episode_0031

I’m angry.

This is the kind of anger that turns you into a fool if denied. No matter how much I love Rahilt, I just realized how difficult it is to understand everything.

I couldn’t help but protect the knight commander who was trying to kill himself by deviating from his duty. Yet, the exact reason remains elusive.

But what angers me more than anything is Rahilt’s decisive actions.

I thought I had hidden it well enough, but in front of Ruslett, it all came undone. Of course, with Jangdae Bi blocking the view and Ruslett’s shoulders hiding Rahilt, I couldn’t observe closely!

‘Wait, how can he show his face to that person before me…?’

It’s shocking.

I lost to a muscle-bound man who might as well be my enemy. I apologize for being born as a lackluster villainess with less charm than a middle-aged man.

Damn it, sharing intimate moments with him with a face I’ve never shown before? If this isn’t NTR, then what is?

“I’m angry…”

“Serin?”

“I’m angry… really.”

I was in the duty room attached to the main palace, inspecting Rahilt’s shoulders. I’m angry because of the deep wounds inflicted by the assassin who escaped the banquet hall after all the twists and turns. Can’t I value my own body more? But love is love, and if he’s hurt, it hurts me too.

Look at this.

Look at the bandages wrapped tightly around the bare shoulders. Whoever did it, they did it beautifully. Oh my, did I do it?

“I’m angry… sigh.”

Sigh…

Sigh… sigh…

Sigh… sigh… sigh… sigh…

“My anger… has subsided.”

As I gaze at the bare shoulders, the pale skin is as heavenly as the color of paradise. The swollen chest muscles and the abs estimated to be around 11% body fat are sharply defined, captivating my eyes. It’s almost to the point where I want to imprison him.

The veins in his arms, usually unnoticed, looked tantalizing.

Are these the veins of a dragon? Is this the figure of a man chosen by the world as the protagonist? It’s unfair to show everything but not take off the mask to the death. It’s too unfair!

“My eyes… my breath… feel strange.”

“It’s all because of Lian’s seductive nature…”

“Wait, what?”

“Oh, what did I just say?”

“Well, that…”

Rahilt couldn’t bring himself to clarify the memory, clouding the truth.

“I misheard too.”

“I thought so.”

“Has your anger subsided?”

“I’ve never felt so relieved before.”

“Is that so.”

I shouldn’t have spoken so confidently. Rahilt’s cautiousness itself is a kind of foreshadowing, and I, as a woman, am being dissected.

The moment my features twisted like a thief came unexpectedly.

“I have something to tell you about Rasherla Yeong-ae.”

“That sly… woman you’re talking about.”

“If you mean the daughter of Lua’te’s viscount, then yes.”

“Oh, I see. Go on.”

Why is Rasherla’s name mentioned by Rahilt? I’ll discard the misconception of following the original now, but I don’t like Rahilt mentioning it himself. It’s like hearing your ex’s name from your current boyfriend.

It’s sad not to have any dating experience, but I’m realizing a lot on my own.

Realizing what it feels like to be NTR’d by a man.

Realizing what it feels like for your boyfriend to call out his ex’s name.

Well, shall we hear it then?

Depending on the reason, it might make me as depressed as Rahilt’s chest elasticity seemed.

“I met Rasherla Yeong-ae on the terrace at the banquet today.”

“Hmm, you met in the secret room?”

“There’s no place as open as the terrace, right…?”

“… Go on.”

Meeting on the terrace implies a secret rendezvous between a man and a woman. In the case of Rahilte, where brilliance and bluntness coexist, it is a plausible possibility.

“Ahem, Yeong-ae confessed.”

“Confessed? Confessed to what?”

“… Yes. It was a confession regarding the secrets of the Luahte family.”

“I see.”

Rahilte, with his skillful choice of words, seemed seductive. If it weren’t for me, there might have been a misunderstanding.

“Yeong-ae spoke first. There is a high possibility that the attack at the banquet was orchestrated by the Marquis.”

“Is that so…”

This was surprising.

If the attack was orchestrated from that side, it meant that the source of the poison that targeted me and my father was the Marquis of Luahte. They must have conducted research quite diligently to eliminate us.

“Yeong-ae seemed to hope that I would prevent her family from going out of control.”

From there, Rahilte’s explanation continued.

