I Don't Want To Be Loved

Chapter 108: Dimitri

“This is the list of honored guests you’ll be having breakfast with, Your Majesty. They’ve long expressed their wish to see Arundell’s great king. After the meal, the honored guests will return back to their homeland.”

While Igor finished washing himself clean, Basil handed him a paper listing the names of the honored guests.

Igor gave the paper a slight glance and looked at Basil. “…Hmm. Chrichton’s Dimitri won’t be attending? Why is that? And I see that Marquis Preibius is physically present but his name isn’t on the list.”

Basil lifted his head with wide eyes. A lightbulb popped up as if he had just remembered. “Ah, right. He did not come this time, Your Majesty. Only the Crown Prince Ivan and Marquis Preibius came as Chrichton’s representative for the wedding ceremony. Of course, it’s understandable you’d not know of this since… you were too busy with…” Basil choked and muttered eerily soft to the side, “…pleasuring the Queen Goddess to notice the small minute details…”

Igor did not hear his last words, else he’d be dragged to the depths of hell.

“What’s their reason for not attending?” Igor asked with furrowed brows.

“According to the statement, it was of personal issue, Your Majesty. Though I do find it unexpected actually. Dimitri’s love for his cousin the queen runs deep, but I somewhat understand his thoughts. His choosing not to attend is possibly an indirect expression of not acknowledging the marriage ceremony. Well, there’s no need to worry and dwell over the matter. Even if he thinks like that, what can he do now?”

Basil’s reaction was proper and right.

Dimitri, now a baron, was in no position of becoming king. He was powerless. When he’d tried to escape Chrichton, he was locked away in prison unable to do anything while his cousin journeyed to another kingdom for a hand in marriage without his knowledge.

Igor looked down at the lists of names. He was lost in thought. Dimitri had no ambition. Yet. He was weak and feeble, but Igor knew that once he put his mind to it, he’d become a powerful enemy.

He was a man who ascended Chrichton’s throne through a bitter bloodbath massacre and upon learning of his beloved cousin dying inside the cold, dark prison grounds from poison and that she was falsely accused of treason, Dimitri’s hellish wrath fell upon Arundell.

Dimitri was a man who treasured Rihannan dearly.

His choosing to attack Arundell for the sake of his cousin’s death was no political move. He cared for her. Truly and consistently so.

If that was the amount of care he gave Rihannan in the past life, then the Dimitri of this life cared for Rihannan more than ever. His love for her had deepened due to the lengthened time they spent together.

Igor gave an exasperated sigh.

The future had changed.

And greatly so.

Dimitri won’t cause blood, carnage, and massacre towards the male members of the royal family to ascend the throne in this life, but Igor knew he needed to be cautious. When it came to Rihannan, Dimitri was not, by any means, normal.

“…If he has strong feelings of disapproval regarding this marriage, then we’ll need to keep a close eye on him. Tell the spies in Chrichton to be cautious and wary while they collect the necessary information.”

Basil thought he was being overly cautious towards a man without political powers, but he did not disagree with his decision.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Igor stood up from his seat.

He looked at Basil and wore an energized face, the most Basil had ever seen in all his life.

Igor smiled. “Now, let’s have breakfast, shall we?”