Could it be Ian?

Why would Ian be here?

No matter how I thought about it, there was no reason for him to come to Cayden’s birthday party…

While I was trying to figure out the man’s identity, he straightened his slightly bent waist. Just as I thought the eye level was familiar, this time I noticed his unusually tall height and solid physique.

It’s not common to find someone with this height and such a physique.

It didn’t take long for my suspicion to turn into certainty. After examining his hair color, which looked particularly dark today, I lowered my gaze a bit more.

Meeting his eyes that held the sea, which the mask couldn’t fully hide, I raised the corners of my mouth.

“You’ve finally arrived.”

The man before me was Ian.

“Lady, were you waiting for me?”

Since when could he say things like this?

While I let out a short laugh, David, who had already gotten up, approached with a huff.

“Who exactly are you? I…”

“Do I need to answer that to you?”

David seemed to flinch at the cold voice devoid of any emotion.

Ian had merely looked at David, but perhaps overwhelmed by his dignity, David suddenly let out a fake cough.

“Are you some great family’s heir? Still, I think it’s not polite to steal someone else’s partner.”

“Sir David Colin? Whose partner are you saying I am?”

“Rosebelia Winters is my partner, isn’t she?”

As my fist was about to clench involuntarily, Ian firmly grasped my fingertips. As if he couldn’t let go now.

“I thought that matter was well settled between us.”

“So… are you saying you’re going to leave me for this man?”

“Since he’s much more handsome than Sir David Colin by anyone’s standards, I have no reason to refuse. Sir, you should take better care of yourself.”

David kept letting out empty laughs as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Shall we go, Lady?”

I passed by David while being escorted by Ian. Fortunately, the place where the altercation with David occurred was relatively secluded.

“What’s going on?”

After leading Ian onto the balcony, I immediately drew the curtains.

“What do you mean, Lady?”

“Who are you trying to fool? You’re Klein, aren’t you?”

He laughed dryly before taking off his mask. It was indeed Ian.

“When did you notice?”

“I had my doubts when I heard your voice, but I knew as soon as I saw your eyes.”

“So you knew from looking at my eyes.”

“Because it’s rare to find someone with such beautiful eyes.”

No sooner had I finished speaking than the smile on Ian’s face faded.

Did I say something wrong? Does he dislike being called pretty?

As I was about to move my lips, Ian asked in a low, soft voice.

“Do you like my eyes?”

What kind of question is that.

Every time I looked into Ian’s eyes, I felt like I was facing the sea beyond the castle walls.

Remembering that scenery that had brought me a sense of liberation, a smile naturally seeped out.

“I could look at them all day.”

At those words, the sea rippled slightly.

I carefully examined Ian, who was showing signs of being greatly moved.

After only seeing him in his knight’s uniform, it felt strange to suddenly see him dressed in formal attire.

I never thought I’d meet Ian with both of us in dresses and formal wear.

“But this look is a bit awkward.”

“Someone told me that. That they might go blind if they keep staring.”

“Huh?”

Ian’s gaze fell on me. My cheeks involuntarily twitched under his seemingly calm yet somewhat intense gaze.

“It’s truly blinding.”

“Ah, the necklace I’m wearing today is quite sparkly…”

“No, it’s not because of the necklace.”

Ian said, gazing steadily into my eyes.

I see, he’s not talking about the necklace, but complimenting my appearance.

“Well, a woman’s beauty depends on how she adorns herself…”

“Senior, you’re always pretty even without adornment.”

What’s gotten into him?

“And today…”

His calm eyes suddenly rippled greatly. They were wavering as if fierce waves were surging.

“You’re especially beautiful.”

Was he always one to say such embarrassing things?

He said he wanted to get closer to me, so it seems he’s adopted a strategy of giving compliments.

“Thank you. You look handsome today too.”

“Is that so.”

He seemed to take it calmly, but suddenly Ian’s ears turned bright red.

I felt it earlier too, but is he actually weak to compliments himself?

“By the way, who was that man from earlier?”

“Oh, that man? How should I put it. Someone who unilaterally claims to be my partner? No. Maybe I should say he’s the match my mother has her eye on for me?”

“A match?”

“There are probably several more behind him. If I say I don’t like him, she’ll immediately present the next person to me?”

David Colin was just the beginning. From now on, Olivia would present candidate grooms to me whenever such events occurred.

She would probably pick and choose men who had some flaw, like David Colin.

“You don’t want this, senior?”

“I have no intention of getting married right now. But the Empire is particularly obsessed with marriage, right? Especially if a woman doesn’t marry until a late age, there’s a lot of talk…”

“And so?”

My hand that was pressing against my forehead shrank at the somewhat impatient-sounding voice.

“Huh?”

“Are you going to get married?”

Ian was now staring at me with his brow furrowed.

Just like someone who was angry…

Is Ian perhaps also feeling the pressure to marry and empathizing?

“No, I’ll hold out as long as I can. If I don’t want to, I won’t. I don’t want a marriage that feels forced.”

“But what if the pressure keeps coming?”

“Then I’ll just run away, I guess.”

“Pardon?”

I burst out laughing at Ian’s dumbfounded face.

“I’m joking. Unless I had somewhere to go…”

Wait?

Could it be that Rosebelia’s reasons for seeking asylum in another country were complex? Family pressure could have been one of those reasons.

Ian’s visit to the knighthood asking to be killed wouldn’t have been welcome either.

‘Could you please kill me?’

Suddenly remembering those words Ian had said to Rosebelia, my heart skipped a beat.

If Ian were to say such words to me…

“Senior?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine…”

My mouth closed involuntarily as I felt a soft sensation on my shoulders. Glancing down, I saw the outer garment Ian had been wearing just moments ago.

“How are you feeling?”

“Huh?”

“You… collapsed, didn’t you?”

Ian’s brow furrowed again as if recalling my appearance from that day.

“I’m telling you, I’m fine.”

“I’ve found a renowned physician. So it would be good to have another examination.”

“I’m really not sick at all. I’m not in any pain.”

“I can’t feel at ease.”

Is he worried that if there’s something wrong with my body, he won’t be able to spar with me?

Well, I know what sparring with me means to Ian, what kind of motivation it brings him.

“Shall we go out now?”

“The wind is getting chilly, it would be better to go inside.”

As I nodded, Ian immediately approached the curtain. Through the curtain he slightly parted, I saw a familiar face.

Wait, that’s Olivia, isn’t it?

“Klein, we shouldn’t go out yet…”

I grabbed the hem of Ian’s clothes as he was about to pull open the balcony door and pulled him towards me.

Wait, this situation feels really familiar?

“Whoa!”

But why is my body falling backwards?

Of all things, I stepped on the hem of my dress, causing my shoe to slip and my ankle to lose proper strength. Because of that, it was me, not Ian, whose balance was disrupted.

Feeling my body becoming one with the floor, I reached out my hands wildly.

Closing one eye tightly at the crashing sound ringing in my ears, I opened it and blinked slowly.

There should definitely be some pain, but…

The only sensations I felt were the strong arms wrapped around my head and lower back, and the hot breath brushing against my lips.