Chapter 87. Eugene Kimfri

2023.12.26.

Bollonico’s explanation had become quite lengthy.

Judging from the subtle tone of his offhand remarks, he seemed to want to be seen as a more significant figure than Clade—one followed by many, not isolated.

So Yuan nodded appropriately between unfamiliar and slightly less unfamiliar names, feigning surprise.

If she wanted to practice her ability, she had no choice but to interact with Bollonico.

If she was lucky, she might even get to practice on his close associates, who were likely hostile to Clade.

She had been nodding along to Bollonico’s explanations for quite some time when a slight commotion arose—not from the greenhouse path they had come from, but from the opposite direction.

Soon, two massive figures approached them.

Two knights, fully armored.

They arrived before Bollonico and Yuan with precise steps, then knelt on one knee and bowed their heads respectfully.

Normally, one might tell them to rise, but the moment Bollonico saw them, his expression darkened completely.

‘The Imperial Knight Corps?’

Yuan guessed, noticing the imperial wolf insignia on their shoulders and their purple cloaks.

Since they were clad entirely in steel armor rather than full ceremonial uniforms, they appeared to have just returned from an external assignment.

For example, men who had gone hunting with Bollonico and had only just come back that morning.

Because Bollonico remained silent about telling them to rise, the knights cautiously removed their helmets and looked up at him.

Their expressions were visibly awkward, sweat beading on their foreheads—Yuan immediately sensed that Bollonico had clearly caused some incident, and these knights had come to fetch him.

Given Bollonico’s past behavior, this wasn’t particularly surprising.

“Respected First Prince. His Imperial Majesty, the Sun of the Empire, urgently requests your presence.”

The poor knights, still kneeling on one knee, looked at Bollonico with desperate eyes.

Bollonico’s brow furrowed even deeper than before.

Uncharacteristic of someone so image-conscious, a sharp voice escaped his lips.

“Bollonico is unwell. Didn’t I clearly state that he wasn’t feeling well?”

“We deeply regret, Your Highness. But if you refuse, we were ordered to bring you by force.”

The voice came not from the knights, but from elsewhere.

Everyone in the corridor turned toward the source.

While the two kneeling knights hesitated, another knight approached with heavy footsteps, helmet still on, and reported.

A man noticeably taller and more robust than the already well-built Bollonico drew near.

Unlike the previous two knights, his voice was extremely calm, even condescending.

Yuan noticed that the moment Bollonico saw him, his entire face twisted as if his personality had changed.

This was the first time she had seen Bollonico display such open hostility toward someone.

A sharper, more agitated voice shot toward the newcomer.

“Eugene Kimfri. No matter who you are, you can’t drag Bollonico around like a criminal.”

“Yes. But if it is His Majesty’s order, then even if it were the Empress Herself, my duty is to escort her.”

The man removed his helmet the moment he stood before Bollonico, giving a brief bow.

Thick, dark blue hair cascaded like a painting. A strong-featured, strikingly handsome face was revealed.

The man’s gaze passed over Bollonico and reached Yuan standing behind.

For a moment, Yuan couldn’t help but tense up. This man radiated an unusual aura.

Intense amber eyes briefly fixed on her before returning to Bollonico.

“Leaving your assigned destination during duty is grounds for disciplinary action.”

The man named Eugene Kimfri stated firmly. He showed no sign of being intimidated by Bollonico’s authority.

For a moment, Yuan recalled the Count Kimfri family she had read about in a book on eastern nobles.

A family possessing the largest territory in the east, effectively representing the entire region.

They stood shoulder to shoulder with the great northern, western, and southern houses—only lacking a dukedom.

As far as Yuan’s research had gone, the Count Kimfri family was not one that supported Bollonico.

They had sent no separate gifts to the Empress, nor had they pledged their seal to this path of loyalty.

‘Better double-check when I return, just in case.’

In truth, unless this man was not a legitimate scion of the house, his attitude toward Bollonico alone was enough to make an educated guess.

If he were a scion from a family supporting Bollonico, he wouldn’t behave this way.

Yuan felt an unexpected sense of kinship toward this man she had just met.

Since entering the palace, he was the first—aside from Noel—to openly show disdain for Bollonico, though she hadn’t properly met many others.

“You must go. Immediately.”

“Sister-in-law. Since arriving at the palace, you’ve never met His Majesty the Emperor, have you?”

Suddenly, the tension between the two men shifted toward Yuan.

Startled by the mention of the Emperor, Yuan looked up at Bollonico, who had tilted his head slightly toward her.

