In response to my question, his gaze calmly settled. However, seeing a flicker of hesitation in him for a brief moment made me doubt the credibility of his forthcoming answer.

So far, the Kaidel Gongja I know has been shameless and troublesome. He is the kind of person with excessive confidence who doesn’t even feel the need to lie.

When he refrains from speaking like this, there is undoubtedly a secret behind it.

“Isn’t it right? Gongja-nim’s eyes are saying so.”

Kaidel Gongja stared intensely into my eyes before speaking. Each word was spoken in a soft tone, like the planting of roots in the ground.

“You will return to the palace. This is the promise made by Rocar.”

I blinked my frozen eyes.

It wasn’t because of his grandiose promise, but the gentle touch of his hand, carefully brushing the hair covering my cheek away from my ear, made my entire body shiver.

“You know me better than you think. So, please trust me.”

“Gong…”

I opened my mouth, but my response dissipated into the air. Neither an answer nor words.

Suddenly regaining my senses, I moved backward.

I still gazed at the man standing beyond my comprehension, contemplating his words.

Trust me. I don’t trust anyone anymore.

I promised my mom. Now I won’t trust anyone.

Kaidel Gongja, who had risen from the seat in the meantime, was wearing his usual relaxed smile, which clung to him like armor.

“I knew you would figure it out soon.”

Now, my voice had become calm.

“I can’t understand. I won’t participate in the competition anymore. So, there’s no need to trap me.”

However, his response was cold.

“In the eyes of both Princes, your existence itself is a variable in the competition. And they have no intention of tolerating it.”

“Just kick me out! Why are you trying to separate me from the Princess through an investigation?”

“Investigation, how unpleasant. Miss Loar.”

Him calling me by my last name unintentionally had a calming effect on my excitement.

“Then, what is this if not an investigation? We are in a competitive relationship. With the successor of the first lion and the scandal of a bastard concubine during the competition, whose blame do you think will be directed at? If people believe that you seduced Gongja-nim first, who do you think will be blamed for tarnishing Gongja-nim’s nobility?”

“…”

Kaidel Gongja was genuinely surprised. He had clearly not considered the possibility that the arrows of blame might be directed at me.

Now that I think about it, that human was adept at war but seemed to be a fool in matters of love.

He looked very serious now, seemingly troubled by a situation he hadn’t anticipated.

However, he soon seemed to have made up his mind and said firmly.

“You won’t know until you try.”

“Gongja-nim!”

“I will move first, and I will take responsibility. The situation you are talking about is still a fearful assumption. Now that I know, I will avoid such a situation.”
I touched my forehead, but he didn’t stop.

“I swear the outcome of this won’t harm you, Miss Loar. So, be my lover.”

I was bewildered by his determination and firmness, which seemed utterly mismatched with the current situation and insignificant details.

“A fake lover?”

“Yes. A fake lover.”

“Do you even know what you’re saying right now?”

“Your criticism is valid, but currently, there’s no other alternative. For Miss Loar, who has become a bad person, I will continue to act as such.”

His assertion made my vision blur.

“Just kick me out; why make it so complicated!”

“The situation is complicated.”

This damn noble!

While blaming him, I approached him with an earnest heart.

“Instead of doing that, tell me the reason. Gongja-nim is the noblest person I’ve ever known, except for our Marquis. That’s why I’ve never truly hated Gongja-nim… but…”

Ah. And ah.

If I were in normal condition, I wouldn’t have uttered such words.

I stood there with my mouth wide open, and he, blushing, averted his gaze while coughing.

“If that’s the case, please step back from your position as a maid. I’ll handle the rest, and what I can concede ends here.”

“I can’t.”

“Miss Loar!”

“I will stay by the Princess’s side.”

He covered his face with his palm, sighed deeply, and then, looking at me with a melancholic smile, said, “I knew you would answer that way. So, I will also seduce you.”

“Gongja-nim, really…!”

“I will take responsibility for the future you desire.”

Unknowingly, I raised my voice.

“Why, Gongja-nim? Why do you think I would entrust my life and future to you?”

…!

With a face that seemed to have received a blow to the head, Kaidel Gongja stared at me for a long time before saying, “I will visit you again. I think I really want you.”

After he left, I pulled the blanket over me with a chilly feeling.

The room, which felt like a storm had just passed through, was too quiet now. It almost felt like the recent events were a dream.

But it wasn’t a dream or a misunderstanding. Kaidel Gongja was trying to tarnish my credibility with the scandal between us.