Episode 28
“What were you all doing until the Lady barged in here?”
Illiard glared at Lishiana before shifting his icy gaze toward the guards.
His murderous look made the two guards flinch in fear and bow their heads low.
“We’re terribly sorry, Your Highness. The Lady claimed she had an appointment with you today, and this fool here let her in without checking.”
One of the guards pointed to his fellow guard as he spoke.
The other guard jumped in surprise and quickly tried to explain.
“I was clearly told the appointment was canceled, but Lady Lishiana insisted she had made a new arrangement and begged to be let in.”
The second guard nodded repeatedly in agreement.
“I should have confirmed again, but the Lady kept pressing me, saying there wasn’t much time…”
He trembled as he continued speaking.
“This was entirely my mistake. I’m truly sorry.”
“But still, we did come back to report it right away!”
He hastily added from the side.
“Is that true?”
Illiard’s now sickly pale and cold eyes turned toward Lishiana.
The sharpness in his gaze was enough to instill deep fear in any noble girl raised in comfort and luxury. It wouldn’t have been surprising if she had broken into sobs right there.
“I’m sorry,” Lishiana said.
Illiard’s expression was so fierce, even a wild beast would’ve run away in terror.
But strangely, Lishiana remained unfazed, as if she didn’t even understand the meaning of fear.
Eirin found that somewhat surprising.
Though she offered a superficial apology, there wasn’t a trace of sincerity in her expression.
Was it because she had unwavering faith in the power of her family?
“No matter how much I’ve been lenient with you, don’t you think this time you’ve gone too far?”
“You’ve been lenient with her?”
Lishiana clearly believed Illiard would forgive her.
But this incident was neither a child’s whim nor a simple political misstep stemming from weakened imperial authority.
“Of course. I understand.”
“If you understand, how could you behave this way?”
Illiard’s expression twisted in fury as he coldly declared,
“You’ve committed a grave offense by insulting a guest from a foreign empire. You won’t be able to avoid punishment. Neither will the guards.”
The two guards lowered their heads even more, trembling under his murderous tone.
“We’re sorry…”
“Take her away.”
The guards, who hadn’t dared to touch the noble lady without an order, finally moved to restrain Lishiana, who started struggling.
“W-Wait! Just a moment, please!”
Being dragged away like a dog, Lishiana stomped her feet and suddenly shouted as she raised her head.
She was pointing directly at Eirin.
Illiard furrowed his brows again at Lishiana’s sudden gesture.
Eirin, meanwhile, remained seated and watched quietly like she was enjoying a performance. Since this situation was entirely Lishiana’s fault, Eirin felt no pity. In fact, if anything, she pitied Illiard for having to deal with this.
And yet, somewhere deep inside, a faint curiosity about Lishiana stirred.
She expected the girl to cry like a slaughtered pig by now, but instead, she remained surprisingly composed.
‘She’s not ordinary, that one.’
“She doesn’t need to—”
“She came from the Porti Empire, didn’t she? You’re the Lady of the Mielon family, aren’t you?”
Eirin cut Illiard off with sudden curiosity.
Lishiana, despite acting spoiled, exuded a faint trace of menace.
Eirin briefly wondered whether Lishiana barging in on Illiard’s tea time was truly without intent.
“Ah, so it was really you, Princess! I’d heard rumors that you had arrived.”
Lishiana exclaimed brightly.
“Didn’t I say to take her away?”
Illiard’s chilling voice burst out again, causing the guards to panic and hurry her out.
“Lady, you must leave now.”
“Your Highness! Just a moment—please! I only want to greet Her Highness the Princess!”
At that moment, Lishiana shook off one of the guards’ hands with a sudden outburst.
Her shrill voice startled Eirin, who widened her eyes.
“I beg you!”
Eirin said nothing, deciding to watch and see what Lishiana would do next.
Breaking free from the guards in one swift motion, Lishiana rushed toward Eirin.
She nearly reached Eirin’s face—almost.
But at the last moment, Illiard’s entire sheathed sword was pointed right at her neck.
