Chapter 57: Uncle and Nephew

“Uncle Ethan.”

As Ethan walked through the long corridors of the royal palace, he was stopped.

“What’s up, Alex? What’s going on?”

“I have something I’d like to discuss with you. How about we have tea together after such a long time?”

Alex wore the same calm smile he always had. Ethan nodded in response to his words.

Invited by Alex, Ethan found himself drinking tea in the palace garden.

In front of them was a pond fed by a stream, and a refreshing breeze flowed through the bushes.

After the maid finished preparing the tea, Alex surprisingly shooed her away.

“What’s the matter? Unusual. Is it a confidential matter?”

Ethan responded casually.

“It’s actually about Miss Rosa. Uncle seems to have been getting close to her lately.”

More than just being on good terms with Rosa, they seemed to be collaborating.

“Are you concerned? Rumor has it that Miss Moreau frequents your place, doesn’t she?”

Alex sighed.

“It seems the rumors have spread. I’ll be honest; she has visited a few times before. However, since I proposed to Miss Rosa, I’ve told her not to come to avoid any strange rumors.”

It sounded as if Ellen had been visiting Alex persistently.

Come to think of it, he used similar words when Rosa visited.

Considering the current situation, Ethan couldn’t help but suspect that Alex might be intentionally behaving in a way to make his counterpart uneasy.

“But your proposal must have been rejected by Miss Croitzer, right?”

Alex bit his lip for a moment in response to Ethan’s words.

“… I thought so, but could it be that Miss Rosa has shifted her attention to Uncle?”

Upon hearing this, Ethan couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Miss Croitzer is not that kind of person. She seems to be focused on her business now. I’ve even placed orders for some products at her store.”

“Really? Is that so?”

Alex looked surprised.

“It’s a relationship between a shop owner and a customer.”

From Ethan’s perspective, Rosa seemed much more interested in managing her shop than chasing after men.

Moreover, at the moment, she seemed to be fervently searching for the person who had spread rumors about her. Romance was probably the last thing on her mind.

“So, what are you going to do? Since your proposal was rejected, you’re free to choose someone else, aren’t you?”

“If the person is not acceptable to my father and lacks moral responsibility, I cannot marry them. Besides, doesn’t Miss Rosa still bear scars on her face?”

Alex pleaded as if that were a concern.

“As long as it’s just scars, I don’t see a problem. Also, haven’t you heard any unfavorable rumors about Miss Rosa?”

Ethan knew that Alex had heard rumors from Ellen, but he wanted to test him.

“Rumors… you mean the story that she staged getting kicked by a horse?”

“So, you did hear about it. The rumors seem to have spread quite a bit.”

“That’s why I’m anxious! Even if I unofficially engage with someone, what if she changes her mind?”

“If you obtain the king’s approval for the engagement and announce it afterward, it won’t matter even if she changes her mind.”

“However, the Croitzer family is a threat even to the royalty.”

Alex sighed, lifting his hair with a gloomy expression.

“So, in the end, what do you want? Do you want to engage with Miss Croitzer?”

Ethan, feeling somewhat annoyed, hit the nail on the head.

“I’m just scared of her sudden changes in behavior.”

“I don’t think you need to be so fixated on Miss Croitzer. Surviving a close call can change your perspective on life; it’s a common occurrence.”

Ethan replied in a casual tone.

“It seems like Uncle knows more about Miss Rosa than I thought.”

With that one remark from Alex, a crack between the two became apparent.

“She’s quite an easy-to-read person.”

To that, Alex couldn’t help but nod.

“I wish Miss Rosa would engage or marry someone, for my peace of mind… Not necessarily with Uncle, of course. Just someone who suits her.”

When spoken to in this manner, Ethan felt like he was being restrained by Alex. Well, in reality, that might be the case.

“Alex, it’s about time for my medical appointments, so I’ll take my leave. Marry whoever you like. Don’t be swayed by others’ expectations. That’s the only advice I can offer.”

It was Ethan’s final advice to Alex.

Feeling that it would be a waste of time to continue, Ethan concluded his tea meeting with Alex.

In his childhood, being the third prince, Alex was often neglected by his parents, and he felt lonely. At that time, Ethan used to be a good listener and even taught him studies.

However, now, despite being involved with Ellen, Alex seems to desire engagement with Rosa. It looked like he was trying to leverage the power of the Croitzer family.

(Since when did he awaken such ambition… or was it that I failed to see it?)

Ethan felt a slight loneliness.

The current Rosa showed no attachment to Alex. On the contrary, it was Alex who insisted on taking responsibility and pushing for the engagement.

Rumors about Ellen and Alex’s relationship had started circulating.

Alex neither revealed his true feelings to Ethan nor accepted the advice.

Ethan sensed a shadow over Alex’s future.