RTGD 08

Chapter 08

While Patrick was still deeply engrossed in his secret tryst, unaware of the future that was about to befall him, Litricia—climbing the central staircase—suddenly stopped in place, overcome by a dizzy spell.

It seemed the effects of the nosebleed earlier were lingering, and she could feel her condition worsening.

‘I just hope nothing happens before the banquet ends.’

Drip.

She wiped away the cold sweat trickling down her temple to her chin and began walking again.

And then—just as she reached the top of the stairs.

At the far end of the corridor, Litricia caught a glimpse of Patrick disappearing behind a pillar with a woman dressed in a red gown.

“Ha.”

She wasn’t particularly surprised.

There had never been any real affection between her and Patrick from the beginning.

As that man named Greg had said, their relationship was nothing more than a business transaction between families.

Two of the most prominent families in the empire.

The Godwin family monopolized the distribution of spices, and the Esta family monopolized the shipping business that carried those spices throughout the empire.

Their engagement was merely collateral to solidify a contract between these two houses—nothing more. That was all Litricia and Patrick were to each other.

And besides, she’d long suspected that Patrick had a lover hidden away somewhere.

Every time he showed up late for a meeting, he carried the scent of a woman. And whenever he brought gifts for Litricia, he always seemed to buy a second of the exact same thing.

She would have to be a fool not to know what that meant.

And yet she had pretended not to notice all this time—

Perhaps because their relationship had always been one-sided.

Litricia and Patrick were never equals.

No matter that he was illegitimate—Patrick Godwin still carried the blood of a high-ranking noble, while she had come from a charity orphanage.

That alone was enough for Patrick to hold the upper hand.

And more than anything, the Earl of Esta himself did not want Litricia making any trouble.

‘I remember even bringing up the idea of breaking off the engagement once and being scolded for it.’

The memory of the earl glaring down at her coldly, muttering, “Did you waste my time just to say something so ridiculous?”, caused her temple to throb. She pressed her fingers to it firmly.

With no one to take her side—

Litricia had chosen to endure rather than start a fight she couldn’t win.

After all, this kind of treatment wasn’t new to her. She wasn’t so passionate as to waste energy protesting something she’d long grown used to.

But not anymore.

Now that she knew her time was limited, she no longer intended to feign ignorance or silently endure everything on her own.

“Excuse me, my lady, but you’re not allowed to pass here.”

“…?”

Pulled out of her thoughts, Litricia frowned at the servant standing in her path.

The servant gave her a polite smile.

“This hallway is only accessible to those with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s explicit permission. If you wish to rest, please use the terrace on the opposite side.”

Again.

It had been the same when she entered—now even here at the second-floor entrance to the terrace. So many “restricted” passages.

She’d heard the Empress Dowager was fiercely exclusive and didn’t tolerate those not in her favor, but wasn’t it inappropriate to be so blatant about it even at an official banquet?

“My fiancé is inside. I’ll just go in for a moment to speak with him.”

“I’m sorry, my lady.”

Even when she mentioned Patrick, the servant’s demeanor didn’t change.

But perhaps feeling a little guilty, he offered a compromise.

“Um… if you absolutely must go through this way, you can do so accompanied by someone who is authorized.”

“Someone who’s authorized?”

“Yes.”

Someone authorized… Only one name came to mind.

Winston Hilton. If it were him, he’d probably pass through as easily as he had at the castle gates.

‘But… would he be willing to take me with him?’

“Hmm…”

Litricia bit her lip, remembering Winston’s face before they had parted earlier—he hadn’t seemed pleased.

And just then—

A familiar scent of peppermint swept over her as a tall shadow fell over her.

“So this is where you were. I was wondering where you’d gone.”

“Lord Hilton…?”

“With that small body of yours, where exactly have you been wandering? You’re more energetic than you look.”

Out of all the people in the room, how had he found her so quickly?

Litricia was stunned that Winston—no, Killian in Winston’s form—had come straight to her without hesitation.

She quickly asked about the young nobleman he’d been dragging away earlier.

