IVMF 9

Chapter:9

Given the situation—where no one knew how Heos might react—it wasn’t the kind of thing one should do lightly.

Watching Miliana glance around in a rather clumsy manner, she didn’t seem particularly sharp. If that was the case, it was better to think simply.

They had only crossed paths once, but judging from her actions and words back then, she didn’t seem like someone who would threaten or harm others.

If anything, she had tried to help. Put kindly, she was innocent; put harshly, she was foolish.

Or… is this some kind of sophisticated act…?

He crossed his arms and leaned back against the chair. Still, no matter how he thought about it, Heos’s attitude felt excessive.

Why does he keep looking for her? Why does he keep her close?

He knew he was being overly suspicious. But he needed to find the reason. Something like that must never happen again. He had no desire to trust someone only to be betrayed.

【 Please believe me! 】

Miliana obediently accepted the tea Ian handed her and took a sip. It felt completely different from any tea she had ever drunk before—so much so that it almost felt wrong to classify it under the same name.

Such high-quality tea… for me?

Even as she felt burdened by it, she couldn’t stop sipping the fragrant tea that had already captivated her. She wrapped both hands around the teacup and slowly let the liquid flow into her mouth. The sweetness lingering on her tongue was exquisite.

For a commoner like her, sugar was an incredibly expensive ingredient.

She had been sipping for a while when she suddenly felt someone staring intently at her. She met a chilling gaze, as if it might devour her whole. Swallowing back a scream, she hurriedly set the cup down.

She had almost choked.

Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve really looked at him properly.

Last time, the situation had been far too urgent to leisurely observe him.

She had seen him before—long ago, when she was very young, through a glimpse of the future.

To her younger self, he had been an adult, an idol who effortlessly defeated villains, someone she admired and respected. But now that Miliana had returned to the past, the age difference between them was barely noticeable. It felt strange.

She had also learned that he was awkward when it came to family matters—something she could never have known in the future. Back then, he was always famous through the words of others, an untouchable existence.

Wasn’t he called the empire’s number one ideal groom…?

As she studied him closely, she couldn’t help but admire his looks.

His thick eyebrows and piercing eyes looked as though they had been crafted just for him. His eyes, faintly tinged with blue, were like sheets of ice, and his high nose bridge and sharp jawline only added to his allure.

Overall, he had a cold, ruthless impression—but his moderately full, vivid red lips were more than enough to steal a woman’s heart.

The gods must have poured their entire devotion into molding that sculpture.

Miliana nodded to herself.

In the silence where no words were exchanged, Ian spoke to Miliana.

“Come to think of it, you said you admired His Highness, didn’t you? What do you think of him now that you’ve seen him up close? Of course, after what happened last time, those feelings must have completely disappeared.”

Seeing that she wasn’t distant from Heos—rather, that she seemed to have gained his favor—Ian had an idea.

Young Master seems quite fond of Miliana. If His Highness shows her some consideration, that should earn him some good points.

Fortunately, his master wasn’t someone who judged people by status. Ian desperately hoped the distance between Heos and Kaiden would shrink—if not that, then at least that Heos’s hostility toward Kaiden would lessen.

Miliana was reminded of the interview she’d gone through to get this job.

“What motivated you to apply here? We ask this because we’ve discovered people with ulterior motives before, so please don’t feel too pressured.”

“Well… it’s because I admire him.”

“Admire him?”

“I’m an orphan. The orphanage I grew up in had… issues. It was connected to nobles. When the Grand Duke began visiting, corruption and embezzlement were exposed. Thanks to that, life became much easier.”

“Ah, there were many orphanages like that back then. Treating children like commodities…”

“I heard the rumors afterward… and when I learned you were hiring maids, I applied. I know I’m probably nothing more than a passerby to His Highness. Still, I want to repay that kindness.”

Those were the words Miliana had spoken because she absolutely had to be hired as a maid here.

They weren’t lies.

Seeing Miliana still silent, Ian sighed inwardly, thinking that the shock must have been so great she couldn’t even speak.

“I understand—you were threatened with death. His Highness really went too far. If Lady Violette had known, she would have made quite a fuss.”

Miliana startled.

To criticize one’s own master like that!

Not wanting stray sparks to fly her way, she hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

“No, no! It was a perfectly understandable situation. His Grace could have thought I was threatening Young Master…”

Ian, who had been pretending to cry, froze.

“Threatening Young Master?”

Dragging out his words in disbelief, he looked incredulous. Even Kaiden, who had initially suspected her, corrected him calmly.

“You were the one being threatened. By me—and by Heos. Those injuries are proof.”

“It wasn’t intentional.”

