UDBL~78

Chapter 78

“Stop sighing and answer.”

Prince Troy’s heavy words pressed down on her, but Riana’s lips stayed shut.

Instead, she casually turned her eyes toward the dining hall entrance.

“What are you even looking at—”

Troy scowled and followed her gaze—just as the door clicked open.

A woman walked in.

Her beauty melted the icy tension in the room in an instant. Golden hair brushed behind her ears, she spotted Riana right away.

“Miss Riana, I’m so sorry I’m late! The meeting ran over and…”

Deborah’s voice trailed off as she finally took in the scene.

The dining hall was empty—even though it was lunch hour. Only Riana sat at a table.

Royal guards in uniform surrounded her.

And in the middle of them, sat Prince Troy Diares.

Troy’s eyes snapped wide at the sight of Deborah. So wide, they lost their usual sharpness and almost looked round.

“You came? I was waiting for you.”

Riana beamed and waved at Deborah.

And this—this is why I wasn’t scared, you bastard.

Because the woman Troy called “my woman” was her friend.

Deborah’s golden hair shimmered behind her like the halo of a savior—or maybe the blessing of friendship itself.

***

Deborah had promised to share lunch with Riana today. The meeting had run late, so she hurried over—only to find this ridiculous sight.

She walked slowly toward Riana.

“You could’ve started eating without me. Sorry.”

Riana smiled gently.

“I was going to, but… something came up.”

“Looks that way. And I feel guilty—it seems to be because of me.”

Riana grinned, all reassurance. Don’t apologize. You’re going to fix this anyway.

“Your Highness, I’d like a word with you.”

Yes! Go, Deborah!

Troy looked between them in shock, then slowly rose to his feet. His eyes, once fixed on Riana, now only saw Deborah.

His voice came out trembling.

“Deborah, I have to ask—are you really with the Duke—”

But Deborah cut him off sharply.

“Surely you aren’t about to ask if I’m that way with His Grace, are you?”

“…”

“I can’t believe you’d be so foolish as to fall for cheap gossip. I don’t want to think you came here just to prove you belong to that category of people.”

Deborah’s words always hit hard—but to Troy, who loved her, they hit like a sword through the gut.

He stammered, pale.

“Th-that’s not—”

“And surely you aren’t abusing royal soldiers just to harass my friend based on such flimsy rumors.”

“…Friend?”

Troy blinked blankly.

Deborah shot him a glare, then turned to Riana with a warm smile—so different from the sharpness she’d shown Troy.

“I made a new friend recently. We’ve been seen together, and suddenly the rumors start flying. You know how it is—when two pretty women are close, the whole world stares.”

“Oh my.”

Riana touched her cheek with a shy laugh. The heroine just called me pretty. Totally worth living for.

“People make up nonsense. Who’s prettier, whether we can really be friends, or that we’re secretly jealous of each other.”

Deborah’s eyes sliced back to Troy.

“Or worse—that we’re rivals. That kind of filthy lie.”

“Ahem—!”

Troy’s ears turned red, half from embarrassment at his own past behavior, half from the thrill of her glare.

Deborah’s tone softened into something almost sweet.

“But I don’t believe His Highness belongs in that crowd. You’re the crown prince, a respected man—and someone who cares for me deeply…”

Her fingertips brushed his shoulder. Troy flinched, and Deborah’s eyes curved in a gentle smile.

“You’d never wound me like that, would you?”

“Of course not!”

The words shot out so fast it was like an automatic response.

“And the soldiers you dragged along—you’ll dismiss them right now, won’t you?”

“They’re already dismissed. What are you standing here for? Out!”

The guards glanced at each other in confusion, but quickly filed out.

Meanwhile, Troy clutched Deborah’s hand and pressed it to his cheek, rubbing against it desperately.

“Then, Your Highness—you should leave too.”

“Haa…”

Troy groaned, pressing harder into her palm, pretending he hadn’t heard.

Deborah’s smile tightened.

“Your Highness, I had another appointment. My friend’s food is going cold.”

“I don’t understand, Deborah… when will you finally come to me?”

Then—

Knock, knock.

A heavy sound rapped on the window.

Riana turned her head instinctively. Deborah and Troy did too.

Through the square frame of the glass, Killian was watching.

He jerked his chin toward Troy—a wordless order: Get out here. Now.

Behind him, royal guards stood in a line, hands clasped behind their backs, heads bowed low in guilt. Clearly, they’d confessed everything.

“Haa.”

Troy kissed Deborah’s hand, then let it go.

“Seems I must pay for the crime of breaking and entering. As for you…”

His black eyes rolled toward Riana.

“Enjoy your meal with your friend.”

Riana tipped her head and flashed a smile.

Nice to meet you. Let’s never see each other again.

But for the first time, Troy’s gaze on her held no hostility.

***

“Here, reheated.”

Mrs. Baker set a plate in front of Riana, then glanced awkwardly at Deborah.

“…And here’s one for you too, miss.”

“Thank you.”

“Not sure if it’ll suit your fine taste. If I’d known in advance, I’d have made something else.”

She muttered under her breath, clearly unsettled by the sudden appearance of a noble’s daughter.

Riana quickly scolded her, eyes narrowed.

“Mrs. Baker, if your food doesn’t suit, that just means their taste buds aren’t worthy. You’re not insulting Deborah, are you?”

“Tch. Your mouth.”

Mrs. Baker huffed and left. Riana giggled, picking up her fork.

“She’s my first friend here. The first person in this castle to treat me warmly.”

Deborah smiled faintly. “Don’t worry. I won’t be jealous. I had a first friend too.”

Riana nodded, finally tasting her broccoli. Perfectly blanched, sautéed with butter and shrimp—the flavor melted in her mouth.

But that’s not the point.

She shook her head.

Deborah’s first friend… judging from her suddenly lonely look, it must have been Allen.

So I’m her replacement, huh?

Deborah couldn’t possibly have asked to be friends out of pure sincerity. The Deborah in the original story hadn’t even seen Diana as a true friend—she was more like a flunky.

So could this woman, who had insulted, threatened, even attacked her, suddenly feel genuine friendship?

Unless she’s completely insane, that makes no sense.

Of course, she was the heroine—she couldn’t be that crazy.

More likely, she wants to use me to get closer to Gray.

And beyond that, Riana ticked all the boxes for an Allen substitute.

Deborah liked relationships where she had the upper hand. With Riana, she’d have the guilt factor on her side. Riana owed her too much not to treat her well.

Allen had been useful because he loved her, so he always bent to her. With Riana, it wasn’t love but guilt—just as binding.

So was Riana upset about being used like this?

Of course not. After all…

Her eyes met Deborah’s. She looked away quickly.

After all, I didn’t approach her purely for friendship either.

Inviting Deborah to lunch was really just a rehearsal—to test feeding her the love potion later.

And choosing the maids’ hall for the meeting? That was just to showcase Mrs. Baker’s cooking, to leave a lasting impression.