“Did you finish your conversation with that young man from before?”

“Well, in a manner of speaking.”

Killian shrugged vaguely, and then his gaze dropped to the champagne in her hand. As if he’d seen something unspeakable, he rubbed his brow with a finger.

“Huh. I was wondering who’d drink such awful stuff. Don’t tell me you chose that champagne yourself?”

“Huh? Oh… no. My fiancé picked it for me.”

Tap, tap.

Killian lightly tapped his brow at her reply.

“Your fiancé has quite the discerning taste, doesn’t he?”

“Haha. I suppose so.”

Though she clearly recognized the sarcasm, Litricia found herself laughing.

But her smile faded quickly under Killian’s piercing gaze.

“By the way, Lord Hilton… Are you busy right now?”

“…? I’ll be busy soon, but for now, I have a bit of time. Why do you ask?”

“Ah… then, may I ask you a favor?”

***

‘Tch. Did something happen again in that short time?’

Killian, with his eyes disguised brown like Winston’s, examined Litricia closely.

He’d thought she looked too pale when they first met—

But now, after the blood loss, her skin seemed entirely devoid of color.

Even her small round forehead was damp with cold sweat.

“Lord Hilton?”

“….”

Despite looking like she might collapse at any moment, she was standing upright and calling out to him like nothing was wrong.

Killian couldn’t help but chuckle dryly at her stubbornness.

That fragile body of hers looked like it might crumble at the slightest touch, yet she was still pushing herself to stay upright. It made something twist unpleasantly inside him.

“Are you listening, Lord Hilton?”

‘Maybe I should just lay her down somewhere quietly. She’d feel better.’

The thought popped into his head as she continued calling his name—but fortunately, Killian didn’t act on it.

Despite the rumors that he was a scoundrel, he wasn’t the kind of lunatic who’d carry off a stranger he’d just met.

…At least not yet.

“Ah. My apologies. I was momentarily lost in thought.”

Tap, tap.

With fingers far too delicate for someone who wielded a sword, Killian moved them out of habit and gave her an expression that convincingly resembled Winston Hilton’s.

“What were you saying?”

“Well…”

Tap.

Killian’s index finger twitched again, like he was timing something.

Just what kind of favor could be so hard to bring up? Curious, Killian folded his arms and leaned casually against a pillar.

“You’re allowed inside this area, aren’t you?”

“Here?”

Killian tilted his head as Litricia gestured toward the entrance the servant had been guarding.

“Probably.”

“Then… could you help me get inside?”

“There’s not much to see. Why bother?”

“This.”

Litricia gave him a dry smile and shook the champagne in her hand.

“I want to return this to my fiancé. So please—I’d really appreciate your help. I promise I’ll repay you.”

Again.

First she said she’d offer a reward. Now she promised repayment.

What was so grand about helping one more person through a guarded passage that warranted promises and repayments?

Was she just that thorough and precise about all transactions? Or perhaps she simply didn’t believe kindness could come without a price?

Caught between those two thoughts, Killian stretched his neck with a light crack.

All the while, he glanced down at the ballroom floor, where young nobles had paired off and were spinning in elegant circles.

More precisely, he was watching the Emperor and Empress Dowager seated in their luxurious chairs, enjoying the festivities.

“Helping you get in isn’t difficult. But are you sure about this? That means you’ll owe me two favors.”

To jog her memory, Killian extended a finger and lightly tapped the faint bloodstain still visible on her jacket.

“You haven’t even repaid this debt yet, and now you’re already taking on another. Is owing debts a hobby of yours?”

“Of course not.”

“….”

“Will you… help me?”

Killian looked silently into Litricia’s unwavering eyes.

Then he noticed her sway slightly—just enough to catch—and stepped away from the pillar, gently catching her slender arm.

“Fine. I’ll help you get inside. But—”

Linking her arm in his, Killian erased the irritation from his expression and twisted his lips into a lazy grin.

“—I’ll be the one to decide both the reward I’ll demand and the repayment I’ll collect.”