He smiled gently and looked at me, then his eyes wavered for a moment. It was clear that he recognized me.
When I realized that, my voice, which I was trying to squeeze out, disappeared.
As I just flapped my lips, the Count spoke instead.
“This is my daughter Lorisha.”
“I am Locard Kydel. It is an honor to meet you, Miss Loire.”
His voice, smiling and answering, sounded like this to me.
‘You're caught.’
“Prince Kydel.”
I barely managed to say that and bowed my head, and held my breath as I listened to the Duke say that the Count would be proud of his wife and how she would be proud of him. Now that I looked at it, the black hair I had seen on the beach earlier was also this greeting. The color of his well-groomed hair seemed to hint at the rest of my life.
Jet-black darkness.
Prince Locard Kydel asked as if showing friendliness. At first glance, it sounded like a polite question to someone in a beach hotel.
“Does Miss Loire like to go for a walk?”
“No, I’m scared outside.”
The Duke laughed as if I was being cute. The Count knew that I sometimes wandered around the city, but he laughed because of the atmosphere.
But I really meant it. I’m too scared to go outside anymore.
I also knew about the victory in the Battle of Amata and the return of the army, as well as the heroic tales of the Second Prince and the first lion’s heir. People called Prince Kydel the Lion Cub of Tagar and made him a hero.
If my luck was so miserable that I was born an illegitimate child and made the young hero Prince Kydel a pervert, I would rather grow old and die in my room.
But Prince Kydel heard my answer and lifted one corner of his mouth in a sneer.
I could perfectly understand his expression.
‘Why, you used to be so good at walking around the busy night streets.’
I drank some water out of breath and put down my glass, but it hit the rim of the service plate with a bang!
The two noble messengers pretended not to notice such a trivial matter, but Prince Kydel’s mouth twitched again. I could clearly see how much he was pleased with my mistake. It would have been more insulting not to laugh at me openly.
However, I was already unable to move until the long banquet was over. The real hell was somewhere else.
At that moment, a servant came in and whispered to Prince Kydel, and he stood up.
“Forgive me, Father, Count Loire. I think I should leave.”
Then the Duke asked softly,
“Are His Highness calling me?”
“Yes. Please understand, Count.”
“Of course. Of course, you should go.”
I stared at Prince Locard Kydel’s actions as he stood up, bowed to the guests in apology, and left.
He had led the army and fought in the war at an age that was out of the norm, but his body was imbued with a sense of restraint and strength that I had never seen before.
It was the refinement of the nobility, and at the same time, the dignity given to those who had achieved their innate duty through adversity.
At that time, I felt a sense of distance. It was like looking at the wall of the annex of the Academy.
The Countess’s misused expression, “the quality of the chosen ones,” might have been exactly that.
Of course, it was also true that his amazingly well-groomed face, his well-proportioned body that felt powerful even when he was still, and his beautiful voice enhanced that atmosphere.
At the same time, the fact that he was an unlucky person had not changed, so Prince Kydel left me with an unfamiliar and ambivalent feeling. I folded my hands in gratitude to whoever had called him.
At that moment, the Duke said to the Count,
“Oh, your complexion is not good.”
Then the Count answered,
“It seems that she has accumulated toxins from the long journey. Lorisha, would you like to go back and rest?”
I was so grateful for the two lions’ play that I cried.
The Duke was not even my age, so it was clear that he had spoken up before I, who was already nervous, made a bigger mistake. It was uncomfortable for both parties to witness the humiliation of someone they had to respect.
I gently placed my napkin and bowed my head.
“I appreciate your consideration. Then, I will rise, Duke and Count.”
The Duke gave me a slight nod, and I was able to leave while maintaining a minimum of human dignity.
“I feel like I’ve aged ten years!”
I thought as I closed the restaurant door, and I almost screamed.
Prince Kydel was leaning crookedly against the entrance door of the vestibule. He was smiling evilly at me.
'That's the devil.'
He turned around and led the way as if to say, 'Follow me.'
