Episode 5
– Killian Asta Eden
“Excuse me! Who are you to badmouth someone who isn’t even here to defend themselves?”
“W-What? Who are you?!”
“Wait, isn’t that Lady Liliana…?”
“From what I heard, you’re not even sure about the facts. Should people of your status really be spreading baseless rumors?”
The men glanced at each other with startled expressions.
They looked annoyed too, probably because they couldn’t argue back easily knowing I was the Crown Prince’s mistress.
“…You must have misunderstood, my lady. We never said anything like that.”
“I heard you clearly. You said the Duke killed children during the war. You even called him a ‘demon.’”
“Everyone says that! They say the Duke is obsessed with killing witches and stains his hands with blood.”
“Everyone says it? Then that makes it a rumor, doesn’t it?”
The men clamped their mouths shut, exchanging uneasy looks.
There wasn’t a hint of guilt on their faces—only irritation and frustration.
Maybe it was because of what I’d been through in my past life, but I was furious. Burning with rage, I stepped right up to them.
“You also said this: ‘If they’re criminals, then it’s fine to kill even children.’”
“Well, that’s just common sense, isn’t it?”
“In that case, the real demon isn’t the Duke—it’s *you*.”
“……!”
“Don’t slander the Duke. If you have something to say, go to his estate and say it to his face.”
One of the stunned men gave a mocking laugh and twisted his lips.
When I reacted angrily, he stepped closer, suddenly aggressive, and growled like a wild animal.
“Just because the Crown Prince favors you doesn’t mean you can run around defending the Duke, my lady.”
“What did you just say?”
“His Highness acknowledges the Duke’s contributions, but he doesn’t think highly of his personality.”
“Wow…”
“That’s why I’m cautious of the Duke—for the sake of the Empire. You understand?”
“Isn’t it more like you just want to cling to whoever has power? That way, you feel like you belong—even while trampling over someone else?”
“Y-You little—!”
“Oh, *this guy*! You look exactly like that sleazy pig from my last office!”
I was so mad I started yelling like a crazy woman.
The man raised his hand as if he was going to hit me, his eyes wild.
My heart dropped. No matter how angry I was, my body flinched.
But then… nothing happened.
Confused, I slowly opened my eyes.
Standing in front of me—blocking me—was *that man*.
The same man I had run into under the moonlight. The one who saw me save the rabbit.
The man who now stood calmly, yet powerfully, shielding me.
Still just as handsome and captivating.
“It’s been a while, Baron Henry. And you too, Baron Sigil.”
“Y-You’re… Duke Killian…?!”
“Why… why is His Grace here…?!”
What…?
**This** man was **who**…?
My eyes widened in shock.
**Killian Asta Eden.**
A supporting character in the novel.
One I had completely forgotten because I was so focused on Carlos and Azela’s story.
Killian—Carlos’s brother, second in line to the throne, a duke with vast lands, ships, knights, and numerous royal-backed businesses.
Carlos, fearing his power, sent him off to Arka as a spy, practically to die.
But Killian survived, defended the Empire in the war, and even captured Marov Castle before returning home.
After that, Killian gradually began to care for Azela out of sympathy.
As a typical second male lead, he eventually fell for her—only to quietly let her go.
I had read the story so long ago I barely remembered.
But truthfully, Killian had always been my favorite character—the one who loved only one woman his entire life.
And now I was meeting him here. In person.
I almost screamed.
Was this a dream come true?
Sure, our first meeting had gone terribly.
He called me “the infamous mistress” the first time we met, after all.
“Damn. I’ve messed up again.”
I muttered to myself, forgetting the drama around me.
Killian glanced my way, while the noblemen took their chance to shout, “Forgive us, Your Grace!” and ran off.
But Killian kept looking at me and asked softly, “Why did you say that?”
“Um… say what?”
“What you said earlier.”
I blinked, confused. “Oh… you mean the pig comment?”
He gave a small chuckle. “That part was amusing. Very original.”
Ah… this was the **first time** I’d seen him smile.
My heart skipped.
How could someone so handsome even have a smile that pretty?
When I looked up at him with flushed cheeks and trembling eyes, he asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“……!”
“You look like you’ve got a fever. Come to think of it, the wind’s gotten chilly.”
“I-I’m fine…”
“No, you’re not. Let’s go inside.”
Killian removed his coat and gently draped it over my shoulders.
Then he offered his arm like a proper gentleman.
My heart nearly exploded.
At this point, I couldn’t hear the birds or the wind—just his footsteps beside me, the warmth of his muscular arm, and the occasional glance from those beautiful eyes.
—
## \* \* \*
Since Killian needed to change into formal attire for the banquet, he walked me to the entrance and left.
So I entered the grand hall first…
“Hm…”
I sat next to Carlos, fiddling with an empty champagne glass, stealing glances toward the head table.
There sat the Emperor, Empress, and Azela.
The Emperor and Empress looked cheerful, chatting happily.
But Azela… was crying.
She wasn’t sobbing, but her red eyes and the tear at the corner said enough.
“Your Highness… the Crown Princess is crying…”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s none of your business.”
“So you *do* know she’s crying?”
I stared at him, surprised. Carlos frowned, leaned closer, and wrapped an arm around my waist.
He whispered sharply, “Would you prefer I leave you and go to her instead? Do you really care that little about me?”
“I-I didn’t mean it like that…”
“I saw you come in with Killian.”
“……!”
“Don’t make me suspicious. I have to keep everything—people or things—firmly in my grasp.”
A red glint flickered in his grey eyes.
His sudden coldness and possessiveness made me freeze with fear.
Just then, an attendant came up and said, “Your Grace, the Duke has arrived.”
Carlos finally released my waist.
He gently took my hand, but his eyes turned colder as he looked toward the entrance.
—
## \* \* \*
Soon after, the nobles split to both sides of the red carpet in the grand hall.
When the doors opened, everyone gasped—whether they meant to or not.
**Killian.**
Killian Asta Eden walked in.
He wore a formal black uniform with a red sash, golden buttons, shoulder decorations, and a medal on his chest.
At his waist was the sword he’d been given when knighted.
He had always been dazzling and tall—but in full formal dress, he looked like a prince from a fairy tale.
Ignoring the whispers, rumors, stares, jealousy, and awe, Killian walked calmly down the red carpet.
When he reached the head table, he knelt on one knee before the Emperor and Empress.
“Killian Asta Eden, greets Your Majesties with joy.”
“Rise, Killian. We’re grateful you returned, even if it was late.”
The Emperor smiled warmly and patted the Empress’s back.
Killian bowed again in deep respect.
Carlos watched everything with a blank face, murmuring something like, *“I told him not to come…”*
But then he stood up with a faint smile, the air around him turning even colder as he walked toward the head table.
—