That Rasheira went to him first and confessed the conspiracy of the Marquis.

Why Rahilte was the only choice.

And what she hoped to achieve through that.

Listening to Rahilte’s story, only one thought came to mind.

‘This woman is quite clever.’

Yes, I admit it. Despite being upset, Rasheira’s insight was sharp. If I had mentioned the conspiracy to my parents, my father would have immediately gone to Luahte and wiped them out.

Furthermore, it was wise of Rahilte to represent her. He must have seen through me, knowing that I couldn’t refuse his request. She wasn’t a woman who would easily be manipulated. She was quite good at gaslighting, now that I think about it, it’s quite frustrating.

I sighed.

“Phew, I understand. The Marquis may fail, but I will make sure to secure a way to survive.”

I should adjust his title to Viscount. Most of the Marquis’s property will be confiscated, and the amount seized will be astronomical.

Still, I plan to provide enough funds to start anew. Moreover, with a woman like Rasheira, I should be able to choose my partners freely, so maintaining a decent lifestyle should be easy.

“Is this enough?”

“Of course. She wanted that too.”

“Anyway, she seems like such a naive person…”

To plan the assassination of the Hwang family and still have her relatives survive unscathed. It will be an unprecedented case recorded in history.

‘What can I do… Rasheira’s cunning strategy of poking at my weakness in love is impressive.’

Her decision to confess the family’s conspiracy to Rahilte, her keen eye for reading my feelings in a short conversation in the afternoon, was admirable. Rasheira was truly a remarkable woman. No wonder she outsmarted the original female lead who pressured the princess.

I would like to resist her manipulation, but…

“Ugh!”

I could only coolly brush it off in front of Rahilte’s well-defined abs and chest.

I can’t bring myself to touch him, but my mouth waters. Right now, I was like a lone wolf eyeing a special AAA-grade Hanwoo beef in front of me.

‘I left Tiel to the maids because I don’t know what will happen…’

I shake my head from side to side.

I’m worried.

After Rahilte finished dressing, I advised him.

“The cleanup should be almost done by now. The guests will mostly be staying in the rooms provided by the palace, and the key figures will be seated at the conference hall.”

“I should go.”

“Regardless, you are the main character.”

However, the assassins Rahilte took care of were essentially just pawns. In that sense, the true hero of this incident would be his mentor, the strategist.

‘Impressive…’

The swarm of assassins gathered there all seemed like children. Only half of them were able to escape the makeshift traps set up as soon as they intruded. Even in that darkened space, Teacher Roeunyeong easily took care of the assassins.

As expected, the nanny of the strongest family in the world was not ordinary.

As I was reminiscing about the banquet hall, Rahilt called out to me.

“Serin.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. For everything.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

I opened my eyes and scanned him. It was indeed a sincere attitude. Therefore, I appealed as gracefully as possible with a desperate wish.

“If you’re grateful, grant me one wish.”

“No.”

“…?”

“No. Not that.”

“What, do you think I’ll ask for something unreasonable?!”

“I have a feeling you’ll make an unreasonable request, Serin.”

“…”

This person knows me too well.

Is there a word other than fate to express this?

So, despite sensing rejection, I expressed my wish.

“If you just take off the mask once…”

“…”

No.

That was Rahilt’s harsh reply.

◇

Serin’s piercing gaze hurts. How strong must one be to strike with just a look.

Walking for about ten minutes with hidden intentions behind the mask, we found ourselves in front of the venue. Serin lightly knocked on the door without showing any intention to speak and then opened it.

Inside, high-ranking nobles from both the Imperial and Abolished factions were gathered, and behind the empty seat of the banquet, Roderick stood.

“You’ve come, Seriniel. And Lord Lihart, please come in as well.”

The Emperor’s permission was given. Then Serin whispered lightly.

“See you later, Lian.”

She went towards the Emperor. And I sat down on the seat Roderick gestured to, observing the surroundings.

The moment to get to the point quickly arrived.

“I’ve heard all about the incident with the Lord. It seems that you suffered considerable losses due to the rash actions of the Luslet Knight Commander in suppressing this incident.”

“It was just a minor misunderstanding.”

“Nevertheless, it is a fact that you offended the guest of Seriniel. Your contributions are great, but since you committed an offense, you should offer appropriate compensation to avoid a parallel to the scales.”

