Fourth Prince's Debauchery

Sorry, guys. I mistaked this chapter with the next. Thanks to the ones that noticed and told me in the comments. I realized it thanks to you...

...

I watched how Susan and the young man entered a room and closed the door.

It was a normal room with rather thick walls. The room was of the kind where you simply needed to be careful and not to talk too loudly and nobody outside would hear what was happening inside.

Of course, I was the exception.

Out of curiosity, I extended my perception inside the room to know what they were going to talk about.

As soon as the door was closed, the young man opened his mouth.

"Susan…"

Susan sighed. "Paul... I did not know you were working by the Carmell family."

The young man, Paul, smiled wryly. "It happened recently. Young master Albert noticed that I was a bit capable, so he took me as his attendant."

"I see." Susan smiled softly. "I'm glad for you."

"… Yeah."

The situation turned awkward for a few seconds.

"… Hey Susan, how have you been since the last time we met?"

"Great. Mrs. Dayana treats me very well and the work here is very fulfilling. Although sometimes I'm a bit tired, I feel fulfilled."

Paul stared at Susan fixedly, but he could not find any sign of falsehood on her face. He could see that everything she was saying came from her heart.

For an instant, he wondered if what he was about to do was right.

However, he made up his mind a second later.

"Susan, there is a reason why I'm here."

Susan's smile vanished. "Do speak."

"… I hope you can collaborate with young master Albert."

"…" Susan's eyes turned frosty, but before she could say anything, Paul interrupted her.

"Let me finish." He said and bit his lips. "Susan, I don't know what happened, but young master Albert can help you."

"What do you mean?" Susan narrowed her eyes.

"It's just that… You changed. After you started to work here, you became weird. You seemed worried about something and avoided me. One day, you suddenly said that it was better if we kept a distance and then it was as though our friendship was over all of a sudden... Susan, we are childhood friends and I'm sure I know you better than most. You are not the kind of people that does something like that."

Susan remained silent.

"… I thought you did it for money at the start." Paul said with a bitter smile. "But after today, I'm sure it was not it. Were you threatened or someone forced you to do something? Just tell me! Perhaps I can help you!"

Hearing her childhood friend's words, Susan sighed.

Paul and Susan were childhood friends. Their relationship was something akin to childhood sweethearts.

And Paul liked Susan. Actually, He had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to confess his feelings to her.

However, one day Susan suddenly told him that it was better if they keep a distance.

Moreover, Susan started to behave strangely. She started to avoid him more and more and it seemed as though something or someone was always in her mind.

Man, it seemed like the plot of a cliche novel.

"… Is it everything you wanted to say?" Susan asked coldly.

But Paul did not notice the strangeness of her voice. "Susan, believe in me. After you help young master Albert this time, he can help us to go away with our families. Even if the prince wants to do something, he will be powerless! Once we are far away, we can marry and–"

"Stop." Susan's tone was stony.

"Huh?"

"I told you to stop. Paul, stop talking. I don't want to hear anymore."

"B-B-But–"

"Paul, I'll be honest with you. This is not like you think. I like him."

"Ah?"

"I'm in a relationship with him. He was the one that helped me to get this work. Nobody forced me to do anything. I love him, and I'm thankful to Mrs. Dayana for teaching me a lot even though I'm a commoner. I will not betray them!"

Paul turned pale. It was as though the entire world was crashing over him.

His childhood friend, the woman he loved, told him that she was in love with someone else.

"B-But, us…"

Susan's expression softened. She stared at her childhood friend with complicated emotions and sighed softly.

"… I'm sorry, Paul. I know you like me, but to be honest, I don't like you the same way. Most of the time, I saw you as a big brother."

"…"

"Perhaps, if I didn't meet him, I would have married you someday. But now… I'm sorry."

Paul staggered. He took a few steps back and fell on the ground.

"… I-I see."

"Sorry, Paul. And please leave. I will consider our years of friendship and ignore the things you told me before."

"… Heh." Paul chuckled self-deprecatingly and closed his eyes.

Susan felt a sharp pain in her heart. In the end, she was a good girl. She knew that her words were too harsh and that she probably had hurt him a lot.

But it was better like this. This way, he could move on more easily and find someone that loved him back.

Someone that was not her.

I was rather entertained by their conversation. At the same time, I could not help but increase my evaluation of Susan.

The fact that she rejected her childhood friend so resolutely was enough to show me how much she was invested in this relationship.

When the two of them left the room, Paul seemed as though he had aged a few years.

"Is everything alright?" I asked.

Susan nodded. "Yes, don't worry."

I smiled and walked towards her. Then, in front of Paul's eyes, I grabbed her hand.

Susan was startled, but she did not reject my move. She just blushed slightly and lowered her head.

However, that was the last blow for Paul.

Without waiting one second more, he rushed outside the office and left without looking back.

I think I saw a few tears falling from his eyes.

Sigh, youth.

I could hear the sound of his heart shattering.