Chapter 09
“Your Majesty, I’ve only just left my estate. I know nothing—how could I possibly assist you?”
Though it wasn’t true, Irein spoke with a flustered expression.
“Well. Your etiquette is impeccable, and over the past two years, you’ve significantly developed your territory through land improvement projects and turning local goods into specialties. For someone who ‘knows nothing,’ you seem quite capable.”
“That… wasn’t done by me alone. My aunt helped me.”
“The Duchess Lusher wouldn’t have involved herself to that extent.”
Killian knew Veronica well.
As a duchess and leader of the imperial faction, she had more than enough responsibilities.
Even setting that aside, she was strict about duty and responsibility.
She might have given advice—but she would never take over something that was someone else’s responsibility.
“The development was already underway. It’s not something I can claim as my own.”
Being the emperor’s aide was like walking on thin ice.
Thinking that, Irein quickly made excuses.
As her excuses piled up, Killian’s gaze sharpened.
His expression hardened as he stared at her.
“I’m beginning to feel disappointed in House Chaint.”
At his words, Irein flinched and lowered her head, clenching her fist without realizing it.
She couldn’t tolerate insults toward her family.
“I had high expectations, considering your house once produced both the former emperor’s guard captain and aide.”
Killian carefully observed every reaction she made.
Which words she responded to—and what they meant to her.
“It’s a waste—the way you looked at that sword earlier. Since you claim the territory’s achievements aren’t yours, perhaps only that gaze belongs to House Chaint.”
Her reactions were subtle—but enough for him.
She’s sensitive about her family.
With just a few words, Killian had found her weakness.
“Or perhaps House Chaint has been overestimated all this time.”
“…Your Majesty.”
At the peak of his provocation, Irein lifted her head and looked straight at him.
“Please take back what you just said.”
Her blue eyes were filled with anger—and killing intent.
She had heard countless times how much her mother suffered for failing to protect her lord.
To atone, Vanessa had willingly returned to war—and came back lifeless.
So she could not tolerate those words.
At least not from you.
“Are you certain that’s not the case?”
Killian met her cold gaze without hesitation.
“Your Majesty, from our founding until now, House Chaint has lived for the empire. My parents did as well. Please do not judge my family based on me alone.”
“Reputation changes. A house once praised as capable and loyal can become weak and meaningless the moment you take its helm.”
Every word echoed in her ears.
This wasn’t just mockery anymore.
It was advice she needed.
Since deciding to live quietly and appear weak, a part of her had always been uneasy.
Now, his cold words made that fear undeniable.
What if my choice causes my family to fade into nothing?
The pride her parents carried… the duty they protected…
Those had become just as important to her.
“Prove it yourself—that House Chaint is still worthy.”
Faced with that proposal—
Even Irein wasn’t sure she could refuse.
“I’ve lived pretty well, so why give me trials like this? But I’ll live even better from now on. I’ll pray more too. Honestly, I may not have come to the temple often, but my heart has always been here. So please… do something about this situation.”
Sierra stared at Irein in disbelief as she prayed with folded hands.
She had been shocked to hear that Irein had been summoned to the palace—and appointed as the emperor’s aide.
When they met at the temple today, Irein acted completely normal.
Then suddenly, she dragged Sierra into the prayer room and started negotiating with God.
Sierra thought she must have a plan—but hearing that prayer, it didn’t seem like it.
Worse, Irein was muttering loudly enough that passersby were staring.
“Stop it.”
Embarrassed, Sierra gritted her teeth and pinched Irein’s arm lightly.
Irein opened her eyes and glared at her.
“Sister, how can you interrupt someone praying?”
“Get up already. I can’t sit here out of embarrassment.”
In the end, Sierra dragged her out of the prayer room.
Irein looked sulky at being interrupted.
“I was praying seriously for once. Why interrupt me?”
“That was ‘serious’? If I were God, I’d have smacked you.”
“Why?”
Should I hit her or not?
Sierra suppressed the urge to grab her by the collar and shake her.
She usually turned meek in the temple—but today was testing her limits.
After calming herself, she headed with Irein to meet Noel.
“You really know your way around here. Ordinary believers wouldn’t know where the high priests’ private rooms are.”
Sierra froze mid-step.
They were heading to Noel’s younger brother Michael’s private chamber.
Even though she had heard directions, she had walked there without hesitation.
“Maybe because I come here often?”
“Y-Yeah. I guess I just learned. This must be it—let’s go in.”
Brushing it off, she quickly opened the door.
Noel was already waiting. Michael wasn’t there yet.
“Irein.”
Seeing her, Noel stood up with a serious expression.
He had clearly heard the news too.
But Irein said nothing and sat on the sofa.
Noel and Sierra exchanged glances and sat down.
A gentle breeze flowed in through the open window.
Despite the many visitors, the temple remained peaceful.
“So… how did you end up becoming the emperor’s aide?”
Noel asked calmly.
“Life… doesn’t go the way you want.”
“I knew it. Are you insane?”
Irein had clearly caused a major incident and already given up.
Sierra, watching her, grew frustrated.
“What happened?”
“Everything was perfect when I arrived at the palace.”
Irein began as if telling an old story.
“My appearance was miserable, and even the captain of the guard reacted exactly how I wanted. But then… I made a mistake.”
Though the outcome was disastrous, she decided to call it a mistake.
One mistake led to another.
And it had been unavoidable.
She let out a hollow laugh, brushing back her hair.
Since joining the guild, she rarely lost her composure.
Even anger wasn’t hard to control.
Yet in front of Killian—she had revealed her true emotions.
A mistake she hadn’t even made on her first mission.
“I lost control when he talked about my family. I fell for such an obvious provocation.”
“Seriously, you need to let go of this obsession with your family.”
Sierra snapped.
Irein acted as if she would give her life for her family—and it angered her.
Even Sierra cared deeply about her own house, but Irein went far beyond that.
No matter how much they told her her parents wouldn’t want this—she never listened.
“How can I?”
At her answer, both Sierra and Noel fell silent.
Her voice was empty—yet heavy.
“There’s nothing left for me to protect except my family.”
Her calm tone clung heavily to the air.
That single sentence held everything—
All the pain, time, and regret she had endured alone.
“I wish you would just cry.”
Despite everything, Irein had never cried once.
Only words like these cried in her place.
Noel wanted her to break down and let it all out.
No matter how heavy her burden was—they were ready to share it.
“Why would I cry? I’m not a child.”
Irein replied lightly, as if nothing had happened.
As long as there was something left to protect—
She couldn’t afford to break down.
From the moment she picked up a sword,
She had promised herself she would never cry again.
