——————
HEL SCANS
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Starfall]
——————
Chapter 15 – An Unexpected Visit
Janus sighed as he dried his damp hair with a towel after his bath, water droplets still clinging to the strands.
The image of Selina, whom he had last seen two days ago, came to mind.
“I’ve written the details here. Please review them carefully, and if you agree, sign and return it.”
She asked to break off the engagement two years after they had become engaged and even brought a contract for him to sign.
His heart hammered in his chest despite her cool demeanor and impersonal treatment.
Janus was confused by these emotions, which he had never experienced when he was with the fake mate the imperial family had found for him.
An unknown force seemed to be pushing him towards Selina, and it was agonizing that Selina, unaware of his feelings, wanted to break off the engagement.
‘I thought everything would be fine if I found my real mate. But it seems like there’s no harder task than this.’
As he was thinking this, the scent he longed for began to waft around Janus’s nose.
Janus quickly raised his head. The scent was getting stronger.
* * *
Selina was visibly flustered, as this was the first time she had visited another family’s mansion at this late hour without prior notice.
‘I said, “I’m Selina Arsene. I’m here to see His Grace, the Grand Duke.” And they let me in?’
She had rushed to the Grand Duke’s mansion, as she couldn’t enter the Imperial Palace unprepared, but she had wandered around for a while, unsure of how to get inside.
Then, she mustered the courage to speak, and the servants guided her as if they had been waiting for her visit.
“This way, please.”
The butler escorted Selina, who was wearing a wide-brimmed hat to conceal her face, to the drawing-room.
“Lady Arsene.”
Selina burst into laughter at the sight of Janus pinching his own cheek in disbelief and then looking at her again in pain.
“Greetings, Your Grace. I know it’s late, but I came here because of an urgent matter. Could you spare me a moment? Along with Duke Philip.”
The butler approached Janus, who was inwardly thrilled to see her again, even if he didn’t know why she was here.
“I’ll bring His Grace, so please go in first and keep her company.”
“Alright.”
Janus, regaining his composure, washed his face and immediately entered the drawing-room.
Selina took off her hat, sat down, and adjusted her clothes. Then, she spoke to Janus, who still couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“Am I so beautiful that you can’t get tired of looking at me?”
Instead of looking away in embarrassment, as she had expected, Janus replied without averting his gaze.
“It’s like an irresistible force.”
Selina’s face flushed at his words.
‘How can he say such things so casually?’
Selina once again carefully examined the man in comfortable clothes sitting in front of her.
‘It seems like he just took a bath.’
Selina’s gaze kept returning to the way his indoor shirt revealed his toned muscles, forcing her to quickly avert her eyes.
‘Oh, there’s a water droplet on the tip of his hair…’
Selina hurriedly raised her handkerchief to the back of Janus’ head, where the water droplet was about to fall.
Janus softly closed his eyes without even asking Selina what she was doing, as she suddenly closed the distance between them.
‘Wh-what? Why is he closing his eyes?’
Selina’s blush deepened as she saw Janus’s long eyelashes slowly lift again..
Her heart pounded loudly, as if it were in her eardrums, but she tried to ignore it and explained.
“Your Grace, a water droplet on the back of your head…”
“Yes, I know. You wiped it off for me, didn’t you?”
“Yes, so I just wiped it off…”
Janus spoke without taking his eyes off Selina.
“Your beautiful face came so close, I was afraid I would be blinded and closed my eyes without realizing it. But…”
Selina, who had been standing awkwardly, was startled by Janus’ approaching hand and ended up sitting on his lap.
“I want to see your face up close, even if it blinds me…”
Janus’ hand touched Selina’s cheek as she unconsciously gulped.
‘What is this man doing? No, now is not the time…’
As Janus’ face gradually got closer, Selina closed her eyes this time.
Knock, knock-
As if the knock was a signal, the two of them hurriedly separated.
Philip, who appeared with Hans, the butler, pretended not to notice the awkwardness between the two and said calmly,
“I hope we haven’t kept you waiting too long, Lady Arsene. You said you had an urgent matter, what is it?”
“Greetings, Duke Philip.”
“Please, have a seat. I prefer to be called ‘Father’ rather than Duke Philip. Is that too much to ask?”
Philip was subtly hinting once again that he wanted Selina to become his daughter-in-law.
Selina smiled awkwardly and took a sip of the tea that the butler had placed in front of her.
The quick-witted butler left the drawing room, and Philip began,
“Lady, now tell us what the matter is.”
Philip and Janus sensed something was wrong when Selina quietly put down her teacup and her expression darkened.
“There’s something I need to confirm. This is the contract I gave you, Your Grace.”
Selina said as she took out a familiar envelope from her pocket.
“Did you bring the revised version right away?”
At Philip’s words, Selina smiled lightly and then tore up the contract in front of them, throwing it behind her.
“Now, would you tell me the real reason why you proposed to me?”
* * *
The next morning, Selina dressed in her finest attire and visited the Imperial Palace.
Eric, clueless about the situation, was summoned and found himself sitting before his father with a sour expression.
“I called you both because I wanted to have breakfast together.”
“Father… no, Your Majesty, have you ever seen me eat breakfast? And why is she here so early in the morning…”
“Crown Prince, watch your words.”
Eric flinched at the Emperor’s words, but then decided to play along for the moment and adjusted his posture.
“Bring out the food.”
The Emperor remained silent as the appetizer, main course, and dessert were served, and the two ate in silence.
After the meal, when tea was served, the Emperor smiled warmly at Selina and said,
“My dear, did you enjoy the food?”
Eric suddenly snorted and spat out the tea he had been sipping.
“Crown Prince, how long has it been since I told you to watch your behavior?”
Eric thought for a moment and said,
“The tea isn’t even the right temperature. Replace the maid who prepared my tea today.”
‘So, he’s trying to set me up with this kind of guy.’
Selina forced a smile and said to the Emperor,
“Your Majesty, how old am I that you call me ‘my dear’? The Crown Prince and I are the same age. I’m old enough to be someone’s wife and have a child.”
The relationship between the Emperor and Selina was not bad.
But it wasn’t as if he cherished her like a daughter either.
Maintain a moderate distance from the Imperial family. Count Arsene always emphasized that.
“Well said. You’re indeed old enough.”
The Emperor nodded in agreement with Selina’s words.
‘Did you eat something wrong today? Didn’t we just eat the same food? Why are you looking at Selina like that today? Surely not. This can’t be.’
Eric looked at Selina in confusion, but she was smiling calmly.
“Your Majesty, are you perhaps…”
“I see the Crown Prince isn’t as clueless as I thought. Yes. This is a matchmaking meeting for you two. What do you think, Eric? Wouldn’t Selina make a suitable wife?”
Eric’s face paled, and he exclaimed,
“Your Majesty! This is unacceptable. If you don’t want our precious friendship to be ruined, please take back your words.”
Saying so, Eric immediately stood up and knelt on one knee, glancing at Selina.
‘What are you waiting for? Kneel beside me and beg!’
Selina didn’t even look at Eric and quietly sipped her tea.
The Emperor clicked his tongue in disapproval and gestured to Ruth.
“Your Highness, please rise. You need to leave now.”
“I won’t get up until His Majesty takes back his words.”
“Your Highness, if you don’t leave now, you’ll be humiliated in front of Lady Arsene. Are you sure you want that?”
“Ruth, I’m telling you I’m not leaving…”
“It’s His Majesty’s will, please stand up.”
At Ruth’s words, Eric glanced at the Emperor, then slowly stood up and left.
——————
HEL SCANS
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Starfall]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
——————
