Episode 40
From the moment I entered with Killian, people were looking at us with admiration. They probably thought I was just engaged to a big name like Duke Ignam.
Because of the rumors, young ladies avoided Felix, and some even whispered and pointed at Daphne.
I wasn’t the one who spread the rumors, so I didn’t feel guilty about it.
“I already feel tired.”
“Tired? Should we leave?”
“The Emperor hasn’t arrived yet, and the birthday celebration hasn’t even started. How can we leave now? I’m just saying that.”
Hearing that, Killian let out a sigh of relief. He was probably sensitive because he had seen me collapse and almost die before. So even when I said I was just tired, he became worried.
“Let me know if you feel uncomfortable. We can leave right away.”
But I couldn’t leave. The Emperor was probably looking forward to having Killian at the celebration. It was rare for a divine beast representative to attend the Emperor’s birthday, so this was a big deal.
I also had something important to announce, so I had to stay until the end.
“It’s really okay. And Killian, you heard, right? The rumors about us… how they’ve been spreading.”
I brought it up because I thought it was better to talk about it beforehand.
Killian avoided my gaze and answered absentmindedly, “Really?”
“Yeah. But I don’t mind the rumors. If anyone asks about it, we’ll just smile sadly.”
When I whispered this to his ear, I noticed him flinch. But then he touched his red ears and nodded, understanding. He also smiled, making it seem like a conversation between lovers.
Killian stared at me for a moment, then said he’d go get a drink.
As soon as I was left alone, Daphne approached me.
“Congratulations on your engagement, Lydia.”
“Thanks. I heard about you too. You’re planning to have an engagement ceremony after the hunting competition, right?”
“Yes. Will you come?”
‘How shameless.’
Even though I had no feelings for Felix, I was still irritated by her. The original Lydia would have been totally twisted inside.
I quickly hid my serious expression and coughed before answering. Daphne was so excited about the upcoming engagement that she didn’t notice the people around us were paying attention to our conversation.
“Of course. It’s my lord’s and my sister’s engagement, after all.”
Daphne smiled, pleased with my answer, and hugged me. I pretended to stumble, as if I were feeling dizzy.
“See? Lydia, you’ve fallen for me too.”
“What?”
Daphne let go of me and shyly tucked her hair behind her ear.
Before I could even think about what she meant, Killian returned and glared at Daphne, hiding me behind him.
“Hello, Your Grace.”
Daphne slightly bowed and looked up at Killian. For a moment, I thought I saw her eyes glow red.
‘What was that?’
But when I blinked and looked again, her eyes were back to their usual blue.
‘Maybe I was mistaken.’
“What’s going on?”
“Your Grace, you’re too tense. We’re like sisters. It’s only natural to greet each other.”
Daphne puffed her cheeks and spoke in a slightly sulky way.
If it were Felix, he would have laughed so much his face would melt, but Killian just frowned.
“Just greeting each other doesn’t mean hugging or clinging to me. It must be hard enough standing in those high heels.”
It seemed like he was worried because he thought I might have been pretending to stumble. People were probably thinking I was ill, so he didn’t want me to look too healthy.
“I’m fine, Your Grace. Daphne, go ahead. The Prince is waiting for you.”
“……Okay.”
Daphne left with a sulky expression, heading somewhere where Felix was. I had never experienced such overprotectiveness, and it felt strange.
“Killian, am I being overprotected?”
“Not at all. Do you know how shocked I was when I saw those heels this morning?”
“But it can’t be helped. You’re so tall, so I have to adjust a little.”
“……I’m the problem, then. I’m sorry. I’ll try to find a way to make myself shorter.”
“No! There’s no need for that. I think your height looks great!”
Wait. What am I even saying? Just because I like it, Killian doesn’t have to change for me.
It’s all because I got caught up in those ridiculous rumors about “legendary love” and all that.
“Forget what I just said. Anyway, these shoes aren’t a big problem.”
My feet did hurt, but it wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t stand. I didn’t want to complain about the pain because if I told Killian I was uncomfortable, he would probably want to leave the birthday celebration right away.
I didn’t really want to be at the party, but it was the Emperor’s birthday, and I wanted to officially announce that Tullin was now my land. That’s why I made the effort to attend.
Felix had promised me the land, but it was still technically under the Emperor’s control, so I needed to go through the process of receiving it officially.
So, I had no choice but to stay until the end.
Soon, the Emperor entered the banquet hall with the Empress and began his lengthy speech. Despite it being his birthday celebration, half of his speech was about how important it was for Killian to attend.
“Finally, I dedicate today’s glory to Duke Ignam. I sincerely wish for great blessings to be with the newly engaged couple.”
The Emperor’s words were met with a round of applause, and he gestured for me to come forward.
I slowly walked to the Emperor, escorted by Killian. The overwhelming attention made me squeeze Killian’s hand tightly without thinking.
“And as everyone already knows, the Tullin territory has officially become the property of Lady Cheshire. Today, I’m formally gifting her the land. I hope it will prosper in the future.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
I was sure the Duke and Duchess were watching from somewhere.
When I received the land rights from the Emperor, he quietly asked me:
“But is this really enough? There are many other lands…”
“This is enough for me, Your Majesty. Thank you.”
The Emperor quickly wiped away his discontented expression and smiled kindly, waving his hand at the people.
As I returned to my seat with light steps, I realized why the Emperor had looked so unhappy.
Tullin was a valuable land for me, but to others, it was just a dull, undesirable resort. That’s why the Emperor didn’t seem very pleased.
“Tullin was the land that the Crown Prince specifically gave to you, right? I heard there were three lands you were supposed to receive with the engagement, and yet they gave you that old, poor countryside land…”
“It feels like they’re just throwing it at you.”
“If it weren’t for the Duke, you’d be in a bad position, Lady.”
People didn’t know the true value of Tullin yet. That’s why they complained about it being the least valuable of the three lands I was supposed to receive.
I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Felix as I glanced at him, but he was staring at the floor with a serious face.
Daphne was chattering away, but based on my experience, Felix was clearly not listening.