“No. It was my fault. And my son’s as well. If Ian had known, as he said, we would’ve been scolded harshly.”

He wasn’t trying to erase his suspicions. He simply didn’t want to leave behind something that weighed on his conscience.

What he’d done back then was undeniably wrong. She had even fainted from the shock. To keep suspecting her while harboring such unease didn’t sit right with him.

That was why he had moved her to a room, treated her injuries, and prepared ointment and bandages.

“I apologize. I’ll have a maid deliver medicine for the wounds on your neck and back. You may rest until they heal. Since this happened due to my mistake, you’ll still be paid during your rest.”

Having apologized, he intended to scrutinize even Miliana’s smallest reactions without hesitation.

Kaiden thought he was calmly extending a hand of reconciliation—but the one receiving it felt differently. His gaze was still fierce, after all, and Miliana couldn’t help but misunderstand.

Is he trying to make me let my guard down before uncovering my true identity?

Kaiden tilted his head, puzzled by Miliana’s fearful, tearful expression.

“I-I’m fine!”

Miliana waved both hands in refusal. Kaiden’s eyebrows crossed sharply.

“What do you mean, you’re fine?”

“I have to work! I’m not that shameless!”

“…How does this turn into you being shameless?”

“Well… you have to work to earn money. Resting isn’t work. Please don’t worry about my injuries. The ointment you gave me works really well, so they’re almost healed. The bruises just take a bit longer to fade.”

Kaiden’s brow furrowed deeper. She brushed off her injuries so casually and refused rest when he’d merely suggested it—she seemed like a strange person.

Or was she trying to put herself in his debt?

“If you don’t like the compensation I offered, is there something else you want? I’ll do my best to grant it. I can’t rest easy otherwise.”

Huh?

Kaiden was genuinely sorry—so much so that he was talking about compensation.

Compensation… Well, there was something she wanted. Miliana’s eyes sparkled as a good idea crossed her mind.

Seeing that gleam, Kaiden sneered inwardly.

Showing your true colors this quickly…

She wanted him to grow closer to Heos. And for that to happen, there was something he needed to do—treat Heos differently than before.

“Then, Your Grace, there’s something I’d like to say. Please believe me.”

“…All right. Speak.”

Still sneering inwardly, Kaiden was completely stunned by what Miliana said next.

“Just now, Young Master wasn’t being honest with himself. He definitely wanted to spend time with you! He just felt awkward and didn’t know how to approach you, so he refused. This is when you need to show him through your actions! How about spending some time together?”

Yes! I said it without trembling!

After firing off her words like a rapid volley, Miliana clenched her fist tightly. Kaiden didn’t respond for a long while.

Did I overstep?

Her face went pale. If Kaiden truly saw Heos as a discarded child, he might explode, shouting, ‘How dare you suggest I share space with that witch’s child!’

But it was something that had to be said. Fear was no obstacle.

Miliana pleaded with all her heart.

“Do you think I’m lying? That’s absolutely not true! Please believe me! Young Master likes you more than anyone else, Your Grace!”

“That is not something you should interfere in.”

Those words came only after a long pause.

The killing intent Kaiden released washed over Miliana. Her body trembled violently.

“Y-You’re right. I went too far…”

She wiped her sweat-soaked palms on her clothes. To calm herself, she picked up the teacup.

I… I stuck my nose in where I shouldn’t have… He won’t kick me out, right?

Her anxiety didn’t last long. As the warm tea spread through her body, her mood lifted. Each sip made the corners of her mouth stretch into a loose, carefree smile.

Kaiden, his head throbbing, scanned Miliana with sharp eyes.

Talking about Heos like that… What on earth is she thinking?

He couldn’t understand why she was so invested in wanting his relationship with Heos to be good. The memory of Erpilsia—who had acted in complete opposition—came to mind, and killing intent surged again.

Tch. I keep ending up feeling sorry.

Still, he couldn’t comprehend her firm insistence that Heos liked him. He barely suppressed a scoff. He was the one who had been rejected by Heos.

It felt unfair.

Resting his chin on his hand, he sank into thought, his gaze fixed solely on Miliana.

Heos can wait. For now, I need to uncover this woman’s true intentions.

He recalled Miliana speaking so boldly. Even while trembling like a frightened squirrel, she had delivered her words resolutely. There was an unidentifiable determination in her eyes when she asked him to believe her.

Though the deadly pallor had faded from her face, Miliana was still visibly shaking.

“The compensation… I’ll give it in another form. If there’s anything you want, tell me anytime.”

“…Yes.”

Miliana lowered her head, clearly disappointed.

I don’t understand why she looks so crushed just because I won’t spend time with Heos. What does that have to do with her? This feeling is strange.