Chapter 59

Clang!

Yusril, who had been switching out the cold water for warm, dropped the kettle. His eyes went wide in shock, and his hands were trembling uncontrollably.

Iscalion froze as well.

‘Is it really that shocking just to talk things out?’

While I blinked in confusion, Iscalion pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. Then, with a sigh, he finally parted his lips.

“Just what is the Lady…”

“But if we don’t coordinate our stories, people will start to wonder why we’re even friends, won’t they?”

I looked troubled, and for some reason, both men seemed flustered. Especially Yusril, who let out a weird, ‘Ah…Aaaah!’ and opened and closed her mouth like a fish.

And as for Iscalion…

“….”

“….?”

What kind of expression is that?

One thing was clear, though… it was definitely not a good one.

I could hear him grinding his teeth.

‘Iscalion is hard to figure out.’

I’ve met all kinds of people, both before regression and now, so I was usually pretty good at reading others, but Iscalion was different.

After all, he was the one who tried to save me when I had nothing.

‘I’ve never experienced kindness without strings attached before.’

Even Selena only became my friend after the whole ‘Ulysses triple-slap incident.’ However, Iscalion never seemed to expect anything from me.

“…You’re a strange person.”

When I muttered that, Iscalion looked absolutely dumbfounded.

“Are you talking about me? Not yourself, My Lady?”

“You’re the strange one, Your Highness. Why don’t you ever want anything from me?”

I continued it with a sulky look.

“I ask you for all sorts of things. But Your Highness never seems to want anything from me.”

“Some relationships don’t need to be transactional.”

“Not in my world. I can say that for certain.”

“You sound like someone who’s been betrayed countless times.”

“….”

“Is that why the Lady decided to join hands with me?”

“….”

When I pressed my lips together and stayed quiet, the Grand Duke let out a faint laugh.

‘Why is he laughing?’

As I frowned, he spoke up again.

“You’re not answering because you can’t lie to your ally, right?”

“Well…”

“Even if you never tell me your real motives, I still trust you to some extent. I can see you’re at least trying not to deceive me.”

“Your Highness…”

“That’s why I’ll show goodwill to my ally for now. If I ever need something from you, I’ll ask then.”

Who would ever call a man like this a cold-blooded monster?

I looked at him, a little embarrassed.

“You’re really kind.”

“Me?”

“Your Highness?!”

Yusril dropped another piece of glass he’d been picking up.

“You comforted me because you knew I was feeling uneasy!”

“….”

“And… please wait just a little longer. I can’t tell you yet, but maybe someday, I’ll be able to share my true reasons with you.”

He was the first man I’ve ever met like this.

The one who made it possible for me to save myself.

‘So maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to tell him someday.’

…Of course, I still don’t trust him completely.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

I made up a story about me and Iscalion and sent it out.

That way, he promised he would memorize the details before the garden party. Since I sent it secretly through Yusril, there was no risk of the story leaking during mail inspection.

But still…

“Move.”

“No, you move. I have something to ask the Grand Duke of Delosif’s daughter.”

“Me first! Hey, Lady! Is it true you’re having a secret affair with the Grand Duke of Akelos?”

“I’m Henella from the 〈 Handsome Men Protection Society. 〉 Don’t you think this is unfair?”

“That’s right! How can you monopolize the few good-looking men left? Your brothers, the Grand Duke of Akelos, and even the Four Flowers…!”

As they all ground their teeth in frustration, I raised one hand.

“The Four Fl—No, that’s definitely not true.”

Oops.

I answered without thinking, even though I meant to just ignore them and walk away.

‘But I’m absolutely not part of any ‘Four Flowers’ group or whatever.’

That nickname referred to the four men in the adultery five, minus Mikarin. I didn’t want to be associated with them even in rumors.

“S-So you’re saying the Grand Duke part is true?!”

Hwaaaah!

The young ladies burst into tears, clutching their handkerchiefs. So, before things could get any messier, I managed to squeeze past them.

“I sent the message through Yusril, so how did it get out?”

I muttered with a frown.

Ohoho—

Just then, I heard a soft, sly laugh behind me.

“It’s been a while, Young Lady. Just the other day, you were—this—small, and now look at you. Time really does fly.”

The man, his hand resting around his own waist, was a familiar face.

“It’s been over ten years since I was that small. And please, stop calling me ‘young lady’… Professor Gella.”

Gella Philosman.

He was the younger brother of Duke Philosman and had been my homeroom professor back when I attended the academy. Which meant he also taught Cleas, Raphael, Lucvan, and Ulysses. The academy’s motto was always, ‘Only the best can raise the best.’

“Is that so? I guess ‘young lady’ doesn’t really suit a troublemaker~”

“Anyway, what brings you here?”

“Of course, I’m just curious to see how my student has grown~”

On the surface, Gella seemed sweet and gentle, but inside, he was the complete opposite. Back at the academy, everyone fell for his angelic face… until they met the devil underneath.

I looked at Gella, my expression turning cold.

“You look just as skeptical as you did when you were a little troublemaker. Ufufu.”

“So please, just tell me the truth, Professor.”

“Of course~ But this isn’t something we should talk about out here. Let’s go somewhere private.”

I tilted my head in curiosity, but followed Gella.

He’s not a dangerous person.

‘He’s just a fool when it comes to his nephew.’

Once we arrived at the place Gella led me to, I stared blankly up at the building.

“I thought we were going to talk?”

“That’s right.”

“But this is the old dormitory we used to live in!”

“So?”

With a look that seemed to say, ‘We can talk anywhere~,’ Gella walked in first. He stopped at the huge round table in the courtyard.

“Here we are, Nikaearsha.”

But inside…

“What are you all doing here?”

I asked sharply.

I was talking to Cleas, Ulysses, and Lucvan.

Lucvan grumbled, propping his chin on his hand.

“We’d like to know that too. We were pretty much dragged here against our will.”

“That’s not kidnapping. You all followed me willingly. Lucvan, my boy, you’re still an airhead, even after all these years.”

Gella looked at Lucvan with a hint of pity.

Of course, Lucvan instantly bristled.

“I’m not the kid who used to study under you anymore! I’m the heir to the Lorua dukedom…!”

“A mudskipper*?”

At Gella’s comment, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Because of that, Lucvan, who had been fuming, turned to glare at me this time.

“And why are you laughing?! Is that funny?!”

[ T/N: A ‘mudskipper’ (망둥어) is a small fish that flops around awkwardly on land. In Korean, calling someone this is a playful way to tease them for being silly or clueless, like calling someone an ‘airhead’ or ‘dummy.’ ]