Chapter 8
Khalid’s expression twisted in irritation when I rejected his rare offer without a second thought.
I simply shrugged.
“Funny hearing that from you.”
“You really can’t stand to lose a single word, can you? You’re picking a fight now.”
“Still remember I’ve got a gun, right?”
“Hah. Lady Renata, you’re quite bolder than you look. Threatening the crown prince’s life—how audacious.”
Despite the tense atmosphere—unpleasant even by any objective standard—Khalid laughed it off.
In terms of status, I should never have said such things. But Khalid and I had known each other since childhood, if not as long as Izar. So this level of rudeness barely counted as rudeness between us.
And Khalid knew that well. That’s why instead of reacting harshly, he simply brushed it off with amusement.
I gave him a disdainful glance, then turned on my heel without a word.
“I said I’d escort you. Are you even listening?”
“Oh, I’m overwhelmed by Your Highness’s kindness. But I’ll manage just fine on my own, thank you.”
“Such sarcasm.”
Khalid was like a rebellious child. When I’d gone to find him, he avoided me like the plague, but now that I was clearly fed up with him, he followed me around like a puppy.
His footsteps trailed behind me all the way back to the carriage.
Still, I didn’t look back even once—out of pure stubbornness.
“Welcome back, my lady.”
As soon as I entered the estate, Chief Steward Kaya greeted me.
With practiced ease, she removed my cloak.
“Oh dear, your clothes are a bit dirty. Did something happen…?”
“Not really.”
“I see… Oh, the master and young master are in the study.”
I nodded. So Renac hadn’t left for his overseas trip right after the funeral, as I expected. Seemed like he planned to stay a bit longer.
As I walked past Kaya, she added,
“Ah, the master asked to see you as soon as you returned.”
Of course. I’d gone to see Khalid, so there must be plenty they were curious about.
I cast Kaya a sideways glance and turned toward the study.
Knock knock.
“It’s me, Father.”
“Come in.”
The scent of ink and old books filled the room the moment I opened the golden-handled door. Along with it, a hint of the fine cigar my father had just lit.
I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.
His massive desk was cluttered with stacks of documents. My gaze shifted upward.
Father was leaning back in his chair, staring out the window. Renac stood across from him, eyes fixed on a paper in his hand.
“Come closer, my dear.”
Father finally turned his gaze from the window to me.
“I just got back. You both look busy?”
“We always are,” Renac replied in Father’s stead.
I walked over to stand beside him.
He greeted me with a teasing smile and bumped his shoulder against mine, then let his gaze fall to the wine stains on the edge of my sleeve.
“Renata, you’re to attend Madame Sinava’s salon tomorrow.”
“…By myself?”
“The invitation was addressed to you.”
Just as I began to feel awkward under Renac’s gaze, Father retrieved a lavender envelope from a drawer, its writing inked in shimmering silver-violet, and handed it to me.
I stepped past Renac and stood before Father’s desk.
Seeing the seal of Madame Sinava, I felt oddly disoriented.
Even when I was engaged to Izar, she had never once invited me to her salon.
This wasn’t some run-of-the-mill gathering. Madame Sinava was the widow of the late elder brother of Emperor Icalis II. At one time, she had been Crown Princess.
Though her husband had been sickly and left behind only a daughter, the emperor honored his brother’s dying wish and granted Madame Sinava a small palace of her own.
She came from a powerful noble family and never bothered to hide her pride in being part of the imperial bloodline. She’d always looked down on me.
So why now, of all times, was she inviting me?
Surely I wasn’t the only one who sensed something off about this.
Father, however, looked rather pleased.
“By the way, did you meet with Crown Prince Khalid?”
“…Yes.”
“Any progress between you two?”
“Father, I was his brother’s fiancée. He’s not going to start treating me like his own overnight.”
“Hm.”
Father gave a low cough, as if he had nothing else to add.
I quickly added,
“But I’m trying. He did escort me back to the carriage today, at least.”
“Is that so? That’s good to hear.”
It wasn’t exactly the story he was hoping for, but technically I hadn’t lied.
I felt a little guilty, but if it meant avoiding another lecture, then it was worth the half-truth.
Father nodded in approval, seemingly satisfied. He didn’t bring up anything else.
“I’ll excuse myself now. I need to get a massage if I want to look presentable for tomorrow.”
“Let me know if there’s anything you need.”
I bowed slightly and turned to leave.
But as I passed Renac, he tugged lightly at my sleeve. I stopped and looked up at him.
“Wait for me in your room. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
Was he going to scold me in Father’s place?
I resisted the urge to frown and nodded, then returned to my room, changed into a more comfortable outfit, and waited.
“You had something on your clothes.”
Renac came by quite a bit later. He must’ve had a lot to take care of after I left.
His hands, like Father’s, were ink-stained. In one of them, he held a square box covered in wine-red velvet.
I tried to sound indifferent.
“Not a big deal.”
“So you don’t want to talk about it. Alright, I won’t press.”
“What’s in your hand? What did you buy this time?”
“A gift, of course. I’ve been meaning to give it to you, but the timing never seemed right.”
He smiled softly and handed me the box.
Renac always brought back some kind of present whenever he traveled abroad.
Now, what was the last place he’d visited again…?
I untied the cream ribbon.
Inside the box was a jewelry set—necklace and earrings—each set with vivid, pale-blue gemstones.
“They say these stones can only be found in the deep waters off Astantine Island. Thought it’d be perfect for your salon tomorrow.”
“…It’s beautiful.”
“You don’t sound that thrilled, though.”
Well, I’d received so many gifts from him by now that it was hard to be outwardly excited every single time.
Still, I was genuinely pleased. It was much better than the bizarre chunk of coral he brought back last time.
“Wow! To find something this exquisite during wartime! Young Master, you’re amazing! It must’ve cost a fortune, right?”
Seeing my lack of enthusiasm, Renac seemed a bit disappointed. So Laura, who’d been watching from the doorway, jumped in with dramatic flair.
“Lady Renata, you should wear a pale dress tomorrow so those sea-colored gems really shine. Oh, I’m so jealous! You have the best big brother in the world!”
“Hmph.”
Amused by her flattery, Renac chuckled, clearly pleased.
He rubbed under his nose like a child proud of his good deed and rose to his feet.
“Well, I’ve got another engagement to get to.”
“…Thanks, Renac. I’ll treasure it.”
I closed the velvet box as I spoke. Just as he turned to leave, he stepped toward me and gently ruffled my hair.
Then, eyes softened in laughter, he looked at me for a brief moment before walking away.
Renac left the mansion and headed to a bar adorned with elegant antique partitions. An attendant greeted him at the door.
His sharp crimson eyes scanned the room quickly.
“Your companion has already arrived.”
The attendant bowed and led him to a secluded seat in the far corner.
“Sorry, I’m a bit late.”
“‘A bit’? That’s what you’re calling it?”
Once the attendant had taken Renac’s order and left, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair, settling heavily into the chair.