Bollonico widened his eyes and nodded insistently, urging her to respond.

His expression was so pitifully brazen that Yuan unintentionally raised her voice.

“What?”

“This would be a good opportunity to pay respects together with Bollonico. His Majesty holds you in high regard and would surely welcome you.”

Was he out of his mind? Suggesting she meet Emperor Igor now?

Yuan didn’t know whether Bollonico was aware of what had transpired between her and the Emperor, but regardless, she tried to recall if such a custom even existed in imperial protocol—and it did not.

Yuan was a guest of the Empress’s palace, and all internal affairs belonged primarily to the Empress.

If such a meeting had been necessary, Yuan would have been brought before the Emperor by the Empress’s hand on her very first day.

But according to imperial customs, it was actually improper for a subordinate to visit the Emperor uninvited.

It would have been acceptable if she were a prince or princess, but that didn’t apply here either.

Yuan suppressed her horrified expression and took a deep breath.

She hadn’t fully mastered her ability yet, and meeting such a powerful, complicated figure would be too risky.

“No, Your Highness.”

The reply came not from Yuan, but from the man called Eugene Kimfri.

Surprised by the sudden interjection, Yuan blankly looked up at Eugene Kimfri’s firm face.

“His Majesty summoned only one person. The First Prince, His Highness Bollonico. Only him.”

Seemingly indifferent to Bollonico’s icy glare,

Eugene Kimfri, his slightly tanned face expressionless, gestured with his chin to the two kneeling knights without giving Bollonico time to think.

In an instant, the two knights seized Bollonico’s arms, and he began struggling.

“Let go of me!”

“What would you like to do?”

Eugene Kimfri stepped past them and stood before Yuan.

Yuan caught a faint scent of wildness and sweat from the man who had stepped so close.

With an utterly blank, businesslike demeanor, the man asked her again.

“Please tell me which palace you are residing in, and one of our Imperial Knights will escort you. Or will you remain here?”

When the man asked politely but insistently, Bollonico’s face flushed red as he shouted.

“Don’t touch Bollonico’s guest! How dare you, mere Second Knight Corps Captain!”

Finally breaking free from the hesitant knights’ grip, Bollonico stepped in front of Yuan and growled at Eugene Kimfri.

“How dare you treat anyone like a criminal? Insolent!”

“Do you wish for me to escort you personally?”

“Bollonico will go in person, so don’t speak to me like that.”

Huffing, Bollonico straightened his clothes.

Unlike the knights clad in armor who had just returned from hunting, Bollonico was perfectly dressed.

He irritably smoothed the golden embroidery on his shoulders and the creases on his sleeve caused by the brief scuffle, then turned back to Yuan.

And, as if nothing had happened, he successfully plastered a picture-perfect smile onto his clean face.

Soon, Bollonico regained his usual composure and murmured.

“The state cannot function without Bollonico. His Majesty is so eager to summon me, not even giving me a moment’s rest, so Bollonico must go in person.”

For a moment, Yuan froze at the thought of being forced to face that mad Emperor alongside Bollonico.

Then, smiling brightly in response to Bollonico’s regretful tone, she extended the back of her hand.

Bollonico briefly raised his well-groomed eyebrows, but quickly smiled back, snatching her small hand and willingly pressing a kiss to the back of it.

“Since such a capable prince is busy with state affairs, I shall return to the Empress’s palace first. Please carry on with your discussion.”

“My subordinates will escort you to the Empress’s palace. Her Royal Highness the Dowager Princess Consort.”

Eugene Kimfri stared at her intently, cutting off Bollonico’s attempt to speak.

Yuan noticed the knights behind Eugene Kimfri watching her with curious eyes.

Their flushed faces reacted to the unfamiliar title “Dowager Princess Consort.”

In contrast, Eugene Kimfri, who hadn’t even introduced himself but already knew her, calmly faced Bollonico, whose face had turned bright red once again.

Yuan slowly released Bollonico’s hand, hurrying toward the knights, afraid he might blurt out nonsense about making her come along.

She was irritated that she had to leave without walking the Path of Loyalty, but this was not the time to stand her ground.

They had just reached the end of the corridor when—

“WAAAAAH—!”

Bollonico collapsed with a loud cry.

He suddenly fell onto the corridor floor, polished to a shine every morning by the servants, clutching his Achilles tendon and writhing.

The attendants waiting at a distance, startled by Bollonico’s scream, rushed over in panic.

Behind them, the knights hesitated, unsure whether to help or not.

Yuan Pelliese’s pitch-black eyes watched the scene with an indifference that could only be described as icy.