Enlil fluffed up her fur and raised her tail to their full extents. It was clear to all that she detested them.

She didn’t take kindly to the two young humans looking at her either. Their smiles didn’t reach their eyes, which were filled with malicious intent. The young dragon lowered herself, ready to pounce at any moment.

The grey eyes of the Count of DePonte turned to Enlil.

“Is this fox the lady’s pet?”

“She is family.”

“…Huh.”

Serena’s face paled and she began to shudder as he turned away.

“Oh, I’m sorry, my lady. To call a mere foxling family…”

“No need to apologize. You would not understand even if you came back from the dead.”

Despite her sharp words, the smile never left Serena’s face. Evelia echoed her father’s words under her breath.

‘I wish I could give that arrogant girl a piece of my mind.’

“Quite an interesting fox to be so treasured by the lady.”

“She does have beautiful fur.”

“That’s not what I mean, there’s an unusual energy…”

The count’s pale eyes shone over the rim of his glasses.

‘Oh no.’

The count was skilled in alchemy. If by chance, the alchemists from the Golden Tower had indeed held Enlil captive and had done something to her…

‘It wouldn’t be good for the count to find out. He could discover Enlil’s true identity.’

As the count reached out toward Enlil, Evelia immediately blocked him.

“Apologies, but my fox is a bit shy.”

“Would it be alright if I didn’t touch her but only observed from up close?”

“I’ve raised my fox to help me hunt. She’s quite aggressive.”

Understanding Evelia’s command, Enlil stood upright.

“Just the presence of other people makes her grind her teeth.”

With a clatter, a chilling sound echoed through the room.

“And sometimes, she lunges and tries to rip out their throats.”

In a flash, the small ball of fur jumped up, and in no time, Enlil was on Serena’s shoulder, threatening to sink her teeth into her neck.

“Kyaaak! Get away!”

Even though she was forcefully smacked away by a revolting hand, Enlil landed gracefully and swayed her tail by Evelia’s side.

Even with this warning, the count continued to gaze at Enlil with narrow eyes, just as Evelia tried her best to hide her, then,

“My lady.”

A welcome voice. Evelia began to wave in response, but then she caught her skirt and bowed her head slightly.

Following Evelia’s gaze, the Count’s family also turned and paid their respects to the young emperor.

“It’s a pleasure to see the young sun of the empire.”

Ludwig approached the count with swift strides and stood in front of him. Though smaller than the count, Evelia felt a sense of relief.

“What were you discussing?”

“I was inquiring about the lady’s intriguing pet, Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty, the lady’s pet tried to bite my neck. It was so terrifying, I almost fell over.”

Adding to the count’s words, Serena rubbed her neck and put on a pitiful face. How delicate she looked… Evelia’s expression hardened.

‘She is definitely a twofaced person.’

I saw her hit Enlil away just now.

“It was really scary. The way it bared its teeth was monstrous.”

“…….”

Evelia chose not to contradict her. After all, Ludwig was one of the few who knew Enlil’s true identity.

Whether he interpreted her silence correctly, Serena approached Ludwig with a victorious smile.

“Your Majesty, it’s not often we see you, how about we take a walk together? Strolling through the beautiful garden might soothe my startled heart…”

“I’m sorry, my lady, but I have prior arrangements.”

As Ludwig flatly refused, the count directly asked,

“Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, is this prior arrangement with the lady?”

“Yes, it is.”

The count’s face contorted in what appeared to be genuine regret. He quickly bowed his head deeply.

“I sincerely hope you would consider my earnest advice, Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“Your Highness and the Princess are yet unattached. Moreover, your positions naturally draw all eyes. I implore you to consider carefully, as casual meetings or conversations in public places could potentially tarnish both your reputations.”

Seeming to emphasize the sincerity of his advice, the Count’s brow was furrowed with concern.

‘How amusing.’

‘Nonsense.’

Ludwig and Evelia shared a fleeting glance, their lips curling up in synchrony as if they were sharing a private joke. Their alleged advice crossed a line, their personal interest thinly veiled.

Relationships took many forms. Friends, lovers, allies.

If a member of the royal family and a member of the Artina Duke’s family maintained a relationship as friends or allies, there would be no reason to object; in fact, it would be welcomed with open arms. The same would hold true if their relationship deepened.

Count DePonte simply wanted all such relationships to benefit his own family, and so, wished to cut off all possible ties between Evelia and Ludwig under the guise of advice, spreading insinuations instead.