Chapter 27.
A Night Where Love and Schemes Bloom
The gift Ralph handed Millie was a shawl that looked exceptionally warm.
“I really wanted to give you something in return… I wasn’t sure if you’d like it.”
“Thank you, Sir Ralph.”
Millie draped the shawl over her shoulders right away, and she liked the soft, warm feel so much that she repeatedly brought the edge of it to her cheek and rubbed it gently.
“I absolutely love it.”
“…I’m glad.”
Ralph stared blankly at Millie rubbing the shawl against her cheek. His face, now red down to his neck, turned away as he mumbled shyly.
“The gloves you gave me last time fit like they were made for my hands.”
Millie held out her gloved hands, showing the front and back. Ralph gently enclosed her left hand between both of his.
“Millie, will you give me another scarf before the next deployment?”
“Huh?”
Millie looked slightly flustered by the unexpected request.
She had given him her scarf on a whim last time, but for him to ask for another when they weren’t even in any sort of relationship…?
Crash!!
Just then, a loud noise rang out from the entrance of the banquet hall.
Startled, Millie and Ralph turned to look and saw William hastily walking away.
‘What was that? Did he see me with Sir Ralph and rush off like that?’
Millie grew irritated, convinced William had misunderstood.
“Thank you so much for the gift, Sir Ralph. I’ll use it well. I’ll be going now.”
She waved hurriedly and turned away to chase after William. Ralph watched her with a face full of dissatisfaction.
He had known from the beginning how much Millie paid attention to William.
After receiving the scarf from her, William had grown visibly sensitive, which had amused Ralph. That was why he had sent Millie several gifts, as if to show off.
It had all started as a joke…
But now, every time Millie looked at William, Ralph found himself seething—and even he couldn’t understand why.
‘Am I seriously catching feelings for that maid? No way…’
Despite his denial, Ralph’s face grew darker and more twisted.
*****
“Mic, it’s time to get up.”
“Mmgh…”
With his eyes still closed, Mic reached out and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“You invited everyone over. If you don’t show your face for this long, what will they think?”
“What will they think? They’ll be extremely jealous.”
“Mic!”
My cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. After all the time we spent in the bath and now in bed, I had lost count of how many times he had held me.
No one had seen us, of course, but just knowing people could guess what we were doing made me burn with shame.
“Just go to the banquet and show your face—quickly!”
“No need. By now, everyone’s probably gone back to their lodgings. Showing up now would just be awkward.”
He had a point. I sighed heavily. Mic raised an eyebrow and looked at me, clearly annoyed.
“I’ve been meaning to say this…”
“What is it?”
“Leah, you seem more interested in my knights than in me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurd accusation.
“You’re the one who’s had me all to yourself this whole time—how can you say that?”
“Still not enough.”
He buried his nose in my hair as he spoke. I gently stroked his smooth, ebony-black hair.
“Then at least promise me you’ll go down in the morning to greet them. It would be an honor for the knight families to meet the Prince of Fritan in person.”
“They already saw me in the banquet hall earlier.”
He mumbled lazily, then started nibbling on my earlobe with his lips. A fire of heat slowly spread within me.
“Mic…”
“We’re not leaving this bed tomorrow either.”
“Duke Zenon will come looking for you…”
“No one’s allowed to bother me for the next three days and nights.”
Three days and nights?! I was about to protest, but my words were swallowed by his kiss.
His tender hands and sweet lips left my mind utterly blank.
And so, our night went on—very, very long.
*****
After the crowd at the banquet hall had dispersed, William, the commander, could finally relax.
The banquet Queen Leah had prepared was flawless.
The hall was grand, the food delicious, and the various performances captivated both children and adults alike.
With no time for boredom, the joyous feast allowed everyone to eat, drink, laugh, and talk freely, relieving months of fatigue. But more than anything, the unexpected reunion with long-separated family members had moved everyone deeply.
Even someone as composed as William found himself choked up upon seeing his proud parents, the Count and Countess of Giles, beaming at their son.
Thanks to it all, Queen Leah had completely won over the proud and loyal hearts of the Fritan Knights.
‘Yes, this couldn’t have ended better.’
After seeing his parents off, William wandered into the now-empty banquet hall, caught in a sentimental mood.
But contrary to his expectations, there were still some servants cleaning up. And in one corner, he spotted Ralph holding Millie’s hand.
He hated to admit it, but the two looked very close—and well-suited.
Suddenly, William felt his heart pound. His grip weakened, and his sword’s scabbard fell from his hand.
Crash!!
