Episode 24
Joseph is lower than me in rank, but since our relationship is still unclear, I decided to speak politely…
‘But if he does anything stupid, I won’t hold back.’
“Your Highness, may I come in?”
I knocked and called out again and again, but there was no reply.
“Y-Your Highness? Your Highness!!”
The knights sensed something was wrong and started knocking on the door too.
“We’re coming in, Your Highness!”
Just then—
“I-I’m here! I’m changing clothes, so wait a moment!”
Joseph’s hurried voice came from inside, just before the door opened.
Right then, I knew it.
Ah, this horrible guy… He was up to something again.
Seriously, he’s rotten to the core.
I held down my anger and peeked through the door, even though I couldn’t see him yet.
Soon the door opened.
The first thing I felt was the cool night wind blowing through the open window.
Then I noticed his messy hair and the chair and desk pushed awkwardly—as if he had quickly tried to hide something.
‘Oh… he was about to sneak out?’
I barely held back a sarcastic laugh and smiled brightly.
“Your Highness couldn’t sleep either? Let’s drink together!”
Yeah, no more calling him “Your Highness.” This jerk doesn’t deserve it.
“Did you just call me… ‘Young Master’?”
(Joseph is surprised she used a lower title.)
He raised one eyebrow, and I saw his lips twitch in irritation.
He clearly didn’t like me skipping the formal title.
“Yes! Young Master!”
After what you just tried to do, do you really expect me to respect you?
Hmph!
Joseph sat down in the sitting room, nervously shaking his leg.
I looked at him and asked,
“Are you worried about something?”
“Worried? No. I’m just hoping the Asterin medicine reaches Borgo safely.”
There was hot water and a few snacks on the table in front of us.
In other words, we still had a long wait before Seri’s special drink would be ready.
Knights and servants surrounded us on all sides.
‘You’re completely surrounded, Joseph.’
I smiled proudly and lifted my cup of warm water.
“By the way, does Your Highness’s maid always take this long?”
Look at him attacking first as soon as things don’t go his way.
I really thought Joseph was different when he was younger. I was wrong.
“Good things take time, don’t they? Because they’re made with care. That’s what the Grand Duchess always says!”
Let’s see him try to argue with that!
I proudly sipped my water.
“……”
“Young Master?”
Joseph’s eyes looked strange as he stayed quiet.
Was it about the title again? Seriously, he’s so petty.
But then, he stared at me and said something else.
“You’re right. If waiting makes something valuable, then it’s worth it…”
That look…
It reminded me of that terrible moment in my past life.
The way his disgusting hand had touched my thigh, my arm, even my neck.
My heart raced, and I couldn’t breathe for a second.
I flinched and was about to shut my eyes when—
“What waiting are you talking about?”
It wasn’t Joseph’s voice.
It was warm. Familiar. Steady.
Even before I turned around, I knew who it was.
He stood in front of me like a shield.
“What are you two waiting for, talking so nicely like this?”
His presence was calming, and I finally felt at ease.
I looked up at his black hair and breathed out in relief.
“Brother.”
It was Ian.
“Oh, the Grand Princess personally invited me,” Joseph said casually.
“She invited you… personally?”
I couldn’t read Ian’s expression.
But something in his tone sounded… tense.
I’ve never seen him like this with Joseph before.
Oh! That’s right—he once told me they fought because Joseph said something strange.
As I thought that, Ian turned to me.
He didn’t even sit down—just stood there.
“Why did you call him this late at night?”
Was that a question?
His tone felt more like scolding than asking.
I suddenly felt like I was in trouble and looked away.
If we left now, I’d lose my chance to keep an eye on Joseph.
“Shouldn’t you go to bed now?”
Just as I feared.
Ugh, whatever. Maybe this is better.
“?”
I grabbed Ian’s sleeve with both hands.
“You’ve been working all night… I was worried about you, so I couldn’t sleep. That’s why I asked Seri to make the drink she used to make for me. It helps me relax…”
Even I thought it sounded like a weak excuse.
I nervously looked up at Ian.
“You couldn’t sleep… because you were worried about me?”
Wait, did he really believe that?
His brows, which had been furrowed in frustration, slowly relaxed.
I almost laughed—he was so easy to read.
“Joseph couldn’t sleep either…”
Oops. I shouldn’t have said that.
Ian’s face turned cold again.
“So why are you the one—ugh, never mind.”
He messed up his hair a bit, then suddenly sat beside me.
He stared at me with his red eyes.
“So, you stayed up because you were worried about me. Right?”
“Y-yes. So I thought… maybe I’d drink it with Joseph—”
Ian cut me off.
“Then I just need to stay here, right? That solves the problem.”
Huh?
Wait, what?
Why is he talking like this?
But… in the end, all I needed was the result.
Ian was here. Joseph couldn’t go anywhere. Perfect!
“Y-yes?”
A servant brought tea for Ian, but he said,
“Do you have cold water instead? Really cold.”
“Uh—yes!”
As soon as the cold water came, Ian drank it in one go.
Maybe he was really tired?
I was a little worried, but at least that meant his work was mostly done.
‘Even better. Now it’ll be easier to keep Joseph from sneaking off.’
Maybe Joseph thought the same—his face clearly darkened.
If the wagons just left the estate, the royal family won’t have time to stop them.
“So, what were you two talking about?” Ian asked Joseph.
His voice was sharp, and I tilted my head.
No way… Is this…
‘Is Ian jealous?’
I quickly shook my head.
No, no, that’s silly.
But the idea made my face turn red.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
Just a moment ago he was glaring at Joseph, and now Ian looked at me with concern.
His cold hand gently touched my cheek.
Not like Joseph’s creepy touch from earlier—this was kind and careful.
‘He really is warm and gentle by nature.’
He’s always been thoughtful, and with all that’s happened lately, he’s probably just worried.
Jealousy? No way.
I shook my head.
“No! We didn’t talk about anything important.”
I looked at Joseph like I was asking him to agree.
But Joseph just rested his chin on his hand, looking bored.
Seriously, this guy…
Without even looking at me, he said,
“She kindly asked how I’ve been doing lately. Maybe she could tell I was nervous about my upcoming entrance to the academy.”
When did I say that?
“Are you nervous about something?”
Was he really stretching that simple question like this?
If I denied it now, it might look weird. So I just smiled awkwardly.
“Ah… ha… I see.”
Ian responded too, but his voice sounded strange.
He clenched his teeth and stared at me with his red eyes.