“Gasp!”
Lishiana halted in shock at the sound of the blade slicing through the air.
“If you take even one more step toward our guest, today will be the last day of your life.”
Lishiana, who had acted so boldly, now stepped back, breathing heavily.
Eirin too held her breath and quietly observed the situation.
Though the sword had not been drawn, the threat was more than enough.
“B-But…”
Perhaps she hadn’t expected Illiard to genuinely threaten her. Her deer-like eyes filled with shock and confusion.
Then, with a stiff expression, Lishiana turned toward Eirin.
She had clearly given up on getting closer and now spoke politely.
“Your Highness, please forgive my earlier rudeness. I am Lishiana Mielon of the Mersen Empire.”
Eirin glanced sideways to see how Illiard would react.
She tried not to turn her head, only moving her eyes—but accidentally locked eyes with Illiard.
‘What the—?’
Why was he suddenly looking this way?
Eirin quickly averted her gaze.
Her heart pounded loudly in her head.
“I…”
Lishiana cautiously tried to take a step toward Eirin again, but Illiard caught on immediately and raised a hand to stop her.
“If you have something to say, say it from there.”
Lishiana’s gaze toward Illiard subtly shifted.
“I just… really wanted to meet Her Highness the Princess.”
She turned toward Eirin and bowed politely.
But from Eirin’s perspective, Lishiana still seemed to have unfinished business with Illiard.
Curious about her true intentions, Eirin responded quietly.
“My, and why would you want to meet me? A letter would’ve sufficed.”
“I couldn’t bear to wait for a reply.”
If what she said was true, then barging in like this was because she couldn’t be sure a response would come.
“I once again apologize for being so rude, but I truly wanted to meet you. I’ve heard about the incredible things Your Highness has done on your own.”
“Incredible things?”
“Yes, I heard you worked on improving clothing for the people of the Porti Empire.”
Could that really be all?
Eirin could’ve reprimanded her, but chose not to.
This was the Mersen Empire—a place where future connections could prove valuable.
Gaining even one ally, especially someone from a powerful noble family, would only benefit her.
Eirin smiled warmly at her.
“I found it so admirable that someone my age could accomplish such things. I wanted to form a connection with you.”
“What if I had been offended by your rude behavior?”
Eirin interrupted coldly, not bothering to hide her displeasure.
“I apologize. Please understand. I had originally planned to meet with His Highness the Crown Prince today and ask him to introduce me to you.”
Despite her polite tone, the sharpness in her eyes clashed with her childish pretense.
As though she were playing the role of a naïve girl.
“But then that appointment fell through. And since I heard Your Highness wouldn’t be staying long, I became impatient.”
Her gaze reminded Eirin of someone.
Ricardo Kenzas—Illiard’s aide. He too would occasionally have that same sharp gleam in his eyes.
With thoughts of ending the situation, Eirin stood up.
When she stepped toward Lishiana, Illiard frowned.
Though he didn’t stop her, his eyes followed her closely.
Eirin reached out and grabbed Lishiana’s hand.
“You say you like me? Then I’m glad. Shall we arrange a private meeting later?”
“Of course!”
Lishiana held Eirin’s hand tightly and nodded eagerly.
“Lady.”
A cold voice cut through the atmosphere.
Illiard glared at Lishiana with open disdain.
She lowered her head, pretending not to notice his hostile gaze.
How fitting for a noble lady from a powerful family.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“We’ll reschedule the canceled appointment. For now, leave.”
Eirin glanced between the two, sensing a strange tension.
Did they have some kind of private relationship?
Even his earlier remark about being lenient with her hinted at something between them.
“You won’t escape punishment for this.”
Illiard warned.
“Yes, I understand.”
As if satisfied now that she’d accomplished her goal, Lishiana obediently complied.
“Let her be. She gave us quite the unexpected entertainment, after all.”
Eirin waved her hand dismissively.
Would Illiard take the opportunity to drop the matter because of her?
It would be highly unusual to overlook such a blatant offense to the imperial authority.
