RBAR 29

Chapter 29

“I wonder what Your Highness really feels.”

“My true feelings? That my business partner doesn’t get hurt.”

He said it with no emotion at all. If that was a skill, then Killian had mastered it.

As he set down his teacup, he continued:

“What matters isn’t the process. It’s the result.”

It was the same during the last trial.

He smiled with elegant eyes. If beauty and shamelessness were the traits of a devil, Killian had them in full.

“Then… the magic from last time—was that fake too?”

The glowing light that surrounded my hand when I touched his—was it all just an act?

“Do you think it was real?”

Killian gave a slight smile.

‘Ugh, if we weren’t working together, I’d have punched him.’

Frustrated by his smirk, I downed my hot tea.

Too hot.

“Ah!”“Oh dear. You’ll hurt yourself if you drink freshly poured tea like that.”

He moved his fingers a few times, and the burning pain in my throat cooled instantly. I realized it was magic.

“…Cough, thank you. Cough.”“Be careful next time. Tea should be sipped slowly like this.”

Killian demonstrated with a calm smile as he sipped his tea.

“Yes…”

I felt like a child being scolded. It was a little embarrassing… but also a strange feeling.

‘So… a magician can help someone.’

I had always thought magic was something that hurt people—especially because of what the Cornelli twins had done to me.

It felt weird to realize this… and from a devil, no less.

‘But if he finds out that I know he’s a devil…’

Who knows how quickly this polite gentleman might change? I pulled myself together.

A few days later…

The office had a cheerful atmosphere again. Business at the Gold House was finally picking up.

“Sales are rising at last!”

Daisy clenched her fists excitedly.

Looking over the numbers, I let out a long sigh of relief. Even though I had expected this, the anxiety hadn’t been easy to shake.

‘It’s been suspiciously quiet.’

It didn’t feel right. I called in Henry.

“Nothing out of the ordinary,” he said, shaking his head.“Though… the Duke seems to be visiting the palace more frequently.”“…The Empress, huh.”

Come to think of it, the Empress had just recovered from her miscarriage scare.

Nobles on her side would be trying their hardest to win her favor now. That would explain why Duke Adelheid kept visiting the palace.

‘They’re playing it safe, trying not to provoke me.’

They were likely worried I’d retaliate. But that caution wouldn’t last forever. I had to expand the business quickly while I could.

“The Empress’s palace must be packed these days,” Daisy said with a snort.“All the Adelheids probably swarmed in!”

Her words reminded me of someone. A girl on the opposite side of the Empress—a girl likely awaiting death alone.

‘Princess Isabella…’

When I last visited her, word had already spread among the central nobles that she had collapsed.

But strangely, only Killian and I had gone to see her.

Even though we hadn’t contacted her beforehand.

‘She’s being ignored.’

I knew that feeling well. I had been alone, too, after Stella died.

Feeling uncomfortable, I debated silently—should I go or not?

“Ugh, whatever!”

Seeing her at least once might be good for my image.

Later…

“You’re allowed to enter the palace.”

It wasn’t hard to get permission to visit. But once I arrived, I immediately regretted it.

‘Right… he would be here.’

Richard stood next to the princess, glaring coldly at me. It made sense—he was her knight—but I still didn’t feel comfortable.

But someone unexpected was there too.

“…Huh? Your Highness?”

Killian Orfeo. Why was he here?

The moment I saw him, I remembered the time he used magic in front of the princess. My body froze.

“Lady Diel. Fancy seeing you here.”

Killian smiled calmly, like he was happy to see me.

“Ah… yes. What brings you here?”“You didn’t look well last time. I came to check on you.”

Same reason as me.

I didn’t expect this kind of thoughtfulness from Killian, so it caught me off guard.

But then he looked at me suspiciously.

“I wasn’t told you’d be coming. Were you planning to break the contract behind my back?”
“No way! I was just worried about Her Highness…”

Ugh, why was I explaining myself like I did something wrong?

“Duke, Lady Edith is telling the truth.”

The princess spoke up, maybe because she felt sorry for me.

“Your Highness, how are you feeling?”

I took the chance to steer the conversation away from the awkwardness. It was uncomfortable talking in front of both Killian and Richard.

‘Not like I can kick them out.’

One was the princess’s guard, and the other was a devil duke.

“I’m alright.”

The princess gave a faint smile. I brought up a topic I had prepared beforehand.

Thanks to my time with Stella, I had a lot of experience talking to someone with a terminal illness. So leading a conversation like this wasn’t hard.

“There was a small incident at the recent ball hosted by the Marquis of Evelyn…”

Most of the conversation was just me sharing gossip from the papers and the city.

‘Better to distract her from the illness than dwell on it.’

Then, the princess spoke again.

“…I have something to ask. Sir Edmond, would you leave for a moment?”
“…Understood.”

Richard hesitated, then left. Killian also stood up.

“I’ll take my leave too, Your Highness.”
“Ah… yes. Thank you for visiting. The flowers you brought today are beautiful.”“I’m glad you like them.”

After they both left, it was just the two of us.

“…How is the cure coming along?”

Meanwhile, outside…

Killian and Richard both left the room. Richard, as the princess’s knight, waited outside.

Killian had no more business and prepared to leave the palace. But before passing by Richard, he spoke.

“Ah, Lord Edmond. When’s the wedding with the young lady?”
“…It hasn’t been confirmed yet.”
“I see. The sooner it happens, the better. It would bring peace of mind to the Duke and everyone else.”
“…”

Richard didn’t reply.

Killian didn’t seem to care and walked off, uninterested.

But Richard felt strangely uneasy.

It was a normal question—any noble would ask something like that. Just polite conversation.

So why did it feel so uncomfortable?

Eventually, he realized why.

It was ridiculous to receive congratulations from someone who was helping Edi, the person who caused Stella’s death.

That’s when Richard finally understood something.

‘That’s why I’ve always felt uneasy around Killian… ever since he started helping Edith.’

He narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

‘Why?’‘Why would the Duke of Orfeo help Edith? What does he gain?’

He couldn’t make sense of it.

But he knew no one could answer that question.

Because Killian Orfeo was not someone anyone could predict.

Even in the public eye, his every move was a mystery. Newspapers wrote endless theories, but they were never accurate.

Especially when he sided with Edith in the trial against Adelheid D, which caused a huge stir across the empire.

Soon after, Edith exited the room. She didn’t even glance at Richard as she walked past him.

But Richard called out to her.

“Edith Diel.”

She stopped and slowly turned her head toward him. There was a faint look of displeasure in her blue eyes.