IWBCAS 06

Episode 6

Reina finally came to her senses and asked in a shaky voice.

“W-what is this, Your Highness?”

“What do you think it is, Lady?”

“I’m not sure… I really don’t know.”

She tried to smile, but even that didn’t come out right.

“That’s a hair strand from the thief who broke into the palace last night.”

“…The thief’s… hair?”

“Yes. It was left behind on me by the thief.”

At that moment, Carlhail’s sharp eyes scanned Reina’s hair carefully.

He had been still until now, but suddenly the corners of his lips curved into a smile.

“What do you think? It looks just like yours, Lady Reina.”

He was clearly smiling, but Reina felt a strange fear—her hair stood on end.

‘No way… When did this happen?!’

She bit her lip and quickly thought. She had hidden her hair under the hood so no trace would be left.

‘Hair? That’s impossible. I didn’t leave anything behind.’

She shook her head firmly.

“That can’t be. Someone must be trying to frame me.”

“Frame you?”

Carlhail raised an eyebrow like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“How do you know this is the thief’s hair? You could’ve picked it up from anywhere.”

At her words, Carlhail let out a dry laugh.

“You’re bold, Lady Reina. You don’t even know where I found this.”

He had found the hair tangled in the button on his sleeve—exactly where the thief’s hand had touched him during the kiss.

But Reina didn’t know that. She just furrowed her brows, pretending to be confused.

“I really don’t understand what you mean.”

‘Hmm… What should I do?’

Carlhail thought for a moment.

He was sure it was the thief’s hair. And it looked just like Reina’s. But he couldn’t prove it without doubt.

After all, it was just a strand of hair.

Maybe he should mention that among all the noble families rich enough to buy pepper, only one had this hair color—hers.

While he was thinking, Reina licked her lips nervously. Carlhail noticed.

Her red tongue briefly touched her lower lip, then she bit it lightly.

Suddenly, everything else around him faded. All his attention went to her lips.

A breeze carried her scent to his nose—and just like pressing “play,” the memory of last night’s kiss came flooding back.

That soft, moist tongue in his mouth… that powerful energy…

‘If I kiss her just once more, I’ll know for sure…’

He had a strong desire to kiss her again right then and there.

Carlhail almost moved toward her, but managed to stop himself.

‘What was I just about to do?’

He froze as he realized what he had been thinking.

‘I was about to kiss this woman? Just like a dog in heat?’

He let out a bitter laugh.

So much for controlling himself for 28 years—it was all a lie.

Carlhail shook his head hard to get rid of the thought and finally looked away from her lips.

He spoke coldly now, all emotion wiped from his face.

“Anyway, that hair is from the thief. And it looks just like yours.”

His expression clearly said “You’re the thief.”

Reina frowned in frustration.

‘Where did he even get that hair? This is ridiculous.’

‘If I say, “Yes, I’m the thief,” I’m seriously screwed…’

Stay focused, Reina.

Even if you’re caught by a tiger, if you stay calm, you can survive.

Reina quickly composed herself and gave a bright smile.

“I see, Your Highness. Then I hope you find the real thief using that clue.”

“Find the thief…?”

“Yes! You said that was the thief’s hair, right? It does look like my hair color. But I’m sure there are at least a dozen people in the capital with similar hair.”

“…”

“Maybe the thief already left the capital. You might need to search the whole empire!”

She shrugged and stood up, giving a polite bow.

“Then I’ll take my leave, Your Highness.”

She then casually pushed the handkerchief off the table.

“Oh no!”

Pretending to be startled, she picked it up and shook it.

The hair flew away with the wind—disappearing without a trace.

“Oh dear. I lost your precious clue. I’m so sorry.”

Carlhail stared at her face and asked,

“What are you doing, Lady Reina?”

Reina put her hands together like she was begging.

“Oh no… Should I pull out one of my hairs to replace it? Oh wait, that wouldn’t count as evidence, right?”

Her cheeky tone made Carlhail cover his mouth with his hand.

His lips twitched behind his fingers.

Uh-oh. I really made him mad this time.

Reina realized this was the moment to leave.

“I have something to do, so I’ll go now. I won’t go far. Take care, Your Highness.”

She gave a quick bow and walked swiftly out of the garden.

Carlhail watched her leave without once turning back, and when she was completely out of sight, he burst into quiet laughter.

“…So that’s how you want to play this?”

He hadn’t expected her to confess right away, but he thought she’d at least say sorry or ask for mercy.

But instead, she destroyed the evidence with a fake accident.

‘She’s not going to give in easily…’

Now he wondered,

‘How should I make that bold girl kneel and beg in front of me?’

Carlhail stood and walked along the path Reina had taken.

At the start of the garden, Bayen was pacing around. A few servants stood nearby, watching him like guards.

“Your Highness!!”

Bayen called out when he saw him. The servants bowed politely.

They must have felt bad for keeping Bayen waiting.

It was understandable. Bayen had suddenly shown up with a huge build and rough face—it made sense they were cautious.

“Maybe I should make him leave his sword outside when he’s in the capital.”

As Carlhail thought this, Bayen stomped over and stood in front of him.

“Why are you just coming out now? Lady Reina came out a while ago.”

Bayen had seen her leave alone and had been waiting for Carlhail.

“We’re leaving. There’s nothing else to do here.”

After they got into the carriage, the servants left.

As soon as they were on their way, Bayen looked excited.

He was dying of curiosity—was that girl really the thief?

“How was she?”

“She said it wasn’t her.”

Carlhail looked out the window, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

“Then maybe… she really isn’t the thief?”

“Are you saying I’m wrong?”

Bayen shrugged at his sharp look.

“Well… she didn’t seem like someone who could sneak into the palace or fight with a sword.”

Bayen couldn’t believe that delicate girl had done it.

Thin wrists, long hair that would get in the way during a fight, and an innocent-looking face.

‘She looks more like someone who’d break if you tapped her—not someone who could knock out a prince and steal something.’

“I’d believe it more if you said a mouse ran off with the Holy Grail.”

Carlhail chuckled.

“If you had seen how bold she was talking back to me, you wouldn’t say that, Bayen.”

“Still…”

“Didn’t you make the list? In all the capital, there’s only one rich family that can buy pepper and has that hair color.”

Reina Filon.

As soon as he saw her, Carlhail knew she was the thief.

She had panicked like someone guilty.

But the most certain clue was her scent—the same sweet smell that he remembered from last night.

The smell that tickled his sensitive nose.

“She really denied it, huh?”

Carlhail kept thinking, and her smooth red lips popped into his mind again.

“…Why do I keep thinking of that?”

He mumbled in irritation. Bayen squinted.

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Nothing. Anyway, did you look into her like I asked?”

“Yes. While you were inside, I paid a maid to ask around. Apparently, Lady Reina went to bed early last night. The maid thought maybe it was because she’s been thinking about marriage lately.”

“Marriage…?”

That one word suddenly echoed in Carlhail’s head.

“…Did you just say marriage?”