“I have fulfilled my duty, but I will not refuse Your Majesty’s goodwill.”

“Haha, very well. Is there something the Lord desires?”

“I am considering entrusting my chief of staff in charge of management to represent me.”

“Very well.”

Roderick, given the floor, raised his hand to his chest and made a request to the Emperor with a dignified posture that showed no trace of submission.

“Your Majesty! We have only one request. Please recognize the Windmill Mercenaries as a knightly order under the Earl of Elenot!”

“Not the Windmill Mercenaries, but the Windmill Knights.”

“That’s correct.”

The Emperor gently stroked his chin as if lost in thought. However, the subtle smile on his face already hinted that his mind was halfway open.

“According to imperial law, a group not under a noble cannot be recognized as a knightly order. How can the Emperor disregard the law?”

“But there is one precedent remaining.”

“Tell me.”

“When a lone child of a noble family has achieved significant merit and has proven the ability to pay the taxes imposed on nobles, they can be granted a title of adulthood early. There is a precedent from 30 years ago.”

“Ah, bypassing through the Earl of Elenot!”

“Lord Lihart here is a figure followed by the Earl of Elenot as if he were her older brother. In other words, he sacrificed himself for his family, and isn’t the Earl of Elenot, who encouraged this, a hidden contributor?”

“Haha…”

It was a clear joke. But whether a joke or the truth, it was not important in the current situation.

Excuse.

However, as long as you provide a suitable excuse to divert the attention to Esutiel, it will be enough. If that can be done, the rewards of this incident combined with the punishment will gather more than enough materials to deal with Esutiel.

The Emperor let out a low sigh at Roderick’s request.

“I will approve of your will.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

There were no nobles who opposed. It was uncertain whether the revival of Count Elenoth would have any impact on the power struggle.

A group that was neither clearly the Emperor’s faction nor the Empress’s faction.

A count without any real power and his prospective knights.

That was how they were perceived at the moment.

“In case of any possible opposition, let us proceed with a formal ceremony right here. Chamberlain, bring the relevant documents quickly.”

After a while, the chamberlain returned with the documents and the Emperor’s seal. Finally, the long-awaited moment for Roderick was about to be achieved.

“From this moment on, Esutiel Elenoth, the Count, is commanded to live as Count Elenoth.”

Thud!

The Emperor’s unmistakable seal was stamped on the certificate.

“Now, with the approval and seal of the Count… no, Count Elenoth, inform the palace. If you do so, your wishes will be fulfilled.”

“We will not disappoint! We will make sure of it.”

“No need for disappointment. Just do your duties well, that’s all.”

The Emperor chuckled. It seemed he was inwardly delighted as the political considerations were unnecessary requests. Roderick must have known that as well, hence he would have confidently agreed.

“Let us conclude this meeting here. Everyone must have been greatly surprised. There will be appropriate rewards for my guests in the future. So, for now, please relax in the palace.”

As if they were truly exhausted, they quietly relaxed their facial muscles and left one by one.

We were no different.

Roderick and I headed towards the room where Esutiel was staying.

On the way, I looked out the window. I could see the chaos that had become of the banquet hall in the distance through the transparent glass.

Confirming that there was no one there, I opened my mouth that had been shut.

“Roderick.”

“…”

“It’s all right. You can deceive me, you can hide what you’re doing. Whatever Roderick does, even if it hurts me, I can handle it all.”

“…”

“But innocent bystanders cannot.”

I was indifferent to being stabbed by a sword. I felt no regret for the bandages tightly wrapped under my outer garments. My extreme insensitivity to the malice directed towards me was the same then as it is now.

“Your business plan that you mentioned. If it had deviated slightly from the plan to make us knights, it would have been a disaster.”

“… I suppose so.”

I warned Roderick, who simply acknowledged it.

“Do not hide such things from me again. This is not an order from the Count Rihard, but a wish from the Empress’s child, Rahel, who trusts and follows you.”

“… I understand. I promise.”

“I believe you.”

As I received his promise.

The door that had just been knocked on opened.

There stood Esutiel, who had just become a count from a count’s heir, welcoming us with a sunflower-like smile.

“Oh, brother!”

“We have been waiting, our Count Esutiel.”

And so, I stepped into the room where the warmth of a person lingered.