Illina, who didn’t want to be disliked by Ruans, headed to the imperial palace without hesitation.

Normally, she should have sent a letter first to make an appointment, but when she said she came without warning because she was so worried about Lorencia, everyone kindly explained that she was with Teishar in Charlotte’s private reception room, and she was guided there.

“Hello, Princess Charlotte. I am Illina of the Pol Heredian family.”

After greeting with proper etiquette, Illina looked at Lorencia. Seeing her sitting on the reception room sofa, wearing a pretty lavender dress, eating delicious snacks and smiling, she felt inexplicably irritated.

Especially when Teishar was leaning towards Lorencia, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, or cutting cake and serving it on a plate for her!

“Illina, who takes good care of her poor sister. I thought you would come because you were worried about your sister.”

“Yes. I came because I have an urgent matter to discuss with my sister alone.”

“An urgent conversation just between the two of you…”

Charlotte recalled what Lorencia had said. That Illina would surely come to find her.

So she asked to let them be alone then. With a doubtful thought, she had already ordered the imperial palace attendants to guide Illina directly to the reception room where she was if she came. But she didn’t expect Illina to actually come. The same was true for Teishar.

Charlotte became even more curious about Lorencia.

“Yes, it’s about family matters…”

Illina had to persuade Lorencia somehow to take her to the Count’s residence. At Illina’s words, Charlotte looked at Lorencia once. Then she nodded and rang the bell to call the maid outside the door.

“Guide them to a reception room where the two can talk.”

Illina and Lorencia stood in front of the reception room guided by the maid. As the maid opened the reception room door, Lorencia entered first and leisurely looked around the room.

The cream-colored wallpaper and furniture that excluded decorations, and the dark brown table were delicately decorated. The dark burgundy blackout curtains covering the large windows matched the interior decoration of the room very well.

As Illina also entered the reception room, the maid closed the door. Finally alone with Lorencia, Illina sighed deeply as if she had been waiting.

“Lorencia. Are you crazy?”

“As your sister, I’m worried about that kind of language of yours, Illina.”

“What did you say?”

“I’m saying this because I think it would be better for a cultured noble lady to watch her words.”

Lorencia said, looking at herself reflected in the mirror in the room.

“Tell the Princess right now that you’re going back to the mansion.”

“Illina. I don’t want to go back to the Count’s residence.”

“What did you just say? That you don’t want to go back?”

“Princess Charlotte and Her Majesty the Empress told me to stay at the imperial palace for the time being. I should follow that order.”

“Insist on returning to the mansion right now!”

“No.”

“If you go back now, you won’t be beaten. But if you go back later, you’ll be beaten worse than last time. Is that what you want?”

“Such threats no longer work on me, Illina.”

“Do you want to die so badly that you’re struggling like this?”

Illina glared at Lorencia as if she would kill her.

“Honestly, wouldn’t it be fine if a bastard like me just disappeared?”

Lorencia couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Illina trying to contain her anger.

“If I disappear right after meeting you, wouldn’t that be troublesome for you, Illina?”

“You call that talking? And you’re smiling now?”

Illina grabbed Lorencia’s collar, looking down at her. Perhaps because she was so angry, Illina’s voice started to rise.

“I asked if you find this amusing. Won’t you answer?”

With her collar grabbed, Lorencia looked up at Illina with her lips still curled up, as if finding it entertaining.

“What’s wrong with you?? Do you think you’re something special because you’re staying at the imperial palace?”

Lorencia, smiling broadly, nodded. At that moment, Illina slapped Lorencia’s cheek with all her might. Illina felt her head spinning with anger at the sight of Lorencia, who usually trembled in fear, looking up at her and sneering.

“Disgusting monster. Because of you, our mother had to go to the convent.”

“Since Anne went to the convent because of me, you must hate me, Illina.”

“Yes, I hate you to death. I wish you’d just die!”

“But Illina. I don’t feel any hatred from you saying that. Are you sure you really hate me?”

Towards Lorencia, who spoke as if teasing her, Illina spewed out insulting words in an angry voice.

“Do you think your anger is conveyed by spitting out such curses? Please!”

Illina flinched involuntarily at Lorencia’s suddenly raised voice.

“Please, look at me properly and hate me like you want to kill me.”

“You’ve really gone mad.”

Once again, Illina’s palm struck Lorencia’s cheek hard. With a ‘slap’ sound, Lorencia’s head turned to the other side, tearing the part of the dress where Illina was gripping the collar.

Illina pushed Lorencia down to the floor. Lorencia, who had fallen to the floor, stood up with an indifferent expression.

Seeing Lorencia stand up calmly, Illina felt as if a cold chill was running down her back. It felt like someone was glaring at her from behind.

Illina unconsciously turned to look behind her, then glared fiercely at Lorencia again.

“How did it come to this? My little sister. It seems even the pure malice you had when killing small animals is no longer there.”

Lorencia approached Illina. Illina stepped back as much as Lorencia approached. As Lorencia stepped forward, Illina stepped back, and it kept repeating. In the tension, the two continued this dance of approach and retreat. Soon, Illina’s heels hit the wall.

She could no longer step back.

“I only feel unease from you.”

Lorencia pointed at Illina’s trembling hands.

“I’m so worried about you, Illina.”

Lorencia curled her lips up kindly and reached out to stroke Illina’s luscious golden hair. Illina flinched. She rolled her eyes to look at Lorencia’s outstretched hand.

“You’re not already anxious about being abandoned by Prince Ruans, are you?”

“Me, abandoned? His Highness said I would become his princess consort.”

Lorencia’s lips twitched. And soon she started laughing languidly.

“Seeing Illina, who used to kill small animals while smiling, now purely believing in someone.”

Lorencia stopped laughing and stared straight at Illina.

“It feels quite disconcerting.”

Illina gritted her teeth so hard it made a grinding sound. Because of Lorencia, Julie, who had worked at the Count’s mansion for a long time, left. It didn’t matter. Servants could be found easily enough. But even Anne had to leave.

Now she has to live alone in the Count’s mansion. The loneliness that had already begun brought a suffering she had never experienced before. That suffering made her thoroughly helpless. She had become like a kite with its string cut. Now the only ones she could trust were her father Brant and Ruans.