“The two of them seem to still be enjoying the aftermath.”

Matthias, who was cutting tomatoes, looked up at Isolra’s words. Isolra stared at him with a twinkle in her eye. It was a gaze that had become familiar in the past few days.

“Well, considering you were apart for a long time.”

Matthias smiled gently. He had heard the news that Cahilun had visited the villa this morning. It was a relief, as Renaula seemed somewhat melancholic, trying not to show it.

Matthias was finally relieved.

He was tormented by the thought that if only he had known how to express himself properly, such an unfortunate incident might not have happened. He had told Isolra that he wasn’t interested in riding, but as soon as he returned to the kingdom, he planned to take riding lessons immediately.

“It’s only been a few days, no matter how long you say.”

Isolra said teasingly.

“I wanted to keep you two from meeting for another day or two, but I didn’t expect you to barge in at midnight without permission. Isn’t that extremely rude?”

Isolra added that she might have to immediately correct the atmosphere of the border defense force when they returned to the kingdom. However, she knew it wouldn’t be easy to stop Cahilun, so it was half-joking.

“Renaula seems to have missed you quite a bit.”

“With the accident and not being able to contact you, she must be even more affectionate.”

Having often witnessed Cahilun’s affectionate attitude towards Renaula, it was easy to imagine how eagerly he had searched for his wife.

“I apologize for coming without notice on behalf of my lady. …But it seems that Her Highness the Princess doesn’t think highly of Lord Cahilun.”

“Yes. Unfortunately.”

Unlike Matthias’s cautious question, Isolra’s response was very firm.

She thought he was an honest person, but even so, it was too tactless for a princess of one country to criticize the prince of another country so openly.

Matthias barely caught the fork that almost slipped from his hand.

Looking at Matthias, who opened his eyes like a round fish and puckered his lips in surprise, Isolra sighed.

‘How cute.’

The more she looked, the more she liked this man.

Matthias coughed awkwardly and avoided eye contact.

“Well, such remarks could harm the relationship between the two countries, so I think it would be better to be careful.”

“It’s okay. Regardless of whether I dislike the First Prince or not, he doesn’t pay attention to such words. If it were Renaula, the situation might be different. And he won’t retaliate, right?”

Isolra grinned. When Matthias, who was stroking his throat as if it were awkward, responded, Isolra asked a similar question.

“How does Viscount Linton think of the First Prince?”

“I respect him. Because he is the one who made the present Hilik.”

“Even though he’s a playboy?”

“What?”

“Even though he’s a playboy, you still respect him?”

“W-What do you mean by a playboy…”
Having heard unexpected words, Matthias was flustered and fumbled around. His reddened cheeks and lost gaze indicated her speculation.

“I’m generally good at reading people, but Viscount Linton is the type whose feelings are written all over his face.”

Realizing that arguing would be useless, Matthias tightly closed his eyes.

“Seeing it now, I understand. That’s why I initially misunderstood that the two of you ran away together.”

“I did have feelings for Princess Bee at one point, but not anymore.”

Matthias said with closed eyes.

‘Written all over his face.’

Isolra chuckled inwardly, seeing the gaze that clearly showed he hadn’t yet sorted out his feelings and the lie.

“I would have rather taken Lady Renaula and run away this time. I could have helped.”

“I’ve never thought about it. My feelings were solely mine, and Princess Bee has never given me a chance.”

Matthias answered candidly.

‘Ah, I really like him.’

The straightforward manner of this man, who cut off any strange rumors that might stick to Renaula like a tail, appealed to Isolra.

Isolra, who was watching Matthias with a quiet gaze, put down the cutlery.

“There’s talk of your scandal with Lady Renaula spreading throughout the Hylak Kingdom. Will it calm down just because you return quietly?”

“What are you talking about…”

“Rumors are circulating in detail, even with testimonies from a maid and a knight who were close. In this situation, if you return, the First Prince will eventually catch the two runaways. The scandal won’t settle, and it will be detrimental to the First Prince’s succession to the throne. Even if he ascends the throne, Lady Renaula will be finger-pointed as an illegitimate woman for a lifetime. Moreover, there was already a scandal with a Palon artist before, so there will be more.”

Matthias’s expression became serious at Isolra’s words. He hadn’t considered that far yet, but hearing it made it plausible.

No, there were still noble people who liked to tear others down. Renaula might never receive proper treatment as a queen.