After a moment.

Due to Mila’s intervention, the two quickly moved to the reception room. Although Berdura Castle, where human traffic is rare, it was an unexpected situation.

Mila’s heart pounded with worry about what might happen to Princess Stella. Even though selling crops in the market was not completely prohibited, it should have been avoided until the end. No matter how much she thought about it, it was an indiscreet action.

However, regrets were useless as it was already in the past. Mila scrutinized the face of the junior knight Lois with an anxious heart.

Although there was an indescribable familiar feeling, it wasn’t important now. The priority was to somehow get through this situation unharmed.

“So, the princess went to the market herself to sell carrots, spinach, and sugar peanuts.”

Lois’s voice carried a sense of resignation. Stella nodded as meekly as possible, feeling like a sinner.

“The others are not at fault. I acted on my own. If there’s punishment, let it be on me. Leave these people out of it.”

Despite being on the verge of tears due to worry, Stella maintained control over the servants to the end. Even though it was clear that not only the princess but also the servants of Berdura were involved in this matter.

Lois, bewildered and sighing, couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the absurdity of the situation.
I’ve seen princesses from many countries, but Stella is the first woman to act like this. A princess who cultivates crops. Not only that, she went to the market and sold them directly. Why on earth?

“How did you go out? The security must have been strict.”

Seeing Lois’s face, which had loosened a lot compared to the beginning, Stella felt a bit of hope that he might just overlook it.

“I can’t tell you that. If I reveal that too, the part I have to handle will become too big. So tell me first. Am I going to report that you went out of the castle without permission? Or, will you overlook it considering our relationship so far? Of course, you received a lot from me, but you don’t have to worry about it. By the way, the carrot pie was really delicious, wasn’t it?”

The voice was quite assertive, but Stella’s expression showed sincerity.

Please, don’t tell anyone.

Even though Stella didn’t say anything, it seemed like her voice was heard in Kai’s ears.

“Well, I won’t say anything. For now.”

Kai decided to cover up the fact. If it became known that Rudina, who traded in the market, was Princess Stella, who came to Amalun as a spy, it would complicate matters.

“But from now on, it would be better not to enter the market anymore.”

“Why?”

Stella didn’t argue further.
“Well, it’s because it’s dangerous. What if the princess finds out that you are outside the castle?”

“Who cares?”

“What?”

“No one here cares if I’m inside Berdura Castle, Lois. The emperor probably doesn’t even know my name. Even if one day I suddenly die here, no one will care. Oh, really? Then the castle will be empty again. That will be the end.”

“That’s not true.”

“You don’t know the emperor well.”

Stella recalled the atmosphere of the emperor she met during the formal banquet. Despite being distant, the overwhelming aura was quite formidable. She also remembered the desperate sight of the princess being dragged away without mercy when the fake pedigree was revealed. Stella still shuddered at the thought of that day.

As Stella pulled her arm as if she felt cold, Kai’s expression became displeased. Why wear such thin clothes?

Kai, who hadn’t thought at all that he was the reason for Stella feeling cold, took off his coat and naturally draped it over Stella’s shoulders. As her body warmed up, Stella felt a newfound sense of peace.

Seeing him take off his coat like this, it seemed that he had no intention of reporting it recklessly. Indeed, there was a sense of accomplishment in having treated her well all this time.

“Do you know about the emperor?”

Kai asked Stella, looking at her. Stella thought for a moment and nodded, answering with a voice full of concern.
“I don’t know much, but one thing is certain: that person has no blood or tears.”

“Why is that?”

Kai felt a bit unjustly accused. Although his voice unintentionally sounded harsh, Stella, who was lost in her own imagination, didn’t catch on.

“I only saw that person from afar at the formal banquet, but just that was enough to sense the atmosphere around them. When the princess with the bloodline issue was dragged away that day, the emperor seemed completely merciless. He ordered to burn them all. And the more important fact is,”

As Stella stopped here, Kai became curious about what she was about to say. He couldn’t fathom what misunderstanding Stella had about him.

“In fact?”

“The emperor has no interest whatsoever in the princesses he brings in as concubines.”

“No way.”

Kai felt embarrassed but answered naturally.

“No, trust me. I’m so confident that I’m willing to bet everything. Wanna bet?”

“What kind of bet?”

Kai looked at her with a helpless expression, but in Stella’s eyes, he seemed to have already been captivated and turned to her side.