that would require a considerable amount of coordination time. Deafrik, too, might struggle a bit if considering only funds, but with Astin joining forces, the story changed.

It was unlikely the king hadn’t made these calculations, so his hesitation in giving a definite answer suggested he had other motives.

“I hear there’s a princess on their side. I’ve heard she’s shown interest in you.”

What is he talking about all of a sudden?

“You’re not getting any younger. Why don’t you meet her?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I prefer work at the moment. I wish to keep business and personal matters strictly separate, and I hope you will understand.”

Unlike the King, who clicked his tongue softly at the polite reply, Julian’s smile deepened. It was a captivating smile that would have held anyone’s gaze. Even if the recipient felt nothing but discomfort, a chilling sensation running down their spine.

The strange sense of unease he had felt since facing Julian was nagging at him. Yuris pondered silently.

‘What is it? What am I missing?’