I immediately understood the threat in that smile and followed him, trembling.
He opened the door at the end of the hallway and went in, but I didn't want to be in the same room with him alone.
So I said with the door open.
"Hey, if you have something to say, go outside..."
But a different voice answered from inside.
"Come in, it's okay."
My mouth was frozen, but my body, as if possessed, closed the door and went in.
Inside was the knight I had met on the rocky hill earlier. The problem was the lion's emblem on his chest shield. It was the symbol of royalty.
When I saw him in his uniform, I remembered that silver hair was a characteristic of the Tagar royal family. You only know it if you've seen the royal family!
There was no kindness mixed in the cold smile he gave me.
It didn't seem like he was sorry for me. To begin with, he was someone who didn't need to be liked by others. That was how I felt.
“Your Highness, Prince Grayon, the Little Sun of Tagar.”
I bowed stiffly to Prince Kydel, who was standing next to me.
“Eternal light to Tagar. Your Highness, Lorisha Roar, greets you. I apologize for not recognizing you earlier.”
“Miss Loire's hobby is to not recognize you, Your Highness.”
I clenched my teeth and glared at Prince Kydel.
This could easily be a life-threatening situation. I had to explain firmly.
“I did not recognize you because you were in plain clothes. If I recognized you even though you were in plain clothes to hide your identity, wouldn’t that be truly shameful?”
Prince Grayon’s eyes widened, and Prince Kydel looked at him as if to tell him to look at this.
I misunderstood you back then, so how can you take revenge on me like this!
Prince Grayon said.
“I called you because I thought you wouldn’t be able to eat well while being among the lions.”
I looked at the Prince to see what he meant, and he said.
“Count Loire is a man who values courtesy and manners, so I thought he would kick you out if Locard left the place with the Duke.”
I should have said that I was kicked out of the room because of my lack of courtesy and manners, but let’s just say that. The result was the same anyway.
I asked in an irritated mood.
“You didn’t just think of calling me?”
“Because I wanted to see you secretly.”
His Highness Grayon answered and stared at me.
I quickly lowered my head.
“I’ll keep quiet about this.”
Then His Highness Grayon smiled and said,
“I told Locard what you said earlier. I told him that it was strange to meet a young lady who was talking exactly like him.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“This guy is crazy.”
“Your Highness.”
Prince Kydel called quietly, showing his embarrassment for the first time. It seemed that His Highness was treating him badly.
I found it funny. It was a little insulting that he thought I would be so flustered.
I muttered very quietly. A crazy guy?
“Somehow...”
“What?”
“No, Your Highness.”
Grayon burst into laughter, and Prince Kydel frowned and folded his arms.
It was amusing to see him getting agitated, and I felt my energy returning for the first time in a long time.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why aren’t you nervous? Even though I’m from the royal family, is the Second Prince not enough to impress you?”
At the sudden question, Prince Kydel, who had been crossing his arms, covered his eyes with his palms.
I was flustered, too. Was this a question you would ask in secret?
“That is...”
“Tell me. ”
When I realized that, my voice, which I was trying to squeeze out, disappeared.
As I just flapped my lips, the Count spoke instead.
“This is my daughter Lorisha.”
“I am Locard Kydel. It is an honor to meet you, Miss Loire.”
His voice, smiling and answering, sounded like this to me.
‘You're caught.’
“Prince Kydel.”
I barely managed to say that and bowed my head, and held my breath as I listened to the Duke say that the Count would be proud of his wife and how she would be proud of him. Now that I looked at it, the black hair I had seen on the beach earlier was also this greeting. The color of his well-groomed hair seemed to hint at the rest of my life.
Jet-black darkness.
Prince Locard Kydel asked as if showing friendliness. At first glance, it sounded like a polite question to someone in a beach hotel.
“Does Miss Loire like to go for a walk?”
“No, I’m scared outside.”
The Duke laughed as if I was being cute. The Count knew that I sometimes wandered around the city, but he laughed because of the atmosphere.
