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~Chapter 29~
“It was expected. Since you became Killian’s fiancée, of course this would happen.”
Killian had already warned her, but Aisha also knew this was natural. Roselia was always watching Killian. So when news of his sudden engagement spread, of course she would doubt it. And she must have started investigating right away.
But if…
“Don’t worry. She hasn’t found out that you’re the publisher or reporter of Sunday’s Exposé. To be exact, she doesn’t even seem to suspect it. That’s lucky.”
Til grabbed Aisha’s wrist, then naturally wrapped an arm around her waist and spun her. With a quick movement, he slipped a small note into the folds of her dress at her waist.
“Check it when you’re alone. I found it in the Empress Dowager’s room. To be exact, I copied the contents.”
“You went into her room?”
“…You always underestimate me.” Til smirked.
“Anyway, be careful, Aisha. Roselia, the Empress Dowager, isn’t someone you can take lightly.”
“I never thought she was. She humiliated me in front of everyone — how could I take her lightly?”
“The Empress Dowager has tried more than once to discover the truth behind Sunday’s Exposé. Of course, you already know that much. But her actions were much more serious than you think. The only reason she couldn’t succeed was because Rune blocked her every move.”
“……”
“Anyway, we’ve gone through hell to make sure the Empress Dowager never learns who you are. But instead of lying low, thanks to that damned Duke, you’ve only drawn more of her attention. How do you think I feel about that?”
“That’s…”
“Remember this, Aisha. Sunday’s Exposé isn’t just your business anymore. Never forget that.”
Til’s voice was deadly serious. Finally, Aisha nodded, realizing what he meant. And she thought to herself—
‘Maybe I really did walk into a tiger’s den with my own feet.’
“But you…”
“Hm?”
“You’ve gotten closer, haven’t you? With Duke Killian.” Til asked, his sharp eyes studying her.
“I thought that would never happen. What changed?”
He still clearly remembered watching Aisha practice dancing with Killian, and the strange feeling he’d had at the time.
“Sorry, but you’re completely wrong.”
Aisha let out a long sigh and replied.
“Do you know how much he scolded me today, telling me to do things properly? Don’t say disgusting things like that.”
“…Hm. Is that so?”
“Would I ever lie to you? What could I possibly gain from it?”
Til’s stiff expression slowly began to soften. Aisha, however, didn’t notice.
“I’ve said everything I needed to. I’ll leave now. You’re still writing articles, right, Aisha?”
“…Even if I have to stay up all night when I get back, I won’t miss a deadline. Don’t worry.”
“Good. That’s what I like to hear.”
Til finally smiled in satisfaction.
When Killian returned to his seat, his face was full of disbelief.
‘After I went out of my way to bring something back for her… unbelievable.’
Clink.
He set the glass of water down on the table, crossed his legs, and sat back in his chair. Then his eyes turned to Aisha—who was happily dancing with some strange man.
“…Hah.”
Killian had no idea who that man was. Even though he never attended social events, he had memorized the names and faces of all the prominent nobles.
But the silver-haired man leading Aisha? He had never seen him before.
‘Strange…’
Why did their relationship look… familiar?
Why did it seem like they already knew each other?
Killian wasn’t the type to get jealous about Aisha dancing with another man. Honestly, he wasn’t even in a position to feel such things for her.
And yet…
Why was he irritated?
He couldn’t figure it out, no matter how much he thought about it.
Luckily, the dance didn’t last long. Soon after, Aisha returned to her seat and the man disappeared quickly—vanishing into the crowd.
Killian narrowed his eyes in the direction the man had gone, then shifted his gaze back to Aisha.
“You’re quite busy.”
“…What?”
“You must be stronger in practice than I thought, Lady Aisha Ashton. Otherwise, how could you pull such a bold stunt? Dancing with another man in front of everyone.”
“I hear that often. Surprising, right?”
That wasn’t a compliment. Killian’s expression twisted in displeasure.
“That man… he’s someone I know. I can’t tell you exactly who, but… he’s one of my informants.”
She already knew her ties with Rune had been exposed. In this situation, she didn’t want Killian’s suspicion to deepen. After all, she didn’t fully trust him yet—and she knew he felt the same about her.
“He was just shocked by the news of our engagement. So he pulled me aside, pretending to dance, to talk. You know very well, Duke, that in this hall, that’s the safest way to speak.”
That wasn’t wrong.
“Anyway, please… I beg you, don’t leave me alone again. The moment you stepped away earlier, people looked at me like they wanted to kill me…”
“I’m glad to see Lady Aisha enjoying this party so much.”
Aisha frowned at Killian’s sudden change in attitude.
“Of course, it would be a lie to say I feel no jealousy. But it’s fine. After all, I’m surely not the only man here who would want to dance with such a beautiful and graceful lady.”
What?
Was he two-faced?
Soon enough, Aisha realized why Killian was saying such insane things.
“Duke.”
A sudden voice interrupted. Aisha turned her head—it was Bill, the man who had earlier introduced himself as the Empress Dowager’s guard knight.
“Are you enjoying the party?”
Bill asked politely, then smiled and continued.
“The Empress Dowager and His Majesty the Emperor would like to rest for a while. They are asking if you would join them for tea.”
Tension spread across Aisha’s face. Killian, however, nodded calmly.
“Of course. We’ll join them right away.”
…So now, the real battle begins?
Aisha swallowed hard without realizing it.
