Chapter 39
“Lady April.”
While I was distracted talking with Evelyn, Yeniel calmly called me out.
I greeted her with a bright smile, pretending to be pleased.
“Lady Yeniel!”
“It’s time to go back. I came to fetch you.”
“To fetch April? But I still want to spend more time with Lady Evelyn.”
Did she come because she had business, or because she saw me with Evelyn, a noble faction member?
“A new clue has appeared. A large mirror has formed at the entrance of the floating garden. His Highness and Sir Isengrif think it’s best to gather the survivors for a meeting. I’ll explain the details on the way.”
Yeniel knew April could never understand this talk. She had never once asked me for advice when solving clues. So, she spoke this way only to show Evelyn that April belonged to her side.
Evelyn’s gaze instantly changed—high-handed and oppressive, just like a true villainess.
“By whose permission?”
She asked coldly, making no effort to hide her displeasure.
“Who do you think you are to decide whether Lady April goes or stays?”
Yeniel raised an eyebrow, feigning as if she had only just noticed Evelyn, and calmly offered a greeting.
“An honor to meet Lady Debnoa.”
“Ha, pretending you only just noticed me? Truly typical of you, Lady Jenes. So, did you fare well in the ‘west’?”
“I safely protected His Highness the Crown Prince in the west. That should answer your question.”
“Seems you had quite the hardship? Lady April’s dress is in tatters.”
“We passed through a dangerous dungeon. That should explain enough.”
“Hmm. Suspicious, isn’t it? I worry about what might happen to our noble faction’s people over there. That’s my real concern.”
At that moment, the Crown Prince, strategist Sian, and attendant Max appeared, only to stop in their tracks when they noticed Yeniel and Evelyn locked in a tense standoff.
Eveyin looked at them once, then fixed her sharp gaze on me.
“Why is it that only Lady April is covered in blood?”
Her pointed remark startled me.
‘She’s right!’
If my brother had seen me now, he would’ve burst into tears. But come to think of it, Yeniel’s faction never once expressed concern over my bloodied state. They may have feared me, but they never comforted me. Perhaps I had grown used to such treatment.
“That’s because Lady April is a combatant. She mainly fights in close range.”
Yeniel, with her sharp tongue, dodged skillfully.
Evelyn crossed her arms and retorted coldly:
“That’s strange, Lady Yeniel. In House Sharon, every child learns swordsmanship from a young age. And we are taught one iron rule: Never get hit when fighting an enemy.”
“…We survived a dangerous ordeal, that’s all.”
Evelyn had clearly caught something Yeniel hadn’t expected, and Yeniel’s expression faltered slightly.
“Dangerous, you say? Then why is it that everyone—except Lady April—is spotless? Even the Crown Prince’s attendant shows no wounds.”
“….”
“By social standing, you, Lady Yeniel, should be the one dirtiest of all.”
Why drag in social rank all of a sudden? As always, the villainess obsessed over status, even when she already had so many advantages. That same flaw caused her constant defeats to Yeniel, the heroine, in the game.
“One cannot say someone must be dirty or clean because of status.”
Yeniel tried to close the loophole.
“Besides, Lady April’s condition is due to her awakened ability. It’s a very personal matter, so I can’t explain further.”
“‘Can’t explain further?’ That sounded as if you get to decide. Did you just imply that I am in a position to be chosen?”
Evelyn’s eyes flared with fiery spirit.
I couldn’t quite tell why she was so furious, though I had a hunch it was because of me. But since she reacted to every jab, her points became muddled.
And so, it looked like the heroine’s camp and the villainess were facing off—with me stuck in the middle.
“It’s time to go, Lady April.”
Yeniel took my hand, ready to leave.
“Running away?”
Evelyn growled. Yeniel said nothing, simply pulling me along.
“Apologies, Lady Debnoa. But we have business to attend to. The large mirror at the floating garden—your side should inspect it too.”
When even the Crown Prince spoke, Evelyn had no choice but to let go.
Our group moved quickly.
When we returned to the garden entrance, the place was crowded again.
Without monsters around, everyone looked visibly relieved.
I suddenly widened my eyes as if remembering.
“Ah! April left her halberd behind. What if someone takes it?”
“Who else could even lift it besides you, my lady? Retrieve it later!”
Max replied in exasperation.
The atmosphere grew heavy again when the Crown Prince spoke.
“Lady April. May I ask what you and Lady Debnoa discussed?”
“Hmm? Lady Evelyn?”
“Yes.”
Their gazes turned toward me—Max’s suspicion, Yeniel’s calm scrutiny, the Crown Prince’s composed interest, and Sian’s pale, fearful face.
They seemed worried about something.
“Hmm, we didn’t talk about much. What was it again? Oh, right—Sir Yurel is slow!”
I clapped happily.
“…What?”
“Pardon?”
Everyone’s jaws dropped. For a supposedly airheaded lady, my words were far too biting. I giggled.
“I learned it from Lady Evelyn. She said Sir Yurel is dreadfully slow! Doesn’t it sound much better than just ‘slow’?”
“…Better not learn such words from Lady Debnoa. And no other talk? Nothing about the fourth floor dungeon?”
“Your Highness.”
Yeniel cautioned him.
Of course, it was obvious what he was probing for.
“Why is it that only Lady April was bloodied?”
If one traced the reason back, it would lead to the garden dungeon with the demon. The imperial faction had abandoned a noble faction member—me. If Evelyn or other nobles found out, it would be a scandal.
As I thought this over, a massive structure appeared in view.
Something new that hadn’t been there before.
‘A mirror?’
On the mansion wall facing the floating garden’s entrance, a giant mirror now hung, covering the central passage.
After April departed with her companions, Evelyn’s violet eyes grew cold.
“Eve.”
At last, Grand Duke Kyle descended the stairs from the upper garden.
