He tried to grasp what that emotion was, frowned in contemplation, and shot a glance at her. However, finding no resolution, he began questioning her.

Unexpectedly, Lorisha Roar answered willingly. Rokard realized she was in a different state than usual, intoxicated by some potion, and refrained from further inquiries.

At this moment, an ominous desire to unearth her true feelings, her suppressed desires stemming from the guilt of being a bastard, crossed his mind.

But that desire also touched Rokard Caidel’s pride. He couldn’t tolerate exploiting a woman’s vulnerable state.

As Lorisha spoke sincerely, he subtly battled within himself, maintaining a faint smile.

In this process, amidst the casual banter, he unexpectedly learned her life goal. Lorisha Roar. She seemed like an extraordinary woman.

He heard from the palace maids how she endured the Empress’s meddling. He had never seen a woman charge fearlessly like that before.

He had learned such a way of fighting, risking everything on the battlefield, but she seemed to have done it since her birth.

However, she wasn’t even aware of that fact. With more things she wanted to reject than inherit from her parents, she sought to achieve what she desired without relying on anyone.

She didn’t spend time pondering what price she would pay in the process. He didn’t know if her blind passion, which emitted charm like vitality, made him observe her.

Rokard realized that he had understood more about Lorisha today. And the astute Rokard knew that this knowledge would continue to hinder him. Just today, he didn’t dare deceive the Empress.

“Not yet. I’m not sure,” Rokard muttered, causing Grelan to narrow his eyes. Rokard saying he wasn’t sure meant that there was undoubtedly a severe problem even if he didn’t know what it was.

Rokard noticed his lord’s face darkening and raised his head, smiling broadly. “Yes. Today, she won. But it’s a one-on-one, a draw.”

Grelan knew he was the true winner of the first competition.

However, he also wanted a superficial victory—a visible result to prove his superiority to the imperial citizens and nobles. But continuing like this would only make the two princes seem even.

He said with irritation, “I should have thrown her into the abyss.”

As Rokard’s gaze became more sensitive at his words, Grelan watched him and said, “If only you had clung to her. If it weren’t for her, who would have stabbed you in the back?”
“Today’s incident was impulsive behavior from Her Highness Miliora. It’s not her fault.”

“It is her fault! The owner’s crazy rampage is the owner’s responsibility.”

Instead of arguing, Rokard murmured as if looking at a distant mountain.

“If only you hadn’t rejected her in Jebron, you wouldn’t regret it so much.”

“Hah!”

Grelan struck the armrest of the chair and glared at Rokard. Rokard’s sly laughter was inevitable, but he couldn’t deny those words.

Whenever Rokard sided with her, Grelan felt irritated as if he were pointing out his own clumsiness and narrow-mindedness.

In fact, Grelan wanted to kidnap Lorisha even now, take her out of the palace, and stash her in some mountainous place. Then, when he became the Crown Prince, he wanted to bring her back and use her.

But such thoughts were delusions. Even if she was a valuable talent, the fact that she was a bastard was the problem.

It wasn’t just her birth as a bastard; her shoulders were too broad. With no family to protect and be responsible for her, she seemed to pursue the value of her life and loyalty without expecting anything from anyone.

So, he could never trust her. He couldn’t tolerate even a small loss for someone he couldn’t trust, believing in an unreliable human who would die for him by his side.

Therefore, for Grelan, Lorisha could not be more than a thorn in his side.

Rokard spoke as if coaxing his lord. “Even if we lost the advantage of using iron ore, Lord Orl gained nothing either. And today, Lord Orl lost his composure. He will soon make a mistake.”

Grelan stared through Rokard as if trying to pierce him, and Rokard smiled gently, the kind that could calm even a man.

“When Empress ends the iron ore negotiations, she will give the third competition problem. The first required heart, the second knowledge, so the next one is likely to involve physical strength.”

Grelan’s eyes twinkled. “In that case, I have the advantage.”

“Yes. In the next competition, no one will have a greater advantage than Lord Orl. You should actively utilize that.”

Only then did Grelan feel relieved and smiled.

“Rokard. About Lorisha.”

When Grelan called her name affectionately for the first time, Rokard felt a light shiver.

“Before the start of the third competition, we should get her out of the palace. I’d prefer to kill her, but if I do, you’ll jump again. Think of the most natural way.”

Rokard looked at his lord with a gentle gaze.

He knew that he shouldn’t refute Grelan now. Those who touched Tagar’s anxiety had to pay the price.

The price for stirring Orl’s mind had been settled today, but there was still something left for Grelan.