But I really meant it. I’m too scared to go outside anymore.
I also knew about the victory in the Battle of Amata and the return of the army, as well as the heroic tales of the Second Prince and the first lion’s heir. People called Prince Kydel the Lion Cub of Tagar and made him a hero.
If my luck was so miserable that I was born an illegitimate child and made the young hero Prince Kydel a pervert, I would rather grow old and die in my room.
But Prince Kydel heard my answer and lifted one corner of his mouth in a sneer.
I could perfectly understand his expression.
‘Why, you used to be so good at walking around the busy night streets.’
I drank some water out of breath and put down my glass, but it hit the rim of the service plate with a bang!
The two noble messengers pretended not to notice such a trivial matter, but Prince Kydel’s mouth twitched again. I could clearly see how much he was pleased with my mistake. It would have been more insulting not to laugh at me openly.
However, I was already unable to move until the long banquet was over. The real hell was somewhere else.
At that moment, a servant came in and whispered to Prince Kydel, and he stood up.
“Forgive me, Father, Count Loire. I think I should leave.”
Then the Duke asked softly,
“Are His Highness calling me?”
“Yes. Please understand, Count.”
“Of course. Of course, you should go.”
I stared at Prince Locard Kydel’s actions as he stood up, bowed to the guests in apology, and left.
He had led the army and fought in the war at an age that was out of the norm, but his body was imbued with a sense of restraint and strength that I had never seen before.
It was the refinement of the nobility, and at the same time, the dignity given to those who had achieved their innate duty through adversity.
At that time, I felt a sense of distance. It was like looking at the wall of the annex of the Academy.
The Countess’s misused expression, “the quality of the chosen ones,” might have been exactly that.
Of course, it was also true that his amazingly well-groomed face, his well-proportioned body that felt powerful even when he was still, and his beautiful voice enhanced that atmosphere.
At the same time, the fact that he was an unlucky person had not changed, so Prince Kydel left me with an unfamiliar and ambivalent feeling. I folded my hands in gratitude to whoever had called him.
At that moment, the Duke said to the Count,
“Oh, your complexion is not good.”
Then the Count answered,
“It seems that she has accumulated toxins from the long journey. Lorisha, would you like to go back and rest?”
I was so grateful for the two lions’ play that I cried.
The Duke was not even my age, so it was clear that he had spoken up before I, who was already nervous, made a bigger mistake. It was uncomfortable for both parties to witness the humiliation of someone they had to respect.
I gently placed my napkin and bowed my head.
“I appreciate your consideration. Then, I will rise, Duke and Count.”
The Duke gave me a slight nod, and I was able to leave while maintaining a minimum of human dignity.
“I feel like I’ve aged ten years!”
I thought as I closed the restaurant door, and I almost screamed.
Prince Kydel was leaning crookedly against the entrance door of the vestibule. He was smiling evilly at me.
'That's the devil.'
He turned around and led the way as if to say, 'Follow me.'
I immediately understood the threat in that smile and followed him, trembling.
He opened the door at the end of the hallway and went in, but I didn't want to be in the same room with him alone.
So I said with the door open.
"Hey, if you have something to say, go outside..."
But a different voice answered from inside.
"Come in, it's okay."
My mouth was frozen, but my body, as if possessed, closed the door and went in.
Inside was the knight I had met on the rocky hill earlier. The problem was the lion's emblem on his chest shield. It was the symbol of royalty.
When I saw him in his uniform, I remembered that silver hair was a characteristic of the Tagar royal family. You only know it if you've seen the royal family!
There was no kindness mixed in the cold smile he gave me.
It didn't seem like he was sorry for me. To begin with, he was someone who didn't need to be liked by others. That was how I felt.
“Your Highness, Prince Grayon, the Little Sun of Tagar.”
I bowed stiffly to Prince Kydel, who was standing next to me.
“Eternal light to Tagar. Your Highness, Lorisha Roar, greets you. I apologize for not recognizing you earlier.”
