Episode 8
Eirin thought that if she met Illiad again, she would feel emotional because of past memories.
But surprisingly, she felt calmer than ever.
Her cold logic started working fast.
The only person who knew about her clothing business was Kalthus.
So how did Illiad know? The only explanation was that her father told him directly.
But why would Kalthus share personal information about Maylin with someone he wasn’t even close to?
Unless… the documents had been leaked?
Her quick steps suddenly stopped.
What if someone saw the business documents while she was organizing them?
Or maybe someone secretly looked at them?
If something from her room was taken, only those who worked in her palace could have done it.
“Could it be…?”
Eirin narrowed her eyes.
She couldn’t completely rule out that possibility.
She decided she needed to question the palace attendants soon.
Eirin pressed her forehead firmly. Her expression didn’t relax.
Why would Illiad say such things, making her so tense and suspicious?
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand his true intentions.
While thinking through all the possibilities, Eirin realized she had already arrived at the Emperor’s office.
“You called for me urgently?”
As she entered the office, she glanced at Kalthus, who was sitting in front of her.
She was tempted to ask what he had talked about with Illiad.
She hesitated, but she was very curious.
“You’re here, Rini.”
Kalthus’s voice was the same as usual, but there was a hint of nervousness behind it.
The cold and serious atmosphere gave her chills.
Eirin replied calmly, pretending everything was fine.
“Yes, please speak.”
Her tone held a trace of dissatisfaction.
Why was he showing interest in her now? And how did he know about the business?
She couldn’t relax her stiff expression.
Why had she been called here? Did Illiad remember her from the past, like she remembered him?
The very thought made a strange, prickly feeling crawl up from her toes.
Even though it was autumn, it felt like a cold winter breeze was playing with her head.
“Your eyes are red.”
Kalthus looked into her eyes.
He was clearly trying to change the subject, but Eirin pretended not to notice and slightly covered her eyes.
She had thought the swelling was gone, but it must have still been there.
Just knowing that he had seen her like this made her feel deeply embarrassed.
Even though she had done her makeup carefully, it still showed…
Count Dilche…
A noble from the Porti Empire who had been bothering her recently.
But thanks to him, she managed to close a deal with the Emperor of Porti.
She successfully tied the first connection between the two empires. That was a win.
“May your business be successful.”
She remembered his words whispered near her ear.
She didn’t realize she’d regret not seeing his expression when he said it.
But because of that, a meeting had been arranged, so not everything was lost.
“I didn’t think she would really remember…”
He had received a report from a spy that Eirin’s behavior was strange right after her return.
He only suspected something, but he couldn’t confirm whether she truly remembered her past.
He had desperately wanted to check her condition with his own eyes,
but sneaking into a foreign palace was too dangerous.
So, he had to find a reason to send a delegation to the Porti Empire.
At Kalthus’s words, Eirin felt like she couldn’t breathe.
Her big, clear blue eyes slowly widened.
“I don’t remember.”
“Really?”
Eirin said no, but Kalthus could clearly see her reaction.
He rubbed his chin suspiciously.
His gaze stung her skin, but Eirin smiled naturally and replied,
“Someone like me, who only lived in the palace, wouldn’t have had a chance to meet him.
But I did see him for the first time earlier.”
She didn’t answer his earlier question about why he had called her so urgently. Was that on purpose?
Eirin asked again.
“You called me urgently—may I ask why?”
Her voice was clear and firm.
Kalthus hesitated, then raised an eyebrow and said:
“The Crown Prince of Mersen asked to see you.
He said he was curious about the princess and wanted to meet you if possible.”
“Then he could’ve just sent a message asking for a brief meeting.”
Kalthus frowned, clearly unhappy.
‘He didn’t even want to spend that much time to meet.’
What an arrogant man.
His proud and cold look made Kalthus feel strangely angry.
It wasn’t just what he said—it was his whole attitude that was irritating.
Kalthus clenched his teeth.
But then he remembered his daughter was in front of him, and tried to calm down.
“You accepted his request that easily?”
“It wasn’t a difficult request. I had to call you anyway.”
Eirin tensed her face.
Not a difficult request?
Her father wasn’t someone who usually accepted personal requests so easily.
“I see…”
Did they make some sort of deal?
She opened her mouth to ask but quickly closed it.
Eirin was someone far from politics.
Even if she asked, he probably wouldn’t give an honest answer.
“He asked me to keep it a secret from you. Don’t let it show.”
Illiad was clearly acting suspicious on purpose.
Eirin tightened her brows and answered in a quiet voice.
