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~Chapter 21~
Meanwhile, Dahlia suddenly thought,
What if the emperor counts this as our third meeting by chance again? She shut her eyes tightly.
“Ria, why are your eyes closed?”
“I got dust in my eye—”
“Young Lady. I won’t count this as a meeting, either.”
“Oh, it wasn’t dust after all.”
Dahlia quickly switched her answer and smiled brightly.
At this, the three people around her all looked at her at once.
Dahlia raised her chin as if nothing was wrong. What?
Annie sighed deeply, Ethan clenched his jaw as if holding something back, and only the emperor looked at her with clear annoyance.
“Young Lady, you’re very good at making people laugh.”
“I’ve always been a funny person—”
“It was a figure of speech.”
“He was being sarcastic.”
The emperor and Annie spoke at the same time.
“Oh, I see. Still, it’s true that I’m funny.”
Dahlia replied, not missing a beat. Annie nodded in agreement, and even Ethan slightly nodded.
Grey looked at the two of them in disbelief.
Does she only have people who spoil her around? Is that why she’s such a free spirit? But why is Ethan like that?
His gaze returned to the cheerful young lady.
Earlier, their bodies touched. The last time he saw her fall, he didn’t even move his hand.
It was normal for him—he could never touch a woman.
But when she fell from the platform, his body moved before he could think. He ran to catch her in his arms.
How could that be?
Even while holding her, he didn’t feel uncomfortable like he did with other women.
Why?
What was it about this woman?
And before he could find the answer, he heard her ask Ethan out for tea.
She really was a woman he couldn’t take his eyes off for even a moment.
“Why do you want to have tea with Ethan?”
“Uh… for friendship?”
After thinking a long time, she mumbled a vague answer.
Grey’s eyebrows twitched.
Is she going to make friends with every man in the world? Is he not enough? First Loand, now Ethan, and even those knights who were bathing earlier?
“So you want to do what you did with me with other people, too?”
His voice sounded dangerously low.
Dahlia looked at him in shock.
Why is he saying it like that? It sounds like we’re in some kind of relationship.
Annie was wide-eyed, misunderstanding completely.
“You want to do with someone else what you’ve already done twice with me? Even though you haven’t had a third time with me yet?”
As his words went on, Annie blushed and looked around to see who was listening.
Even the knights training nearby were sneaking glances at them.
Dahlia looked at Annie in desperation.
Annie, it’s not like that! We really haven’t done anything!
“Your Majesty, if you say it like that, people will get the wrong idea…”
“Wrong idea? What wrong idea?”
Grey raised an eyebrow.
“You keep saying ‘second time,’ ‘third time’… It makes everyone misunderstand.”
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No, it’s not wrong…”
Annie gestured with her eyes for Dahlia to explain.
Dahlia quickly shook her head to say “No!” and looked at the emperor.
“We were just building friendship.”
“Right. The two of us, together, were building friendship.”
He emphasized “the two of us,” and Annie’s eyes shook like a storm.
“Ria…”
“Annie, no! It’s really not what you think!”
“What are you even doing every day?”
“I’m so misunderstood!”
“Looks like you two have a lot to talk about. I’ll leave you now.”
Grey turned away from the two young ladies.
When he saw Dahlia’s troubled face, he felt oddly satisfied.
Ethan quietly followed behind him.
As they walked toward the training grounds, they saw shirtless knights.
Grey gave them a cold look.
“Ethan. From now on, make sure everyone wears training uniforms.”
“Yes.”
“And why is she trying to get close to you?”
“I don’t know.”
Grey stopped and looked at Ethan.
Why do women like him so much?
His face? His body? His sword skills?
“It’s been a while since we’ve had a match. Let’s spar.”
“Yes…”
The emperor was the only person Ethan could never beat. Ethan’s shoulders tensed as he prepared to spar, his eyes resigned.
The Audience Hall
Rayn wore a relaxed smile, hiding his nerves, and looked straight ahead.
The emperor of Lusephon sat before him, looking bored.
“Rayn Herdan of Poeburn Kingdom greets Your Majesty, the Emperor of Lusephon.”
“Welcome, Count Herdan. I received your gifts well. The wine and crystal from Poeburn are worth more than jewels.”
Poeburn was the only country in the world with crystals and produced the best wine.
For the founding festival, they had sent the finest crystals, wine, and the Goddess’s Drops as gifts.
“I’m glad Your Majesty liked them.”
Rayn bowed deeply, then looked up to find the emperor’s sharp gaze staring right through him.
“Did you come alone?”
“Yes. Your Majesty’s time is precious, so I came alone for a quick audience.”
“That’s unexpected.”
Rayn didn’t know what the emperor meant and looked confused.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I don’t understand.”
“Isn’t this a good chance for you to introduce your sisters to me?”
At the emperor’s innocent question, Rayn lowered his gaze and swallowed nervously.
“I still don’t understand, Your Majesty.”
He stared at the floor, pretending not to know.
“In other countries, the princesses or noble ladies always attend an audience with me. But you came alone.”
The emperor meant: Didn’t you bring your sisters here for a reason, too?
Rayn finally looked up and gave an innocent smile, trying to act like he had no such plan.
The emperor had even explained it plainly, so Rayn couldn’t pretend anymore.
“They were all sad they couldn’t meet Your Majesty. But one of my sisters is not feeling well—”
“Not well? Which one?”
The emperor’s calm mood changed instantly.
Rayn quickly hid his surprise.
“Your Majesty, do you know my sisters?”
“I’ve met them.”
“Oh, I see. Hahaha…”
Cold sweat trickled down his back, but Rayn kept his face calm and smiled.
How did the emperor meet them? Which one? Please, not the princess…
“So, which one is it?”
“My sister, Ria.”
He emphasized “sister” on purpose, trying not to give away her true identity.
“She seemed fine until yesterday. Is it because of the fall?”
The emperor sat up, his voice suddenly worried.
“Did Ria fall?”
Rayn asked in surprise, then saw the emperor’s suspicious look and tried to hide it.
“So she wasn’t hurt, I see.”
The emperor leaned back in his chair, relaxed again.
“Ria is so free-spirited, I worry she might disrespect Your Majesty.”
Rayn wanted to run to check on the princess, but as a diplomat, he had to keep his place.
“You’re close, even though she’s from a side branch?”
The emperor’s voice was curious.
“Yes. She’s a lovely child.”
Rayn smiled honestly, thinking of the princess.
The emperor watched him closely.
