“Lord Khalern?”

At the sound of the familiar voice, I turned my head, and in that moment, I found myself caught in a predicament. Khalern immediately made a clucking sound and fed me water from a glass bottle. However, the touch, though seemingly appreciative, wasn’t welcome because the one who called him was Floria.

Floria watched Khalern feeding me water with a hint of displeasure, and perhaps sensing her disapproval, my cough didn’t subside at all.

Then Khalern, who had been tapping my back, turned his eyes towards Floria, only moving his eyeballs.

“Reacting as if you’ve seen something terrifying.”

Upon meeting Khalern’s gaze, Floria, holding onto her dress, lowered her head.

“I greet Sir Khalern, the radiant knight of Hilic.”

Without responding to Floria’s greeting, Khalern continued tapping my back. Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, I subtly grabbed his arm to signal him, but Khalern only pursed his lips.

I fell into a situation ripe for misunderstanding. I sent a look to Floria, trying to convey that it wasn’t what it seemed, but her eyes were icy cold.

“Darn it, something felt off since he suddenly suggested going on a picnic.”

He dragged me all the way to the pond behind the First Prince’s palace, leaving the garden behind, only to encounter this ridiculous situation. I resentfully sent him a reproachful gaze, but Khalern didn’t even blink.

It was only after Saré had calmed down and Khalern had stood up that he bowed to Floria.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“Her Majesty the Queen called, so I came. But…”

Floria glanced briefly at me.

“You two seem very close.”

“Oh, that… ”

“Probably even closer than the Crown Prince and me. We have quite a deep connection.”

Khalern looked down at me as he spoke.

“Isn’t that right?”

His affectionate gaze almost made Saré burst into laughter. What was this display supposed to be? And a deep connection? What kind of connection do we have!

I couldn’t understand Khalern’s behavior at all. All I could grasp was that I was in a tight spot.

Floria’s eyes were already those of a betrayed person, and she sent me a look of injustice that couldn’t be openly expressed. Behind Floria, Shanna, standing silently, seemed to be suppressing a smile, as if she had expected this.

“I was worried that my sister might feel uncomfortable in an unfamiliar place, but it seems she’s doing well. I’m relieved Prince Khalern has taken care of her. I’m grateful to His Highness for his consideration.”

“I have no need for gratitude from the Crown Prince. I do it willingly because it’s your family, not because of any personal feelings.”

I felt an overwhelming urge to grab Khalern by the collar and shake him right then and there. His words sounded as if we were on such good terms.

“You said it would be difficult to break the engagement with your sister, but is this your way of doing it?”
I was reassured about passing on information about the Mithril mine, but I didn’t expect to be betrayed like this. Even though I tried to hide my astonishment, I deeply resented Khalern’s nonchalant attitude.

“I see. Ah, I think I should go first since my mother is waiting.”

“Please do.”

When Khalern replied indifferently, Floria, pursing her lips, turned her gaze to me. She was smiling, but as someone who could roughly guess what she might be thinking by now, I was just scared.

“Sister, please visit the palace when you have time. There are many stories I want to share with you.”

“Oh, yes. I’ll visit soon, Lady Vee.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Floria, who smiled brightly, gave a polite nod to Khalern before turning away. I watched her retreating figure and placed my hand on my left chest. Darn it.

“What should I do with my heart…”

Looking at Khalern resentfully for deliberately choosing actions that would be misunderstood, he tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand.

“Why are you so scared, little sister?”

Khalern, who knew nothing, naturally spoke like that. However, resentment couldn’t help but surge.

“Why did you come all the way here?”

There’s a pond in the garden of the First Prince’s palace, so why did we come to this spot for a picnic, creating this mess!

“Just because.”

Khalern chuckled teasingly.

“I couldn’t wait any longer.”

What on earth is so hard to wait for?

Perhaps until now, he pretended not to know my intentions for fun, but now he won’t turn a blind eye anymore. Or is he trying to make Floria doubt me, lose her composure, and suspect me? Considering Khalern’s hostile attitude towards Floria from the first meeting at the return banquet, it was the most plausible hypothesis.

He recognized Floria’s true colors.

“Lorneola?”

I snapped out of my thoughts at the sudden call. Sylvia, who came to see me on vacation after a long time, blinked with a puzzled expression.

“Are you listening to me?”

“Oh, yes. Of course. Continue.”

Smiling mischievously, Sylvia continued.

“Recently, Prince Eder is enjoying secret meetings day and night.”

No one is in the room, but Sylvia whispered as if someone might overhear.