The heavy scabbard clattered loudly against the marble floor.
“Sir William, are you alright?”
“I-I’m fine. Get back to work.”
Flustered by the stares of the servants, William hastily picked up his scabbard and fled the scene.
‘Idiot! You’re just making it more obvious by panicking like that!’
He knew it in his head, but his feet wouldn’t stop moving.
He wandered into a secluded part of the garden. The cold breeze sweeping over him helped calm his racing thoughts a little.
“Sir William.”
“Ah!”
Just as he let his guard down, a voice tugged at his ear, making him jump with a startled and undignified yelp.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“Because you snuck up on me without a sound, Millie!”
He scowled at her like everything was her fault. Millie, panting from running after him, looked crestfallen at his grumbling.
Feeling guilty, he quickly changed the subject.
“His Highness hasn’t come looking for me yet?”
“Why would he? He’s just reunited with the queen after months. The last thing he wants is to see you right now.”
Millie gave him a look that said, “Be reasonable.”
‘Ugh, give this woman an inch and she takes a mile.’
William frowned at her, trying hard to suppress the upward twitch of his lips.
“Why did you come out in the cold?”
“I’m not cold. Sir Ralph gave me gloves and a warm shawl. It’s so soft—would you like to touch it?”
“No thanks!!”
His voice turned sharp as he glared at the shawl draped over her shoulders.
He wanted to tear it off and shred it to pieces—but he had no right. Damn it!
“And I have this too.”
Millie pulled something from her pocket and held it out to him.
“What, did Ralph give you that too?”
He didn’t even look before snapping. Millie let out a short laugh of disbelief.
“This is from you, Sir William.”
“…Huh?”
He looked down sheepishly. She was holding the magical heating stone he had given her before.
“Thanks to this, I’ve managed to survive Fritan’s brutal cold.”
“…Well, I’m glad.”
His neck turned red. Thankfully, the darkness would hide it—
“Oh my, Sir William. Are you cold? Your neck’s all red. Would you like this instead?”
Millie began to undo the blue scarf around her neck to drape it over his. William batted her hand away.
“You really just… give anything to anyone, don’t you?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“…Forget it!”
He bit his lip and turned away harshly, but her urgent voice stopped him in his tracks.
“I’m really glad you came back safely.”
It felt like his feet were nailed to the ground. But he couldn’t turn back—he hated how her words made his heart race so uncontrollably.
“I just… really wanted to say that.”
With that, the sound of Millie’s footsteps echoed as she ran back into the castle. Even after the sound had long faded, William stood frozen in place.
*****
In the dead of night, a black carriage slipped silently into the Empress’s palace in the Haren Empire.
Two people stepped out: Marchioness Julie Uzkall and an unfamiliar woman.
The woman, with faded red hair, thick makeup, a worn-out dress, and cheap perfume, seemed an odd match for the dignified Marchioness.
Julie shot the woman a disapproving glare, but the woman merely glanced around indifferently.
Just then, a maid from the Empress’s quarters approached.
“Welcome. She’s expecting you.”
The maid didn’t spare a glance for the woman behind Julie. Julie nodded and quickly entered the palace.
They were guided to Empress Hailey’s bedchamber.
“My goodness… Your Majesty…”
Even in the dim light, the bruises around her eyes and neck were clearly visible. Julie gasped, tears brimming.
She had heard rumors about the emperor’s violence in bed, but now she had to face the awful truth on her own daughter’s face.
But Hailey stared coldly at her mother.
A useless woman who couldn’t protect her only daughter from a cruel man. That was all her mother was to her.
Hailey turned her gaze to the red-haired woman.
“You’re Yulan, the so-called Fallen Angel of the Crossroads?”
“Fallen angel? I don’t know about that, but yes, I’m Yulan.”
She answered indifferently. Julie’s rage, unsure where to direct itself, now turned toward Yulan.
“How dare you speak so rudely—!”
Just as she raised her voice to scold the vulgar woman, Hailey snapped at her.
“Mother, go home.”
“I cannot. How can I leave this lowborn wretch alone with Your Majesty? I brought her here—I must take her back!”
“Enough, Mother!”
Hailey’s cold glare made Julie flinch. She had given birth to this girl, but now she felt like a complete stranger.
“Don’t make me say it again. Leave.”
Julie was practically dragged out by the maids.
Now alone, Yulan slowly approached Hailey.
“What would Her Majesty the Empress want from someone like me?”
“The skills you’re known for.”
“Pardon?”
“Teach me every technique you know in bed. I’ll pay you more than you could ever dream of.”