“Miss Loire's hobby is to not recognize you, Your Highness.”
I clenched my teeth and glared at Prince Kydel.
This could easily be a life-threatening situation. I had to explain firmly.
“I did not recognize you because you were in plain clothes. If I recognized you even though you were in plain clothes to hide your identity, wouldn’t that be truly shameful?”
Prince Grayon’s eyes widened, and Prince Kydel looked at him as if to tell him to look at this.
I misunderstood you back then, so how can you take revenge on me like this!
Prince Grayon said.
“I called you because I thought you wouldn’t be able to eat well while being among the lions.”
I looked at the Prince to see what he meant, and he said.
“Count Loire is a man who values courtesy and manners, so I thought he would kick you out if Locard left the place with the Duke.”
I should have said that I was kicked out of the room because of my lack of courtesy and manners, but let’s just say that. The result was the same anyway.
I asked in an irritated mood.
“You didn’t just think of calling me?”
“Because I wanted to see you secretly.”
His Highness Grayon answered and stared at me.
I quickly lowered my head.
“I’ll keep quiet about this.”
Then His Highness Grayon smiled and said,
“I told Locard what you said earlier. I told him that it was strange to meet a young lady who was talking exactly like him.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“This guy is crazy.”
“Your Highness.”
Prince Kydel called quietly, showing his embarrassment for the first time. It seemed that His Highness was treating him badly.
I found it funny. It was a little insulting that he thought I would be so flustered.
I muttered very quietly. A crazy guy?
“Somehow...”
“What?”
“No, Your Highness.”
Grayon burst into laughter, and Prince Kydel frowned and folded his arms.
It was amusing to see him getting agitated, and I felt my energy returning for the first time in a long time.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why aren’t you nervous? Even though I’m from the royal family, is the Second Prince not enough to impress you?”
At the sudden question, Prince Kydel, who had been crossing his arms, covered his eyes with his palms.
I was flustered, too. Was this a question you would ask in secret?
“That is...”
“Tell me. ”
“It doesn’t feel real.”
“Are you saying that you're dreaming?”
“That’s not it...”
Grayon frowned at the quick denial, and Prince Kydel looked slightly frightened at what I would say. I laughed internally. Good. That expression.
“I think the royal family is fundamentally different from ordinary people, not even going to the bathroom... Sorry. I’m so nervous that I can’t think of a better way to express myself.”
“Too ordinary, huh? So much so that you wouldn’t notice it if I were wearing everyday clothes. Don’t worry, you don’t look nervous at all.”
His Highness Grayon waved for him to continue, his smile suppressed.
“No! That’s not what I meant... That’s not it.”
Prince Kydel reluctantly interjected.
“Miss Roar is confident enough to stand up to pickpockets on the street at night.”
That’s real!
“Wasn’t this the first time you met her?”
“For example.”
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone so slyly hateful in such a short time. His Highness Grayon, who had been smiling as if he was amused, quietly suppressed his laughter and asked me.
“I have one more question.”
Ha. No. I’m tired.
“Go ahead and ask.”
“What is the most effective way to shut someone’s mouth?”
The opponent was His Majesty the Emperor’s second son, His Highness the Second Prince. There’s nothing he can’t do, whether it’s money or force. If that kind of person is struggling because they can’t shut their mouth...
Ugh. This is my luck.
“Miss Roar is confident enough to stand up to pickpockets on the street at night.”
That’s real!
“Wasn’t this the first time you met her?”
“For example.”
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone so slyly hateful in such a short time. His Highness Grayon, who had been smiling as if he was amused, quietly suppressed his laughter and asked me.
“I have one more question.”
Ha. No. I’m tired.
“Go ahead and ask.”
“What is the most effective way to shut someone’s mouth?”
The opponent was His Majesty the Emperor’s second son, His Highness the Second Prince. There’s nothing he can’t do, whether it’s money or force. If that kind of person is struggling because they can’t shut their mouth...
Ugh. This is my luck.
My head suddenly started to hurt. I was afraid to ask.
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