The Kingdom’s Greatest Fool? No, I’m the Ruler From the Darkness ~The Hidden Face of the Fat Prince~ - Chapter 40: The Flower at the Farewell

Chapter 40: The Flower at the Farewell

(Alexander POV)

The palace courtyard was shrouded in the darkness of night, bustling with carriages departing from the ball.

I stood on the cobblestones with Leia, watching the carriage carrying Prince Victor and Eleanor.

Anger and anxiety swirled in my chest.

“That’s the prince’s carriage.”

I said softly, pointing to the ornate vehicle adorned with the royal crest.

Leia nodded silently, her green eyes filled with determination as she stared at the carriage.

Her red hair swayed in the night breeze, exuding the tension of a beast ready for battle.

As we approached the carriage, my heartbeat quickened.

Throughout the ball, something was off about her.

The sudden engagement announcement, her trembling figure—everything felt unnatural.

Eleanor, my fiancée, the proud “Ice Flower,” standing beside the prince in such a state was unthinkable.

“Eleanor…”

Muttering her name, I stepped toward the carriage.

Leia walked beside me, her face set with firm resolve.

“Eleanor.”

I called out as I neared the carriage window.

The curtain parted slightly, revealing Eleanor’s face.

Lit by moonlight, her usual regal beauty was there, but she seemed drained of life.

“Are you okay? I want to talk.”

I tried to keep my voice as calm as possible, but the storm of emotions in my heart may have bled through.

Eleanor looked at me with a startled expression, opening her mouth to speak.

“I-I’m…”

Her words cut off, and her expression changed suddenly.

For a moment, I thought I saw pain flash across her face.

“Eek…!? Ah… aaah…!!”

A small cry escaped her lips.

It was a sound I could never have imagined from the Eleanor I knew.

“Ahem, ahem! S-sorry… just a cough…”

She tried desperately to cover it up, but her eyes clearly showed pain.

I couldn’t see the prince through the window, but he must be sitting beside her.

What was he doing to her?

“Eleanor? Are you really okay?”

Leia stepped forward, her question sharp with anger and worry.

“Ngh… I’m… fine… Alexander… Leia… please… just go…! I… I…!!”

Eleanor’s response was weak and halting.

Her voice didn’t sound like the Eleanor I knew.

Sweat glistened on her forehead, her breathing erratic.

“Prince, what have you done to her?”

Anger surged, and I finally raised my voice.

The prince’s voice came from inside the carriage.

“Nothing. She’s just tired.”

His tone was unmistakably triumphant.

I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to storm the carriage.

“Aaah…! Leia… Alex… ander…”

Eleanor’s voice trembled.

Her eyes were wet, desperately trying to convey something.

“I… I…! Ngh…!! I… love… the prince… hah…!!”

Her words froze me.

They didn’t match her expression.

It was as if someone was forcing her to speak.

“Eleanor, did you really accept the prince?”

Leia asked, her voice filled with shock.

Eleanor’s tearful eyes, flushed face, and loosened expression—almost like a drunkard’s—were nothing like her usual self.

She was clearly not in her normal state.

“I’m sorry… both of you… but I’m fine… ngh…!”

Her words tore at my heart.

This situation was far too abnormal.

Eleanor was always calm, never showing emotion.

Yet now, she was speaking in pain with such an expression.

Something terrible was happening.

“Let’s talk tomorrow.”

Leia said softly, but the prince’s voice interrupted from the carriage.

“Unfortunately, she’s moving to my residence starting tomorrow. As my fiancée, she belongs at my side.”

Rage nearly exploded within me.

But acting violently here would only get me arrested by the guards.

That wouldn’t save Eleanor.

I took a deep breath to regain my composure.

“I’ll come see you.”

I said to the prince, my voice filled with resolve.

It was a promise and a declaration of war.

“A-Alex… ander…! Ngh…!! You and Leia… please be happy… together… ngh…!!”

Eleanor’s final words came before she hurriedly closed the window.

In that fleeting moment, her expression showed despair and resignation.

The carriage, which had been stopped, slowly began to move, pulling away from us as we stood stunned.

Leia and I remained silent, rooted to the spot.

“Leia, something’s wrong with Eleanor.”

“Yes, she’s definitely been forced into this engagement.”

Her green eyes burned with resolve.

“Let’s storm the prince’s residence. Now.”

“Wait.”

I grabbed her arm.

“That would backfire. The prince is powerful. A direct confrontation could brand us as traitors.”

“Then what?! Are we just going to leave her like that?”

Leia’s voice was laced with anger and urgency.

“Of course not.”

I said calmly.

“But first, we need information. The Granblue family still has influence. I’ll have Father investigate the prince’s movements.”

Leia looked dissatisfied but nodded.

“Tomorrow morning, meet at my estate. We’ll calm down and plan her rescue.”

“Understood.”

She turned to leave, but her eyes held another layer of determination.

I felt uneasy but saw her off.

Eleanor’s face in the carriage window haunted me.

The fear and pain in her eyes.

And her final words—

“Be happy together.”

“That’s impossible…”

I muttered.

Did she think Leia and I would be happy together?

No way.

The one I love is Eleanor alone.

Leaving the palace, I swore fiercely.

I would save Eleanor.

And make the prince pay for his sins.

The day to free her would come.

Even if it meant risking my life.